Introduction
As we continue through Revelation, the Apostle John's visions intensify as God reveals further revelations concerning the future of humanity and God's ultimate plan. Today we will look at Revelation 9:13 – 10:11, we witness an extraordinary progression of events that challenges our understanding of what is going on. Today’s passage begins with the booming of the sixth trumpet, where a mighty angel releases four angels that are and unleashes a destructive army of horsemen upon the earth, and concludes with the appearance of another angel, holding a small scroll and commissions John to deliver a prophetic message to the world. Through its vibrant imagery, symbolic language, and prophetic interactions, this portion of Revelation probes into the intricate interplay between divine judgment and divine mercy, highlighting the role of God's chosen instruments in proclaiming His truth amidst chaotic and tumultuous times.
 
Vs 13 - 14: Trumpet 6 - With the blowing of the sixth trumpet John hears a voice speaking from the horns of the golden altar.  This is the altar that stands before the presence of God where the souls of those slain for the word of God spoken of in Chapter 6.  Altars in Jewish tradition had four horns, one protruding from each of its upper corners, and such altars were also known among Greeks.  The voice that speaks is either the voice of the angel or the voices of the martyrs. If it is the voice of the martyrs, then it would be the prayers of the saints praying for vindication.  But, more than likely it is the voice of the angel who serves before the altar because the voice is singular.
 
John hears the voice say to release the four angels who are bound/restrained at the Euphrates River ready to go into war with their massive armies. Since they are bound it is believed that they are demonic.  Both the sixth trumpet and sixth bowl are set at the Euphrates River, yet they are both very different.  The trumpet judgment releases the demonic forces on the ungodly, but the bowl judgment, as we will see later, gathers the kings of the earth and Satan to attack God and His throne.  The wrath of the sixth trumpet does not bring repentance, but the sixth bowl warns that the ungodly will be overthrown.
 
Vs 15 – 16: The four angels are released and is allowed to kill 1/3 or a portion of humanity. Remember, under the fourth seal a fourth of humanity is killed.  In this, we see once again the numbers 1/3 and ¼ should not be taken literally but denotes that the death toll is extensive. The onslaught is focused on those who reside on earth and is aimed towards those who live in animosity towards God.  
 
There is a set time and place prepared for these angels and this is that moment. This exact time and place show the reader that this is part of God’s divine plan, and He is still in control. And at this precise moment God in his sovereignty decrees, these angels are released to kill humanity.  This demonic Cavalry is immeasurably large.  The only reason we know the number is 200,000,000 is because John hears the number spoken. 
 
Vs 17 – 19: Those who rode these demonic horses wore breastplates of red, blue, and yellow to match the colors of fire, smoke, and brimstone.  Now, the riders do not play any part in killing humanity, death is brought by the horses.  John intentionally describes the horses as horrific and terrible creatures.  Perhaps the most horrifying aspect of the horse is the face of the lion, because lions symbolize demolition and brutality. These horses in John’s vision resemble mythical beings from Greco-Roman tradition such as the “raging Chimera.” It was “in front a lion, in back a serpent, and in the middle a goat, breathing out the force of blazing fire.” 
 
From the mouths of the horses proceed three plagues fire, smoke, and sulfur.  The fire burns, and the smoke, and sulfur kill by asphyxiation.  Their power of death comes from their mouths and in their tails.  Like the tails of the locusts in the previous vision, which inflicted torment like a scorpion’s sting, the tails of the demonic cavalry threaten to harm like snakes.
 
Vs 20 – 21: Those who were spared from this horrific death still do not repent, nor do they stop worshiping demons and idols.  This shows that once the heart grows cold and hostile toward God, not even the remote possibility of a horrific death will lead them to repentance, instead they dug their heals in and started worshiping the demons and forces that bring their destruction. Theologian N.T. Wright writes, “You become like what you worship: so, if you worship that which is not God, you become something other than the image-bearing human being you were meant and made to be. Thus verses 20 and 21 stand in parallel. Worship idols—blind, deaf, lifeless things—and you become blind, deaf, and lifeless yourself. Murder, magic, fornication, and theft are all forms of blindness, deafness, and deadliness, snatching at the quick fix for gain, power or pleasure while forfeiting another bit of genuine humanness.”[1]
 
Chapter 10:  Interlude
Vs 1:  From the beginning of chapter 4 John is taken to heaven to get a front row view of the heavenlies.  Now in Chapter 10 John is back to earth because he sees the angel descending from the heavens.  This angel in Revelation is referred as a mighty angel.  The angel comes directly from the presence of God.
 
