Hope of Israel Ministries (Ecclesia of YEHOVAH):

The 144,000 -- Future? or Fulfilled?

by John D. Keyser

Many people in the Churches of YEHOVAH God believe that the appearance of the 144,000 in Revelation 14 is something yet to happen in the future. Some individuals feel they were called to train the 144,000 in the “last days,” one having gone so far as purchasing property in the desert for this purpose, while another purchased a large ranch in the mountains! Back in the early 1950s, a Los Angeles preacher claimed the Messiah appeared to him in a vision and commanded him to build a huge church, and that 144,000 manifested sons of YEHOVAH God would be raised up. Millions of dollars poured in for the building, which was never constructed, and the part about the 144,000 was proved to be untrue.

Probably the most popular and widely circulated interpretation about the 144,000 is the so-called futurist-dispensational view. According to this scenario, the 144,000 will not make their appearance until during the last seven years (or three and a half years, as some say) of this age. It is claimed by some that they -- like 144,000 “Jewish Pauls” -- will preach the gospel of the kingdom to all the world -- “after the church is gone”!

There are serious Biblical objections to this scenario. While much of the Book of Revelation is written in highly symbolic language, there are TWO schools of identification people rely upon regarding the 144,000, which we should carefully note --

1/. The 144,000 are taken out of “all the tribes of the children of ISRAEL” and are “the FIRSTFRUITS unto God and to the Lamb” (Revelation 14:4).

2/. The 144,000 will not be converted until the very last years of this age and that the bulk of the Book of Revelation has never been fulfilled.

The first point shows their identity -- they are Israelites. Some believe that the term “Israel” is sometimes used in the New Testament in such a way that it includes all believers in the Messiah, regardless of race or national distinction. But is this true? Now, if there is any book in the New Testament that proves who the Gentiles really are, it is the book of Romans. When you study this book, it sure seems like Paul is addressing a group of fellow Israelites! Starting in Romans 1:13, we find that Paul called the Romans Gentiles -- "Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other gentiles." Since Paul refers to "other Gentiles," that would make the Roman Church Gentile also.

The Word "Gentile"

Moving now to Roman 2:14-15, Paul states that the Gentiles do by nature the things contained in the law, and that they were showing the works of the law "written in their hearts":

Romans 2:14-15: "For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things contained in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them."

This passage also states that their conscience was bearing witness of this fact. WHO were these Gentiles?

In whom did YEHOVAH God write the law in their hearts? According to Jeremiah 31:31 and Hebrews 8:8 and 10, it was the House of Israel and the House of Judah! Notice these verses:

Jeremiah 31:31: "Behold, the days are coming, says YEHOVAH, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah..."

Hebrews 8:8: "Because finding fault with them, He says: 'Behold, the days are coming, says YEHOVAH, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah..."

Hebrews 8:10: "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

Did you notice what YEHOVAH said in verse 10? "I will be their God, and they shall be My people." This statement could only apply to a "people" called ISRAEL, since these were the "people" that the covenants were made with and belonged to. Did you also notice that the new covenant was made to both the Houses of Israel and Judah? These verses alone should prove who the Gentiles are!

Now look at Romans 4:1, where Paul refers to Abraham OUR father "as pertaining to the flesh":

Romans 4:1: "What shall we say then that Abraham OUR father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?" (KJV).

What does this statement mean? The phrase "as pertaining to the flesh" could only mean that Abraham was a real flesh and blood biological father to the Roman "gentiles"! Paul stated "Abraham OUR Father" when writing to the Romans, so the book of Romans is clearly addressed to the Roman descendants of Abraham.

We are also aware from Romans 11:26 that YEHOVAH God will save all Israel -- notice!

Romans 11:26: "And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob [Israel]; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins."

The Messiah only lost one of those YEHOVAH God gave him to be apostles (John 17:12), and he was soon replaced (Acts 1:23-26). That one that was lost, Judas Iscariot, was known ahead of time. We are also assured:

John 3:16-17: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved."

