God's mathematics; The 144,000 and the great multitude

God's Mathematics; An Analysis Of The 144,000 & The Great Multitude Chapter seven of Revelation is one of the chapters that produce great excitement among Christians. Powerful minds are being captivated by questions and thoughts about the special group that will be alive when Jesus comes again. Chapter 14 is a complement of this one and would be studied together in order to see all the facets of this group. This chapter is parenthetic between the sixth and seventh seals. It's the answer to the question asked in chapter 6:17: “For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” The answer is clear: the 144,000 will stand. Not for something immanent or natural in them, but because they are covered by the merits of Christ (His righteousness). Note: this chapter will be studied in a different format than the previous six because it will not follow a verse by verse order. The aforementioned question has parallels in other parts of the Bible. Let’s see those passages and the answers: Psalm 15:1-5 Psalm 24:3-5 Isaiah 33:14-17 The question: who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? The question: Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? The question: Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? The answer: He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. The answer: He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. The answer: He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. It is evident that not everyone will qualify to be part of this elite group. The traits of character contained in those three passages combined with those listed in this chapter seven of Revelation indicate that these individuals have a unique experience with their Savior. They will have such a relationship with Jesus that it will enable them to withstand the fiercest winds of opposition in the history of the human race. It takes time to develop that relationship and God has taken the first step by extending us an invitation. The rest is up to us. “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:8). 1And 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. 2And 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,  3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Let's explain the symbolism mentioned above. Four comers of the earth = the whole word. Winds = Wars, according to Isaiah 29:6,7 & Jeremiah 51:1,2,11& 12. Sea = High population areas (Revelation 17:15). Land = Low population areas (in contrast with the many waters of the sea). Trees = Symbol for world leaders (Daniel 4: 21,22). East = From where Jesus will come for the second time (Matthew 24:27). This sealing activity covers all the nations. The governments of the earth will remain at least relatively stable until the winds of strive are released. The sealing will be done in big and small nations in very difficult times. Seal = The Bible says in the New Testament that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit-more on that later. Also, the seal is mentioned in Ezekiel 9:4, where the prophet says that it will be imprinted (Hebrew- by implication a signature- Strong’s note) on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all “detestable things” that people do. The word mark in Ezekiel was translated from “täv,” which in ancient Hebrew was just a letter in the shape of a cross. That was the mark that the Jews painted with blood on their doors before they left Egypt (Passover)- foretelling the cross. It was the mark of redemption and they were protected by the shadow of the cross. These people will grieve because they will find sin hateful. They see sin as the cause of the crucifixion of their beloved Savior. They know that Jesus’ death was caused by their own sins and the sins they see being committed. That will cause a deep sorrow in their hearts. They are zealous for the character of God being maligned by the behavior of those that profess to follow Him. “Sigh and cry-similarly sounding verbs in Hebrew, as in [the] English Version, expressing the prolonged sound of their grief. ‘Sigh’ implies their inward grief (‘groanings which cannot be uttered,’ Romans 8:26); ‘cry,’ the outward expression of it. So [it was with] Lot (2 Peter 2:7, 8). Tenderness should characterize the man of God, not harsh sternness in opposing the ungodly (Psalms 119:53, 136; Jeremiah 13:17; 2 Corinthians 12:21); at the same time zeal for the honor of God (Psalms 69:9, 10; 1 John 5:19).” Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary. Note: Although Genesis four reads that Cain received a “mark” on his forehead, the word used is different from the one chosen by Ezekiel regarding the mark of the saints. The similarity is dual since both were a mark and both were placed on the forehead, but Cain was disobedient and rebellious while those mentioned by Ezekiel follow God’s will. The marks of the end times are going to be placed on the foreheads of the wicked for following the beast and on the foreheads of the righteous because their characters resemble the character of their Savior. Do we cry, and are we hurt, disappointed or sad when a church member turns his back on Christ or do we point fingers? Let’s trade places with that tormented soul and have sympathy. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). In 2008 I brought a very intelligent and sweet lady to what could be her new church. She had been embattled at her previous church for wanting to do what was right (opposing money-squanderers, etc). After the service, four of us sat at a table to have lunch. One of the ladies proposed that this newcomer helped with the teen girls at a coming camp. She had been asked as a chaperone before a couple of times at another congregation. The other church lady almost choked on her food, extended her arm full length across the table and frantically moved her pointing finger side to side saying: “No, no, no.” Then, trying to cover her anti-Christian attitude, said “She can stay here and pray.” One of the members from the previous church was her friend and had called her to give her a twisted version of some facts fearing that the new comer would uncover what was going on. This caused my lady friend to go away and not return to where she was hoping would be her new church where she could serve. Knowing the full story first hand, I know that my friend was an innocent victim and still suffered. Real mercy is lacking in our churches today. This passage from Ezekiel specifically refers to the two groups in the church. This brings to memory two parables that refer to the two kinds of church members: The parable of the ten virgins- I would like to think that the five prudent were always looking for ways to spend time with God in prayer, while the foolish were indifferent and lived like the world. This last group was looking for ways to entertain themselves. Sacred, ennobling church music bored them. They took no real pleasure to follow Jesus wherever He led because they wanted to be comfortable. Today we could identify the video game/iPod generation with the foolish virgins. The parable of the prodigal son- One son, after wandering away and squandering his gifts from the father, returned repented and confessed his sins. The other brother was a finger pointer. A person whose favorite one word was “you...” and whose favorite two words were: “you always….” The oldest brother was constantly busy finding fault in others and wondering “what is in for me?” The seal of God will show the difference between the sheep and the goats; those that follow the Lamb and those that follow their own path. Many today have a religion of their own choosing. They follow only what they want and discard what they do not want. This is what the people that repopulated Samaria did in ancient times: “They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence. Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel” (2 Kings 17:33-34). This kind of people mixes the truth with error and celebrates pagan customs at the manner of their friends. How could they represent the truth if their friends see no difference? “It is a great comfort to believers, that in the midst of destroyers and destructions, there is a Mediator, a great High Priest, who has an interest in heaven, and in whom saints on earth have an interest. The representation of the Divine glory from above the ark, removed to the threshold, denoted that the Lord was about to leave his mercy-seat, and to pronounce judgment on the people. The distinguishing character of this remnant that is to be saved is such as sigh and cry to God in prayer, because of the abominations in Jerusalem [church]. Those who keep pure in times of general wickedness, God will keep safe in times of general trouble and distress.” Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary-Comment on Ezekiel 9:1-4. God has promised His blessing. It is up to us to exercise faith. “Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6.7- God’s Word). A very sad part of the passage of Ezekiel 9 is that there is going to be a killing just like in the days of the Exodus. “As I listened, he said to the others, “Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. Slaughter old men, young men and maidens, women and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were in front of the temple” (Ezekiel 9:5,6). We have to wake up from our slumber so we can be sealed and thus protected from the wrath that is coming against the hypocrites. I find it less painful if Jesus burns the defects of my character and the affections that tie me to this world now and not that He burns me up in the day of reckoning. He loves me, so why would I like to disappoint Him and embrace what separates me from him? “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation…?” (Hebrews 2:3). Just imagine that you were one of the Roman soldiers in charge of crucifying Jesus. You were holding a hammer in one hand and the other hand holds the nails. How could you have found it in your heart to trespass those holy hands? That is what we do when we go against our conscience. We “are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace” (Hebrews 6:6 NIV). “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV). Isaiah 8:16 identifies the seal with the law of God: “seal up the law among my disciples.” Is in the law of God that we can find the three most important characteristics of a complete seal: name, position, title or rank, and jurisdiction. We can find all of them only in the fourth commandment: Name: Yahweh Title: Creator Jurisdiction: Heavens and earth. According to Romans 4:11, sign and seal are equivalent words: “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.” Ezekiel 20:12 & 20 mentions the Sabbath as a sign between God and his people and that by the observance of that day, God sanctifies his children. In other words, by keeping the Sabbath, we participate of the divine nature and God prepares us to live in heaven. The sealing angel from Ezekiel nine collaborates in writing the law in the heart of the believers. Revelation 14 shows the 144,000 as having the name of God on their foreheads. The name is a symbol of character and the law has been identified by scholars as the reflection of the character of God. Attribute God The Law Good Luke 18:19; Psalm 100:5 Romans 7:12 Holy Isaiah 5:16 Romans 7:12 Just Deuteronomy 32:4 Romans 7:12 Does not change James 1:17 Matthew 5:18 Truth John 14:6; Psalm 31:5 Psalm 119:142,151 Perfect Matthew 5:48 Psalm 19:7 Eternal Isaiah 40:28 Psalm 119:152; 11:7,8 The attributes that we find describing the divine character also describe the law. So the 144,000 are the remnant “which keep the commandments of God” (Revelation 12:17), therefore they have the character of God in their foreheads. To say that the law has been changed would