After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: … After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev 7:1-10 NKJ)

How long did all this take?  If we try and put a human measurement of time, a month, day, hour, or minute, into God’s timeless eternity, then we are missing one of the wonders of God.  We do know that there is a sequence here, that was started, is happening and will eventually come to a final consummation of all things.

John asks the Lord, I and other have prayed for the Lord to come quickly, yet perhaps God doesn’t have enough people? If God had a Facebook page, how many friends would be sufficient? Peter said, “The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives.” (2Pe 3:9 CEB)

One thing for sure is that before the final seal was opened, there was a multitude of people in heaven and on the earth, that loved God and loved the neighbor.  If God is great, go and tell somebody—heaven still have room for more. (John 14:2)