Revelation 7:1-3

The winds are restrained Revelation 7:1-3: After the previous visions John saw four angels standing at the Four Corners of the earth. God's power restrained the destruction from the north, south, east and west. God Himself through Jesus Christ provided protection and victory for His people. The picture is that of the restraint of destructive forces by the angels.

The sealing pictured here extends throughout the entire Christian age. Jesus had promised, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20) The angle that had the power to seal came from the east, the direction of light for the world. This angel instructed the destructive angles to be restrained until God's servants were sealed. This could only be accomplished at the end of the Christian age.

The children of God are sealed for the specific and unique purpose of glorifying God upon the earth. The picture of God's people being sealed in the forehead provides both comfort and a great challenge. We are comforted with the assurance that we belong to God. The challenge is that we depart from all evil and boldly identify ourselves children of God. "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Timothy 2:19)