The one hundred forty-four thousand
Rev 7:1 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.
Four angels, at the four corners, north, south, east and west, holding the four winds. They controlled the winds at the direction of almighty God. Is this proof that God controls the winds and the weather? Global warming, hurricanes, earthquakes, rain and snow? Yes, he does. The angels were also holding back God's judgment, until something was done.
Rev 7:2 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,
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Sealed, by the Holy Spirit. A seal was the mark of ownership, representing the owners name, Father God. Sealed by an angel sent from heaven to a select group of people, on their foreheads; where the helmet of salvation is worn. Looking ahead we see the seal again mentioned.
Rev 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
These were protected by God, not to receive the wrath of God, so that they could do their great exploits; the work of God given to them.
Rev 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.
One religious group has claimed to be these ones who were sealed. They speak of Jehovah as God and no other. They do not see Jesus as God the Son, but these are not the sealed of God. These are following false teachers and false prophets. The sealing of God on the foreheads is the receiving of salvation through Jesus Christ and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This was for a select number of Israel in the end times.
Rev 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.
One hundred forty-four thousand chosen of Israel from twelve tribes. These were not Gentiles, but the chosen of Israel who would be sent out to evangelize the world in the time of tribulation before the coming of our Lord.
Twelve thousand of twelve tribes of Israel were sealed
Rev 7:5 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.
God knows who is from each tribe listed. There are no longer records kept, but He knows. These are all Jews, not the Church. The church many believe would have been taken up to be with Jesus. These chosen of Israel are sealed by God in their foreheads, the mark of ownership as we were sealed by His Holy Spirit. Jesus was sealed by God and then through him we were sealed.
John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Rev 7:6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
Rev 7:7 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.
Rev 7:8 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.
The tribe of Dan is not listed, perhaps because they were into idolatry. The tribe of Joseph is listed, actually his two sons were of the tribes: Manasseh was listed, the other was Ephraim, which also was into idol worship. Those chosen were sealed on their foreheads, which included a new heart, perhaps a change of mind indicated, or an outwardly visible seal to mark them for the angels and for man.
They seemed to be protected and triumphant through the period of God's wrath, meeting with Jesus at Mount Zion at His return (Revelation 14:1).They are celibate (Revelation 14:4).
They are the beginning of a greater harvest (Revelation 14:4).
They are marked by integrity and faithfulness (Revelation 14:5).(Guzik)
These were sealed after the church was caught up; but they will be included with the church as God's redeemed. Paul was perhaps symbolic of these chosen ones. He was not with the original twelve apostles and yet Jesus chose him and sealed him as an apostle to the Gentiles, as one born out of season.
1 Cor 15:8 And last of all he (Jesus) was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
The church of mostly Gentiles must come to it's fulness and then Israel has it's time.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Tribulation Saints
Rev 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;
Following the sealing of the 144,000 and perhaps as a result of their witnessing, there were a great multitude in heaven from every nation and race and language. These stood before the throne and the Lamb, for they are together, Father and Son. They were clothed in white robes, the righteousness received by faith in Jesus and in their hands, palms or palm leaves, as in worshipping Jesus as he entered Jerusalem.
Mat 21:8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strowed them in the way.
Mat 21:9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna, save us now; these were the saved in Jesus, those washed in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb who came out of the tribulation.
Salvation belongs to God and the Lamb. The multitude knew where salvation was given.
Rev 7:11 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,
Rev 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
The angels as God's creations also fall before the throne and worship, not for salvation, for this was strange to them.
1 Pet 1:12 ... unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever.
Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
Good question.
Rev 7:14 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.
These are the saints of God who were killed during the great tribulation. Killed by the antichrist and his followers, for God does not send his wrath to his own people. The question again, who are these? Is it the church, those who we thought were to be raptured? Maybe, or they are those who came to Jesus as the result of the witness of the 144,000 sealed of Israel.
Rev 7:15 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.
They serve God day and night, dressed in priestly robes, desiring to have their king dwell with them.
Rev 7:16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
Rev 7:17 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.
The Good Shepherd shall forever meet their needs. Interesting, they will be fed food, yes and spiritual food. The word of God; they shall never hunger or thirst again. The need for sun shall be supplied by the Son of God. They shall have living fountains, symbolic of the abundant Holy Spirit. and no more sorrows, for God shall wipe away ALL their tears. Earth is the place for tears and it is the place where we begin to follow, depend upon and trust our Good Shepherd.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
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