In this week’s study, we begin in Chapter 7 verse 1 thru 8 with the sealing of the 144,000.
Quote from Henry Ironside. “In the last chapter we were occupied with the first half of the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy: “the beginning of sorrows” when “the wrath of the Lamb” will be poured out on guilty Christendom and apostate Judaism. All this is yet in the future. Now we find that before the Lord gave John the vision of the opening of the seventh seal (which introduces the great tribulation in all its intensity), He gave him this parenthetic seventh chapter in which are recorded two important visions. In the first, John sees a hundred and forty-four thousand Israelites sealed by an angel. In the second, he beholds a great multitude of Gentiles, led in triumph by the Lamb, taking possession of the millennial earth.
Judah is mentioned first, because Yahshua sprung from that tribe, and the pure worship of Yahweh was preserved in it; and that itself was preserved a distinct tribe until the coming of Shiloh; its name signifies "praise Yahweh"; and shows, that it becomes all the sealed ones, all true believers, and every member of the “ek-kelsia” of Yahweh, to praise him for all favors and blessings, temporal, spiritual, and eternal.
Reuben was Jacob's firstborn, but by his sin he lost the honor and privilege of birthright, and therefore is mentioned after Judah, who prevailed above him and the rest of his brethren; his name signifies "see the Son"; and shows that the Son of Yahweh is to be looked unto for righteousness, life, and salvation, by all that expect to be saved, and to him does the true church look for eternal life and happiness.
Gad name signifies a "troop", and may denote that there would be a numerous company of saints and faithful witnesses during the time of sealing, and amidst all the troubles and afflictions that would attend the church and people of Yahweh, and who in the issue would be conquerors, and more than conquerors, through Yahshua
Asher, signifies "blessed"; as all the sealed ones are, blessed with all spiritual blessings, with grace here, and glory hereafter.
Nephthalim the name of this tribe signifies "wrestling’s"; and may design the wrestling’s of saints, both with Yahweh in prayer, and with their enemies, sin, Satan, and the world, and also their strivings together for the faith of the Gospel.
Manasses this word signifies "forgetting"; and shows that the followers of Yahshua should forget the things that are behind, their sinful lusts and pleasures, the onions and garlic in Egypt, and their former company and acquaintance, their own people, and their father's house, and all their labors and sufferings for the sake of Yahshua.
Simeon The name of this tribe signifies "hearing"; and such an hearing as is attended with obedience; and the spiritual and practical hearing of the Gospel by those who hear, and understand, and believe, and practice what they hear, and yield the obedience of faith unto it.
Levithis name signifies "joined"; that these sealed ones were not only joined one to another in love and holy fellowship, but to Yahshua, and were one spirit with him, and were members of his body, flesh, and bones, and cleaved to him with full purpose of heart.
Issachar the interpretation of this name is "hire" or "reward",; and may design those rewards of grace which Yahweh bestows upon his faithful servants, in times of tribulation.
Zabulonsignifies "dwelling"; and was the tribe in which Yahshua had his dwelling, and where he much conversed; and may denote his gracious inhabitation, as well as that of Yahweh the Father, and of the Spirit, among the saints and sealed ones.
Joseph name signifies "adding; and may intend the additions both of numbers, and of gifts and graces to the churches of those times.
Benjamin this word signifies "the Son of the right hand",
