Revelation 7:4-8 – Part 1A, Who Are The 144 000

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Revelation 7:4-8 – Part 1A, Who Are The 144,000

[Study Aired June 5, 2024]

Rev 7:4  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Rev 7:5  Of the tribe of Juda [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad [were] sealed twelve thousand.
Rev 7:6  Of the tribe of Aser [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses [were] sealed twelve thousand.
Rev 7:7  Of the tribe of Simeon [ were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar [were] sealed twelve thousand.
Rev 7:8  Of the tribe of Zabulon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin [were] sealed twelve thousand.

Who are these 144,000 “of all the tribes of the children of Israel?” Who do the scriptures reveal they really are? Many in the orthodox Christian world today believe that these are literal, physical Jews of the literal, physical 12 tribes of Israel because of what is said about these 144,000 in Revelation 14. Many teach, based upon this verse, these are 144,000 literal, physical, Jewish, male virgins who will be sealed with the seal of God.

Rev 14:4  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

We have demonstrated abundantly that the book of Revelation is a book of symbols. This is no time to forget that fact. Signs and symbols are not spiritual realities. All the realities of scripture are spiritual realities and certainly “not words that man’s wisdom teaches.”

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak [“things of the spirit” (vs 14)], not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

“The Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things [types] with spiritual [antitypes].”

We are also plainly instructed:

2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Heb 11:3  Through faith we understand that the worlds [G165: ‘aion’, age, our lives] were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Paul has just given us the secret to understanding the symbolism of scripture. The ability to apply that secret as we read the words of scripture is truly a gift from God. It takes the spirit of God Himself to keep us from constantly slipping back into the physical realm as we read words which “are spirit…” Being “not defiled with women; for they are virgins” has nothing to do with the physical realm except as physical women and physical virgins are used to help us to understand what is a spiritual woman and what is a spiritual virgin. The Holy Spirit does not compare spiritual [antitypes] with physical [types]. The holy spirit does not compare one physical lion to a physical tiger, nor does it compare physical lion with spiritual lion. “The Holy Ghost teaches comparing spiritual things [“the Lion of the tribe of Judah”] with spiritual [antitype, Christ].” What that means as it applies to our subject today, is that both Israel and each of her twelve tribes must conform to what the scriptures reveal them to now be, because “the words which man’s wisdom teaches” are that the word ‘Israel’ is not a spiritual word, and the tribe of Judah is not a spiritual tribe, and the word ‘women’ is not a spiritual word, and the word ‘virgins’ is not a spiritual word. However, if the scriptures actually demonstrate that ‘Israel’ is no longer a physical nation, and if the scriptures demonstrate that any one physical tribe is actually now a spiritual tribe, then every single tribe is now a spiritual tribe, composed of spiritual Israelites.

So the word ‘Israel’ is a spiritual word with a spiritual meaning in scripture. Is a Jew now a literal, physical Jew, or are these spiritual words which spiritually typify spiritual antitypes and spiritual realities? What do the scriptures teach us about what the word ‘Israel’ and the word ‘Jew’ mean when they are “not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches?”

What is it which now Biblically constitutes a Jew?

Here is what the scriptures teach. It is a spiritual teaching, and yet it is simple and straightforward.

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardlyand circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

A physical Jew is not even to be counted as a Jew now. “He is not a Jew…” is what the scriptures teach. Physical descent has nothing to do with being a spiritual Jew or a spiritual Israelite. The apostle Paul says that it amounts to nothing more than dung, and if you are not a spiritual Israelite or Jew, then you are not an Israelite or a Jew at all. That is what the scriptures teach.

Rom 9:7  Neither, because they are the [physical] seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac [supernatural birth from a barren wife] shall thy seed be called.
Rom 9:8  That is [meaning], They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise [supernatural birth through a barren wife] are counted for the seed.

