Revelation 7:1

1 AFTER THIS I saw four angels stationed at the four corners of the earth, firmly holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind should blow on the earth or sea or upon any tree.

The events that we are shown in Revelation are not always presented to us in a straight chronological order. Jesus keeps taking John back and then He builds on what He has already showed him. The Revelation builds on itself, the Truth is further exposed in greater detail as John sees more and more of the Revelation. First, John was shown the Four Horsemen being empowered by our Father and he was shown exactly what they were empowered to do. Next, John was shown the Truth that the Horsemen cannot do what they are called to do, until our Father permits them to do it. The Seven Seals that we have studied, the Seven Trumpets that we will study, and the Seven Plagues that we also will study, are all happening pretty much at the same time. Jesus will show us later that all of these events take place in a short 3 1/2 year period. The Four Horsemen, are carrying out our Father’s wrath, on a fourth part of the earth, at the same time that the Seven Seals are being opened. The Seven Trumpets are being sounded, and the Seven Plagues are being released at the same time as well. These Four Winds in verse 1 are all part of our Father’s plan. This is why it is called the great Tribulation, because there is just so much hitting the world all at once. 

Something really strikes me about this first verse of chapter seven, and it is this, the Four Winds who have been given charge to harm the earth have to be held back. There is an eager desire by the beings of Heaven for our Father’s Kingdom to come into its full power. There is an intense desire in Heaven for the wickedness of the earth to be destroyed and for Jesus to begin His Millennial Reign, which will ultimately bring in the New Jerusalem and the New Earth. Yet none of the events of the great Tribulation can happen, not one little bit of it can take place, until our Father allows it to! This is why these winds have to be held back by the four angels.

Satan is not in charge of the Great Tribulation, neither is the anti-christ. Our Father will correct His disobeying children. Our Father will do what is needed to bring all to a place where they can accept the Truth that will ultimately set them free. Even if that means sending people to Hades for a season. Never forget that every knee is going to bow and every tongue is going to confess that Jesus is Lord and that confession is what will allow everyone to escape being thrown into the Lake of Fire. Not everyone will be the Bride of Christ for eternity, some will be guests, but our Father will get His way and have all men saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth, 1 Timothy 2:4.