144,000 REVISITED - NYOBS 66.30

144,000 REVISITED

The SYMBOLIC and LITERAL 144,000 are NOT the same.

First Word

·         The GREAT Tribulation; a seven year period known as “Jacobs’ Trouble” is about to begin; the False Prophet is already at work on the scene and so is the Antichrist who helps establish the United States of Europe, but is not yet known as a world leader. – NYOBS 21.18 ANTICHRIST

·         The Rapture of the Saints, both Gentile and Jew has just occurred and worldwide interest in God has just been revived since billions of people are now missing. - NYOBS 01.23 - RAPTURE

• This is where we pick up the story - The Church; Jews and Gentiles, both dead and alive, are now in Heaven and only the unsaved are still on earth along with some “Special Forces”.
• Israel is safe in her land, but is threatened by Egypt (on the South) and Russia (on the North).  The Antichrist will make a covenant with Israel to protect her land.

·         God seals 144,000 Israelite Jews in order to protect them from the wrath that is about to be unloaded during the seven years of this Great Tribulation period.

• God pours out his Spirit on the 144,000 “Special Forces” and they testify of Him and become His messengers, His Evangelist; that will present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the rest of the JEWS. - Every NATION and tribe will hear them speaking in their own language and dialect, endued with the same power as on the day of Pentecost with The gift of tongues. - NYOBS 08.02 - TONGUES 
• 144,000 life changers will be armed with the zeal of the Apostle Paul. - Everyone will have a chance to hear the Gospel; THEN THE END WILL COME literally. – IT’S IN THE BOOK -

Jeremiah 30:7 – Tribulations – Jacob’s Trouble
⁷ Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. (KJV)

Matthew 24:21 – Great Tribulation such as has never been
²¹ "For then there will be a Great Tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. (NASB)

Acts 2:16-21- God will pour out His Spirit in the last days

16 this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 "`In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' 

NIV

Rev 14:5 – True Believers - They were blameless

5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

(NIV2011)

Matthew 24:14 The Gospel will be preached – The End will come
¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then THE END will come. (NIV2011)

Literal 144,000

·         Who are the 144,000, that’s what everybody wants to know… Today there are some groups and some cults, as well as some Christian dominations that believe that they are the sealed 144,000 witnesses.

• Jehovah Witnesses believe that within their body is the special group of 144,000.  They will have immortal life and spirit bodies in a place in heaven.  All the other members in their denomination will just have everlasting life with resurrected bodies which still need to eat and drink. - NYOBS 07.49 - JEHOVAH WITNESSES
• Mormons claim that they ONLY have the 144,000 who will inherit eternal life and the remainder of their denomination will just live in Paradise. - NYOBS 07.41 - MORMONS

·          Seventh Day Adventist point to prophetess Ellen G. White who has the exclusive right to truth and indicates they are the faithful 144,000. – NYOBS 14.23 - SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST

• Literal scripture says that they will all be Jews; there will NOT be one Gentile in the whole bunch.  - NOT ONE ! – We can take apart “the which” and “the why” for each tribe, but not enough time here.  – NYOBS 35.16 - 144,000 THE MARK -- NYOBS 07.002 – ESCHATOLOGY

·         This Study will DEPART FROM THE ORDINARY ignoring the Systematic Theology that we have always been taught and take a close look at the rich SYMBOLISM as painted by John the Revelator about who SYMBOLICALLY the 144,000 represent.

·         Just to mess with you right away, The Levites representing the Priesthood are missing from the 144,000 tribe lineup, because every Christian belongs to God’s Holy Priesthood, with NO MEDIATOR between God and man except Jesus Christ. – IT’S IN THE BOOK -

Rev 7:4-8 – Tribes of Israel - 144,000 – ALL JEWS

4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,

6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of MANASSEH 12,000, (** half tribe)

7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,

8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

1 Peter 2:9 - Every Believer is in the Royal Priesthood
⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (ESV)

Revelation 1:6 – The Believer is in a Kingdom of Priests
⁶ and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

All Virgins

·         Literally, God is saying that this special group of people have remained unmarried and have never had sex with a woman.