Gal 4:28  Now we [Gentile Galatians, and all believers, both Jews and Gentiles], brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. [Physical pedigree]
Php 3:4  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things [including  physical pedigree] but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Being “of the [physical] stock of Israel, of the [physical] tribe of Benjamin or the [physical] tribe of Judah is “counted but dung” to the man of the spirit. Who then are “the children of God?” Who are “the children of promise?” Who now is Israel? Who now is a Jew? Who now is a Benjamite, or a member of any of the other tribes of Israel? Paul’s answer leaves no room for speculation:

Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Eph 2:11  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the [twelve tribe] commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both [Jews and Gentiles] one [One spiritual ‘Israel’], and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

There it is: “not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things [spiritual types] with spiritual [antitypes].”  What the spirit is teaching us is that being the physical seed of Abraham does not make one Abraham’s seed. Being a physical Jew or a physical Benjamite or being physically descended from any other “of all the tribes of Israel… is but dung.”

What then does make one “counted for the seed?”

There are two groups, and two groups only, who are being saved. One group can be “counted for the seed” (Rom 9:8), and is said to number 144,000. The other group is said to be “a great multitude which no man could number”.

Rom 9:8  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.

Rev 7:9  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;

Romans 9:8 tells us who is “counted for the seed” of Abraham, but here is yet another way of answering that question.

Gal 3:29  And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye [counted as] Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

How can this requirement of being “Abraham’s seed” be made to apply to a Gentile Roman or a Gentile Ephesian or a Gentile Galatian? How can all these Gentile converts to Christ now be considered as Abraham’s one and only seed? Are Gentile converts to Christ now actually Biblically “counted” as Abraham’s only “promised son”, Abraham’s “one seed?” Are they really to now be considered “as Isaac was… the children of promise?” Are Gentiles actually considered by God, and by the scriptures… His Word, to be Israelites and heirs of the [typically spiritual] promises made to Abraham? Is that what “the holy spirit, comparing spiritual with spiritual, teaches?” What do the scriptures teach?

Gal 4:28  Now we brethren [Gentile Galatians], as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye [Gentile Ephesians]are no more strangers and foreigners [to the commonwealth of Israel, verse 12], but fellowcitizens [of Israel] with the saints, and of the household of God;

Does this make Paul a replacement theologian? Does this take the promise given to Abraham to make of him a nation and a company of nations and give that promise only to those of both the Jews and the Gentiles who are converts to Christ? Or does God now have two separate chosen or elect peoples; one according to the flesh, and another according to the spirit? No, God does not have two separate elect or chosen people. “He is NOT a Jew which is one outwardly…” and, yes, indeed, the physical ‘Jew’ is now, according to the scriptures, ‘replaced’ by the spiritual Jew… “He is NOT a Jew which is one outwardly, but his IS a Jew which is one inwardly…”

Did we not just read:

Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both [Jews and Gentiles] one [spiritual “commonwealth of Israel” (Eph 2:12)], and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Gal 3:29  And if ye be Christ’sthen are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Did we not just read the New Testament definition of what is and what “is not a Jew?” Did we not read that the Gentile Ephesian converts are those who “are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in the flesh made by hands?” Did not the scriptures we just read teach us that those Ephesian Gentile converts to Christ were “in time PAST Gentiles” in the flesh, but they are now “made near by the blood of Christ” and are now a part of “the commonwealth of Israel?” How many phrases like “the commonwealth of Israel… as Isaac was… counted for the seed… to whom pertaineth the promises… not a Jew which is one outwardly” all addressed to Gentile Christians, must we read before we simply acknowledge that “he is NOT a Jew that is one outwardly, but he is a Jew which is one inwardly?”

Did Paul contradict himself?

What about this verse of scripture? Doesn’t this verse completely nullify every verse we have just read? Isn’t Paul actually contradicting Himself when he makes this statement?

Rom 3:1  What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision?
Rom 3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

That is the way the natural mind works. The natural mind is not capable of remembering to apply the principle of “the sum of God’s Word is Truth” (Psa 119:160 [ASV]) to Romans 3:1-2.  It is a testament to the spiritual blindness Christ bequeathes to us when we are yet a part of the multitudes of modern day Christians, who are still like the multitudes of Christians in Christ’s day who were “not given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” (Mat 13:10-15). The multitudes of Christians until this very day point to these two verses and vehemently proclaim that ‘He IS a Jew which is one outwardly, and we must support the outward nation of Israel or God will curse us.’ That is the doctrine of the vast majority of Christians until this very day. The vast multitudes of nominal Christians cannot see Romans 3:1-2  in the light of the two immediately preceding verses, which I simply must, once again repeat:

Rom 2:28  For he is NOT a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 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.

