Puzzled About Revelation, Part 32: The Mystery of the Four Winds (Rev. 7:1-3)

Join me this week as we continue our study of Revelation 7 and look at the "four winds" that are being held back by the four angels until the sealing of God's servants has been completed (next week).
What is this passage telling us about the GLOBAL nature and scope of these events, and how does a careful study of the "four winds" in biblical prophecy help begin to shed light on the mystery of Israel and the 144,000? How is it connected to the scattering and regathering of "all Israel" in the last days?