God wants 144, 000

Part 1

Please note: This was written by Dr. David Cooper prior to his death, though not a published work in as much as we are aware. We found the following explanation helpful and clear. We pray it is a blessing to you.

Then 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 granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed. Revelation 7:2-4

In the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, chapter 7, God foretells that He is going to select 144,000 Jews - twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, to be His servants.

WHO IS A JEW?

The record is very specific that the 144,000 of Revelation, chapter 7, are Israelites, Jews. Since there is great confusion in the world today as to who are the Jews, or who is a Jew, it becomes necessary to make an investigation. In Genesis, chapter 32, it is recorded that Jacob was first called "Israel" by the Angel of Jehovah, who wrestled with him. His original name means "supplanter". After he encountered God face to face at the fords of the Jabbok, the Lord conquered him and he was given the name of Israel, which means "God has conquered" or "a prince with God."

Jacob had twelve sons. From them came the "twelve tribes of Israel" as referred to in Genesis 49:28, and elsewhere in the Old Testament (Tenach). The children of Israel multiplied into a great number in Egypt. God moved them from Egypt into the land of Canaan. There, under David and Solomon, they became a great nation.

Upon the death of Solomon, the children of Israel became divided over a national issue, and consequently their nation was divided into two kingdoms, the kingdom of Judah in the southern part of the land Canaan and Israel in the northern section. From that time forward, for 263 years, these two governments were rivals. In the year 3406, A. H. (Anno Hominis) the northern kingdom was overthrown by Assyria. The kingdom of Judah stood for another 114 years. In 3539 A. H., it was completely overthrown by the Babylonians.

After the fall of the northern kingdom, the terms Judah and Israel were used synonymously to refer to the descendants of the twelve tribes of Jacob. From the days Ahaz onward, these same people were called Jews. In the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah the terms Jews and children of Israel are used interchangeably. In the New Testament, the Brith Hachadashah, we see the same usage. Thus the terms "Hebrews", "Israelites" and "Jews" refer to the same people who are now scattered all over the world. They are the ones to whom God promised the land of Canaan and the ones who will eventually get control of it, by virtue of their holding the title deed.

In His Service,
Rick & Sandy

 liv4yeshua@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org