Preservation of 144000 Jews: 7:1-8.  
​Between the sixth and seventh seal there is an interlude.  John saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth holding back the four winds.  In the scripture "Fours' ' represent universality.  Another angel comes from the east, carrying the seal of the living God. He instructed the four angels to delay the judgment on land and sea until His servants are sealed.  This shows how gracious our God is. These passages also show that God not only saves Jews but also a multitude of people from every nation. They are sealed to be preserved from coming wrath (9:4). The first group was chosen from the sons of Israel. These 144000 are clearly Jewish believers who are saved and sealed during the early part of tribulation (Revelation 7:4-8). Seal speaks of ownership and security. This round number symbolizes the innumerable multitude of God's people mentioned in verse 9. Two tribes Ephraim and Dan are missing from the list. It may be because they had fallen into idolatry (Judges 18; 1 King 11:26). The tribe of Joseph and Levi are included in the list.  They are sealed to preserve them from God's coming wrath.  A vast number of people will be brought into the kingdom of God during this time. Satan will persecute those who are faithful to God.  But they will conquer Satan by the blood of the Lamb (12:11). Salvation is always by grace and through faith in Christ. It is a gift from God. The Lord knows those who are his and they will depart from evil (2 Timothy 2:19). They are heavenbound pilgrims on earth. The Bible gives many blessings of heaven.  Heaven is a place of perfection where we live without fear and worry. Heaven is a place of complete sufficiency and without need.  Also heaven is a place of comfort and we are not subjected to pain or death.  Heaven is a place of joy where we experience the uninterrupted fellowship with Christ.  God's grace will prevail at the end.  
 
A Great Multitude from the Great Tribulation: 7:9-17. 
John saw a great multitude, too great to count from every nation and tribe standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They are saved through the faithful witness of 144000 Jewish witnesses and by the grace of Christ.  They are from every nation. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches. They are the redeemed people saved from the great tribulation.  White robe is symbolic of the cleansing of their sin and their righteousness (Revelation 19:8). They are saved by the blood of the Lamb. Palm branches speak of victory (John 12:12, 13). They praised God for their salvation saying  “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb”.  And all the angels, elders and four living creatures fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God saying, “You are worthy of blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might forever Amen” (7:11-12).  One of the 24 elders asked John “Who are these clothed in white robes and where they come from?  John said to him “Sir, you are the one who knows”. Then the angel told John “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” 7:14).   How merciful is our God!  Although the tribulation is a time of judgment, yet it will be a time of salvation as well. God shows mercy even in his wrath. The Lamb shall feed them and shall lead them to living water.  God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. What a wonderful picture of God’s mercy. In the midst of judgment they found grace. This passage does not teach that there will be a second chance to get saved after rapture.  Those who reject the gospel now will not get another opportunity to get saved (2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12). God will wipe away the tears of those who trust him and guide them to springs of living water. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).  Are you saved?