Oct 26, 2009 the number 144,000 occurs only twice in scriptureboth times in the book of revelation, and in significant contexts. Resources commentaries revelation chapter 14 exegesis. For these reasons and others, i believe the number 144,000 is a precise figure. The turmoil of conflict is over, and the people of god, 144,000 strong, now stand triumphantly with the lamb on mount zion. With the exception of the futurist approach, all of the other approaches interpret the 144,000 symbolically. This number is first mentioned in revelation 7, and the circumstances under.
Since the 144 000 are about to pass through the great tribulation, its natural and very appropriate to understand the sealed saints of chapter seven in terms of the military army organized. Apparently, the idea is that the ones in chapter 7 are physical israelites that are the seed of physical government for the millennium, and the 144,000 in chapter 14 are the bride, the firstfruits, the elect of god first, we must ask why god would see a need for physical. On their foreheads was written, god, new jerusalem, and a glorious star containing jesus new name. And i heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder.
The jehovahs witnesses teach that only 144, 000 people will gain heaven. Among the numbers of revelation, none is more misunderstood than the number of the purified bride. Ten of the 12 tribes were lost and integrated into assyria long ago. This suggests that the 144,000 are set apart, and thus protected in an eternal sense, by gods work of building character in them, as gods name identifies. God is showing the past, present, and the unfolding of future history. Oct 09, 2012 stephen bohr preaches on the 144, 000 found in the bible. The book of revelation has three references to a group of people numbering 144,000. Since we know that the book of revelation is recapitulatory, perhaps the group of 144,000 sealed can be seen in another vision in. Apparently, the idea is that the ones in chapter 7 are physical israelites that are the seed of physical government for the millennium, and the 144,000 in chapter 14 are the bride, the firstfruits, the elect of god first, we must ask why god would see a need for physical rulers. The opinions in this article are just that opinions, we are not claiming this to be the absolute truth, just a perspective we felt relevant to share. Here is the remainder of revelation 7 verses 9 through 17. The church is raptured prior to the great tribulation. Jesus very last prayer was that his church would be keptpreserved, guardedin the fathers name. Revelation 14 new international version niv the lamb and the 144,000.
Remember the 144,000 described in chapter sev en from the twelve tribes of. During the time when the church is gone, a remnant of 144,000 ethnic jews is converted 12,000 from each tribe. We find it first between the sixth and the seventh seals, prior to the second coming envisaged as the day of wrath, which is the demise of those who have opposed god rev. The number 144,000 occurs only twice in scriptureboth times in the book of revelation, and in significant contexts. They have his name and his fathers name written on their foreheads v. I prefer to view johns comments as though the 144,000 will have the signatures of the father and the lamb, as medals of honor, literally written on their foreheads. Nothing in the passage leads to interpreting the 144,000 as anything but a literal number of jews12,000 taken from every tribe of the children of israel, according to verses 58. There have been some really helpful responses so far in regards to the thread of the two witness. Jan 17, 2012 and i heard the number of the sealed, 144, 000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of israel. This passage comes in an interlude between the judgment of the sixth seal of the tribulation revelation 6. These 144 000 virgins are also seen in revelation 7 as being compared to the 12 patriarchs of the o. And i heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of israel.
Readers dont have to guess or research where revelation was written. Also remember that all of the numbers in revelation depict a specific value, while all the proper names in revelation are symbols the lamb, the dragon, the lion, balaam, jezebel, etc. The fact that dan is omitted, joseph is classified as a tribe, and levi is included demonstrates that the description is figurative. So james greetings of the 12 tribes must refer to the n. Most may not stay hidden because after the great ear. They are sealed on their foreheads and they are servants of the living god. However, he merely writes the words of jesus revelation 1. The only tribe that was missing was the tribe of dan and this might be because of dans fall into idolatry and being cut off from the nation of israel. The two beasts of the preceding chapter are nowhere to be seen. Who are the 144,000 people mentioned in the book of.
Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto. Revelation 14 commentary the reward of the 144,000. Revelation 14 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides notes on all 66 books of the bible, and contain more than 7, 000 pages of material. The letter is addressed to seven churches in asia 1. Again as in rev 14, the 144,000 of rev 7 are gods end time. Stephen bohr preaches on the 144, 000 found in the bible. And the bible says they are also separated to godthat means they have a special calling from the lord. This is the first of six specific angels who individually participate in the events recorded in this chapter revelation 14. The turmoil of conflict is over, and the people of god, 144, 000 strong, now stand triumphantly with the lamb on mount zion. There are many, such as jehovahs witnesses, who do not believe. Numerous queries have been received of late concerning the 144,000 brought to. For more on john the apostle, see the introduction in the life application bible commentary on the gospel of john.
