The 144,000 (Day 11)

                                           

                                               REVELATION  

John was shown many events that would take place on the earth prior to the return of Jesus. There would be things such as death, violence, famine, disease and much more. Many mayhems that could have already taken place on the earth have not happened yet only by the grace of God. He is patient and giving the world time to get things right with Him. However, time is quickly running out and God’s hand is slowing withdrawing His protection from the earth.
 

          John saw the Lamb open the seven seals that were on the scroll. These seals represent various things that would take place on the land prior to the end of days. Jesus was the only one found worthy to open the scroll. John was shown the message inside of it in order to give to the Body of Christ for these last days.

          These seals are important for us to understand, so that we may know what will take place, what has already taken place and understand the hour in which we now live. God’s children will endure many trials such as the persecutions that are taking place on a daily basis in many countries around the world. However, it will not be limited to the Middle East, China, and some African countries. Many western nations, who have enjoyed peace and prosperity, may soon face the same type of experiences as so many of their fellow brothers and sisters.

 

          Nevertheless, the 144,000 spoken of in Revelation lets us know that God will seal His people who have triumphed and endured to the end. The reward will be great and worth all the pain and tribulation suffered down here on earth. May God be with all who suffer for the sake of Christ and may God bless you as you read and understand His prophetic word.
 

 

 

                  Quick Review from Lesson 3

 

a.) John was invited to see into Heaven to see what would take place in the future.

 

b.) Sitting on the throne was God and He had the appearance of jasper and ruby.

 

c.)  Surrounding the throne where the 24 elders who represents the Body of Christ.

 

d.) The seven lamps in front of the throne represents the seven Spirits of God.

 

e.) The seven Spirits of God embodied in the One Holy Spirit are: Rest, Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Power, Knowledge and Fear (reverence).

 

f.)  The four living creatures represent the characteristics of Christ, which are: lion, ox, human being and eagle.

 

g.) The 24 elders and the 4 living creatures worship God day and night.

 

h.) The Lamb who was slain was the only one worthy

to open the scroll.

 

i.)  Jesus is also known as the Lion of Judah.

j.)  The golden bowls full of incense represents the

prayers of the saints.

k.) Jesus received 6 things after his completion of the

 

work on the cross. They are: power, wealth,

strength, honor, glory and praise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                The Seals Opened and 144,000

 

          John was invited into Heaven to see many things that would take place in the future. Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, was the only one found worthy to open the scroll. This scroll would tell of events that would take place during the last days prior to His return. These events would be a warning to the saints, so they would know how close the Lord’s return would be and concerning the judgments that would take place upon the face of the world because of its wickedness.

 

Revelation 6:1-2 ⁽¹⁾I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” ⁽²⁾I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. (NIV)

 

 

John was shown the rider of the second horse, which was red and took peace from the earth carrying a mighty sword. Red is often used to represent the blood of Jesus in the Bible. However, the red color of this horse represents sin and death. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV) The rider of this horse took away the peace from the earth. Can we say that we have peace on earth right now? No! All one has to do is turn on the news and there is death all around. People are killing one another without even the blink of an eye. Matthew 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. (NIV) There is definitely a lack of love in this world. Even though there are many who do not display this type of ungodliness, there is an increasing level of evil that is taking place in society. Terrorists blow up themselves and others for the sake of a demonic cause. Governments kill and plan assassinations to overthrow one another in an attempt to obtain control over resources. Ordinary citizens kill peace officers who are only doing their jobs. Civil servants sworn to uphold the law end up breaking it themselves by becoming the very criminal they are obligated to arrest. There is definitely a lack of peace on the land and it will only get worse. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (NIV)

 

 

 

The disturbance of peace is not only in the form of killing the physical body. It is often manifested verbally as well by way of the tongue. Proverbs 12:18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (NIV) Many people have fallen victim of assassination through the mouth, which has caused peace to cease in the home, school, job and church. The only difference with this type of death is that the person to whom the sword (tongue) has been used bleeds internally whereas the other killing is physical. Either way, peace ceases to exist in both cases.

 

Loved ones turn against each other and even those in the Body of Christ cannot seem to display peace due to selfish ambitions, anger, pride and jealousy. Many look at this horse as only representing those in the world who are unsaved, but there is also a lack of peace and tranquility within the church amongst its brothers and sisters. Mark 13:12 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. (NIV) How many good church attendees have fallen out with each other over a mere parking space? Yes, that’s right a simple parking space.

 Revelation 6:5-6 ⁽⁵⁾When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. ⁽⁶⁾Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” (NIV)

 

John described seeing a black horse whose rider was holding a pair of scales. A voice cried out that one would have to work a whole day just to get two pounds of barley. Oil and wine would be so of value that one had to be careful not to waste any of it. The color black in the Bible represents sin, disease, famine, and death. This lets us know that there will be a time that many will die due to not having their basic human needs met such as food, water, medicine and shelter. We are actually seeing this take place all around the world right now. Matthew 24:7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. (NIV)

 

Many people in numerous parts of the world do not get the proper nutrition they need. Therefore, they become ill with all kinds of sickness and disease, which oftentimes lead them to death if left untreated. This has been evident in the recent cases of Ebola that has plagued certain countries in the world. However, many nations have not experienced this, but the day may come that even the wealthiest of nations will face the same fateful situations that have unfortunately plagued many third world countries for decades. Luke 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. (NIV)

 

 

 

Many financial strategists have talked about the effects of a global economic collapse. The devastation that would take place should world economies fall would be massive. Many people would fall victim to financial ruin and basic necessities would be scarce such as food, water and other supplies. There would be a great divide between the rich and the poor. Middle class would not be a term that many could use. One would need to have things to barter just to get essentials that they need for themselves and their families. However, the Bible speaks of a time when even the wealth of the wealthy will not be able to save them in the hour of judgement. Ezekiel 7:19 "'They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be treated as a thing unclean. Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath. It will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs, for it has caused them to stumble into sin. (NIV)

 

Join us tomorrow to dig further into the book of Revelation. If this series has been a blessing to you, please email me at ItIsFinished@KLRichMinistries.com because I would love to hear from you. This Revelation series, "Revelation: Removing the Prophetic Veil Bible Lesson 4" by K L Rich is available on Amazon.com.