Just seventeen verses... its a short, but powerful, chapter
tucked into the scroll of the Apocalypse. Revelation 7 is inserted
between the 6th seal (Revelation 6) and the 7th seal (Revelation 8) to identify the two primary groups who
will trust in the Messiah Savior during the last days, and as a result
will find safety from the world's enemies and God's wrath.
Subtlety hidden is a clue as to the
prophetic time clock; and, this one got my attention years ago! The great
multitude of all nations had "palm branches" in their hands
(Revelation 7:9). Why palm branches? What's the occasion? Is this a Biblical
clue
that helps point to the timing of the Great Tribulation down to the
month; or, even to the day?
Leviticus
23:40 says, "On the first day you are to take branches
from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows and other leafy
trees—and rejoice before the Lord
your God for seven days." The first day of what? The Bible
points to the Feast of Tabernacles--also known to Jews and students
of the Word as Sukkot.
This Festival arrives every year in the fall season around September or October. Nehemiah 8:14-15 adds, "The
Israelites were to live in temporary shelters during the Festival of
the seventh month [Feast of Tabernacles]... “Go
out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and
wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to
make temporary shelters,”
as part of the Feast of Tabernacles seven day celebration.
Another
clue as to the timing and events of Revelation 7 is found in
Zechariah 14:16, relaying a Festival celebration
God will establish every year in His Kingdom: "Then the survivors from all
the nations... will go up year after year to worship the King,
the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles."
And, how is the great multitude described in Revelation 7:9-10?
"After this I looked,
and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from
every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the
throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were
holding palm branches in their hands. And
they cried out in a loud voice [in worship]: Salvation
belongs to our God, who sits on
the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Revelation 7, my friends, represents
the first Feast of Tabernacle celebration in God's Kingdom during
the period of the great wedding, as we will cover later in our
studies. Now, we
have just established from the clues given in God's Word the timing
of the Great Tribulation in the context of Revelation 7. However,
while one group is celebrating under the canopy and safety of Heaven's
Temple, the other group is living the reality--leaving homes to
create makeshift shelters while they run for their lives under
pursuit by their enemies. However, the good news is the 144,000 have
been sealed for divine protection--their survival is assured.
Hopefully, I have
your attention!
Kevin Swift
Author & Teacher
Lesson Series
