Connecting Old Testament and New Testament Israel
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Some review. We first return to the “inset” chapter of Revelation 12:1-17, which outlines 2,000 years of true Church history: “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars” (Rev 12:1).
This represents the Old Testament, physical nation of Israel—with Rev 12:5 making clear that Jesus Christ arose from this “woman.”
Now notice: “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent” (Rev 12:14).
As we saw, this is the three and a half years during which a portion of God’s people are protected from the horrors of the last three seals.
Next notice that this woman wears a crown of twelve stars—from Old Testament times all the way to the end of the age. The reason becomes all too obvious.
Other References to Sealing
Recall that the 144,000 are “sealed.” Jesus Christ Himself, the first of the firstfruits, sets the example His people would follow. Notice: “Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him has God the Father sealed” (John 6:27).
All Christians who endure to the end—either by dying in the faith or enduring until Christ’s Return—are sealed. Notice: “Whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13), and also, “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30), and finally, “Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (II Cor. 1:22).
Here, “hearts” represent “minds.” Sealing then plainly means receiving God’s Spirit.
An Old Testament passage is helpful in showing a certain type, or forerunner, of this sealing. Let’s read: “The Lord said...Go through…Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others He said in mine hearing, Go you after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have you pity” (Ezek. 9:4-5).
This setting of a mark is much like the 144,000 being sealed in their foreheads—again, the frontal lobes of the brain, the seat of the mind and decision-making capacity that allows human beings to be set apart from animals. Recall explanation in the chapter about the mark of the Beast.
The Identity Revealed!
Now to another key passage regarding the 144,000, from the only other chapter in which this number is stated: “I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads” (Rev. 14:1).
This was foreshadowed by Jesus’ prayer on the last night of His earthly ministry: “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your own name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one, as We are” (John 17:11). Paul adds, “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Eph. 3:15).
Continue in Revelation 14:1-20, “I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth” (Rev 14:2-3). “Redeemed” means these men and women were called out of this world, and had lived God’s way of life. (The word literally means “bought back.” Read in I Corinthians 6:20 and 7:23 how all Christians are bought with the price of Christ’s blood.)
We might ask if some who receive salvation would learn a song others receiving salvation could not know. Of course not.
Next, “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes” (1Cor 6:4). “Women” here symbolizes false churches. It is obviously not stating that no Christian in history ever committed adultery, or King David will not be saved. The warning is about “women” churches. Think of the great whore and her daughters.
1Cor 6:4 and 5 continue with the crucial statement: “These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Reread these verses before continuing.
How plain! It is an equation—the 144,000 ARE the firstfruits! They are those who have qualified to be in God’s kingdom during the 6,000 years of man’s rule on Earth. The first harvest of those whom God has called and chosen has a definite total—“an hundred forty and four thousand”!
This prompts an entirely different look at Church history, and gives powerful new meaning to Jesus’ description of His Church as a “little flock” (Luke 12:32)!
Very few in the Old Testament period had God’s Spirit. Again, perhaps only three (and no more than eight) people appear to have served God by Noah’s time (II Pet. 2:5)—Abel, Enoch and Noah.
In the New Testament period, Jesus taught “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 22:14). Many who have been associated with the Church, and outwardly have been considered members, did not truly live the Bible (Matt. 4:4; Luke 4:4). Consider how history in fact records that Linus and Clement, trained directly by the apostle Paul, fell away and became the second and fourth popes, respectively!
The record of history shows that many, if not most, give up and choose various “women”—false churches—when persecution or other trials set in. This background helps explain why, when false leaders become associated with the Church, the “many” are deceived into following them. This is the pattern of Church history and the very reason Christ guides His Church through seven phases or eras. New leaders must invariably be raised up to rekindle what was lost.
In any event, human weakness and free moral agency notwithstanding, 144,000 is a most crucial number to God—He will make it work out!