The angel is surrounded by clouds which often signifies the coming of God and the Son of Man or a human figure who receives dominion over the world. A cloud suggests divine presence. 
The legs appearing as pillars of fire and the cloud could recall the pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day found in Exodus that gives guidance and protection to the Israelites in the desert. And the rainbow which signifies the reminder to God of his promise to Noah.
 
Some believe this angel could be Jesus since his appearance is like the vision of him in Revelation, and because the lion would indicate that he is the lion of the tribe of Judah. However, it is rejected by many because in Apocalyptic literature Jesus never appears as an angel. So, when John speaks of “another” angel or a “mighty” angel, these angels are not Christ. The angel in Rev 10:1 has an exalted appearance because he mediates divine revelation.
 
Vs 2 – 4:  The angel has a little scroll/book in his hand, The angel has its right foot on the sea and the left foot on the land.  Such a sight would show the mere colossal size of the angel, or it could symbolize his authority over the earth. The angel calls out with a loud voice, like a roaring lion.  The angel’s voice is promising more than threatening because it interrupts the movement toward increasingly destructive judgments.
 
Seven thunders - These thunders are interpreted in two ways the first one is most probable.

1. Heavenly powers. This would be a group of seven heavenly authorities that would fit the configuration in Revelation, which has groups of seven angels and seven angelic spirits.
2. God’s voice. Some commentators interpret the thunders as God’s voice.

 
Either way this thunder is linked with divine reckoning.
When the seven thunders spoke, John had been writing and documenting all that has happened, since he was told to write down all that he saw.  However, when he went to write down what the voices spoke, he is immediately told not to write them.   Instead, he is told to seal up what he heard, which means, do not disclose the contents to anyone.  What was said was not to be spoken or known to the churches.
 
Vs 5 – 7:  In the OT when one raised their hands it was in response to oath taking.  So, the angel makes an oath by swearing to him who lives forever that there will be no more delay.  According to Robert Mounce “Apocalyptic thought has always been concerned with the question, how long until the end?”  The answer from the angel is, “There will be no more delay.”  This literal translation of this phrase is interpreted four different ways.

1. Time is about to end.
2. No more delay for the end.
3. No more time for repentance.
4. Assurance that the time of waiting will end.

This would come as good news for the martyrs under the altar who have asked the question.  Now, nothing stands in the way of this final dramatic conclusion to the end of human history and the judgment of God to be complete.  According to some commentators rom this point forward God will not give opportunity for men to repent, the final confrontation between God and Satan is about to begin. 
 
Trumpet 7 – With the blowing of the seventh trumpet God’s mysterious plan will be revealed.   Mysteries are important in apocalyptic literature because they are secrets preserved in heaven and revealed to apocalyptic writers.  The mystery revealed is that the kingdom of the world was now becoming the kingdom of God, the rewarding of the righteous, and the final defeat of evil.
 
Vs 8 – 11:  John is told to take the scroll from the angel who is on the land and sea and when he gets it, he is commanded to take the scroll and eat it.  The scroll was sweet like honey in taste but made his stomach bitter.  This could be interpreted three ways.

1. The message is sweet salvation to the believer, but bitterness for the unrepentant.
2. The job and calling of a prophet could be sweet and bitter because he will be rejected.
3. God’s kingdom will come, and his people will receive their rewards, but the way to redemption is full of suffering of the faithful.

Conclusion
Revelation 10 leaves us with a sense of anticipation and awe, as it sets the stage for the dramatic events that will unfold in subsequent chapters. It invites us to reflect on the power and sovereignty of God, the urgency of His message, and the responsibility we have as believers to faithfully proclaim His truth. As we navigate the complexities of our world, Revelation 10 reminds us to anchor our hope in the eternal purposes of God and to be diligent in fulfilling our mission as His witnesses.
 
[1] Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011), 92.