Being a Jew and being circumcised is just as advantageous now as it ever was. The only difference is that it is now an advantage “much in every way” because “the oracles of God”, including the oracle of circumcision, are now committed only unto “he [who] is a Jew inwardly” and the “profit” of the oracle of circumcision is now committed only to those who are “circumcised of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter.”

In other words “He is not a Jew which is one outwardly” in no way contradicts “What advantage then hath the Jew” or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way…” It actually complements and explains what “He is a Jew which is one inwardly” means. That means what it says, but what it says is that it is a great advantage to be a Jew, and it is an advantage “in every way” to be circumcised only if you “are a Jew inwardly”, and your circumcision is now of the heart in the spirit.

Rom 3:1  What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision?
Rom 3:2  Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed [aorist tense] the oracles of God.

The verb ‘committed’ is in the aorist tense. What Paul is telling us is that the oracles of God are, were, and will continue to be committed to “he which… is a Jew inwardly”, not to those who are “called circumcision” but are not “circumcision… of the heart in the spirit and not in the letter” (Rom 2:28-29).

Does Paul’s doctrine agree with Christ’s doctrine?

Christ tells us that all his words “are spirit.” “The words that I speak unto you are spirit.” He tells us plainly that fleshly pedigree “profits nothing.”

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Now apply this Truth to the words which He had spoken to “the woman at the well” in Samaria just two chapters earlier:

Joh 4:21  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father [It is “neither one”].
Joh 4:22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews [The inward spiritual ‘Jew’].
Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truthfor the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24  God is a Spiritand they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

That is the truth as plainly as Christ Himself could put it. God will not be worshiped by anyone who thinks that physical Jerusalem, physical Samaria or any physical building or physical place or physical relic even physical descent is anything more than dung. True disciples of Christ need nothing in the physical realm to bolster their faith. The true disciples of Christ abhor all such idolatry.

Joh 20:29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

That includes the idolatry of physical pedigree. Being a physical, fleshly Israelite, or a physical, fleshly Jew “profiteth nothing.” “Ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father… True worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in Truth… comparing [physical Israel as a] spiritual [type of] things which are spiritual [antitypes]” (1Co 2:13).

The apostle Paul, as we will soon see, knew and taught the same thing Christ taught. Christ spoke and taught in symbols and signs. He called them parables, and He told us why He did so. He told us His words “were spirit”, and He told us that He had “not given unto…[the multitudes who came to hear Him teach] to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven.”

Mat 13:10  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them [the multitudes (Mat 13:2)] in parables?
Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

One more reason why Christ taught in parables

That is not all He tells us about why He teaches in parables. There is more to the reason why “the holy spirit teaches… not in the words man’s wisdom teaches, but [instead] comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Here is that additional reason Christ gives for teaching in parables.

Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

It is not adding to these words to note that Christ answered His disciples’ question concerning why He taught in parables by telling them that He teaches the multitudes who come to Him in parables “because.. it is not given… to them … to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.” It is in this same thirteenth chapter we are told that Christ never spoke to the multitudes of His disciples without a parable.

Mat 13:34  All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
Mat 13:35  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

That connecting word ‘for’ at the beginning of verse 12 tells us that those who “have not” much spiritual understanding “from them shall be taken even that [little] that they had.” That is also a part of the function of “comparing spiritual things with spiritual” and “not speaking in words that man’s wisdom teaches”. We must include verse 12 in our understanding of  Christ’s purpose for speaking in parables. Christ’s parables, His signs and symbols, are the spiritual words are just as effective at taking away what little understanding is given to the multitudes today as it was when Christ first applied those words to the multitudes of the Christians of His own day.

Mar 4:33  And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

We will pause here and label this ‘Part A’ of our study of verses 4-8 of Revelation 7, and we will resume our study of who these 144,000 firstfruits unto God and the Lamb are in our next study.

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