·         All through scripture, the term “virgin” is SYMBOLIC of worshiping the one true God of Israel and WHORING is symbolic of worshiping other gods.

·         Symbolically, God is saying that this special group has never bent their knee to a strange god; they have always been faithful to Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

·         The 144,000 are the FAITHFUL. – IT’S IN THE BOOK -

Revelation 14:1-5 – 144,000 are virgins, truthful & blameless
¹ Then I looked, and behold, on Mount ZION stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
² And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps,
³ and they were singing a NEW SONG before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
⁴ It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are VIRGINS. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
⁵ and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. (ESV)

Judges 2:17 – Israel went whoring after other gods.
¹⁷ And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a WHORING after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so. (KJV)

Symbolism

·         Parables, Symbols and Hyperboles were common and known to the Hebrews, thus the TRUE understanding was “hidden in plain sight” to the Romans who thought it was just “MALARKEY” or today what we would say is a “Bunch of Bull”.

·         Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. - As a figure of speech, it is usually not meant to be taken literally, but emphasizes and evokes strong feelings to create strong impressions.

·         The Israelites way of life was to gather daily at the temple or synagogue and even at the gates of the city to DISCUSS and DEBATE the newest secret spiritual concepts.  – This school of thought gave birth to the Kabbalah that explained the esoteric mystical teachings. – NYOBS 34.12 – KABBALAH

·         The Epicureans and Stoic philosophers would look for numbers and symbols in the writings of the prophets and debate them. - The Berean Jews were commended for EXAMINING THE SCRIPTURES DAILY to see if what was being said was true. – IT’S IN THE BOOK -

Acts 17:18 – Philosophers debate everything
¹⁸ A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to DEBATE with him. Some of them asked, “What is this BABBLER trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. (NIV2011)

Acts 17:23 – Debated the Un-Known God
²³ For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. (KJV)

Acts 17:11 – Bereans commended for examining the scriptures
¹¹ Now the BEREAN Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and EXAMINED THE SCRIPTURES every day to see if what Paul said was true. (NIV2011)

Weapons

·         LITERALLY in the Revelation of John, it speaks about warfare with a sword coming out of the mouth of Christ. - We would be bringing knives and swords to a modern day GUN FIGHT

·         SYMBOLICALLY, if you look at the SWORD; it is THE WORD of God which is sharper than any two edged sword. – God’s Word; the Bible will kill people. – JUST THINK ABOUT THAT.

Revelation 19:21- Sward came from His Mouth
²¹ Their entire army was KILLED by the sharp sword that came from the MOUTH of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the DEAD BODIES. (NLT)

Hebrews 4:12 – The Sword is the Word of God
¹²  For THE WORD OF GOD is living and active, sharper than any TWO-EDGED SWORD, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ESV)

Ephesians 6:17 - Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God
¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the SWORD of the Spirit, which is the WORD of God. (NLT)

Age of the Computer

·         A lot of the Esoteric thinking and “hidden inner tradition” was passed down generation to generation, but some was lost and scriptures says it was “SEALED UP” for many days till knowledge has increased. – Now, the computer age has unlocked these visions…

·         The Book “Arithmetic of God” counts OCCURRENCES of things in the bible. – The basis of this book begins with the 153 fish that were caught in the Disciples net. – What is significant about 153? - That very day Jesus had shown Himself to the Disciples for the third time since His resurrection which took place on the 17^th. – Adding up each number between 1 and 17, you get 153.

·         NOTE; The 17^th day times the  3^rd appearance equals 51, and 51 times 3 (51+51+51) =153

·         I realize this book “pushes the envelope” somewhat with its findings, but just hang in there.

·         153 and the Net symbolically represents the plan of salvation – HOLD THAT THOUGHT -

Daniel 8:26 – Seal up the visions for the Future - COMPUTER
²⁶ The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but SEAL UP the vision, for it refers to MANY DAYS from now.” (ESV)

Daniel 12:4 – Shut up the words till the time of the COMPUTER
⁴ But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and KNOWLEDGE SHALL INCREASE.” (ESV)

John 21:11 – 153 fish – The Net – Plan of salvation
¹¹ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled THE NET ashore, full of large FISH, 153 of them. And although there were so many, THE NET was not torn. (ESV)

Matthew 4:18-19 - Make you fishers of men – Salvation Plan
¹⁸ While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a NET into the sea, for they were FISHERMEN.
¹⁹ And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (ESV)

Occurrences in the Computer

·         From the Book “Arithmetic of God.”