Introduction
Many commentators and pastors have attempted to put Revelation into well-defined patterns.  Revelation is not intended to be a chronological sequence of events and it is not intended to represent a corresponding historical development.  This is why it is such a complex and difficult book to understand, let along preach.  In attempting to teach and understand Revelation in a nicely wrapped package would give the impression that John was writing a work of literature rather than documenting and sharing with fellow believers these incredible, awe-inspiring visions from God. E.F. Scott writes, “that a perfectly logical apocalypse would be a contradiction.” I tell you this as an introduction because we are going to look at these visions of John and they do not necessarily follow a chronological sequence.
 
Revelation 8
Craig Koester writes, “The trumpet visions (we are about to witness) now reply to the prayers by implicitly raising a question: What if God responds to the prayers by sending wrath on the unrepentant world? What will that accomplish? Readers are shown the horror of pitiless wrath as disasters strike earth, sea, and sky, and demonic hordes of locusts and cavalry torment humanity amid clouds of fire, smoke, and sulfur. Yet the wrath accomplishes nothing. The wicked simply persist in their refusal to repent.”[1] In this we see the hardness of humanities heart and the evil that is restrained from the world.
 
Revelation 8:1 - 5
Vs 1:  Opening of the seventh seal – When the seventh seal is opened there is silence in heaven for about 30 minutes.  The silence is a dramatic pause, what we would call “the calm before the storm”.  It is also thought that this silence is the time when God hears the prayers of the saints. 
 
Vs. 2 – 5: It is commonly held that the events of verses 2 – 5 take place during the time of silence.  This is the preparation that takes place before the judgments are released.  In this we see the seven angels standing before God and each were given trumpets.  Their job is to announce the series of plagues which are to fall on the earth and its inhabitants. 
 
In the OT the trumpet was used for a variety of reasons such as calling the people together (Numbers 10:3), to move the people of Israel on their journey (vss. 5 – 6), to sound the alarm for war (vs. 9), and to celebrate days of sacred feasts (vs. 10).  The priests led the army around the city of Jericho with trumpets.  The Jewish new year is called Tishri which is the “day you blow the trumpets.”  The trumpet was also used in the coronation of a King. 
 
The trumpets in Revelation are called “eschatological trumpets” and they announce the coming wrath of God.  These angels are used to call on the four great disasters of God in the material cosmos (vs 8- 12), two satanic outbreaks on unrepentant man (9:1 & 13), and the proclamation that the world has submitted to God’s sovereignty.
 
Vs 3:  Another angel (not one of the seven) performs the priestly duties of offering up the prayers of the persecuted.  The incense is either mingled with the prayers of the saints or the incense are the prayers.  It is likely he is the angel who is the heavenly priest who offers the prayers of all the saints (not just those martyred, but all saints) to God.
 
Vs 4:  The incense is added to the hot coals creating a cloud of incense smoke that arises before God. This is a symbol of divine acceptance.  According to Robert Mounce, “The scene in heaven suggests that there is something sacrificial about genuine prayer.  Both the believer and his prayer enter the presence of God by way of the altar.”[2]
 
Vs 5: The fragrance of incense of the prayer of intercession now turns to judgment.  The prayers of the saints play a major part in bringing the judgment of God on earth.  It is in this instance that the prayers of Revelation 6:10 are answered in part. “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?”  We know judgment is about to happen because it is preceded by thunder, lightning, and an earthquake.
 
The First Four Trumpets
Revelation 8:6 - 13
Vs 6:  The angels raise their trumpets in readiness to sound the trumpet. 
 
Vs 7:  Trumpet 1 – The first trumpet starts a second series of judgments.  We need to remember that the first four seals represent judgment because of human sinfulness. The trumpets reveal the active involvement of God bringing punishment upon the world.  
 
It is also important to note that the judgments are intended for or directed against a world that is hostile towards God.  As the intensity of the judgment increases, so does the hard-heartedness of man.  These are not final judgments, yet they will affect a significant portion of the earth.
 
The first trumpet blast brings forth hail and fire, mixed with blood that is thrown down to the earth, resulting in 1/3 of the trees and grass burned up.  This imagery is akin to the seventh plague in Egypt.   The fire which accompanies the thunder is most likely lightning and the blood refers to the awesome storm rather than the fire and destruction that the lightning would cause.  Great devastation follows the storm.  The 1/3 fraction is not intended to be literal; it refers to a portion of destruction but not the majority, this judgment is not final.  This judgment serves as a warning that the full wrath of God is still yet to come.
 