The Term "World"

Here, in John 3, the Greek word for world is kosmos. The “whole” is holos, which means every bit and every whit of the kosmos it refers to. The context shows John is saying that the propitiation applies to all of Israel. Also, in John 3, the Messiah was talking to Nicodemus, a Master of Israel. In context, Israel is the “world” they were talking about. Consider, "For God so loved the world"; the word “for” refers to the immediate, preceding discussion. This provides the context. To whom is the Messiah speaking? This tells us which kosmos is under discussion. The whole subject matter concerns Israelites and a master in Israel, Nicodemus.

Verse 3: They have to be “begotten from above” [not "born again" as translated] to be able to perceive [in their mind’s eye] the Kingdom.

Verses 5, 7: Unless this spirit is inherited from conception, none can enter the Kingdom (1 John 3:9).

Verse 8: Those who are thus born of the spirit [Israelites] respond to the call of the spirit.

Verses 14, 15: And even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.

To which race did Moses lift up that serpent? Which race was then healed and cleansed from the serpent bites? It was only Israel.

So the "world" that John is talking about is the world or kosmos of Israel -- NOT the world at large.

YEHOVAH God is not a failure. His plan is right on schedule. Most of the world of Israel will be saved! The question is, "When?" Will most people of Israel be saved at the return of the Messiah, or does the order of resurrections (I Corinthians 15:23; Revelation 20:4-15) allow for a broader timeframe for saving all of Israel?

The First Resurrection and the Firstfruits of Israel

These are very important questions which have to be answered and faced up to, like it or not. A very solid foundation has been established from both Testaments to build upon, and this shows the world of an exceedingly exclusive, chosen, called, predestined, and elect race of people. Most people have some thought about the existence of a “chosen people”, and somehow they come up with the label “The Jews” for these people. “The Jews” is a generalization which cannot equate to Israel! And, the Messiah always condemned “the Jews” for what they were (John 8), so “the Jews” (as the popular term) cannot be Israel!

John 8:37-41: "I know that you [the Edomite Jews] are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have seen with your father [Satan]. They answered and said to him, 'Abraham is our father.' Jesus said to them, 'If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.

"You do the deeds of your father [Satan].' Then they said to him, 'We were not born of fornication; we have one Father -- God.' Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of myself, but He sent me. Why do you not understand my speech? Because you are not able to listen to my word. You are of your father the devil...'" (NKJV)

The apostle Paul stated an important truth in the "resurrection chapter" of the Bible -- he declared in no uncertain words, speaking of the hope of the resurrection:

I Corinthians 15:22-24: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits [the literal Greek says "firstfruit," singular, not plural]; afterward they that are Christ's AT HIS COMING. Then cometh the END, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father..."

Notice! When YEHOVAH God appears from heaven, the SAINTS will inherit their reward! Many Scriptures spell out this wonderful truth. In this same chapter, Paul goes on,

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, AT THE LAST TRUMPET: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (vs. 51-52).

Paul explained further to the Thessalonians,

"For the LORD himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall RISE FIRST: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

The "last trumpet" is the seventh trumpet, blown at the future coming of YEHOVAH God! In the book of Revelation, we read the words of the apostle John about this awesome, mind-boggling, staggering event:

Revelation 11:15-18: "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our LORD [YEHOVAH God], and of His Christ: and He [YEHOVAH God] shall reign for ever and ever....And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, both small and great; and shouldest destroy them that destroy the earth."

This is the FIRST RESURRECTION! It occurs at the future coming of YEHOVAH God!

John writes of this incredible event:

Revelation 20:4-5: "And I saw thrones, and they [the saints, the ones resurrected at YEHOVAH God's coming!] sat on them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them [Israelites] 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. But the rest of the dead lived not again UNTIL THE THOUSAND YEARS WERE FINISHED. This is the FIRST resurrection."

This is the first resurrection! This is the resurrection of the firstfruits! Of that, there can be no doubt whatsoever! It is the resurrection of the saints at the coming of YEHOVAH God, at the beginning of the Millennium, or "thousand year reign" of YEHOVAH God the Father and the Messiah!

John goes on, regarding these saints, and those who are in the first resurrection: "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of [YEHOVAH] God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (v. 6).