·         4 is God’s handiwork, the First Creation, Flesh – The 4^th time Jesus is called “The Word” states: “The word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.

·         6 is Satan – “Against” is found 6 times in connection with the believer’s warfare against Satan.

·         7 is completeness, Perfection or Bringing to an End – All of God’s handiwork was completed in 7 days.

·         8 is new Birth – Concerning new birth, “born” is spoken 8 times between the Lord and Nicodemus. – Twice 4 (the first creation) is 8 a new creation; Birth.

·         9 is the fruit of the Spirit – Gal 5:22 There are 9 fruits of the Spirit – 1 Cor 12:1 There are 9 gifts of the Spirit – Matt 5:4 There are 9 Beatitudes –

·         10 is the Law – The 10 Commandments – 10 Linen curtains in the Tabernacle – Boaz took 10 men as witnesses to marry Ruth –

Ø 12 is Divine Power, Rule or Authority – There were 12 Disciples – 12 barrels of water were poured on the altar of Baal – After Jesus fed the 5000 they gathered 12 baskets of leftovers.- God spoke to Job about the 12 signs of the Zodiac.

·         I am skipping a lot of stuff to just stop here and look at the number TWELVE  which is Divine Power, Rule or Authority – HOLD THAT THOUGHT -  NYOBS 49.14 - GOD’S ARITHMETIC

Base numbers in the Computer

·         The Greeks did not have a way to express numbers in their language system, so they used letters for numbers.  I don’t have Greek letters on my keyboard, so just take my word for it

·         The Hebrews followed the same concept with letters representing numbers.

·         The Romans have the familiar Roman numerals; I (1) – V (5) – X (10) – L (50) – C (100) - D (500) which expresses their numbers with letters. - If you add up all these numbers, you get 666.

·         The Book “Theomatics” questions why the specific number of 153 fish where caught by the Disciples – Why not 12, 40, 144; commonly used numbers? - This became the code that unlocked the door. - Everywhere this base number of 153 shows up, the passages are reflective of “The Gospel” message; 153 is the Plan of Salvation.

·         Look at the base Words 153 number; Plan of Salvation – The Net (salvation plan) – Fishers of Men – Fishes (the saved) – Way, Truth, Life – I am the Way – Door of the Sheep – The Narrow Gate. - All of these passages have the same base number of 153. - INCREDIBLE -

·         With the help of a computer, this book deals with breaking down every sentence in the Bible to its numerical value that is represented in the Hebrew and Greek since they both use letters for their numbers.

·         They take sentences in the Bible and add up their numerical value and then divide them back down to their base number.  – The base number always equals the same common theme. – I won’t do that here as it would take 300 pages. - (I encourage you to buy this book for your Library)

·         Without seeing the Greek or Hebrew it is difficult to explain, but all passages on the same topic have the same base number.  Example; passages about Jesus Christ can be divided back down to the base number of 37. ( Notice that 3 is the trinity and 7 is completeness = Jesus Christ)

·         37 has many thoughts pointing back to Jesus – The Door – Firstborn – Son of Man - Christ – Godhead – The Good Shepherd – Family of David – Fountain of Water.  – INCREDIBLE -

·         3 is the Trinity – 4 is God’s Handiwork (Notice that when you add 3 the Trinity and 4 God’s Handiwork it becomes complete; 7) -- 7 is Completeness or perfection – 8 is a new order.

Ø 12 The inner circle, the chosen (12 X 12= 144) – TWELVE – HOLD THAT THOUGHT -  

Twelve

·         I had to take you through all the mental gymnastics of numbers to bring you back here to talk about the Hebrew mystic number of TWELVE.

