Who are the 144,000?
Revelation, Part 8, Revelation 7:1-17
Introduction
- Chapter 6 talked about the four horsemen and the first 6 seals
-- Discussed the importance of their duties to release the Anti-Christ
-- They bring death and destruction upon the Earth as God’s Judgment
- We also witnessed a great earthquake that shook foundations of the Earth
-- This will send inhabitants of the Earth to the mountains to flee
-- Each who went into hiding had one prayer: that they would be allowed to die for the judgment is too severe.
- In this time, we see the beginning of what God has planned on this Earth
-- APP: Our disobedience is what has brought this upon the Earth
Read Revelation 7:1-17
Pray
Ω Point 1 – The Four Angels (v1-3)
- At this moment, there are angels waiting for the word from God
-- To unleash His judgment upon this Earth
-- Remember city of Sodom? Angels were sent there to destroy the city
-- However, Lot and his family were saved and removed (Genesis 19)
- These four angels are granted the authority to hurt the land and the sea
-- IMP: They are restrained until God’s servants are sealed
-- Once these servants are in place – once they have received the protection of God, we will see the trumpet judgments begin
- The four winds mentioned talk about the whole Earth (N, S, E, and W)
-- The angels are given specific orders to hurt only the land and sea
-- The bowl judgments (later) are the judgments on man, specifically
- In Heaven, God has ultimate authority
-- Believe John is getting a glimpse of a chain of command effect in place
- See how another angel comes forward to hold back these angels?
-- This is an arch-angel – someone in greater authority than these four angels
- We will see that a number of persons will be sealed first; these are 144,000
-- The word ‘sealed’ means protected; they’re sealed with the Holy Spirit
- What is important to note here is that God knows who is faithful to Him
-- He knows who His workers are – and John is being given a confirmation --- IMP: Just as they are sealed … those who are saved are also sealed (or protected) from this judgment
- Strengthens the rapture of the church happens before the Tribulation begins
-- Why? God’s promise is that we shall be saved if we call upon the name of the Lord (that is Jesus) – and this sealing is sealing those following the rapture for service to Him!
Ω Point 2 – Who are the 144,000 that are sealed? (v4-8)
- Many people have mixed up, or tried to assume who the 144,000 are
-- It is very important to note that when you read the Bible, it’s clear!
Ω - One of the biggest, false doctrines is that shared by the group called the Jehovah’s Witnesses
-- Let me start by saying this is a cult – from beginning to end
-- It is an “obey this or else” type of religion which God does not honor
- Background: They believed when they formed that they were part of the 144,000 who would not see death and they were here to do God’s work.
-- The problem with their logic is this: most of those who called themselves part of the 144,000 are now dead and in their grave!
-- The result of this false thinking? They are forced to CHANGE their beliefs and doctrine – which since Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (see Hebrews 13:8) … why would they have to continue to modify their beliefs if they were truly following Jesus? They’re not, they are a cult!!
- VERY IMP: If your religion is confusing, it ain’t from God!
-- 1 Corinthians 14:33, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
Ω - IMP: The Bible tells us EXACTLY who these people are in Rev 7!
-- John is being shown the nation of Israel
-- It is important to observe that the literal application of Israel’s importance cannot be avoided.
-- Those who remove literal Israel from scripture will never be able to grasp the book of Revelation and God’s plan for the end times.
- Here, we see the role of 144,000, from the 12 tribes of Israel
-- There are 12,000 each of the 12 tribes of Jacob (Israel)
-- Represent a select group, descendents of Jacob
-- They fulfill the role planned for Israel, to be a light to the nations
- APP: Out of all the nations of the Earth, God has chosen the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to be a light to the nations, to be his witnesses
-- Isaiah 43:10-12 says "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.”
- TRANS: That’s it, end of discussion on who these people are!
-- So, when they come to your door, tell them this … you might win them!
Ω Point 3 – A gathering in heaven (v9-17)
- What John is seeing is the work of the 144,000.
-- After these things, that is, after the sealing of the 144,000, John continues
-- APP: Most of the Book of Revelation has an action, and then a pause until that action is completed – normally with the phrase “after these things”
- Remember that John is still in Heaven (important: same view as before)
-- He is seeing a group of people and speaks of them being around the throne
-- They are every nation, tribe, people, and tongue (from the globe)
- These two verses give strength to a believer saved following the rapture
-- APP: If you become a believer during the Tribulation, this is your hope of where you shall be after you face death by the anti-Christ’s followers.
-- John says that these people are a great multitude around the throne
- The sole purpose of the 144,000 is to preach the gospel
-- John sees the result of those accepting the salvation of Jesus Christ
-- This verse is also the coming true of the prophecy stated in Matt 24:14, “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.”
- This is completion of the souls who have been slain for their faith (Ch 6)
-- They have been given white robes, and are no longer under the throne
-- Their work is now finished … (IMP) they have been redeemed! (v13-14)
- Did you notice what they are waving – palm branches!
-- Remember Jesus’ triumphant ride into Jerusalem before he was crucified? -- The crowds were celebrating His arrival, and now they are celebrating His majesty on the throne!
-- They offer praises they offer to the Lamb of God in verse 10
- So what? Your celebration ought to be the same today for He is alive!!
-- Can you celebrate the Lamb like this? Heaven is going to be a shock!
Ω Big Ideas
- The 144,000 are those sealed AFTER the rapture of the church
-- Their sole purpose is to PREACH the Gospel to those who need to hear
-- These people are NOT selected today
-- They represent 12,000 from each tribe in Israel (Millbrook has approx. 15,000)
- There will be a chance to receive Christ following the rapture
-- But in the face of the Tribulation horrors, why would one want to wait?
- In Heaven … Christ is glorified, praised, and honored
-- A time is coming when He will be feared because of God’s judgment
-- Today we have an opportunity meet Christ who offers grace and mercy
-- Which Jesus do you want to meet?
