There is a pause before the seventh seal to allow for the sealing of God’s people. This seal (mark of ownership, see Ezekiel 9:1-6) identified all God’s people as his own and promised their survival through all worldly tribulations. 144,000 represents 12 tribes x 12 apostles times 10 x 10 x 10 – a number of completeness, complimented the numberless multitude that includes all Gentiles, also. Note the play on unsealing judgements and sealing God’s own in the midst of judgment. The climax, once again (see Revelation 4 and 5) is the worship of the Sovereign, Almighty God.