·         Twelve represented ALL of Israel; the Twelve Tribes (Old Testament).  It represented ALL of the inner circle of the Twelve Disciples of Christ (New Testament). – In the New Jerusalem there are Twelve gates in the wall which rest on the Twelve foundations.

·         There were Twelve precious stones in the breastplate of the high priest; Twelve Shewbread cakes in the tabernacle. -  Twelve Pillars & Twelve Spies that spied out the land.

·         Three; the Trinity TIMES Four; God’s Handiwork is TWELVE – Total completeness - ALL

·         The Twelve tribes of Israel of the Old Testament; TIMES the Twelve Disciples of the New Testament equals 144; that’s everybody – ALL INCLUSIVE --- To the Hebrew, the number twelve represented groups of completeness; – Twelve is the containment of ALL.

·         The number 1,000 is the number of the anticipated Millennium Kingdom of God and the ultimate degree of perfection. – A day to the Messiah is like a 1,000 years. -  144 times 1,000 is 144,000; which is EVERY Believer in the Kingdom of God. – IT’S IN THE BOOK -

Revelation 21:12 – Twelve gates in the New Jerusalem
¹² She had a wall majestic and high with twelve gates. At each gate stood an Angel, and on the gates were inscribed the names of the Twelve Tribes of the sons of Israel: (MSG)

Revelation 21:14  – Twelve foundations in the New Jerusalem
¹⁴ The wall was set on twelve foundations, the names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb inscribed on them. (MSG)

2 Peter 3:8 - One day is as a thousand years to the Lord
⁸ But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (ESV)

144,000 Dual Nature

·         The mountain of Zion or the Prophetic use of the word ZION is used some 150 times in the OT ALWAYS referring to the highest point in Jerusalem; God’s Mountain and David’s Throne.

·         Symbolically ZION is Gods rule and it is always on Earth, not in Heaven, so when we see the 144,000 standing before the Lamb on Zion; they are on Mt. Zion on Earth.

·         There was a great Multitude standing before the throne wearing white robes.  Note:  They were from EVERY nation, tribe and people and there was so many you could not count them.

·         Just as the Two Witnesses have a dual nature, so does the 144,000; they are also known as the great multitude. – They are one and the same. – John HEARD the symbolic number of 144,000 and SAW the great multitude that could not be counted before the throne.

·         The 144,000/multitude serve God in the Temporary Kingdom Temple (Church) on earth until the finalized Kingdom Temple comes. – God’s dwelling place; His throne is among us.

·          Why am I telling you this? – Because it is important to understand that the numbered 144,000 is SYMBOLIC of the numberless great multitudes of people from EVERY nation, EVERY tribe, EVERY people and EVERY language that have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior - Systematic Theology teaches that these are two different group, I understand this and accept the criticism.  – I don’t ask that you embrace this; JUST THINK ABOUT IT.

·         There ARE NOT two groups of SAVED people as taught by some denominations. – Teaching that there are those that served God on earth as commanded and there are those who were SUPER ACHIEVERS, who raised the bar and did even more than was commanded. – NO, there is only ONE MULTITUDE that is saved. That is not to say that there are not special rewards, but that’s just another word study. – NYOBS 07.053 - CROWNS

Revelation 14:1 – 144,000 standing on Mount Zion on Earth
¹ Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount ZION, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.

(NIV2011)

Zechariah 8:2 – The Lord love Mount Zion
² This is what the LORD of HEAVEN’S ARMIES says: My love for Mount ZION is passionate and strong; I am consumed with passion for Jerusalem! (NLT)

Revelation 7:9 – A great Multitude
⁹ after this I looked, and there before me was a great MULTITUDE that NO ONE COULD COUNT, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. (NIV2011)

Revelation 7:15 – They serve before the Throne on earth
¹⁵  Therefore, “they are before the THRONE of God and SERVE him day and night in his TEMPLE; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. (NIV2011)

Revelation 21:3 - The dwelling place of God is with man.
³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will DWELL WITH THEM, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (ESV)

2 Corinthians 6:16 – God lives among us – We are the Temple
¹⁶ What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For WE ARE THE TEMPLE of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – We are God’s Temple
¹⁶ Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and YOU ARE THAT TEMPLE.