The trees that were burned up are probably fruit trees, because fruit trees were important to the maintenance of life in Israel.  Thus, this plague is aimed at nature, but it does affect humanity as well.
 
Vs 8- 9:  Trumpet 2 – The second trumpet brings a mountain of fire that destroys 1/3 of the sea which kills a 1/3 of the sea creatures and 1/3 of the ships.   Again, the 1/3 fraction is not to be taken literal; as it refers to a significant portion of the sea, sea creatures and ships being destroyed.  Some find the mountain being cast into the sea as a volcanic eruption.  Many believe this because 20 years before the writing of the apocalypse Mt. Vesuvius erupted and destroyed Pompeii.  According to some Jewish writers this was a judgment on Rome for having destroyed Jerusalem.   The mention of fire in the first three plagues corresponds with the Angel of verse 5.  With the second trumpet and the mountain being thrown into the sea results in the water turning to blood.  This is a reminder of the first plague of Egypt in Exodus where the rivers turned to blood, making the water undrinkable (Ex. 7:20 -21).  This plague is to be understood not as poisoning the water, but a judgment that goes beyond explanation in turns of natural phenomenon. 
 
Vs 10 -11:   Trumpet 3 – The third trumpet brings a great star or meteor falling from heaven that contaminates the rivers and spring waters thus making them bitter.  The star is named wormwood after the bitter plant of the same name.  In the OT wormwood was used as a symbol of bitterness and sorrow (Prov. 5:3 – 4, Lam. 3:19, Jer. 9:15) so it is agreed that the waters became bitter like wormwood.  Now, wormwood is not poisonous, but it does denote death.  Thus, we can assume that a portion of the waters became contaminated as a direct result of God and people died from the contaminated water.
 
Vs 12:  Trumpet 4 – The fourth trumpet brings a judgment where 1/3 of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened.  Thus, a portion of the day will not have any light.  This trumpet recalls the ninth plague of Egypt when darkness spread over the land for three days.  According to Mounce, “Constant allusion to the Egyptian plagues is a way of saying that in the last days God will bring punishment upon those hostile powers which oppress his people.  They are a prelude to that great and final exodus in which the church is taken out of the world and enters the eternal presence of God.”[3]
 
Darkness is symbolic of judgment.  Jesus speaks in Mark 13:24- 25, “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.”  This fourth trumpet is a fulfillment this prophecy.
 
Vs 13:  Things are about to get interesting.  This verse is a transition in plagues of nature intended to lead humanity to repentance to demonic woes where humanity will be subject to the greatest forms of evil (forces from the abyss).  In translating Revelation, it is commonly believed that the bird who cries out is an eagle that represents strength and swiftness, but some translate it as a vulture which would imply imminent doom.  Either way it is the predatory nature of the bird that is in view.
 
The three woes the bird cries out are intended to correspond with the three remaining trumpet blows.  These trumpets are for the wicked world who rejects Christ.
 
Chapter 9
Revelation 9:1 - 12
John spends a full chapter describing the first two woes that results from trumpets five and six.  The attention to detail depicts the seriousness of that which follows.  The judgments go from being angelic judgments on the earth to demonic torments that arise from the underworld. 
 
Vs 1:  Trumpet 5 –The fifth trumpet reveals a star falling from heaven, but we soon see that it is not really a star, rather it is a person or creature who was given a key to open the shaft to the abyss.  In Jewish thought and writings living beings such as angels or celestial beings are symbolized as stars.  Some believe it is a fallen angel or more probable one of many divine agents who are pictured throughout Revelation as carrying out the will of God.  If the star is represented as an angel, it would refer more to one who descends and not falls to earth.
 
Vs 2:  The key unlocks the shaft to the bottomless pit and when opened smoke arises.  Out of the smoke emerge evil spirits or demons who have been imprisoned in this abyss.  The rising smoke would probably come from the fires below.  According to I Enoch 21:7 the final prison of the fallen angels is the abyss.
 
