What does Revelation 7:2 mean?
John testifies in this verse that he saw another angel ascend from the sunrise. He was holding the seal of the living God. He shouted loudly to the four angels positioned at the four points of the compass. The word translated "angel" may also be translated "messenger." Both in Hebrew and in Greek, the original term literally means "a messenger."Ephesians 1:13–14 declares that the Holy Spirit seals believers until the day of redemption. Based on this, the Holy Spirit might be the messenger who holds the seal of the living God. John notes that the four angels had received power to inflict damage on the earth and the sea.
A "seal" signifies security, ownership, and authority. When Daniel was thrown into a den of lions, the king's seal was placed on the stone at the entrance to the den to secure Daniel's prison (Daniel 6:17). First Kings 21:8 informs us that Jezebel wrote letters in her husband Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal, thereby giving them royal authority. Queen Esther used the king's seal in her correspondence to the Jews to protect them from Haman (Esther 8:8). The stone that was supposed to secure Jesus' tomb was sealed (Matthew 27:66).