Revelation 7:1-3 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, restraining the four winds of the earth so that the wind might not blow upon the earth, or upon the sea, or against any tree. And I saw another angel going up from where the sun rises, with a seal which belonged to the living God, and he shouted with a great voice to the four angels to whom was given power to harm the earth and the sea: “Do not harm the earth and the sea or the trees until we seal the servants of our God upon their foreheads.”
Central America is reeling! Two enormous hurricanes within a few weeks of each other have devastated large areas. What Hurricane Eta did not destroy, Hurricane Iota did! Mudslides blocking roads and taking out entire villages, flooding of record proportions, destruction of farms and towns – Nobody in the paths of either hurricane has problems understanding what can happen if God does not restrain the wind!
We assume that John believed the earth to be flat, hence the mention of the four corners of the earth. But why such condescension? Perhaps God is actually describing a four dimensional universe, rather than a three dimensional one. William Barclay describes the traditional Jewish view of the winds: “It was the belief of the ancient peoples that the winds which came from due north, south, east and west were all favorable winds; but that those which blew diagonally across the earth were harmful. That is why the angels are at the corners of the earth. They are about to unleash the winds which blow diagonally. It was the common belief that all the forces of nature were under the charge of angels. So we read of the angel of the fire (Revelation 14:18) and the angel of the waters (Revelation 16:5). These angels were called “The Angels of Service.” They belonged to the very lowest order of angels, because they had to be continually on duty and, therefore, could not keep the Sabbath as a day of rest. Pious Israelites who faithfully observed the Law of the Sabbath were said to rank higher than these angels of service.”
From time immemorial, the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea have been buffeted by Sirocco winds. Sirocco winds come out of the southeast and have been described as carrying as much heat as the blast from a furnace. Throughout the Old Testament, these winds are mentioned in terms of horror. It was Sirocco winds that brought drought and devastation, shriveling crops and drying up water sources. The sound of the Sirocco was supposedly enough to drive men mad. God was giving John a vision in terms that John and those to whom he was writing would understand. No wonder that the end time, winds of devastation would be described as extra strong Sirocco winds!
The angel bearing the seal of God comes out of the East. There are many traditions associated with the eastern direction. The star telling of the birth of Messiah shone in the East. Traditionally, when Messiah comes, he is to enter Jerusalem by way of the Eastern Gate. God describes the angel as going up from the East because believers would recognize this angel as being a special messenger from God.
What is the significance of the seal? In John’s time, seals and signet rings were used to transact all business. In a previous teaching, we mentioned that Roman wills would be sewn together with seven threads and then wax would be applied to those threads and the seal of each of the seven witnesses to the will would be imprinted in the wax on a thread. Only when all seven of those witnesses or their delegated representatives were present could that will be opened. Jars of oil and wine were sealed and the imprint of their producer was placed on them as a guarantee. When Pharaoh delegated authority to Joseph, he gave him his signet ring. When King Ahasuerus gave authority to Haman, he gave him his signet ring.
God is instructing His angels to mark believers so that there will be no doubt that they are His. Does this mean that all believers will escape persecution and suffering? No. But if we are faithful and if God marks us as His own, one day we will be with Him in paradise.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you that no matter how terrible things become, you still know those who love you and who are following you. Help us to be numbered among the faithful! In the mighty and precious Name of Jesus. Amen.
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