After the 6th seal is opened and mankind in great fear has realized that he is meeting with the wrath of God, a question is voiced. “Who is able to stand?” Is it possible for any part of humanity to not only survive a time when the wrath of God is poured out upon the earth — is it possible for people to spiritually prosper? Is it possible that during the worst time in human history the glory of God’s saving power, and the glory of God’s preserving and transforming power would SHINE? Can He SAVE people and DEVELOP people during such a time? Not only is it possible — the 7th chapter of Revelation tells us that it will surely happen. During the tribulation period God will save sinners. During the tribulation period God will protect and preserve and make great use of the men and women that He brings to faith in His Son. And though believers will suffer during the tribulation period (God told the martyrs crying out for justice that there would be more martyrs) God will protect in the sense that His sovereign hand will regulate the suffering of His people, and all His people are invincible, they are untouchable, until His time for their lifespan is finished. NO MATTER THE CONDITIONS ON EARTH, THE SAVING POWER OF GOD IS ENOUGH — IT OVERCOMES. NOTE: This is something that rescues people from damning spiritual deception. It is vital to understand that salvation is MORE THAN SOMETHING LEGAL, EXTERNAL, DECLARATIVE. Salvation is ALSO EXPERIENTIAL, PERSONAL, AND DEMONSTRATIVE. Salvation doesn’t just change the status of people — it changes the people themselves — it makes them NEW PEOPLE. And such is the power that produces those people that it overcomes any and every obstacle, regardless of circumstances — because the faith it produces is a LIVING FAITH that is full of knowledge, and love, and desire, and perseverance. That is the truth that Revelation chapter 7 emphasizes. We have come to an interlude. The 7th seal will be opened when we come to chapter 8. But before that 7th seal is opened, the question at the end of the 6th seal is addressed. ARE THERE BELIEVERS ON THE EARTH DURING THIS TIME? HOW WILL THOSE BELIEVERS FARE? WHAT IS THEIR IDENTITY AND HOW WILL THEY BE FUNCTIONING? But it is not just a question of how they have fared so far. NOTE THAT THEY EXPERIENCE A SEALING FROM GOD BEFORE THE 7TH SEAL IS OPENED. This is about how they are going to fare as the tribulation period continues. God is communicating the truth that He has not only taken care of them, but He will also continue to take care of them as things get increasingly worse. TWO GROUPS ARE MENTIONED: 1. 144,000 Jewish witnesses (vs.1-8) 2. Those who are saved during the tribulation period (vs.9-17) I. THE TIMING OF THESE EVENTS As we said, this represents a break in the revelation of the 7 seals, but it also seems to be something that happens chronologically. After the events of the first 6 seals, we have a pause. God’s judgments poured out on the earth are paused and John is witnessing what explains that pause. II. THE ACTIVITY OF THE FOUR ANGELS Four angels are at work in this scene. A. THEIR LOCATION The four corners of the earth is simply a figurative way of speaking of the four points of the compass — north, south, east, and west. These are the originating points for the four winds. God is saying that their activity will affect the entire world — the whole earth. So, what is being described is not something regional. This is something global.