Discover The Difference Between The 144,000
and The Great Multitude
Learn How & When The Great Multitude Escapes From Great
Tribulation
Revelation 6 introduces six
seals that the Lamb of God was privileged to open before John. In these seals
were found four colored horses signifying four of the strongest political and
military alliances of our modern world.
Revelation symbolizes their
military prowess in the White and Red Horses (British/American Alliance and Old
Soviet Union), or a confederation which will hold sway by their commodities
production in the midst of world famine in the Black Horse (Eastern Asia); but
most notable was the fourth or Pale Horse (Western Europe Union) with the rider
named "Death," who is none other than Antichrist. Likewise the prophet Daniel
introduced four animal creatures (modern powers) that show a relationship with
the four horses of the Apocalypse, from which Antichrist also emerges from the
fourth monster.
The fifth seal identified
martyrs of the final conflict who were patiently waiting for God's revenge, but
who must endure a short time longer for the wrath of Almighty to be poured out,
while the remaining number of martyrs should be completed. The sixth seal then
opens up on the scene of the Great Day of the Lord when the sun, moon and stars
will be moved out of their place and the galaxies will depart revealing both
Father and Son in swift flight to destroy those who destroy the earth.
Revelation 7 is a
parenthesis (additional comments/information), which gives clarification to
the seven seals and events that lead up to the Day of the Lord. Before God
judges the world by releasing the four winds (four horses) of military
destruction at Armageddon's battle, a group of 144,000 must be sealed for divine
protection--12,000 from each Israelite tribe. In this lesson we will identify
the 144,000, as well as the great multitude of every nation, tribe,
people and language, described in chapter 7.
In
Revelation 7:1 John sees four angels holding the four winds, withholding the
power of God against the nations. The winds are not to harm the land, sea or
trees (Leviticus
19:23). Spiritually speaking it is
time for God to take down fruitless trees and to save the trees that bear
fruit. Jesus said, "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick
grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears
good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit
is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize
them," Matthew 7:16-20.
The world's forces are
agitated and poised to strike in awesome confrontation, but God holds the
nations back until the last of the righteous are secured.
Revelation 7:2-3 introduces a Messenger who ascends from the east as the
bright morning sun, having the protecting seal of God. He cries with a loud
voice to hold back the angels of strife until He seals the 144,000 chosen ones
with the Father's name in their foreheads (Revelation
14:1;
Revelation 22:4).
How does Isaiah 60:1-2
clarify the identity of the rising Messenger and the time of the sealing?
In the midst of the days of
earth's cosmic disturbance (sun will be darkened, the moon will not give her
light, and the stars fall) and total darkness which would likely last three days
(Exodus
10:21-23), Michael, the Man clothed in linen, will rise as the glory of God
and the ascending Shekinah to dispel the darkness and lighten the world with His
glory, and to seal the 144,000 with a halo of protection. The supernal light
will be revealed as the Ruach haKodesh
(Holy Spirit) goes forth to the nations. God's mighty wrath will begin to be
poured out and earth's militaries will head toward their final assault.
The 144,000 are promised to
be sealed. Sealing has two basic functions associated with it. In the Roman
world, things were sealed to indicate ownership and to guarantee protection.
The sealing of the 144,000 in their foreheads indicate that they belong to God
(possession) and will experience His security (protection). Their sealing will
exempt them from God's wrath, which had just been announced and then delayed
until they were sealed, just as the blood on the doorposts in Egypt saved God's
people from the destroying angel during Passover (Exodus
12:12-13).
This group is identified as
from the blood lineage of Israel; so precise an identification that even their
tribal names have been listed. This is God's miracle. Jesus proclaimed, "with
men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible,"
Matthew 19:26.This
is an unusual order of the tribes of Israel (not seen before in
Scripture) as both Dan and Ephraim are missing. There is no reason given by
John. One possible explanation has to do with the earlier combined idolatry of
these tribes, within the land of Israel.
3. What did
Paul say would happen once the full numbers of Gentiles were brought into the
fold (Romans
11:25-27; Revelation 6:11)?
"So all Israel [of all
twelve tribes] will be saved." God has not rejected His people (Romans
11:1-2). Even though in the past they have persecuted and killed the
prophets God has sent them (Romans
11:3-4), God has reserved a remnant (11:4-5).
Because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make
Israel envious (11:11).
Nevertheless, the "Deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away
from Jacob... and will take away their sins,"
Romans 11:26-27.
4. Revelation 7:9-12
identifies a "great multitude." What is the size of this group?
How many
different nations and languages are represented in contrast to the 144,000 of
Israel alone?
This extremely large group,
clothed in white robes of salvation, stand before God at the great ingathering.
The redeemed cry out in praise that their salvation has come from the Lamb and
from God who sits on the throne.
The great multitude (who do
not receive the seal of protection, but are found in Heaven just preceding the
great release of God's seven angels) is found in other passages in the Bible,
particularly in Revelation and Daniel.
5. Explore
these passages to further clarify who they are:
