The question is, who are the 144,000 men in Revelation 7:1-8 who are set apart from the countless other saints listed behind them in verses 9-17?
I believe they are the Heavenly army of the Lord in their divisions. This is why:
Every country on earth has a king or ruler, an army, and citizens. In the Heavenly country (Hebrews 11:16 reads, "they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one"), this is also true.
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In Revelation, Chapters 5,6, and 7, they line up this way...
a)The King
Revelation 5 describes the victorious King, Jesus Christ (also called the Lamb), taking His authoritative power; Revelation 6 describes the King's (Lamb's) authority to judge the world by the opening of the seals.
b) The Army
Revelations 7:3-8 describes the army of Christ, counted out, division by division
(In the Old Testament book of Numbers, Chapter 1, one of the first things the newly freed nation of Israel did was to form its own army, division by division).
c)The Citizens
Revelation 7:9-17 describes the vast, numberless general assembly of citizens from all nations. They are in Heaven standing before the throne. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Please note in these verses that angels are among them, singing their praises, as well. They are standing around the throne.
The Lord's army is made up of men who are Christ-like in every way, except for divinity. They are Jews like Jesus was a Jew (their tribes are listed in Revelation 7:3-8). They are virgins, as Jesus was.
Revelations 14:1-5 further describes them this way:
"Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders.
No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins.
They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless."
There are only 144,000 of them. The Lord does not need a huge army to have victory over His enemies.
Revelations 19:11-16 describes Jesus Christ as going to war against the kings of the earth:
"I saw Heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose Rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself.
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean (Revelation 19:8 says "fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints").
Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written:
Jude 14 reads:
"See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."
PARADE IN HEAVEN
As the march begins,
there within the lead
is the Lamb of God
in His majesty; (read Revelation 5)
After Him, there comes
His great army strong
who alone can sing
that great mystery song. (read Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1-5)
Behind them, the saints
out of every land
wearing blood washed robes,
holding palms in hand. (read Revelation 7:9-17)
What a vast array!
What a joyful scene
led by Jesus Christ,
The Lamb, Lord, and King.
Constance V. Walden
8/1/2000
"Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:14
What do you think about this? Please feel free to comment, using scripture whether you agree or not.
If you get a chance, visit my blog. "The Country Above".
I believe they are the Heavenly army of the Lord in their divisions. This is why:
Every country on earth has a king or ruler, an army, and citizens. In the Heavenly country (Hebrews 11:16 reads, "they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one"), this is also true.
*
In Revelation, Chapters 5,6, and 7, they line up this way...
a)The King
Revelation 5 describes the victorious King, Jesus Christ (also called the Lamb), taking His authoritative power; Revelation 6 describes the King's (Lamb's) authority to judge the world by the opening of the seals.
b) The Army
Revelations 7:3-8 describes the army of Christ, counted out, division by division
(In the Old Testament book of Numbers, Chapter 1, one of the first things the newly freed nation of Israel did was to form its own army, division by division).
c)The Citizens
Revelation 7:9-17 describes the vast, numberless general assembly of citizens from all nations. They are in Heaven standing before the throne. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Please note in these verses that angels are among them, singing their praises, as well. They are standing around the throne.
*
Christ-Like MalesThe Lord's army is made up of men who are Christ-like in every way, except for divinity. They are Jews like Jesus was a Jew (their tribes are listed in Revelation 7:3-8). They are virgins, as Jesus was.
Revelations 14:1-5 further describes them this way:
"Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders.
No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins.
They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless."
*
There are only 144,000 of them. The Lord does not need a huge army to have victory over His enemies.
*
Final War Between the Armies of Heaven and Earth
When a king goes to war, he is followed by His army into battle. These men in Revelation 14:4 will “follow the Lamb wherever He goes", and that means into the final war, as well.Revelations 19:11-16 describes Jesus Christ as going to war against the kings of the earth:
"I saw Heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose Rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself.
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean (Revelation 19:8 says "fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints").
Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."
*
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Armies in Battle
Revelation 19:19 reads
“And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army.”
(This is not the first time the Lord showed up as the Commander of the army of the LORD. Read Joshua 5:13-15.)
*
Jude 14 reads:
"See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."
PARADE IN HEAVEN
As the march begins,
there within the lead
is the Lamb of God
in His majesty; (read Revelation 5)
After Him, there comes
His great army strong
who alone can sing
that great mystery song. (read Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1-5)
Behind them, the saints
out of every land
wearing blood washed robes,
holding palms in hand. (read Revelation 7:9-17)
What a vast array!
What a joyful scene
led by Jesus Christ,
The Lamb, Lord, and King.
Constance V. Walden
8/1/2000
"Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:14
What do you think about this? Please feel free to comment, using scripture whether you agree or not.
If you get a chance, visit my blog. "The Country Above".
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