Judged, Sealed, Ready for Battle
“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.
“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, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
“And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand {144,000} of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” Revelation 7:1-4
The purpose of Scripture is to present God’s complete plan of salvation, starting from the first sin in Eden, continuing to the last sin before Jesus returns.
To tell this story, we need to know a certain amount of history and how it’s intertwined with God’s people. We must be aware of how He has dealt with His church in the past, what He expects of her now and the blessings He has for her in the near future.
For the last days, the apostle Paul speaks of a “man of sin.” Daniel talks of a little horn that works to destroy the true people of God. In the prophetic book of Revelation, John tells us of a beast and his mark. Later, he mentions a woman who rides a beast. Who these are will surprise many, even to disbelief.
To many, the exposing of the “man” will not be welcome. And yet, as painful as it might seem, he needs to be revealed. The Bible tells us where he says he lives and what he claims to be. The antichrist isn’t God, but he says he is. He doesn’t sit in the temple of God, but he says he does.
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day will not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4.
Knowing these things is important. We can’t sit back in our chairs and passively wait. Entrance into Heaven is no shoo-in. Jesus told us, “Few there be that find it,”
“Enter in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13, 14.
The 144,000
Who will make up the 144,000? Where do we find them mentioned in the Bible? Here is Revelation 14:1,
“And I looked, and, behold, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads. . . .
“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 wherever he goes. These were redeemed from among men, [being] the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Revelation 14:1-5.
How important are the 144,000, and who are they? Here’s a hint; they’re the army of God. Numbering was done before a battle. The leaders needed to know how many could fight for the army of Israel.
In the last great battle over sin, God will use this number. Will you be among the 144,000 of Revelation 7 and 14? If not, how about the great multitude of Revelation 7:9? You can be. It’s the gospel; it’s very good news. Being among the 144,000, the first fruits of the judgment, will bring you sweet love, joy and peace. In return, you will happily obey and give God the glory.
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