Is the sealing of the saints in Revelation 7 something to happen in future only?

@Adstar The first group of 144000 is the [b]complete number [/b] of those being [b]sealed[/b] from all the 12 tribes of Israel at a given time John seeing the angel carrying the seal of God.

Read the scripture carefully.

At the given time John witnessing the angel with the seal, that angel is talking to other 4 angels. From the dialogue, it is evident that he has not completed his task of sealing all the God's servants although he completed sealing all those who are servants of God from 12 tribes of Israel.
Obviously, they are old testament saints. Before the crucifixion of Lord Jesus Christ, only those from Israel was servants of God and sealed for that reason.

@Adstar I see.... I think.

What though of all those who follow some other religion equally true unto themselves, beyond the Abrahamic faiths? (The Christian Bible is just a collation of older Judaic books.)

What is supposed to happen - at the hands of an apparently very destructive and vengeful God - and when? Anyone can "prophesy" some nebulous far-future event based on no calendar; and if you pitch it in the right way to the right audience, enough of them will believe it for it to survive!

That one thousand gross looks a suspiciously neat number; probably far from the real Middle Eastern Jewish population at the time, though I don't suppose we have any way of knowing what that was. I doubt it was intended to be numerically exact though.

The whole things looks like a vivid dream inspired by religious fervour mixed with dodgy plant extracts, and yes, such combinations were common among the ancients. So what the heck was its basic point, beyond all the fantasy?

@ArishMell [quote]@Adstar I see.... I think.

What though of all those who follow some other religion equally true unto themselves, beyond the Abrahamic faiths? (The Christian Bible is just a collation of older Judaic books.)[/quote]

The Bible is divided into two parts called the Old testament and the New testament.. The old testament has 39 books which are older Judaic books.. But the New testament has 27 books.. Yes the majority of the text in the Bible are Judaic..

I believe as a Christian that when a person hears or read the message of Jesus so that they then have the option of accepting or rejecting the message of Jesus then their eternal destiny is destermined by their response to His message.. So it matters not what religion abrahamic or otherwise they are currently in.. Once they hear the message of Jesus they are then judged on their reponse to it..

[quote]What is supposed to happen - at the hands of an apparently very destructive and vengeful God - and when? Anyone can "prophesy" some nebulous far-future event based on no calendar; and if you pitch it in the right way to the right audience, enough of them will believe it for it to survive![/quote]

Yes a just God will avenge those who persecute His people.. Thats a good thing.. And yes there are and since the time of Jesus on earth there has always been a number of people in every generation who believe the prophecies of the Bible.. And yes the Bible has survived for near 2000 years..

[quote]That one thousand gross looks a suspiciously neat number; probably far from the real Middle Eastern Jewish population at the time,[/quote]

What? 1000? where ae you getting that number from? at the time?? what time?

[quote]The whole things looks like a vivid dream inspired by religious fervour mixed with dodgy plant extracts, and yes, such combinations were common among the ancients. So what the heck was its basic point, beyond all the fantasy?
[/quote]

It was a vision, that happened to John on the island of Patmos.. No plant extracts needed.. And no fantasy involved.. The book of Revelation was God giving Christians revelations on who Jesus is and what would happen into the future untill the time of the completion of the program and our entery into eternity with Him.. It lets Christians know that there will be an end to the way things are in this world and that God has things all pre-planned and foreknows the future..

@fellowchristian

Are Saints Servents of God or are they Adopted Children of God ????

(Romans 8:15-17) "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the [c=7700B2]Spirit of [u]adoption[/u][/c], whereby we cry, Abba, [c=7700B2][u]Father[/u][/c]. {16} The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that [c=7700B2]we are the [u]children of God[/u][/c]: {17} And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

@Adstar who is Paul?
Romans 1:1 Paul, a [b][b]servant of Jesus Christ, [/b][/b]called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Who is James?
James 1:1 [b]James, a servant of God[/b] and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
Who is Jude?
Jude 1:1 [b]Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ[/b], and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

@HootyTheNightOwl Are you not redeemed from sin?

@fellowchristian Do you not continue to sin - even after baptism???

@HootyTheNightOwl Do you believe, you are redeemed by Jesus Christ and so a son of God?
Or you still a sinner worth going to hell only?

@Baremine 😊 Where in the Bible, we read they are those preaching gospel during great tribulation? 2 Tim 4:3,4)

@Carazaa please read my reply to @Adstar

@TwiddlerofThumbs Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby [b]ye are sealed unto the day [/b]of redemption.
We are sealed, but that day is yet to come.