7/07/22
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
Last Thursday I gave a very incomplete answer to the question of who are the 144 thousand mentioned in the book of Revelation. But early the next morning, last Friday, the Lord impressed upon me the importance of our answer to that question. In reality, it is vital that we not only understand the answer to that question but that we decide what path we will take in response to that answer. First, we should recognize that the 144 thousand are mentioned twice in Revelation ... in Chapter 7 and in Chapter 14. Second, we must remember that complete salvation, not just being born again, is available to both Jew and Gentile, by the grace of God.
Before we look at the verses in Chapter 7, we must remember that there are no chapters in the original text. It is important to read the last verse in Chapter 6 of Revelation, which says, "For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Many different verses in both the Old and New Testaments ask that same question ... "Who shall be able to stand when the Lord Jesus returns?" For example, Malachi 3:2, Zechariah 3:7, Psalm 24:3, Psalm 76:7, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Ephesians 6:11, Philippians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:8, and 2 Thessalonians 2:15, to name just a few. Back in our old New Testament house days from 1968 through 1980, we used to sing a zippy song from Galatians 5:1 whose words say, "stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Hindsight, I wonder if any of us back then understood what we were singing or if it was just a nice, high-spirited, cheerful song.
Back to the question, "who shall be able to stand when the Lord returns?" The answer to that question is given in Revelation, chapter 7, verses 1 through 3.
This event precedes the great tribulation, as shown by the reason given for the sealing. The context clearly applies to all human beings, both Christian and heathen, who are on earth during the last 3 and 1/2 years of the great tribulation. This is another of several different Scriptures which expose the falseness of the so-called "rapture" theory put forth primarily by evangelicals.
Further, to say that all believers will be caught away just before the "great tribulation" runs contrary to the essence of the Bible. That promotes a theory of "escapism." But "we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). This false doctrine on the secret rapture is also contradictory to the words of Jesus in Matthew 13 when He said the wheat and tares would grow together until the "end of the world" and then they would be separated. The phrase, "end of the world," should more accurately be translated as "consummation of the ages," i.e., the end of the church age and the start of the age of the kingdom of God on earth. There is no Scripture which speaks of "the end of the world" in the sense of the kosmos coming to an end.
Who are the servants of God mentioned in Verse 3? certainly not all Christians who are alive on earth at that time. They are the remnant, the overcomers, the very elect spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24, those who are walking and living in the kingdom of God at that time, which is fast approaching us. They are the ones who will be able to stand when the Lord returns. The seal in their foreheads is not a natural-level seal. It is a spiritual seal in their minds.
I am sure that many evangelicals and all those who interpret Scripture literally, would say Verses 4 through 8 pertain only to Jews. That makes no sense to me. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, and only those who are "in Christ" have been and will be saved. Further, the 144 thousand have already been identified as the servants of God who are alive on earth at that time. Neither do I believe that 144 thousand is a literal number of servants of God on earth at that time, although whether it is a literal number or not should be of no concern to us, as we will see later in this message. Henry Alford, a 19th century English biblical scholar, theologian, writer, and poet once said, "No one that I am aware of has taken it [the 144,000] literally." As I mentioned last Thursday, 144 is 12 times 12, and the number 12 in Scripture speaks of governmental perfection. Therefore the 144 thousand speaks of those overcomers still on earth who will rule or govern and reign with Christ on earth for 1000 years when He returns.
Back to Revelation, Chapter 7.
The phrase "after this" or "after these things" occurs 78 times in Scripture. Whenever we see "after this" we should always ask, "after what?" Verse 14 of this same chapter answers that specific question. What is the time frame associated with the fulfilment of Verse 9? after the millennium when time is no more. But first, who is this great multitude spoken of in Verse 9? all Christians over all of time who never attained to kingdom stature while on earth.
If "cried" here denotes sadness, then it would be because they finally saw what they had missed on earth. All they knew was the first step of complete redemption ... being born again.
This verse tells us who the great multitude mentioned in Verse 9 represent. They are born-again Christians who never progressed to kingdom stature on earth. They had to go through great tribulation on earth in order to be purified. In contrast, the servants of God who were sealed in their foreheads will pass through the great tribulation unscathed because they have already voluntarily fallen on the Rock.
It is very clear that this Chapter describes God's plan and action for securing the remainder of the remnant through all the judgments and persecutions which shall characterize the great tribulation.
Back to Revelation 7 and Verse 15.
