144

Whenever God has put tribulations on His people, He has also left a remnant to carry out His work. There are many instances of this throughout Israel's history.
    In Ezekiel 6:7-8 He says, "The slain shall fall in your midst, and you shall know that I am the LORD. Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries."
    Also in Romans 11:4-5 Paul says about Elijah when he thought he was left alone, "What does the divine respond to him? I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Even so then at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace."
    So also there will be a remnant on earth of 144,000 Israelites in the end times.
In Revelation 7:1-8 before the 7 trumpets of sorrows are sounded by the angels 144,000 Israelites are sealed. Sealed on their foreheads with the knowledge and love of God. They are sealed to be protected from the plagues brought about by the seven trumpets of Revelation 8. . . .
Strong=s Concordance: NT:4972 Sealed  sphragizo (sfrag-id'-zo); from NT:4973; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret, to attest: KJV-(set a, set to) seal up, stop.
    This is when Israel is again united as promised in Jeremiah 30. In verse 3 he says, Israel will be united and occupy their land. The 144,000 stay on earth, and must go through the tribulations of six of the seven trumpets in Revelation 8 . . . , Jacob's trouble. But, because they are sealed they will not be harmed. Ephesians 4:30, says, "ye were sealed (by the Holy Spirit) unto the day of redemption".
Verse 7 says, "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it; it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it."
    Because the 144,000 are God's people, they will not have to bear the wrath of God (Revelation 16:1 to 18:7) or the wrath of the Lamb, (Revelation 19:1 to 20:10) They will be redeemed before that, (Revelation 14:1-5)
    Revelation 14:1 @Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand,@ . . . Mt. Zion, throughout the Bible is considered the holy city, the city of God. Here Christ is at the throne of heaven ready to return to earth.  "having His Father's name written on their foreheads. . ." The Father=s name written on their foreheads was placed there when they were sealed, in (Revelation 7:3-8).
    Rev. 14:2-3 AAnd I heard a voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound   of harpists playing their harps. They sang as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. . . ."
Redeemed means, purchased back. They are ransomed from Satan, the beast. These are special, because they have overcome the beast. They have been changed to spirit and brought to heaven, now standing before the real throne of God.
The new song that no one else knows, makes them a very special group.
    In Psalm 40:1-3 there is a parallel between David and the 144,000. AI waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth B Praise to our God;
And in Psalm 98 David says, AOh, sing to the LORD a new song! . . . He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel.@    The house of Israel is represented by the 144,000.
    Rev. 14:4 @These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. . . ."
In Strong=s Concordance #3933 it says that the word virgin simply means unmarried. The 144,000 are true to the Lamb. They would be virgins because they were not yet married to Christ. Being defiled must then refer to not being defiled by the anti-Christ. They did not receive his mark. It is fornication if one is not true to their betrothed, Jesus Christ. See Jeremiah 3:14 & Malachi 2:11.
    Human marriage was ordained by God with the creation of Eve. Heb. 13:4 says, A Marriage is honorable among all...@ Marriage to Christ is the better marriage, a spiritual marriage.
    Rev. 14:4b-5 @These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God."
They will join the great multitude in heaven, and are also firstfruits. First because the time is still before Christ=s return, and before the second resurrection.
    Going on to Jeremiah 30 verse 9 he says, "But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them." This is referring to the resurrected.
    The wrath of God, and the wrath of the Lamb follow. This time is as in Jeremiah 30:16, "Therefore all they that devour you shall be devoured;". He will restore Israel's health (spiritually), and glorify them. (verses 17 & 19) Verse 20 says, "Their children also shall be as aforetime".   It is interesting to consider that this could possibly mean that children will be part of the 144,000.
    In the end Jeremiah says in verse 22, "And you shall be my people and I will be your God." (Revelation 21:3-4, 7)

Back to Revelation 7:9; After the 144,000 are sealed there is a GREAT MULTITUDE that have come through the tribulation of the wrath of man, the four horsemen of Revelation, and stand before the throne of God. These are the elect firstfruits, living and dead, that have been changed to spirit, caught up to heaven to meet Christ in the air, and taken before the throne of God. They have been saved by the blood of Christ, and will be dwelling with Him. He will shepherd (teach/feed) them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Revelation 7:9-17)
    Then the seven trumpets of sorrows are ready to sound. Revelation 8....