Vs 3 - 4:  Those emerging from pit are demonic creatures who are described as locusts.  Throughout the O.T. locusts are a symbol of destruction.  These locust creatures were given a scorpion like power or sting.  They were told not to injure the vegetation or earth, but they could only harm those who do not have the symbol of God on their foreheads. This judgment is not direct divine retribution but a picture of what it would look like for God to hand over the world to other powers.[4]
 
Vs 5 - 6: The demonic creatures had a sting that would not kill their victims, but it would cause them to be in painful torment for five months.  This judgment is not an act of cruelty by God but an indication that wickedness cannot continue without some sort of divine retribution.  The sting of the demonic creatures will be so intense and painful that those affected will seek death, but death will not come.
 
Vs 7 - 8:  Description of the Locust Creatures: The locusts were like horses prepared for battle, with long hair, scorpion tails, golden crowns, human faces, and lion’s teeth.  John would have us know that the locusts are large creatures.  Their faces were as men’s faces which tells us that they were not animals, but intelligent creatures.  They were covered with long flowing hair and as a point of reference the hair was probably on the legs or bodies of the creatures.  The teeth represent the fierceness of the creatures, but they were unable to tear apart their victims like a lion, instead their power was in their tails.
 
Vs 9 – 10:  They had breastplates indicating they were prepared for battle and their vulnerability was protected.  The scorpion tails are where the power, and terror lies.  These creatures were given the power to punish and torment all who are not sealed by God. The result of their evil work is that people seek death to escape the pain of life. 
 
Vs 11 – 12:  They have a king who is the angel of the abyss.  Now, this angel is not the one who has the keys, and we are told both his Hebrew and Greek name.  Hebrew name is Abaddon, and the Greek is Apollyon which means destroyer.  What is interesting about this name is to name the king of the underworld Apollyon would be a cryptic way of saying that an emperor like Domitian (and other emperors) who liked to be regarded as the god Apollo (derived from Apollyon) incarnate was in reality a manifestation of the powers of the underworld.  In other words, this was a way of calling emperors evil and demonic.  It is also interesting to note that the locust was one of the symbols of the god Apollo.
 
Conclusion/Summary
As we conclude the first woe or fifth trumpet, the question arise, what is the symbolism in this plague of locusts?  There is no definitive answer, but we can conclude that in the period before the end the wicked will be subjected to a time of demonic torment.  Exactly how this takes place will remain unknown until history reveals the answer.
 
In this we get a glimpse of what a world void of God and present evil and godlessness looks like.  Revelation shows two forms of rule.  The first is depicted in the throne room vision where we see the LORD seated on his throne and worshiped by the heavenly creatures in an orderly realm.  The second is depicted by the king of the underworld named Abaddon and Apollyon.  Their rule is evil, chaotic, and laced with pain.  According to Craig Koester, when comparing the two rules we see that “the elders in the heavenly throne room cast their crowns before God as they raised a harmonious song of praise, the demonic locusts continue to wear crowns on their heads as they raise a pounding and clanking roar, like chariots going into battle.”[5]
 
When reading about these two rules it should cause us to contemplate the reality of what godliness and godlessness in the world and in our lives looks like. In the Christian world our identity and hope lie in our great Lord who sits on the heavenly throne and on the lamb who was slain for our iniquities and raised from the dead for our justification.  This ruling leads to humble worship of a God King who is worthy, loves his creation, and redeems al for His glory. 
 
On the contrary those who reject God find themselves under the authority and rule of a king and his servants who bring only pain, suffering, and eventually eternal separation from God.  They offer no life, instead they bring torment that causes people to desire to take their lives. This rule is not grounded in humility or sacrifice but in self-promotion, chaos, and ultimately (as we will soon see) death.
 
Today, you can celebrate your God and King who sits on the throne or fall back in terror as you see the chaos and destruction of evil.  Today you can choose whom you will commit to devote your lives to serving. My hope and prayer is that the answer you choose is for life and eternal worship.
 
[1] Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 96–97.
[2] Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997), 175.
[3] Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997), 188.
[4] Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 102.
[5] Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 102.

 
Introduction
Chapter seven is a parenthesis or break between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals. Some suggest that it is intended to answer the question at the end of chapter 6, “Who is able to survive?”
The chapter contains two visions.
​

1. The sealing of the 144,000.
2. The vast multitude standing before the throne.        

John uses two visions of the same reality. First, John hears about a group numbered at 144,000 and the second he sees a great multitude too numerous to count. The first vision is set before the trumpet judgments for the last generation of believers will be sealed and saved from the destruction coming and brought to safety in the kingdom.  The second vision is the anticipation of eternal blessings for all believers in the presence of God when they realize the rewards of faithful endurance.
 