All 16 references to the temple in Revelation use the word that designates the holy of holies. It is the place where God's presence dwells.
Now let us turn to Revelation, Chapter 14.
This is the second, and last, verse that speaks of a 144 thousand. This is not the same set of 144,000 we read about in Revelation, Chapter 7, as we will see shortly.
In the Old Testament, such as Psalm 33:3 and Psalm 96:1, a new song celebrated a new act of divine deliverance or blessing.
It is important to see, from Verse 4, that this set of 144,000 are not on earth when the 144,000 in Revelation, Chapter 7, go through the great tribulation. Note the past tense in Verses 3 and 4 ... were not defiled, were redeemed. We must not interpret the word, "virgins," in the natural realm.
More importantly, this set of 144,000 speaks of the overcomers over all of time who have gone before ... they are called the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb ... men such as Peter, Paul, John, Stephen and a host of other saints who did attain to kingdom stature while on earth. It also includes many Old Testament saints.
Back to Revelation, Chapter 14, and Verse 5.
What will be the result of those backsliding Christians in Verse 10-12? Only the Lord knows.
Back to Verse 14 of Matthew 24.
Note again that the Lord will not return until after the tribulation on earth.
This verse says that the elect or overcomers who are alive on earth when Jesus returns will be gathered together.
Back to Revelation, Chapter 14, and Verse 14.
The white cloud in this verse does not speak of those white, wispy natural clouds we see in the sky. This cloud speaks of those overcomers, like Peter, Paul, John, Stephen, and many, many more who have gone to be with the Lord in times past and who were overcomers on earth.
I certainly hope that every Christian not only knows the answer to that question but also is in the process of diligently seeking the Lord to work within us that which is pleasing in His sight. In other words, we must prepare our hearts for His Parousia ... His coming. Perhaps more accurately we should ask the Lord to prepare our hearts because
In Job, Chapter 1, the Lord said of Job that "there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil." But in
Can we all learn from the examples of Isaiah and Job?
Before we look at the verses in Chapter 7, we must remember that there are no chapters in the original text. It is important to read the last verse in Chapter 6 of Revelation, which says, "For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Many different verses in both the Old and New Testaments ask that same question ... "Who shall be able to stand when the Lord Jesus returns?" For example, Malachi 3:2, Zechariah 3:7, Psalm 24:3, Psalm 76:7, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Ephesians 6:11, Philippians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:8, and 2 Thessalonians 2:15, to name just a few. Back in our old New Testament house days from 1968 through 1980, we used to sing a zippy song from Galatians 5:1 whose words say, "stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Hindsight, I wonder if any of us back then understood what we were singing or if it was just a nice, high-spirited, cheerful song.
Back to the question, "who shall be able to stand when the Lord returns?" The answer to that question is given in Revelation, chapter 7, verses 1 through 3.
1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.2 And 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 given to hurt the earth and the sea,3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
This event precedes the great tribulation, as shown by the reason given for the sealing. The context clearly applies to all human beings, both Christian and heathen, who are on earth during the last 3 and 1/2 years of the great tribulation. This is another of several different Scriptures which expose the falseness of the so-called "rapture" theory put forth primarily by evangelicals.
Further, to say that all believers will be caught away just before the "great tribulation" runs contrary to the essence of the Bible. That promotes a theory of "escapism." But "we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). This false doctrine on the secret rapture is also contradictory to the words of Jesus in Matthew 13 when He said the wheat and tares would grow together until the "end of the world" and then they would be separated. The phrase, "end of the world," should more accurately be translated as "consummation of the ages," i.e., the end of the church age and the start of the age of the kingdom of God on earth. There is no Scripture which speaks of "the end of the world" in the sense of the kosmos coming to an end.
Who are the servants of God mentioned in Verse 3? certainly not all Christians who are alive on earth at that time. They are the remnant, the overcomers, the very elect spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24, those who are walking and living in the kingdom of God at that time, which is fast approaching us. They are the ones who will be able to stand when the Lord returns. The seal in their foreheads is not a natural-level seal. It is a spiritual seal in their minds.
Philippians 2:5-11, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Back to Verse 4 of Revelation, chapter 7.