imply that the character of God – who He is- can change. In Psalm 89:34 God says that He will not “alter the thing that is gone out” of His lips. If He changes His mind about what reflects His character, could you trust Him for your salvation? Maybe He could change His mind on that too. Jesus was very clear on the subject: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). Why is the seal placed in the forehead? Because the front lobe of the brain is where we make decisions, show determination, and it is the seat of the intelligence, the will, the conscience, moral values and also indicates a relationship of faith. Notice that, unlike the mark of the beast, the seal of God is not placed on the hand, because salvation is only obtained by faith, not by works, so nobody would boast (Ephesians 2:8-10). Paul; wrote: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30 ).We can safely conclude that the seal is primarily the Holy Spirit, and secondarily, the law, specifically the Sabbath that He writes in our hearts. “And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). The word translated as seal in Revelation 7:3 and Ephesians 1:13 & 4:30 is σφραγίζω (read sphragizō). Strong’s notes say: “to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication to keep secret, to attest: - (set a, set to) seal up, stop.” So the sign or seal of God will be placed on the forehead of His people to preserve them during the difficult times ahead. “We seal what we wish to guard securely. When all things else on earth are confounded, God will secure His people from the common ruin. God gives the first charge as to their safety before He orders the punishment of the rest (Psalm 31:20; Isa 26:20, 21). So in the case of Lot and Sodom (Gen 19:22); also the Egyptian first-born were not slain till Israel had time to sprinkle the blood-mark, ensuring their safety (compare Revelation 7:3; Amos 9:9). So the early Christians had [the city of] Pella provided as a refuge for them, before the destruction of Jerusalem.” Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary Then, John heard the number of the sealed: 144,000 (this is a multiple of 12). The number 12 identifies the people of God: 12 tribes 12 judges 12 stones removed from the Jordan River, to represent Israel. 12 precious stones on the chest of the high priest. Same purpose as above. 12 apostles 12 doors in the heavenly city 12 foundations in the celestial Jerusalem 12,000 stadia - length of the city (another multiple of 12). 144 (12 x 12) cubits- this is the thickness of the wall of the Holy City. The number is only representative of the people of God from all around the world, not a literal number, because God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34). He will never say: “Only 144,000 will be a special group with exclusive privileges.” Imagine that God has 143,999 (being short of the 144,000 by just one), and 153 children are converted with all of their hearts. Will God put their names in a bag, close his eyes and select just one from the group? What about the remaining 152 children? Don't they have the same right? Praise the Lord, because He will never do such an injustice. Some people make a literal interpretation of this passage and focus their attention on the tribes of Israel, but they forget that the captivities of the people of God had erased all vestige of distinction between the different tribes because they had been intermarrying even with non-Jewish. Of Ephraim, not included in the list of Revelation seven, Isaiah 7:8 says: “…Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be broken, So that it will not be a people (American Standard Version).” Hosea 4:17 says: “Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!” The same book adds: “Ephraim will be laid waste on the day of reckoning. Among the tribes of Israel I proclaim what is certain…Ephraim is oppressed, trampled in judgment, intent on pursuing idols.” Hosea 5:9, 11 NIV. The version The Message translates verse 11 this way: “Brutal Ephraim is himself brutalized— a taste of his own medicine! He was so determined to do it his own worthless way.” “The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle. They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them” (Psalm 78:9-11). This psalm presents the steps that led them into full apostasy: neglect of duty, they stop following God’s precepts and finally they forgot all about Him. Let this be a warning for all of us. Even though God pleaded with them, at the end they were destroyed because they separated themselves from the source of life. In the same way that a light bulb cannot brighten any dark area without a source of power connected to it, we can not pretend to have life if we separate from God and have a religion of our own making as mentioned above. In addition, several people joined Israel for different reasons like those that nationalized (Esther 8:17). When James wrote his letter to his brothers, he did it to the twelve scattered tribes (James 1:1). He wrote to people converted to Christianism from Judaism as well as from paganism. However, all of them are included as part of the 12 tribes. They are called scattered because they were living all around the world. Paul, a Jew, wrote that those who believe are children of Abraham. He adds: “There is neither Jew nor Greek...for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:7, 28 & 29). Jesus said that even from the stones can God raise children “unto Abraham” (Matthew 3:9). Probably the stones mentioned here were the apparently hardened hearts of the pagan people that usually were among the audience of Jesus. The Israel of God is not anymore the Jewish people, but now it's everyone who believes. Here Paul comes to illustrate our understanding of who Israel is: “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Romans 2:28, 29). “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed” (Romans 