Protecting the Servants of God, Part 4

Introduction

1. We have noted that the two groups in John’s visions (chapter 7) are two views of the same people, the church.
   a. The first group is the church militant, sealed and ready to follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
   b. The second group is the church victorious, standing before the throne and rejoicing in their salvation.
2. Clearly, the great multitude represents the whole company of the elect of all ages now in glory.
3. The big question: What is the great tribulation out of which these white-robed saints have come?
4. The question hinges on Jesus’ use of the term in Matthew 24:21, referring to Daniel 12:1.
   a. The Daniel prophecy relates to Antiochus Epiphanies’ assault on Jerusalem in the inter-testamental period (11:40) but points to the final assault on Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (near/far).
   b. The problem is how it applies to those in John’s vision (7:9-17).