Scripture: Revelation 7:1–17
Introduction: Life’s Blueprint and Security Amidst the Storm
Good morning, everyone. The peaks of the Northern Alps are beautiful again today, aren’t they?
Up until now, we have been reading through the “Book of Revelation”. In Chapter 6, we saw how the seals were opened one after another, and the world was swallowed by upheaval and chaos.
Because of the sheer devastation, Chapter 6 ended with the desperate question: “Who can withstand it?”.
Chapter 7, which we read today, is God’s “answer” to that question. To put it simply, it is a scene of a “punctuation mark” placed in the middle of a violent storm—a confirmation of security by God. Biblical scholars call this an “interlude”.
To organize the major flow:
- Chapter 6: “It is extremely dangerous at this rate (facing reality)”.
- Chapter 7: “But there is a path to salvation (emergency escape route)” ← Today’s focus.
- Chapter 8: “Please make a decision immediately (final notice)”.
Chapter 7 is a “holy rest” placed between the sixth and seventh seals, and it is a message of hope. Amidst a series of judgments, God guarantees, “I will surely protect my people”.
(Note: You can check the contents of Chapter 6 in the previous video. Also, since we will cover Chapter 8 next time, please subscribe to the channel and wait.)
1. History’s Time Schedule: A Perfect “Process Chart”
We live our daily lives looking up at those beautiful Tateyama Mountains and feeling the abundant blessings of the Kurobe River. This city of Kurobe is a world-class center of “manufacturing”.
In factories that send out excellent products, there are always meticulous “blueprints” and “process charts (schedules)”. Manufacturing without a plan is impossible. Did you know that there is actually a “perfect process chart” written by God for this world in which we live?
The “Book of Revelation” at the end of the Bible is, so to speak, the “final process chart of human history”.
Current Stage: The Age of the Church (Age of Grace) It has been about 2,000 years since the resurrection of Christ. Now is a period of “amnesty” where the gospel can be freely shared and believed by anyone.
Next Stage: The Great Tribulation This is the “7-year storm” era that comes at the end of history.
However, just before it begins, the “Rapture” will occur. It is a rescue operation where those who believe in Christ are caught up to heaven in an instant.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven… the dead in Christ will rise first.
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, NIV)
So, what happens to the world left behind after the believers have gone?
Chapter 7 is the record of God’s emergency rescue operation conducted in that “left-behind world”.
2. The 144,000 Elite Force: God’s “Quality Assurance”
In Chapter 7, verses 1 through 4, angels are desperately holding back the winds of destruction. They say, “Wait until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God”.
The “144,000” who appear here are not a metaphor, but the elite of the Jewish people chosen from the twelve tribes of Israel.
Imagine a factory line in Kurobe. Products that pass a strict inspection receive an “inspection stamp” as proof of passing. It is a declaration that “the manufacturer takes responsibility and guarantees the quality”.
In the dark age after the Church era ends, God will also engrave a “special seal of protection” on the 144,000 people chosen from among the Jews with whom He once made a covenant. They will serve as “God’s special correspondents” who will never be broken even in the storm, carrying the message to “turn back to the true God” throughout the world. God fulfills His promises made thousands of years ago exactly at the end of history. We can place our full trust in God’s “faithful workmanship”.
3. A Great Multitude in White Robes: A “Reversal” at Life’s Critical Moment
Next, from verse 9 onwards, John sees another vision. A vast multitude that no one could count, from every nation and all languages, are rejoicing in “white robes”. Who on earth are they?
“These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14, NIV)
These are Gentiles (non-Jewish people, including us Japanese) who, despite being left behind during the “Tribulation Period,” heard the testimony of the 144,000 and clung to God at the last minute.
Here lies the “hope” I want to convey most today.
Even if you did not make it in time during the Age of the Church, God has not given up yet. Even in days that feel like hell, for those who believe in Christ’s substitutionary death and decide, “I’ve lived selfishly until now, but I need You,” God will wash them pure white.
No matter how cornered you are, “you can start over from this very moment”. That is the Gospel of the Bible.
4. Ultimate Comfort: What the “Water” of Kurobe Symbolizes
Finally, look at the rest in heaven described in verses 15 through 17.
“‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst… And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” (Revelation 7:16–17, NIV)
Heavy responsibilities weigh on the shoulders of those of you in the prime of your lives. The heat of the factory, quotas, the pressure of supporting a family. Do you ever feel your soul is bone-dry?
Kurobe is the “Village of Famous Water”. Think of that feeling when your thirst is quenched after drinking the “Shozu” (spring water) of Ikuji. That very sensation is the symbol of the “peace” God wants to give you.
Christ will lead you to “springs of living water” and wipe away every tear—the regrets and anxieties you have carried alone—with His own hand. This is the “final goal” of history’s blueprint.
Conclusion: To Receive Your “Seal” Now
The strength of those who know the blueprint is the ability to “prepare early”. There is a path to obtaining white robes at the risk of your life after the storm comes. However, God is proposing a “better way” to you today.
That is to entrust your life to the Architect, Jesus Christ, now while it is still the peaceful “Age of Grace”. Those who believe now can receive the seal of “heavenly citizenship” before the storm comes and walk in the greatest security.
When you drink the delicious water of Kurobe, please remember : “In my life, too, there is a perfect blueprint that wipes away tears and provides refreshment”.
The world is certainly heading toward its end. The Rapture could happen at any time.
“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2, NIV)
Please receive that peace “today,” not tomorrow or next week.
How can one be saved? It is not difficult:
Admit: Admit that you are a sinner who cannot do anything by your own strength.
Believe: Believe that Jesus died in your place and was resurrected.
Accept: Invite Jesus into your heart as your Savior.
If you felt “I want to believe” today, please pray like this in your heart: “God, I am a sinner. But I believe that Jesus died for me. Please forgive me and accept me. When the Rapture comes, please take me up to heaven. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
I pray that you will be wrapped in God’s love in this beautiful land of Kurobe.
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