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
I am sure that many evangelicals and all those who interpret Scripture literally, would say Verses 4 through 8 pertain only to Jews. That makes no sense to me. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, and only those who are "in Christ" have been and will be saved. Further, the 144 thousand have already been identified as the servants of God who are alive on earth at that time. Neither do I believe that 144 thousand is a literal number of servants of God on earth at that time, although whether it is a literal number or not should be of no concern to us, as we will see later in this message. Henry Alford, a 19th century English biblical scholar, theologian, writer, and poet once said, "No one that I am aware of has taken it [the 144,000] literally." As I mentioned last Thursday, 144 is 12 times 12, and the number 12 in Scripture speaks of governmental perfection. Therefore the 144 thousand speaks of those overcomers still on earth who will rule or govern and reign with Christ on earth for 1000 years when He returns.
Back to Revelation, Chapter 7.
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
The phrase "after this" or "after these things" occurs 78 times in Scripture. Whenever we see "after this" we should always ask, "after what?" Verse 14 of this same chapter answers that specific question. What is the time frame associated with the fulfilment of Verse 9? after the millennium when time is no more. But first, who is this great multitude spoken of in Verse 9? all Christians over all of time who never attained to kingdom stature while on earth.
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
If "cried" here denotes sadness, then it would be because they finally saw what they had missed on earth. All they knew was the first step of complete redemption ... being born again.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
This verse tells us who the great multitude mentioned in Verse 9 represent. They are born-again Christians who never progressed to kingdom stature on earth. They had to go through great tribulation on earth in order to be purified. In contrast, the servants of God who were sealed in their foreheads will pass through the great tribulation unscathed because they have already voluntarily fallen on the Rock.
Luke 20:18, "Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."
It is very clear that this Chapter describes God's plan and action for securing the remainder of the remnant through all the judgments and persecutions which shall characterize the great tribulation.
Back to Revelation 7 and Verse 15.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
All 16 references to the temple in Revelation use the word that designates the holy of holies. It is the place where God's presence dwells.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Now let us turn to Revelation, Chapter 14.
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father's name written in their foreheads.
This is the second, and last, verse that speaks of a 144 thousand. This is not the same set of 144,000 we read about in Revelation, Chapter 7, as we will see shortly.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
In the Old Testament, such as Psalm 33:3 and Psalm 96:1, a new song celebrated a new act of divine deliverance or blessing.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
It is important to see, from Verse 4, that this set of 144,000 are not on earth when the 144,000 in Revelation, Chapter 7, go through the great tribulation. Note the past tense in Verses 3 and 4 ... were not defiled, were redeemed. We must not interpret the word, "virgins," in the natural realm.
2 Corinthians 11:2, "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
More importantly, this set of 144,000 speaks of the overcomers over all of time who have gone before ... they are called the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb ... men such as Peter, Paul, John, Stephen and a host of other saints who did attain to kingdom stature while on earth. It also includes many Old Testament saints.
Back to Revelation, Chapter 14, and Verse 5.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
This verse is to be fulfilled, starting with the last spiritual Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Ingathering.
Matthew 24.10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
What will be the result of those backsliding Christians in Verse 10-12? Only the Lord knows.
Nevertheless, from Psalm 19,7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Back to Verse 14 of Matthew 24.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Note again that the Lord will not return until after the tribulation on earth.
31 And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
This verse says that the elect or overcomers who are alive on earth when Jesus returns will be gathered together.
Back to Revelation, Chapter 14, and Verse 14.
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.
The white cloud in this verse does not speak of those white, wispy natural clouds we see in the sky. This cloud speaks of those overcomers, like Peter, Paul, John, Stephen, and many, many more who have gone to be with the Lord in times past and who were overcomers on earth.
Hebrews 12:1-3, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."
Revelation 1:7, "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen."
This concludes an overview of how I understand the meaning of the 144,000. However, if we stop there, all we have is an intellectual understanding of that topic. The important aspect is, given that understanding, how then shall we live? Job said, in
Job 31:14, "What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when He visiteth, what shall I answer Him?"
I certainly hope that every Christian not only knows the answer to that question but also is in the process of diligently seeking the Lord to work within us that which is pleasing in His sight. In other words, we must prepare our hearts for His Parousia ... His coming. Perhaps more accurately we should ask the Lord to prepare our hearts because
Philippians 2:12-13, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."
David said, in Psalm 19:12-13, "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression."
Once we have been allowed to see the great gulf of difference between our natural self (even after being born again) and the holiness of God, we can do nothing except repent and humbly submit to God in all things. That is what happened to Isaiah, Job, and many saints over the years.
Isaiah 6:5, "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."
In Job, Chapter 1, the Lord said of Job that "there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil." But in
Job 42:1-6, "Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."
Can we all learn from the examples of Isaiah and Job?
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