After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then 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 granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: Rev 7:1-3
After the sixth seal is opened there's going to be a period of time where harsh things begin to happen on earth. This is not a symbolic message, this is real. The wind will stop blowing, no wind typically means hotter days and so it's more than probable that the earth will heat up. Things are going to get nasty, and since things aren't that nasty yet it also means we're not going through that time period now. This event happens after the sixth seal begins.
The 144,000 will also be here during this harsh time just as the bible says and will be protected from any harm, that is what the seal of God does for them. Revelation doesn't explain much about them in this verse, but they will help Jesus when he returns as found in chapter 14. But for now I need to back up to the time Jesus was here on earth to explain who these 144,000 really are.
You may wonder why chapter 7 stops talking about the seven seals and goes into a lesson about the 144,000, it's because "part" of this event happened before Jesus came to visit with John to show him Revelation. Therefore, it is appropriate that God set aside the seals for a minute to show John this important issue.
Like many of you, I used to wonder who these 144,000 people were and why the bible didn't tell us any more about them. But, as time went on I learned they are mentioned in the bible, it's just not written in a way that you can easily understand.
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Mat 27:52-53 |
Many people have read that scripture and never understood who they are. The people who came up out of their graves are the 144,000 mentioned here in chapter 7. All chapter seven does is explain their existence and where they came from, which are the twelve tribes of Israel. Chapter 14 tells us more about them and explains this to us:
These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. Rev 14:4 |
The first fruits to God and to Jesus means that since the nation of Israel is God's favored and personal nation, and that they were resurrected from the dead after Jesus was resurrected, they are the first of their kind and so they are called "firstfruits" to God and to Jesus. To god because of their tie to Israel, and to Jesus because they are the first people who were resurrected from their graves. These 144,000 could be anywhere, but should be here on earth somewhere doing what ever it is God wants them to do. They should not have ascended to heaven because the bible tells us that only Jesus ascended to heaven and no one else. Plus, it talks about them being here on earth and in need of being sealed to escape from the plagues.
No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. John 3:13 |
Believing that someone is still alive from back then is a hard pill to swallow for most people, but believing Jesus is alive is no different. Those who rose from their graves back then are still alive and the only ones who fit that description are the 144,000.
Here's where I need to pause for a moment as I explain something that to my knowledge has never been taught in recent times. I say recent times because it's in the bible, which means it was taught long ago. There are seven different resurrections that will take place over thousands of years.
Jesus was the first of the seven resurrections that will take place starting with him about 2000 years ago and will spread over the next 3000-3500 years that follow his resurrection and even past the millennium.
And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, Rev 1:4 |
That verse tells us that Jesus was the "firstborn" of the dead. In other words, he is the first one who was raised from the dead and who will live forever in a human body never to die again. The issue of him being the "firstborn of the dead" was so important that John pointed it out to us just that way.
Most people readily admit to a day when people will be resurrected for eternal life, but what they don't know is that there will be seven stages and not just the one that has been preached. The 144,000 were the second resurrection stage and they too will never face death again.
Along with these two that have already happened, Jesus also mentioned two more of these stages when he was here.
And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. Mat 24:20 |
This is a scripture that explains two more times of salvation and resurrection. Your flight is your time of salvation for which the reward is eternal life. These will take place after the millennium and can be seen in chapter 20 where the winter and Sabbath day take place. This is also likely the reason Jesus and Peter were only tempted three times, where each one represents the three times salvation will be offered; once now, once after the millennium, and the third on the Day of Judgment, otherwise known as the Sabbath.
That explains four resurrection stages, the other three will take place before Jesus returns to rule; the dead who will rise first, those who are alive and remain, and then those who will face the mark of the beast. Making it seven in all.
It's important to separate the resurrections and the stages in order to understand what's happening and learn about prophecy. This is also why so many scholars cannot agree if there is a pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib rapture or resurrection, because they have placed only one resurrection event and failed to recognize there are seven in all.
But for now, only two resurrection stages have happened. John then goes on to explain about a great multitude of people.
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, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" Rev 7:9 |
So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Rev 7:14 |
What John sees now is the complete number of those who will eventually be saved by faith in Jesus before the millennium. The number of people he saw under the fifth seal has now finished and the people are present now, not their souls. In some ways, it also means many people are no doubt predestined to salvation since John was able to see such a great multitude. Since this resurrection will not take place until the tribulation is over, we know the tribulation will be over before the seventh seal is accomplished because all of this is still in the time frame between the sixth and seventh seal.
All the nations of the earth will yield people who are saved through Jesus. Notice that these people have come out of the great tribulation and does not include those who will be saved after the millennium. This is because the book of Revelation is in somewhat of chronological order, and the post millennium events will not have happened yet because they are not connected to the seven seals.
Those who are resurrected after the millennium will be offered salvation through Jesus at that time. The message of him as savior will be preached again after the millennium and it will complete this statement made by angels when Jesus was born.
Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. Luke 2:10 |
You cannot have salvation offered to all people unless it has factually been done. The only way for it to be done is after the millennium since those who lived before Jesus was here did not hear his words or receive a chance.
So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen. Mat 20:16 |
Those who have lived since Jesus are the last people who will be born, but the first to have a chance to accept salvation through Jesus. Those who lived before Jesus were the first who were born, but will be the last to receive salvation through Jesus. Thus the meaning of that scripture. For some people, their time for salvation does not come now, but comes after the millennium.
The people who lived before Jesus came had an advantage over us, they heard from God many times and so they knew he existed. On the other hand we haven't heard anything but words from a book and so our salvation is based on faith without seeing. Since they knew of God first and ignored him, they will be the last to receive salvation by faith.
The great tribulation is the time period before Jesus returns, so these people are singled out for the rest. There will be another tribulation period after the millennium when Satan is released again, but it won't be considered "great."
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat: for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes. Rev 7:16-17 |
Again, many parts of the Book of Revelation are literal and can be read word for word for their meaning. These people are among the lucky to be chosen.