(ESV)

Ephesians 2:19-21 – Joined together we become the Church
¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
²¹ in whom THE WHOLE STRUCTURE, being JOINED TOGETHER, grows into a holy TEMPLE in the Lord.

(ESV)

Ephesians 4:4-5 – There is just ONE BODY of Christ
⁴ There is ONE BODY and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—
⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

(ESV)

The Army

·         In previous Word Studies on Revelation symbolism, I have concluded that “Armageddon” is the battlefield of the MIND of the believer, and the believer is the warrior as well as the war.  With that said, I am continuing this same thought that “the warrior” which is every believer, is part of GOD’S ARMY.  - NYOBS 66.19 – TWO WITNESSES REVISITED – NYOBS 66.24 – ARMAGEDDON REVISITED

·         The best way to describe this mysterious fighting army is Special Forces with uniforms of fine white linens that are clean and bright, SYMBOLIZING  the Believer’s robes washed in the blood of Christ making them WHITE as snow.  -- The Bride of Christ is the believer that is arrayed in fine pure bright white linens; these warriors are NOT angels.

·         NOTE: In the time of Jesus there were also Special Forces called the Zealots that were secret freedom fighters that were trying to liberate the Jews from the domination of Rome. -  This is such an amazing story, but I will not cover it here. -- NYOBS 32.13 – ZEALOTS

·         At first blush, we tend to surmise that Jesus returns in the clouds with legions of Angel armies to fight the war of Armageddon, but after close examination we find that the war is waged by the “Sword in His Mouth” which is SYMBOLIC of the Gospel Message.

·         The Gospel message is SYMBOLICALLY presented by “Jars of Clay”, physical bodies, not the spiritual bodies of angels. – Only the redeemed can sing the new song, angels are not redeemed. — This is NOT an angel Army.

·         But just as with any army, there are some requirements for acceptance in “joining up” therefore some are rejected.  Both Believers and Make-Believers may apply for service. -

·         1-A Accepted - Available for unrestricted military service. - Jesus said we must come to Him believing and trusting; without reservation; just as a child would run to his daddy and jump into his arms.

·         4-F Rejected - Registrant not acceptable for military service. -  Registrant has been found not qualified for service in the Armed Forces by a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) under the established physical, mental, and moral standards. - (Look it up)

• The Sermon on the Mount; “The Beatitudes” do not show a man how to be saved; they show the characteristics of one who is saved. – They are not promises of blessings for the saved, but are a description of the saved. – The Qualifications for Joining God’s Army.

1. Poor in spirit – The realization that we are spiritually bankrupt and can offer God nothing.
2. Those who mourn – Anguishing over sin; over perishing souls; wanting right to prevail.
3. Meek – Accepting opposition, insults and provocation – Bearing patiently – Mild and calm.
4. Hunger for righteousness – All sin and wrongdoing to anyone grieves them.
5. Merciful – Being kind, showing pity, mercy and compassion, even when it’s not convenient.
6. Pure in Heart – No hidden motives or self-interest; a pure heart with singleness of purpose
7. Peacemaker – Bringing men into harmony with each other – Calming the waters.

• Love – You must love Christ more than your own family or you are not worthy of Him.
• Give of what you have to those who can’t pay you back; - Give justice, mercy, compassion and faithfulness.

• Someone who is rich puts his trust in what he has – Someone who is poor puts his trust in what he hasn’t – It’s very hard for someone rich to seek the Kingdom of Heaven; they do not see themselves as having any needs. – They are self-sufficient. – They don’t need God.  (Jesus said this, not me.)  - IT’S IN THE BOOK - NYOBS 12.64 – QUALIFICATION FOR ENTRANCE TO HEAVEN 
• The Bar is set very high - Who then can qualify to enter God’s Army? – By man’s efforts, no one can qualify to enter – Only by the grace of God has it been made possible. Unless we change and become like little children, we will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - Run trusting and believing and JUMP into His arms like a child with his daddy; Abba Father.