The jehovahs witnesses claim that a group of their founders and pioneers constitute this group. Hey all, so first off thank you to all who have been posting in response to the questions on revelation. In revelation 14, we meet 144,000 people, who had the name of jesus and the father on their foreheads. As roman catholics still have much power with the world, the european flag has accepted her interpretation of revelation 12 where the church is seen wearing. Page from an illuminated manuscript painted by an unknown artist, depicting the 144,000 from revelation 7, from a copy of the commentary on the apocalypse by saint beatus of liebana. The 144000 and early christian thought providence theological. Listen to this report filed by john in the seventh chapter of revelation. The 144,000 and the victorious judgment of the lamb 1 and i looked, and, lo, a lamb stood on the mount sion. Revelation 7 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. The 144,000, mentioned in revelation 7 and 14, is a symbolic number as evidenced by the following facts.
Revelation 422, reveals the future end time events that extend into the future unto eternity and establishes this as the end of gods revelation to man. Revelation 7 commentary the 144,000 and the unnumbered. These rulers, they say, will govern the earth on which will dwell resurrected humans along with the animals. Throughout history the book of revelation has been much understood and neglected. For these reasons and others, i believe the number 144, 000 is a precise figure. The jehovahs witnesses teach that the kingdom of heaven will be established after the end times with 144,000 faithful saints chosen by god to becomes spirits and to rule with christ for the millennium.
A commentary on the book of revelation chapter 14 the. The book of revelation has two mentions of this 144,000 and the first comes in revelation 14. The mysterious 144,000 revelation lamb and lion ministries. The things contained in this chapter came in after the opening of the six seals, which foretold great calamities in the world. Well, one thing thats helpful to remember in revelation, is that numbers mean things, sometimes in a different way than they do in historical narratives because revelation is an apocalyptic work that. Well, one thing thats helpful to remember in revelation, is that numbers mean things, sometimes in a different way than they do in historical narratives because revelation is an apocalyptic work that shows this thing by pictures. Whats the significance of the 144,000 in revelation 14. Oct 26, 2010 the 144,000 of revelation 7 are mentioned again in revelation 14, where it becomes clear that these spiritual firstfruits will have repented and been converted before the beginning of the day of the lord. One of the reasons that those groups give for this belief is that revelation 7 continues on, after verse 8, to describe a much larger group of people. The 144,000 in the book of revelation david jeremiah blog.
Thus, the 144,000 are jews john hoped would join the church in his day. It must be remembered that the spirit of prophecy 19. The following is an excerpt from the macarthur new testament commentary on revelation 7. Apparently, the idea is that the ones in chapter 7 are physical israelites that are the seed of physical government for the millennium, and the 144, 000 in chapter 14 are the bride, the firstfruits, the elect of god. The author and date of revelation the books author was obviously john revelation 1. The 144,000 of revelation 7 are mentioned again in revelation 14, where it becomes clear that these spiritual firstfruits will have repented and been converted before the beginning of the day of the lord. A commentary on the book of revelation chapter 7 144,000. Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our god. A commentary of the book of revelation the revelation of jesus christ 20 by cooper p. During the time when the church is gone, a remnant of 144, 000 ethnic jews is converted 12, 000 from each tribe. Then i looked, and behold, a lamb standing on mount zion, and with him one hundred and fortyfour thousand, having his fathers name written on their foreheads.
There is probably no part of revelation that has been more abused than the first half of chapter 7 which tells about 144,000 jews being sealed as bondservants of god. It is said of them that they are, redeemed from the earth, have a unique victory song, are called the first fruits, are without fault and they follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth. And i heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and fortyfour thousand sealed from ev. Basically, those groups believe that that the 144,000 represent every christian who has ever lived. Pdf the identity of the 144,000 fs beale researchgate. After these things i looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands revelation 7. It seems to represent all of gods people, from the old testament and the new testament.
He was another probably like michael revelation 12. Jan 24, 2020 when taken at face value, revelation 7. In the last chapter, we saw that everyone was hiding in the rocks and caves because they correctly saw that wrath or judgment was coming upon the earth from the lamb. And i heard the number of those who were sealed, one. Sectarian groups in every age have seen themselves in johns 144,000 compare also 14. In chapter 1, for example, the apostle john sees seven golden lampstands revelation 1. These 144,000 witnesses are selected from the twelve tribes of israel. Jul 10, 2017 the 144, 000 in the book of revelation while people are saying, peace and safety, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
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