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Latest revision as of 22:40, 17 May 2019
Chapter 14 The 144,000 and the Victorious Judgment of the Lamb
Normally, we speak about events in a chronological fashion, but we may also need to regress in order to emphasize and develop thoughts that need additional explanation. "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1Corinthians 14:40). Verse 13 speaks of a retrospective, referring to a time before the Pre-Wrath Rapture, where there are still Tribulation Saints awaiting martyrdom or Rapture. "Blessed are the dead which die in the LORD from henceforth" (14:13) makes special reference to the Martyred Tribulation Saints, giving the Apostle John a third personal message from the Father (10:4, 8), i.e., a "Voice from Heaven saying unto me" (14:13). The encouragement is true for all Saints throughout history, but is especially necessary for those who will be martyred, reminding them of the Eternal Blessedness of those that "resist stedfast in the faith" (1Peter 5:9). Later, we are told that those Martyred Tribulation Saints will be numbered among those who will rule and reign with Christ during the Millennium. "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the Beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years" (20:4).
A fugitive knows no rest; and, those Tribulation Saints who are not caught after they are converted, will be Pre-Wrath Raptured. "And they heard a Great Voice from Heaven saying unto them, Come Up Hither. And they ascended up to Heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them" (Revelation 11:12). However, the Tribulation Saints that will not be Pre-Wrath Raptured, may not be simply caught at the outset of their conversion to the LORD Jesus Christ, making flight a reasonable alternative before they are caught and executed. "Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto" (Luke 21:21). Rest is a luxury that belongs only to those who are beyond the reach of their pursuers. These martyred"dead which die in the LORD" (14:13) will ultimately, successfully evade the enemy and will cheat the Second Death of its prey. "55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the Law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ" (1Corinthians 15:55-57). Not simply rest, but "great recompence of reward" (Hebrews 10:35) awaits the Martyred Tribulation Saints, i.e., they "rest from their labours; and their works do follow them" (14:13). "And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isaiah 35:10).
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- "14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle."