Differing interpretations are given
by various denominations to identify their
religious movement with the 144,000. If we let it the Bible clearly
identifies the
144,000 and dispels confusion and doubt.
When were the 144,000 selected? Let us turn to Revelation 14:4:
“These were redeemed from among
men, being the firstfruits unto God
and to the Lamb.”
The 144,000 are described here as “the
firstfruits.” Reading God's holy
word in Matthew 10:5,6 we find Christ's first instructions to the
disciples:
Matthew 10:5,6:
“... Go not into the way of the
Gentiles, and unto any city of the
Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of
the
house of Israel.”
Luke gives us some more information in Luke 24:47:
“And that repentance and remission
of sins should be preached
in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Paul also tells us in Romans 1:16:
“To every one that believeth; to a
the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
In Romans 2: 9,10:
“Tribulation and anguish, upon
every soul of man that doeth evil,
of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory,
honour, and
peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first,
and also
to the Gentile:”
Paul preached to the Jews at Perga: Acts 13:46:
“It was necessary that the word of
God should first have been spoken
to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves
unworthy
of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”
Peter spoke in the temple to the Jews in Acts 3:26:
“Unto you first God, having raised
up his Son Jesus, sent him to
bless you, in turning away every one of you from his
iniquities.”
Jesus said in Matthew 15:24:
“I am not sent but unto the lost
sheep of the house of Israel.”
In Revelation 7, verses 4 through 8 we see that the word of God was
first
preached to the literal tribes of Israel, and names the tribes of
Israel that
the 144,000 were sealed from. This is in contrast to those in verse 9
who were not Jews:
“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;”
It would be difficult to insist that these verses speak of the same
group.
Both groups are spiritual Israel. The 144,000 are a part of the
spiritual
children of Israel selected from members of national Israel.
Let us read God's word in Revelation 14: 3,4:
“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. 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.”
In prophecy, churches are symbolized by women. To be defiled with a
woman,
in this context, would refer to an affiliation with any church other
than God's
church. Since the nation Israel constituted the Church during the Old
Covenant
times, a Jewish convert to Christianity would keep intact his place in
the
Church of God.
No defilement with women would take place. Again, one can observe
how clearly this characteristic fits the converts from among the
Israelites
whom the Gospel was first preached.
The Book of Acts chronicles the acceptance of the gospel of Christ by
the
Hebrew community. Pentecost was a Jewish feast, celebrating the
firstfruits of
the harvest.
Acts 2:9,10 list areas from which people came to express their
thanksgiving
and devotion. It was on this occasion that the Holy Ghost fell. Peter,
addressing
the “men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem.” (Acts 2:14),
declared
this to be fulfillment of the prophecy spoken of by the prophet, Joel
(Acts 2:16-21).
In Acts 2:41 we read of the account of 3,000 that was added to the
Church.
These continued in their new-found faith, praising God and finding favor
with men. The Lord continued to add daily to the Church those who were
saved (Verse 47).
Acts 4:4 reports that the number of men who believed was about 5,000.
Chapter 5:14 tells of multitudes being added:
“And believers were the more added
to the Lord, multitudes both of men
and women.”
Acts chapter 6 begins:
“And in those days, when the
number of the disciples was multiplied.”
Verse 7 adds:
“And the word of God increased;
and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of priests were
obedient to the faith.”
Chapter 8:31 says:
“Then had the churches rest... and
walking ire the fear of the Lord,
and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”
Continued reading in the Acts impresses one with the rapid progress
made by the Church.
May the 144,000 be regarded as Spiritual Israel? It is true that the
terms
“Israel,” “Jew”, and “the circumcision,” as they are used occasionally
in the Epistles of Paul may include reference to believing Gentiles
(Rom. 2:28, 29; Gal. 3:29; 4:26, 28).
These same terms are also used to designate exclusively the fleshly
descendants of Abraham. This is clearly indicated in the scripture
already
quoted. Please review Romans 1:16; 2:9,10; Acts 13:45,46, and similar
passages.
These could have no meaning unless the expressions “Jew” and “Gentile”
are
to be understood literally. The same is true in the prophetic passages
in question.
The Lord tells us in Rev. 7:4 that the 144,000 are of:
“all the tribes of the children of
Israel... ”
Attempts to identify current religious movements with the sealing
of the 144,000,
suggesting that some of this number may be alive today, cannot find
support in
the Bible. They succeed only in confusing minds on a relatively simple
subject.
Revelation 7 informs that these 144,000 were taken from the tribes of
the
children of Israel, 12,000 from each tribe.
Revelation 14 says they are firstfruits who were not defiled with women.
James addresses his letter to the 12 tribes scattered abroad and calls
them
firstfruits in James 1:1,18.:
“James, a servant of God and of
the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve
tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. Of his own will begat he us
with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits
of his creatures.”
The gospel was sent first to the House of Israel, and the Book of
Acts reports
response in the multitudes and thousands to this gospel. This is a
select group.
It is made up of those who overcame the cynical attitude and skepticism
of their
leaders and kinsmen and received that righteousness which comes by
faith.
Shining Light Ministries
shinelt@mchsi.com