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Home , Revelation 6

Revelation Commentary – Lesson 6 Sealing of the 144,000 ()

• All scriptures given in King James Version unless noted otherwise.

Sixth and seventh seal • Revelation 6:15-17 – “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” o This is the end of the sixth seal. o The seventh seal doesn’t occur until :1. o The 7 appear to happen between the sixth and seventh seal, or the sixth and eighth chapter.

The vials are the wrath of God • :1 – “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” o The vials are filled with God’s wrath. o Between the sixth and seventh seal, we witness the pouring out of God’s wrath.

Who will be affected? • :1-2 – “And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of , and [upon] them which worshipped his image.” o The vials will be poured out after the mark of the beast has been administered. o His wrath will specifically target those who have taken the mark of the beast.

There is a group of people who will be exempted from the wrath of God • Revelation 7:1-3 – “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” o People with the mark of God will be exempted from His wrath.

The 144,000 will be sealed • Revelation 7:4-8 – “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. Of the tribe of Juda [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of

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[were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of [were] sealed twelve thousand. 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. Of the tribe of [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of [were] sealed twelve thousand.” o 12,000 out of each of the 12 tribes of Israel  12,000 x 12 = 144,000 o God will seal them in their forehead.  The mark of the beast will be administered to the forehead and right hand. o Are these literal Jews, or spiritual Jews?

An alternative account of the sealing in the Old Testament • Ezekiel 9:1-4 – “He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man [with] his destroying weapon in his hand. And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them [was] clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which [had] the writer's inkhorn by his side; And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of , 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.” o This sealing is going to be done in the city of Jerusalem.  However, this does not specify that it is 144,000. o These are those that cry and sigh for all the abominations being done in Jerusalem. (v.4)  There will be a high amount of abominations occurring in Jerusalem during the time of the sealing.

Additional information on the 144,000 • :1-4 – “And 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. And 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. 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” o The 144,000 are redeemed.

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 The only way to be redeemed is to partake of the salvation of redemption through the crucifixion and resurrection of .  These 144,000 have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus. o The 144,000 are the first fruits unto God and the Lamb.  Jesus was the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.  This shows us that the 144,000 are Christians. o The 144,000 were not defiled with women.  This is symbolic because throughout the we see the church symbolize as a woman. • A virgin woman is the true church. • A harlot is the depiction of a false church.  The 144,000 have been faithful to Jesus Christ and have not “gone out” on Him.

The Church are the redeemed and first fruits of Christ • :9-10 – “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” o The Church will reign on earth as kings and priests after Jesus’ second coming. o The Church is the redeemed. o The Church is the first fruits.

The Church are the first fruits • James 1:18 – “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” o We (speaking of the church) are the first fruits. o This verse also tells us that He has begotten us by His word. o A true, heaven-sent revival comes from preaching the Word of God.

Who has the seal of God in their foreheads? • :27 – “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's .” o This verse is referring to the .  Revelation 21:9-10 – “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,” o When our name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, God’s name is put in our foreheads.

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How then does the Bible say we are sealed? • 2 Corinthians 1:22 – “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” • Ephesians 1:13 – “In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” • Ephesians 4:30 – “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” o When we receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, His name is sealed in our forehead. o We are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

What’s the difference between a literal Jew and a spiritual Jew? • Romans 2:28-29 – “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 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.” o We are the children of Abraham if we have the faith of Abraham. o The lineage is through faith, not because of a physical relationship.

Physical circumcision vs. spiritual circumcision • Colossians 2:10-12 – “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” o In the Old Testament, every person was to be physically circumcised. o In the , circumcision happens in the heart. o When we are buried with Him in baptism, we put off the body of the sins of the flesh. • Acts 22:16 – “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” o Baptism is spiritual circumcision. • Galatians 3:27 – “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” o The 144,000 is the Church.

The New Jerusalem is the bride • Revelation 21:9-10 – “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,” o Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost.

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The Church is the bride • 2 Corinthians 11:2 – “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ.” • :7 – “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” o The Church is the bride. o Those who remain faithful will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air and participate in the marriage supper.

The heavenly Jerusalem is the Church • Hebrews 12:22-23 – “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,” o There is a physical Jerusalem and spiritual Jerusalem.

The 12 tribes are part of the New Jerusalem • Revelation 21:12-13 – “And had a wall great and high, [and] had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.” o In the Church, there are 12 gates. o This is symbolic language. • Revelation 21:14 – “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” o 12 gates = names of the 12 tribes o 12 foundations = names of the 12 apostles • Ephesians 2:20 – “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];” o Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone.

The Measurements of the new Jerusalem • Revelation 21:15-17 – “And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred [and] forty [and] four cubits, [according to] the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.” o 12 foundations X 12,000 furlongs = 144,000 o This is symbolic language.

Satan is going to seal his servants in their foreheads • :16-17 – “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might

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buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” o People receive the mark of the beast when they receive the Antichrist’s name. o We receive the name of Christ in our forehead when we are baptized in Jesus’ name. • :4 – “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.” o There will be people who refuse the mark of the beast.  Some of these will be killed for their refusal. o There will be parts of the world where the Antichrist will not be in total control.

Another group of people mentioned in Revelation chapter 7 • Revelation 7:9-10 – “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; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” o There is a great multitude out of all nations and tongues (languages) that are clothed in white robes (which is the righteousness of the saints).

The only way we’re ever going to stand before God in purity is through the blood • Revelation 7:11-14 – “And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” o When we are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, He makes us perfectly blameless and holy, because His blood covers us. o They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. o These came out of the Great Tribulation. • Revelation 6:10-11 – “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.” o They were to wait until the Great Tribulation was over.

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Any tears we have will be wiped away • Revelation 7:15-17 – “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” o This shows a post-rapture time. o We will be joined with Christ forever.

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