9:6-8). “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him” (Romans 10:12). Now, let's talk about the meaning of the names of the 12 tribes. In the Old Testament times, the names given to the children had a spiritual and sometimes prophetical meaning, expressing the attributes of character that the parents wanted to develop in their children. The meanings of the names of Revelation 7 represent the characteristics of the people of God of the time of the end. Let's start with Israel = one who prevails. No one will walk on the golden streets of the New Jerusalem defeated or with bowed head, but like over comers with the forehead lifted up. To succeed in the battle with evil, we have to surrender our wills before God and allow Him to direct our lives, for He can do in us “to will and to act” (Philippians 2:13). And now, the analysis of the tribes’ names and their meanings for us, the last days’ Church. 1) Judah = praise. Instead of complaining all the time, the real Christian finds always one or more reasons to give thanks and praise to the Lord “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7), because he finds that whatever we suffer now “is nothing compared to the glory that he will give us later” (Romans 8:18). 2) Reuben = behold the Son. The Christian’s life and character are changed while he contemplates the Lord. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:22); “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18) and he, having “the ministry of reconciliation” leads others to contemplate “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). 3) Gad = good fortune. In the sense of receiving blessings, because we have been given the opportunity to become part of the divine family. “To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Gal. 4: 5); “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” (Eph. 1:5). 4) Asher= Eternal bliss, beatitude. How joyful are the children of God regardless of the circumstances! They walk through “the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4) with joy and peace. Paul said: “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly” (Philippians 4:10). 5) Nephthalim= overcomer. To the last church of history, Jesus says: “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne” (Revelation 3:21). No other church period in history had been in worst spiritual condition than the one in the times that we are living now. We are content with our little knowledge of the Scriptures and we don't feel the need to grow closer to God. We have to wake up and ask to be given the Holy Spirit. A time of great trouble is approaching and we are not prepared. Probably not even one in a hundred is ready, but it is to this church (us) that Jesus makes the most wonderful promise- to have the honor of sitting with Him on his throne! 6) Manasses = forget. God helps us to forget all the shameful defeats of our past life, and also the size of our problems. As Paul, the last days Christians can live “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead...”, pressing “on toward the goal to win the prize...” (Philippians 3:13). See also Job 11:13 &16. 7) Simeon = heard. The believer is a man or a woman of prayer. He has the assurance that if he ask for something according to the will of God, He listens (1 John 3:22; 5:14). He has a healthy relationship with his Creator, and has the faith that will be necessary for the end time -a faith able to withstand tiredness, Jesus' delay and even hunger. 8) Levi = union. Peter says that we are a kingdom of priests (1 Peter 2:9), and as them, we are a bond of union between God and men, The Old Testament priests were like a bridge between the sinner and God, prefiguring Christ. The Father “gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). The Bible teaches that the last generation of Christians will preach the gospel to all nations, and then, the end will come (Matthew 24:14). 9) Issachar = salary. The Christian does not serve God looking for a reward, but God offers it “...be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded” (2 Chronicles. 15:7). Jesus offers a mansion (John 14:1-3) and eternal life to the faithful ones. 10) Zabulon = dwelling. The 144,000 allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in them (John 14:17). The word used in Greek for in is εν =in the most intimate part (of the heart in this case). They will received what the prophet Joel names the later rain - the full presence of the Holy Spirit of Jesus (Joel 2:23, 28 & 32). Paul wrote that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). 11) Joseph = augmentation, increase. The believer is a born again creature, but is growing constantly (“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” Eph. 4:15; “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase of God.” Colossians 1:10; 2:19; “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” 1 Peter 2:2; “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” 2 Peter 3:18). 12) Benjamin = Son of the right (hand). This means that the 144,000 will be unconditionally of the side of God, no matter what they have to go through, because their love for Jesus is stronger than the fear for death, hunger, treason from friends and relatives, persecution (Romans 8:35-39) and the great tribulation that they will confront. So the meaning of their names point to their characters: They praise while they behold the Son, considering their good fortune and eternal bliss, being overcomers, forgetting their past sinful life, knowing that they are heard, and that in their union with Christ, they will have a salary. By the indwelling of the Spirit, they will experience growth and remain faithful as the sons of the right (hand). “After this” applies to a scene that John sees after he beheld the same group, now glorified, following their suffering through the great tribulation mentioned in Daniel 12:1. But, how do we know that the 144,000 will be on earth during the great tribulation? For more than a century, sincere Christians were thinking that this group is different from the great multitude, but we read in the Bible that God did not -and never will –have special groups of people that will receive better treatment than others. We have to remember also, that Israel is not the Jewish nation anymore, but it’s the Christian Church (which is constituted by every person that believes in Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles). If we compare chapters 7 & 14 of Revelation, we can see that both groups are really one, just as the head of the statue of Daniel 2 is also the lion of Daniel 7. They are just presented from different perspectives. The 144,OOO The Great Multitude 1) They will be in front of the Lamb (Revelation 14:1). 