2002-05-11 - God Wants 144,000

Part 2

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.

Psalm 122:6

WHEN DO THE 144,000 APPEAR?

The 144,000 Jews of Revelation Chapter 7, make their appearance during the first half of the Great Tribulation, "the time of Jacob's trouble." They are to be evangelists who will engage in a mighty soul-saving campaign during that time. In order to see this teaching, we must know the general structure and development of the book of Revelation. It falls into the following divisions: "the things which thou sawest" (Chapter 1), "the things which are" -- the church age (Chapters 2 and 3), and "the things which shall be hereafter" (Chapter 4 to the close). Chapters 4 and 5 give us a vision of Heaven immediately prior to the pouring out of the wrath of God upon the world during "the time of Jacob's trouble."

There are three series of judgments set forth in Revelation, which will fall upon the earth during the Great Tribulation. These are the seal judgments, chapter 6, which cover what is approximately the first quarter of the Tribulation period; the plagues, described in Chapters 8 and 9, which will be sent during the second quarter; and the bowls of the wrath of God, Chapter 16, which will be poured out upon the world during the latter half of that period of judgment.

Revelation, chapter 7, is a vision coming between the seal and bowl judgments. It tells of the 144,000 Israelites, and of the spiritual activity that will be carried on during the first half of the seven years of "the time of Jacob's trouble."

After having given a description of the seal judgments, John stops and gives us this bright vision of the work of God in the midst of the trials and difficulties of that time. When he finishes this discussion, he continues speaking of the judgments of God in Chapters 8 and 9. We therefore know that the 144,000 will appear in the first half of the Tribulation.

A study of the seventh chapter of Revelation will reveal that the 144,000 are called "servants of God" and are sealed as such, so that nothing can in any way injure them.

RESULTS OF THEIR WORK

Immediately after the first vision of this chapter, another one appears which shows the results of a great harvest of souls to the glory and praise of the God and Savior of mankind, the Lamb of God. This vision gives credence to the thought that this gathering of souls must be due to a mighty revival -- one that sweeps around the world and brings countless multitudes to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Since the vision of the sealing of the 144,000 Jewish servants of God is given, and since that vision is followed by a vision of the world's mightiest revival, and since, according to the Old Testament predictions, God is going to bless all nations through Abraham and his seed, it is evident that these 144,000 Jewish servants are to be that many Jewish "Apostle Paul's" conducting the worldwide revival in the Tribulation.

The following verses of Scripture certainly tell that countless multitudes will be won to the Lord, the Messiah of Israel, the Lamb of God, by the efforts of these sealed servants.

"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'" (Rev. 7: 9,10).

"...And I said to him, 'Sir, you know.' So he said to me, 'These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'" (Rev. 7:14).

"...With my soul, I have desired You in the night. Yes, by my spirit within me, I will seek You early. For when Your judgments are in the Earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." (Isa. 26:9)

In His Service,
Rick & Sandy

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