144,000

• Prophets are referred to as servants in this verse.


• Servants are once again called prophets, and are once again distinguished from the "saints", or the rest of the saved.
• God "of the holy prophets" sends an angel to show His "servants" the future. i.e. prophecy.

It should really be no surprise that God will use prophets to combat the greatest deception in earths history. James and act refer to a great outpouring of God's spirit in last days. Some in our church felt that Revelation's mention of the spirit of prophecy was fulfilled by Ellen White. The undesired result of this belief is that rather than realizing that God will be calling us to be prophets, a person may revere Ellen white as receiving a role that we may not.

.

Other interesting points on the 144,000

-Israel was in Egypt for 400 years which is exactly 144,000 days

-Moses and then the Israelites were in the wilderness for 14,400 days,

10% of your day is 144 minutes

 

If you have enjoyed this topic so far, I would like to warn you that the next part of this study is something that I am not 100% sure about. Its one of those things where all the verses line up, but still requires further study. It may also challenge your open mindedness.

There is allot to discuss in this verse.
• First note that servants are slain for their testimony, "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev 19:10
- this means they were killed for prophesying

• Those who killed them are still alive on earth
• White robes were given to them, just as they are given to the 144,000.

• The word for rest is "anapaou" which means take rest, refresh, or take ease. This word is used rarely in the Bible and is different from the Hebrew word "Sakab" which is also translated "rest," and used 27 times in the Old testament to refer to death.
- in other words these souls are not sleeping, but alive taking rest in heaven.

 

 

 

* A Greek motel in The Crow's Nest Pass, Canada.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it possible that the 144,000 somehow go heaven before everyone else?

- the passage you are about to read comes right after the beast "causes everyone who does not worship the image of the beast to be killed" and "he causes all . . . to receive a mark.

- If these verses are literal, it would mean that at this point, the 5th seal has been fulfilled.
"they were told that they should wait a little while longer until the number of both their fellow servants and their brethren were killed as they were was completed"

- Even though Revelation13 says "causes everyone to be killed," Its highly unlikely that all God's people are killed as when you read ahead in the chapter 14:15 describes the sealing angel finishing his work, "thrust in your sickle and reap. . . the harvest of the earth is ripe." Obviously the sealing angel wouldn't be only sealing the martyred.

• What about the reference to "First Fruits?"

Here we an indication that the first fruits may be made alive before those who are Christ's at His coming.

- Rev 15 is a chapter that receives very little attention. Because scholars assume that everyone is resurrected together, these verses are assumed to be out of order.

As I read these, I feel the spirit of truth revealing that these verses are describing sequential events, not random ones. Note also what those people have victory over: "the beast, his image, his mark, and over the number of his name." These are events or deceptions that will only occur one time in earth's history-- right at the very end of time. The unarguable conclusion is that they can't represent all the saved, but must be a special group of the saved.

The plagues which are about to be poured out are the final fulfillment of God's promise to those in the 5th seal. "How long oh lord until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on earth? . . . IT WAS COMMANDED TO THEM, that they should rest/wait a little while longer. ."

- obviously we can't assume that only the 144,000 will be killed, or that being martyred makes you a part of the 144,000. Here and in the 5th seal it is revealed that apostles and brethren and saints are martyred. In other words, anyone of God's people may face death.

 

Now lets take this previous verses and discover how they are connected.

5th seal: "How long oh Lord until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on earth? . . and they were commanded to wait a little while longer until their fellow servants and brethren were killed in the same manner as they was fulfilled.

Rev 14: "Then I looked and behold . . . 144,000 standing in heaven (the number of their bethren to be killed as they were is fulfilled)

Rev 15: "I saw . . 7 angels having 7 last plagues . . . and those who have victory . . . standing on a sea of glass. (now as God has promised, he will avenge them)

Rev 16: "Go pour out the wrath of God on the earth . . . For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink (God is avenging them, as He promised, their waiting period is over)

 

Here is something I learnt while studying with the Messianic Church:

 

Notice how the bride of Christ and the armies of heaven are described. It is possible that the armies in heaven are the angels, all the saved or maybe even the 144,000. This possibility is inconclusive in my opinion, but certainly possible considering all the previous verses you've just read. If you have any feed back on this, I' de certainly appreciate it.

 

Although it may not be clear when or how the 144,000 are resurrected, what is clear is that they as well as many of God's other people will havve to die for their faith. The 5th seal says they "held" their testimony. In other wordsm, they wouldn't shut up, till it got them killed. "he who seeks to save his life will lose it, he who loses his life for My sake, he will save it."The 3 angels message comes at a time when we will have 2 choices. Die for our faith, or take the mark. The 3rd angel states that we will get God's wrath mixed in full if we choose the mark. This paints a pretty grim picture. Choose God and die, or take the mark and get the plagues.

- To this perdicament, God offers the solutions: "Blessed are they who die in the lord from now on, that they may rest from their labours, and their works may follow them"