1) They will be in front of the lamb (7:9) 2) They will stand in front of the throne (14:3). 2) They will stand before the throne (7:9,15) 3) They will stay together with the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders (14:3) 3) They will be together with the four living creatures and the 24 elders (7:11) 4) They follow the Lamb wherever He goes (14:4) 4) The Lamb will be their Shepherd, so they follow Him (7:17). 5) They are blameless. This indicates innocence (14:4). 5) They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. This indicates innocence (7:14). Like if they’ve never sinned. 6) They kept themselves pure(14:4) 6) They are clothed with white robes- indicates purity (7:9). They will not have any more tendencies to sin 7) They had been redeemed from the earth (14:3,4) 7) They were from the nations of the earth (7:9) redeemed after the great tribulation (7:14) 8) They were first fruits to God (14:4) 8) They were holding palm branches in their hands (7:9), which identifies them as first fruits for God (see Leviticus 23:39,40) 9) They praise God with a loud voice (14:2) 9) They praise God with a loud voice (7:10) 10) They sing a song unique to their experience (14:3), the song of Moses and the Lamb (15:2,3), a song that refers to the great struggle that they experienced. Moses was persecuted by the army of Pharaoh, just like the beast will persecute the followers of Jesus during the time of the great tribulation. When Moses and the Israelites were set free, they sang a song of praise to God. 10) They came from the great tribulation after suffering persecution by the beast (7:14) To say that the 144,000 and the great multitude are two different groups and that the former will have special treatment over the latter, it is as conflicting with the real character of God (which is love), as it is the theory of predestination (which is based solely on a misunderstanding of the Bible). It is absurd and lacks biblical foundation. It stains the character of the Creator. He is sovereign alright, but He doesn't work against His just nature. All the redeemed will receive the same reward according to the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-15). Those that were hired on the eleventh hour received the same pay as those that endured the heat of the day. Some propose that the 144,000 will evangelize and bring the great multitude to the truth. There is no biblical evidence to support that theory. Neither for the belief that the 144,000 will live in the city and the great multitude in the country after God establishes His kingdom among the saved. Combining what Isaiah wrote with the words of Jesus, we discover that all will have two dwellings. One will be the mansion promised by Jesus (John 14:1-3) and the other will be built by the redeemed in the countryside (Isaiah 65:21). The Bible makes the same description of both groups because they are only one group. They are the believers that will be alive when Jesus comes “to be glorified in His holy people” (2 Thessalonians 1:10). They will have to pass through the greatest probation time that mankind ever had faced, but they know in whom they have believed. They will have the victory over the flesh, the world and the beast. The 144,000 are presented in chapter 7 as holding palm branches. “The palms signify that they have gained the victory, and the white robes that they have been clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Thank God that a fountain has been opened to wash our robes of character, and make them as white as snow” S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 7, page 970. They already have had their triumphal arrival to the celestial city with Jesus. The great multitude and the 144,000 are only one group. In the eyes of the Lord, all of us are equal: neither rich, nor poor, nor white, nor black, nor Jew nor gentile. God doesn't even see a difference between a man and a woman, because we all are simply His children. These two groups are a description of the same group just like the visions of Daniel represent the same nations under different descriptions. Praise the Lord for His justice and well distributed love. Author: Martin Miranda-Cordero, 1980, revised July 11, 1992; 8-26-97; Nov.6, 1998; Nov. 28, 1999; June 17, 2006; August 18, 2007; May 2009. Addendum The 144,000 Please, see how E.G.White speaks indistinctly of both the 144,000 and the great multitude. When she talks about the 144,000, she applies to them what the Bible says about the Great Multitude, making no distinction among them. “I saw there tables of stone in which the names of the 144,000 were engraved in letters of gold. After we beheld the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus left us and went to the city. Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying, ‘Come, My people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will; suffered for Me; come in to supper, for I will gird Myself, and serve you.’” Early Writings of Ellen G. White, page 19 “I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus' work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob's trouble. Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the voice of God. The 144,000 triumphed. Their faces were lighted up with the glory of God. Then I was shown a company who were howling in agony. On their garments was written in large characters, ‘Thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting.’ I asked who this company were. The angel said, 'These are they who have once kept the Sabbath and have given it up.’” Early Writings of Ellen G. White, page 36 “They sing ‘a new song’ before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb--a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song, for it is the song of their experience—an experience such as no other company have ever had. ‘These are they which follow the Lamb wherever He goeth.' These, having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as 'the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb' Revelation 15:2, 3; 14:1-5.) 'These are they which came out of great tribulation’; they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation; they have endured the anguish of the time of Jacob's trouble; they have stood without an intercessor through the final outpouring of God's judgments.”-GC 648, 649 (1911). Last Day Events, page 268 Chapter Title: The Seven Last Plagues and the Righteous- The 144,000 “On the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square. Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared heavy with stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns.”-EW 16, 17 (1851). Last Day Events, page 282 “There will be no one saved in heaven with a starless crown. If you enter, there will be some soul in the courts of glory that has found an entrance there through your instrumentality.”--ST June 6, 1892. “The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. “The Israel of God stand listening, with their eyes fixed upward. Their countenances are lighted up with His glory, and shine as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. The wicked cannot look upon them. And when the blessing is pronounced on those who have honored God by keeping His Sabbath holy, there is a mighty shout of victory.” Maranatha, page 287 “The 144,000 Without Guile.--One of the marked features in the representation of the 144, 000 is that in their mouth there was found no guile. The Lord has said, ‘Blessed is the man . . . in whose spirit there is no guile.’ They profess to be children of God, and are represented as following the Lamb wherever He goeth. They are prefigured before us as standing on Mount Zion, girt for holy service, clothed in white linen, [Revelation 7:9] which is the righteousness of the saints. But all who follow the Lamb in heaven will first have followed Him on earth, in trustful, loving, willing obedience, followed Him not fretfully and capriciously, but confidently, truthfully, as the flock follows the shepherd. . . .” Selected Messages Book 3, page 424 Revelation 4-17 (chapter. 14:1-4; 2 Corinthians 3:18). Strive to Be Among the 144,000.-- [Revelation 7:9-17 quoted. ‘After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes’ (Rev 7:9-17)] Those whom the Lamb shall lead by the fountains of living waters, and from whose eyes He shall wipe away all tears, will be those now receiving the knowledge and understanding revealed in the Bible, the Word of God.” S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 7, page 970 The preceding Bible passages refers to the great multitude, but are applied to the 144,000. Song of the 144,000 –“These are they that stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the Father's name written in their foreheads. They sing the new song before the throne, that song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth.”-- PK 591. The Voice in Speech and Song, page 467 “Then the angel said, “You must go back, and if you are faithful, you, with the 144,000, shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handiwork of God.” Early Writings of Ellen G. White, page 39 (2 Timothy 2:14-16; see EGW on Revelation 7:4-17.) Identity of 144,000 Not Revealed.—“Christ says that there will be those in the church who will present fables and suppositions, when God has given grand, elevating, ennobling truths, which should ever be kept in the treasure house of the mind. When men pick up this theory and that theory, when they are curious to know something it is not necessary for them to know, God is not leading them. It is not His plan that His people shall present something which they have to suppose, which is not taught in the Word. It is not His will that they shall get into controversy over questions which will not help them spiritually, such as, Who is to compose the hundred and forty-four thousand. This those who are the elect of God will in a short time know without question.” S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 7, page 978, Chapter Title: Revelation Comment: the “who” refers to specific people, like asking: “are Jane Stockman and Peter Zeng going to be part of that group?” This is what she is talking about, but some people misunderstand her statement. Second, what the Bible presents in Revelation 7 & 14 is enough to reach a safe conclusion keeping us from being fooled by wrong ideas. Some people even chose among their church members who they thought were the 144,000. The verse that she quotes (above comment on Revelation 4-17) at the beginning of her declaration refers to the great multitude, confirming again that the two are one and the same group. Studying the subject helps us to understand what God expects from us as His people. When she is told that she will be with the 144,000 it is because she will be part of the special resurrection (Daniel 12:2,12; Revelation 14:13). As such, she will be raised before Christ returns during the last part of the time of trouble. Conclusion: God's Mathematics; 144,000 = The great multitude PAGE 11