Revelation 19:11-15 – Armies of Heaven in fine white pure linen
¹¹ Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
¹⁴ And the ARMIES OF HEAVEN, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
¹⁵ From his mouth comes a sharp SWORD with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. (ESV)

Revelation 19:7-8 – Redeemed in fine bright pure linen
⁷ Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
⁸ it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— (ESV)

Revelation 7:14
¹⁴ I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them WHITE in the blood of the Lamb.

(ESV)

Ephesians 6:17 – The Sword is the Word of God
¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the SWORD of the Spirit, which is the WORD of God, (ESV)

Hebrews 4:12 – The Word of God – sharper than two edge sword
¹² For THE WORD OF GOD is living and active, sharper than any TWO-EDGED SWORD, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ESV)

2 Corinthians 4:7 – Redeemed Army is “Jars of Clay”, not angels
⁷ But WE have this treasure in JARS OF CLAY, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

(ESV)

Revelation 14:1-3 – Singing a song only the redeemed could sing
¹ Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
³ and they were singing a NEW SONG before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. (ESV)

Matt 5:3-12 – Qualifications to join the Army of God  

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

NIV

Matt 18 2-5 – Believe and trust as a child with his daddy.

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.

3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

NIV

Last Thoughts

·         Let’s reason together; the ten northern tribes of Israel were lost; they no longer exist.  The tribe of Benjamin was absorbed into the tribe of Judah, leaving only the “Jews” from Judah which is only 12,000 men – If you look LITERALLY at the 144.000, we are about 132,000 men short.

·         I know this is just way too simple, but the Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons and Seventh Day Adventist may be right, that they are the 144.000, but included with them as well are the Catholics, Baptist, Presbyterians, Methodist and Assembly of God denominations, etc. - BELIEVERS of ALL denominations are part of this SYMBOLIC 144,000.

·         Believer and Make Believers alike will sign up for the Army of God, but the Make-Believer having only a form of godliness will be classified 4-F – REJECTED – IT’S IN THE BOOK -

·         Are you a Make Believer? - God said, you will know them by their fruits’; their actions. – Take a close look at your “Check Book”; your Speech, your SONGS and your Activities. – Do they honor God or bring Him shame? – NYOBS 38.20 – MAKE BELIEVER -

·         I don’t ask that you embrace the Symbolism that the sealed 144,000 special forces are the Army of ALL BELIEVERS, but just think about it. – You WILL be drafted into Satan’s Army unless you enlist in God’s army. – Life is Choice Driven. - The Choices you make on this side of life have eternal consequences.  –  IT’S IN THE BOOK -- JUST THINK ABOUT IT -

James 1:22 – Don’t just hear the Word – DO IT
²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (ESV)

2 Timothy 3:5 – MAKE BELIEVERS have only a form of godliness
⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. (NIV2011)

Matthew 7:16 – you can tell a MAKE BELIEVER by his fruits
¹⁶ You will recognize them by their FRUITS. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? (ESV)

Matthew 7:23 – MAKE BELIEVER will be told I never knew you
²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

(ESV)

In the multitude of counselors,

there is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:14

I am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical

information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders

and see further that I otherwise ever could have.

                                                                                                                                     

A Commentary; Critical, Experimental and Practical - Eerdmans

Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius Josephus Matthias

Apocrypha – Goodspeed

Arithmetic of God; The – Don Kistler

Baker Commentary on the Bible – Elwell

Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White

Bible Commentary – F.B. Meyer

Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row

Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s

Dake’s Annotated Bible – Dake

English Standard Version Bible – ESV

Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein

Haven’t you Heard? There’s A War going on! – Eldred Echols

Illustrated Bible Dictionary; The – Tyndale

Interlinear Greek-English New Testament - Baker

King James Version Bible – KJV

Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan

Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest

Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan

New International Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas - Tenney

New International Version Bible (2011) – NIV

NOTE: The “new” NIV has been corrupted and made gender neutral.  AVOID IT.

Theomatics – Jerry Lucas and Del Washburn

Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee

Vincent’s Word Studies of the New Testament – Mac Donald

Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner

Wycliffe Bible Commentary; The – Pfeiffer & Harrison

Wikipedia –

Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney