Continuing our series on Revelation 7 and focusing on the 144,000.
Revelation 14 teaches us that these 144,000 are the first-fruits of Israel.
Revelation 14:4a ‘They were purchased from among men and offered as first-fruits to God and the Lamb.
The 144,000 are the first-fruits: they go ahead of the multitude of Israelites who will wonderfully receive Christ Jesus as their Messiah when he returns in power and glory.
The seal that they receive from the angel can be equated with the seal of salvation of Ephesus 1:
Ephesians 1:13a ‘Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of His glory.’
And so the 144,000 have received the seal of the promised Holy Spirit. They are the first-fruits of the remnant of Israel, who, when their self-sufficient power is broken by the tribulation, will realise in broken repentance, that Jesus is their Messiah when he returns in power and glory.
The scales will fall from their eyes!
Zechariah 12:10a ‘They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child.’
And the Lord will gather them up tenderly.
Zephaniah 3:20 ‘At that time I will gather you, at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honour and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes.’
The Lord longs for the day when his beloved Israel will be by his side. The 144,000 are the first-fruits of this eagerly expected harvest.
Hasten the day!
I will bring this focus on the 144,000 to a conclusion tomorrow…
My previous posts:
- Revelation 22:20 Our cherished hope
There will be a unity of heart when everyone calls out for his glorious return. There will be a spirit of grace upon God’s people that will bring us all together in unity and brotherhood. - Revelation 22:16 God’s Word
No-one has a monopoly on the truths of this magnificent book, and we will all have our struggles and misunderstandings on our journey, but God is demanding that we treat Revelation with the utmost respect that it deserves. The truths that were sealed in Daniel’s time will be opened up according to God’s direction. This will need purified and refined souls to understand and teach, in the midst of immense confusion and mistruths. Please pray for those who are called to understand and teach. - Revelation 22:11 In or Out…
Even at this late stage, a reference to the polarity of mankind, between the righteous and the unrighteous. One thinks of Noah’s Ark, and the obedient who were safe inside and those who chose to ignore Noah’s call for righteousness and stayed outside. - Revelation 22:7 The time is near indeed
Having taken us to the very highest of heights, surveying the Holy City that is beautiful beyond words, John brings us back to our ordinary lives, waiting with a cherished expectation for our Lord to return and keeping the words of this prophecy, with all its encouragements, admonishments and warnings. - Revelation 22:3 No longer any curse
Peter praised his contemporaries for their faith in Christ Jesus although they had never met him in real life and had only heard of him through Peter. Imagine though, what it will feel like, approaching the throne and gazing into the eyes of the Divine, to reach out and touch the very hem of his garment. It will be beyond belief…
Revelation 34 