Opening Prayer
Revelation 7:1–4
After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
What would happen if there was no Wind on Earth? That is probably a question that never crosses anyone’s mind. Here is the Short Answer:
Absent a gentle breeze or mighty gale to circulate both warm and cold weather around the Earth, the planet would become a land of extremes. Areas around the Equator would become intensely hot and the poles would freeze solid. Whole ecosystems would change, and some would completely disappear.
The Story We Already Know: “As Christians, we already know the ending of the story — we win.”
We live in a world full of uncertainty — wars, chaos, sin, and suffering. But for the child of God, there is one certainty that never changes: we know how the story ends. Revelation 7 gives us a glimpse of God’s plan in motion — the beginning of forever. It reminds us that before the final judgments fall, God seals His people. He protects, prepares, and preserves them for eternal life in His Kingdom.
Revelation 7:1–4 John sees four angels holding back the winds of judgment until God’s servants are sealed on their foreheads. The seal represents ownership and protection — it means we belong to God.
Ephesians 1:13 says, “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”
This shows us that before judgment comes, God knows His own. He will not lose a single one who truly belongs to Him. The 144,000 represents the completeness of God’s redeemed people — a perfect number showing that God’s plan of salvation is complete.
Revelation 21:1–7
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
God is not only sealing His people — He is preparing a new world for them. He will make all things new — a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem. There will be no more tears, no more pain, no more death. The old order of things will pass away. And God Himself will dwell among His people forever. “The Lord will create a new heaven and a new earth — a new Genesis.”
Imagine living in a place where there is no pain, no sin, and no night. We won’t need the sun, for the Glory of God Himself will be our light.
In Revelation 21:1–7 that we read here is that the Apostle John describes a breathtaking vision of a new heaven and a new earth, signifying the complete renewal of creation. The old world, marked by sin, death, and suffering, has passed away. John then sees the New Jerusalem, a holy city coming down from God, beautifully prepared like a bride for her husband. In this new creation, God Himself will dwell with humanity, restoring perfect fellowship between Creator and creation. All sorrow, death, and pain will be gone forever, for God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of His people. The One seated on the throne declares, “Behold, I make all things new.” He promises living water — eternal life — to all who thirst for Him. Finally, God assures that those who overcome through faith will inherit these blessings. They will be His children, and He will be their God.
This is what we will see for those who are in Christ.
Revelation 20:4–6
I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
In Revelation 20:4–6 we see a revelation of a vision of believers who will reign with Christ for a thousand years following the first resurrection. John sees thrones and those given authority to judge — the faithful who remained loyal to Christ even in persecution. These include the martyrs who were beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and those who refused to worship the beast or receive its mark. They are raised to life and share in Christ’s millennial reign, while the rest of the dead — the unbelieving — remain in their graves until the thousand years are over. Those who take part in this first resurrection are called “blessed and holy” because the second death (eternal separation from God) has no power over them. They will serve as priests of God and of Christ and reign with Him throughout the Millennium.
In essence, Revelation 20:4–6 celebrates the victory and reward of the faithful — those who overcame the world and now share in Christ’s glorious reign, free from death forever.
Key Points in Revelation 20:4-6
The 1,000-year reign begins with a resurrection — the first resurrection — when the saints of all ages rise to reign with Christ. Blessed and holy are those who take part in this resurrection — the second death has no power over them.
During this time, Satan is bound. The earth rests. God’s people reign in peace. But at the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released for a short time. He will deceive the nations once more, gathering them against God’s holy city — but fire from heaven will come down and destroy them forever. Then will come the final judgment, and the devil and all who rejected Christ will face the second death — the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:9-10
They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
This passage describes a final rebellion where an army is surrounded, and “fire came down from heaven and consumed them.” It then says the devil is cast into the lake of fire and burning brimstone, where he and his followers will be “tormented day and night, forever and ever”.
When the New Jerusalem descends, it will settle upon the place God has prepared. Zechariah 14 says the Mount of Olives will split in two, and the city of God will rest there.
This is not just a return — it’s the completion of God’s plan from Genesis to Revelation. God began with a perfect world in Genesis, and He will end with a perfect world in Revelation. This is the beginning of forever — life eternal with God, the angels, and the saints.
The Urgency of Preparation: Jesus said in Matthew 24:36 — “No one knows the day or the hour.”
We don’t know when the trumpet will sound. We don’t know when our last breath will come. “You plan your life for retirement, but do you plan your soul for eternity?” So many prepare for earthly success — education, career, money — but neglect the most important preparation: to meet God. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us, “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after that the judgment.”
If you died tonight, are you ready to meet your Maker? Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?
Matthew 24:48–50 tells the story of an unfaithful servant who assumes his master’s return will be delayed. Believing he has time, the servant mistreats others and indulges in selfish, reckless behavior. However, the master returns suddenly and unexpectedly, catching the servant unprepared. The passage serves as a warning to remain faithful and vigilant, since no one knows when accountability — or the Lord’s return — will come.
The Call to Readiness: Jesus warned about the servant who said, “My master delays his coming”
Matthew 24:48–51
But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
He began to live carelessly, forgetting his calling. Don’t grow comfortable in sin. Don’t be caught unprepared. “What is your preparation for the rapture? What is your preparation for the second coming of Christ?” We must live every day as if Christ could return at any moment — because He can.
A Personal Appeal: Are You Ready?
Only you can answer that question. Not your pastor, not your parents, not your spouse. It’s between you and God. Right now, there’s still time to make things right. To confess. To repent. To live a life of holiness and obedience.
Don’t wait for tomorrow — tomorrow isn’t promised. James 4:14 says, “Your life is but a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Now is the time to choose eternity with God.
Revelation 21:27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
The Beginning of Forever: Revelation 21:27 — “Nothing impure will ever enter it… only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”
When God makes all things new, when the New Jerusalem descends, when the saints of all ages sing “Worthy is the Lamb,” that will be the beginning of forever.
If you are sealed by the Holy Spirit, washed by the blood, and walking with Jesus — you are ready. Let’s live with eternity in view. Let’s live holy. Let’s live ready.
Revelation 22:20
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”