Revelation 7
Vs 1:  John sees four angels holding back the four winds of destruction.  In apocalyptic writing angels are often depicted as beings in charge of the forces of nature. 
 
“Four corners of the earth.” The Bible is not a science textbook, so this description does not insinuate that ancient people viewed the world as a rectangle. It probably is the same expression that we use today which means the four points of the compass. The winds are held in check by the four angels until the servants of God are sealed.
 
Vs 2 - 3: “another angel coming up from the east.”  This angel has the authority to restrain the four angels from releasing destruction.   This angel from the east holds the seal of the Living God.  These seals or signet are different that the seals of the scroll because these seals mark the name of the Lord that seals the 144,000.  This seal or signet is a sign of ownership and ownership entails protection.  It is a seal of protection for the believers of the coming judgment.
 
Theologian Robert Mounce writes, “The servants of God are not a select group singled out from among the rest to receive the seal of God. They are the full number of faithful believers alive when that event takes place.”[1]
 
The 144,000
Vs 4:  This verse introduces us to a group known as the 144,000.  According to John they are 144, 000 who are sealed from all tribes of Israel.  The interpretation of this group is not as simple or as clear as one would think.  There are varying interpretations as to who or what this group is.  Before we do this, let’s remember who this prophecy is written to (seven churches in Asia Minor) and the temperature of society at the time (first century churches facing with persecution). 
 
First, we should note that John does not see the 144,000 at this time, he HEARS the number of those sealed.  John does not see the 144,000 until chapter 14.  Second, we should establish what or who the 144,000 represent.  They can be interpreted in two ways.

1. Literally
2. Symbolically/metaphorically

 
I wish we could stop right here and move on, but these two methods of interpretation are much more complex than they look. The literal method would be the simplest method, but unfortunately it is the least likely.
 
Literal
Literalists believe the 144,000 is a futuristic event that refers to the nation of Israel and the part it plays in the end-time scenario.  This view believes that there are 12,000 evangelists from each of the twelve tribes of Israel who share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. This interpretation does bring up some issues because it brings in racial distinctions that no longer exist.  This means it disregards the historical fact that ten of the twelve tribes disappeared in Assyria and the remaining two lost their individual identity when Jerusalem fell in 70 AD.  Some do believe that the tribes were in hiding and would return before the end.  We do need to keep in mind that apocalyptic writing is often not literal.
 
Symbolic/metaphorical
 When we interpret this passage symbolically, we do not make it any easier.  Yet, if we take the number 144,000 to be symbolic then as Mounce writes, “Twelve (the number of the tribes) is both squared and multiplied by a thousand – a twofold way of emphasizing completeness.”[2]

1. One view sees the 144,000 as a generation of believers who are about to face strong oppression that marks the end of humanity, and they will remain faithful to Christ during the coming trial when the Beast appears.  The seal does not protect them from physical death but guarantees them access to the Kingdom of Heaven.  They will remain faithful during persecution.
2. Another view refers to the 144,000 as a portion of the entire church which are marked out for martyrdom in the last days.  This would connect the 144,000 to the martyrs in chapter 6 who cry out for vindication. Some view this position as the 12,000 from each tribe represents those Christians who are martyrs.
3. A third view is that the 144,000 represent the total of the redeemed.  The crowds of 144,000 represent the complete church or Church in its fulness.  144 is the multiple of 12 x 12 x 1,0000 which equals 144,000 and represents completeness.
4. Lastly, a fourth view is that the 144,000 are martyrs who make up the messianic army of remnant tribes who will fight the war against God’s enemies in the last days.

 
Personally, I believe this group represents the complete church, made up of all believers.  Thus, the Church in this chapter may be understood as the new Israel of God.  I like what Stephen Smalley writes in his commentary of Revelation, “(John) is no doubt heightening and spiritualizing the term ‘Israel’.  John is aware of the Judaic roots of the Christian church and affirms them.  But he also knows that, since the coming of Christ, ‘Israel’ embodies an idea which is deeper than the national associations of the word and embraces the totality of the redeemed.”
 
