The Angel
Ascending from the East
In
the book of Revelation, the apostle John was given many apocalyptic visions.
One which is important for the Christian church today is found in Revelation
ch.7. Those who have studied with us here at “The Shepherds Way” & “Nugget
of Truth” understand that we reference the “seventh angel” and his message to
the church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22). This is the seventh and final
angel to the last church.
Because this last message is so important it has a final
impact on the Christian church. It defines the condition of the last-day church
and gives instruction for proper Christian living. The true church that Christ
built will be heeding this message. We have called it the Seventh Epochal
Revelation.
The fact that this final message is coming from a celestial
angel shows its importance.
Because this message is so important it has a “sealing”
quality for the last day church. This means that it will be a definite
characteristic of the true Christians in the last-days. God wants His children
to have proper knowledge. God has stated; “My people are destroyed from lack of
knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)
In Revelation 7:7 John sees the vision of an angel
“ascending from the east”. This is interesting because when we think of angels,
we think of them as “descending” from the sky, not ascending from Earth. This
angel appears right after John is shown the devastating vision of the sixth
seal. The sixth seal talks about planetary devastation. It talks of a “great
earthquake”, “the sun turned black”, “the moon turned red”, “stars fall from
the sky to earth”, the “sky receded like a scroll”, “every mountain and island
moved out of its place” (Revelation 6:12-17). But before all of this can happen
the angel tells John, “Wait!”
When we read chapter seven, we are reading an interlude
period which is taking place before the sixth seal can actually occur. This
angel commands; “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees (which the sixth
seal will do) until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”
(Revelation 7:3) So before the sixth seal can actually open the “sealing” must
take place. This sealing will protect the 144,000 from getting harmed.
The first five seals of the Seven Seals (Revelation ch.6)
have been happening: false peace, war, famine, mass death, martyrdom of
Christians. These seals will have a final opening under the final antichrist
but they have been happing to one extent or another for the last 2000 plus
years since the time of Jesus Christ on Earth. Jesus refers to them as the “beginning of
birth pains (Matthew 24:8).
In our present time of “birth pains” the angel which ascends
from the east has given us, the Christian church, a message – a final sealing
message which we are to hand down to the 144,000. The Christian church will
give this last sealing message before it departs and leaves behind the
tribulation saints. The Christian church is receiving this last counsel and
message from the seventh angel to Laodicea. It involves receiving “pure
doctrine”, “tried in the fire”. God is cleansing His church through this
spiritual fire. The Laodicean message of correction is cleansing the final
remnant.
This angel is with the last-day church. This angel states:
“…until we have sealed the servants of God in their forehead.” The “we”
includes the angel and the church of God (Revelation 7:3). We read: “For it is
time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it first begins with
us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1st
Peter 4:17)
This angel along with those who bring the message are to
place a “seal” “on” the foreheads of the servants of our God. The Greek word
for “on” used here is epi. This word can mean “in” instead of “on”. So, to
place it in the forehead means to put it into the “mind” of the believer. The
person must receive the message, understand the message, and believe the
message. This “seal” is a message. This “seal” or message is impressed as a
guarantee of genuineness, as proof of the true servants of God. The Christian
church has this seal today and is ready to give it to those who will comprise
the 144,000 literal Israelites from the twelve tribes - who will be called in
this last-days.
This angel that “ascends from the east” with this seal is in
fact the angel for Laodicea. He has the seventh message, the last message for
the Christian church. It is clear that this is the angel with the final
“sealing message” – the last counsel of the church. It is the John Class which
represents the seventh angel collectively. The Christian church is the
custodian of the final sealing message. The true Church has the true gospel of
Jesus Christ which includes all of the “light” revealed since the first epoch
of the church.
This message “ascends from the east”. East is a symbol of
light. This message also comes from the “children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). “But
for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in
its wings.” (Malachi 4:2) “For the Lord God is a sun and a shield.” (Psalm
84:11)
This final seal in the foreheads of the saints is also
identified as “the Father’s name” (Revelation 14:1). The name of God for the
Christian church is Logos [Greek: Word]. We read in John 1:1 that this Word is
the name of Jesus Christ – God the son. Jesus said; “He who has seen me has
seen the father.” (John 14:9) True Christians will understand the Word of God
and have it written “in” their foreheads.
The followers of the Antichrist will also be “sealed” in
their foreheads (their belief) or “in” their right hand (their actions). They
will be sealed with the message of eternal death; they will not be sealed with
the word of God (Revelation 13:16-18). The latter-day John Class has the seal
of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that seals Christians in our current
dispensation. The 144,000, however, will be sealed with the final angel’s
message. The Holy Spirit will lead, guide, direct, and protect them through the
Great Tribulation.
All true begotten children of God in our current Gospel
Dispensation are sealed with the Holy Spirit. “Having believed, you were marked
in him (Christ) with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit
guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s
possession – to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in
Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in
our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2nd
Corinthians 1:21-22)
Just as God reserved 7000 in the days of Ahab who did not
bow the knee to Baal (1st Kings 19:18), so God is going to save a
“remnant” according to the “election of grace” (Romans 11:4-6). This will
include the “little flock” of Christians and ultimately the 144,000 Israelites
from each of the saved tribes. During the Great Tribulation the 144,000 will
call in the “great multitude” (Revelation 7:9). The 144,000 and the “Great
Multitude” comprise those saved during the tribulation. They are not the church
but are tribulation saints.
We hope that you continue your studies with us here at “The
Shepherds Way & Nugget of Truth”. We have so much more to share with the
saints of God. Share what you learn with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
AACG (October 8th 2025)
*What is a New Covenant Believer?
*The Commandments of Jesus Christ
*Understand the Seven Sealed Scroll
*God relationship throughout Time
*Latter-day Message to Laodicea
*More about the Ancient Antiochene Church of God (AACG)
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