The Twelve Tribes of Israel
Vs 5 – 8:  There are some peculiar irregularities in the listing of the twelve tribes.
First, the tribe of Judah is listed first, instead of Reuben who was the first born.  Judah was the fourth born son.  The reason for this is because Jesus comes from the tribe of Judah.
 
Second, the omission of the tribe of Dan.  It is believed this tribe is omitted because of their early connection with idolatry.  This tribe migrated north and settled in the land of Laish, where they set up an idol.  In early ancient Christian writings (latter part of second century) Irenaeus noted that Dan was omitted due to a tradition that the Antichrist was to come from the Tribe of Dan.
 
Third, the inclusion of Manasseh.  Manasseh was the son of Joseph, and it is believed this tribe was added simply to bring the number of tribes back to twelve since the Tribe of Dan was omitted.
 
Vs 9 - 10:  This is the beginning of the second vision of this chapter.  This celebratory scene of a “vast crowd, too great to count” all dressed in white, waving palm branches and shouting praises, interrupts the flood of cataclysms that occurred with the opening of the first six seals.[3] This second vision is intended to show the anticipation of the future day when those who were persecuted will enter eternal glory. 
 
“white robes” symbolize victory in Jesus and the righteousness of Jesus.
“palm branches” signify festive joy (John 12:13)
The multitude was joyfully declaring their salvation from sin and its consequences.
 
Vs 11 - 12: In this verse the angels and elders from chapters 4 & 5 are part of this great multitude, and they respond to the joyful cries of those clothed in robes and they fall down, prostrate before God and offering him a seven-fold doxology of praise.  (Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor and power and might).
 
Again, Robert Mounce writes in his commentary of Revelation, “If there is ‘joy before the angels of God over a sinner who repents (Luke 15:10), how unbelievably great will the joyful adoration of the heavenly host when all the redeemed stand before God!”
 
Vs 13 – 14: John has an interaction with one of the elders.   He asks John the question that John is probably thinking to as well, “who are these, clothed in white? Where did they come from?” John replies, “Sir, you are the one who knows.”
 
The elder tells John that the robed ones are those who have come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes in the blood of Jesus.  They may be individuals who are still arriving from persecution, or they represent a point in time when the complete number of the redeemed stand before God and the blessings of the eternal state are to be realized.
 
“great tribulation” indicates a time when the final series of woes which will immediately precede the end.  This would be the final hour of trial that the Angel spoke of in Rev. 3:10 which is to come to the whole earth.  Persecution has always been promised to those who follow Jesus and the final conflict of righteousness and evil will rise to intensity as it will become the great tribulation.
 
Vs 15:  Since they are clothed in righteousness of Jesus, they will serve him without pause.   The words “day and night” is an expression that means continuously.  The Temple most likely is not a physical building in heaven.  In Revelation heaven or God’s dwelling place is the temple.
 
Vs 16 – 17: This is the promise that God will be provider, protector, and comfort.  The promise of never being hungry or thirsty is significant in an ancient area where famine was a continual threat.  John uses the language of a shepherd as he tells how the LORD himself will guide his people to the springs of living water.
 
The tears that God wipes away are the tears like a child who is brought from sorrow to joy and the linger on the face of the redeemed.
 
Conclusion
I realize there is a lot going on in the passage and I am sure some of this is as clear as mud, but we must remember apocalyptic writing is not intended to be crystal clear.  There are a lot of symbols, metaphors, and numbers that may have been easily understood to the churches John is writing, but only raise more questions for us today.  All of this is ok, because I do not believe Revelation is intended to be a roadmap or screenplay for the end of the world. It has a much larger purpose and that is to show that God is sovereign, He keeps his promises, and He is worthy of all worship, honor, and praise.  I think we would all do ourselves a favor if we would look at the text from a different perspective other than judgment, damnation, and hellfire.  Instead, look at it as God’s promise to be our hope and salvation.  It should also spur us to be proactive in being the light of Christ in this world and to be people of prayer as we intercede for loved ones to come and know our God who delights in showing grace, mercy, and compassion to all who openly receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ and live out their faith in Christ in this dark world and bring glory, honor, and praise to the Lamb who was slain for our iniquities and rose as the victorious Lion so that all who believe will receive the promise of life everlasting.

[1] Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997), 157.
[2] Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997), 158.
[3] Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 92.