The saints make up the barley harvest. They will be the first (the firstfruits) to be saved (harvested or glorified). They will rule and reign on Earth under the leadership of YEHOVAH God and the glorified Messiah! These are the overcomers. The barley harvest started with Yeshua the Messiah (the first of the firstfruits) being glorified after he was raised from the dead and appearing before his Father (1 Corinthians 15:20). The barley harvest continues with the "dead in Christ" overcomers and the "we who are alive and remain" overcomers (the sealed of YEHOVAH God, the "144,000") who will be "caught up" (translated) at YEHOVAH's coming!

When the YEHOVAH God appears on this earth, the patriarchs and truly converted Israelite Christians will be raised from their graves. At that time, YEHOVAH will reward the righteous of the Israelites, and they will then assist Him in ruling over the entire earth for 1,000 years (see Revelation 20:4; Daniel 2:44 and 7:27).

How Many Firstfruits?

Revelation 14:4 states unequivocally that these 144,000 are "firstfruits to YEHOVAH God and to the Lamb." Can YEHOVAH count? If these 144,000 are YEHOVAH's firstfruits, then no one else is included.

In the Old Testament, the term “firstfruits” designated the FIRST gatherings of the crop which were presented to YEHOVAH God -- see Exodus 23:19; Leviticus 2:14 and Nehemiah 10:35. In the New Testament, Yeshua the Messiah, who was “the FIRST that should rise from the dead” to immortality (Acts 26:23), is called “the FIRSTFRUITS of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). The FIRST converts that the apostle Paul made in Achaia (Greece) were called “the FIRSTFRUITS of Achaia” (1 Corinthians 16:15). And so here, in a similar fashion, the 144,000 -- the firstfruits unto the Lamb (the Messiah) -- are the first converts to Yeshua the Messiah!

The firstfruits are exactly 144,000, not one person less or one more! These numbers are consistent with the "thousands" and "tens of thousands" added together from the Old and New Testaments. As the Messiah says, "Many are called, but few chosen" (Matthew 20:16).

The bride of the Messiah is also exactly 144,000. Revelation 21:2 describes the bride as "the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God." At this point, she has risen to meet the Messiah, married him and is coming back to rule on the earth with him (Revelation 5:10). She will always be with him from this time on (I Thessalonians 4:17). This occurs at the last trumpet (I Corinthians 15:50-52), the time of the resurrection of the "dead in Christ" along with those who are "alive and remain" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Revelation 21 goes on to describe the bride further, beginning in verse 9: "Then one of the seven angels...talked with me, saying, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife.'" The angel refers to her as "the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God" (verse 10).

He then describes her dimensions: Her wall is pierced by twelve gates -- each a great pearl -- having the names of the twelve tribes of Israel inscribed on them and twelve angels at them (verses 12, 21). Her twelve foundations, adorned with precious stones, are each named after the twelve apostles (verses 14, 19-20). New Jerusalem is 12,000 furlongs in length, breadth and height (verse 16). Her wall measures 144 cubits (verse 17).

Twelve tribes times 12,000 each is 144,000, just as John describes the sealed servants of YEHOVAH God in Revelation 7! Twelve and the square of twelve is New Jerusalem's description! The bride is exactly 144,000, and the firstfruits are exactly 144,000.

Revelation 14:4: "These are the ones who were not defiled with women [false churches], for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb [the Messiah] wherever he goes. These were redeemed from among men [of Israel], being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb" (NKJV).

The Futurist View

We agree with the futurist-dispensational interpretation that the 144,000 are from Israel, however we part company when it comes to point 2. According to Revelation 14:4, the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel are “the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.” Note: the FIRSTFRUITS!

The converts from Israel in the early years of YEHOVAH’s church -- back in the first century A.D.! -- were the firstfruits unto the Lamb and are symbolized by the number 144,000. But this also includes those called by YEHOVAH God down through the centuries to today and beyond -- up to the end of the age. This is a perfect fit scripturally and historically. But -- and consider this -- if the 144,000 have not yet made their appearance, as futurists teach, HOW in the world could they possibly be “the firstfruits unto the Lamb”? If the 144,000 do not appear until the very last years of this age, they would be the LAST FRUITS instead of the first!

Let us now review the scriptural evidence that shows the gospel went to ISRAEL only, and that the first converts to Yeshua the Messiah were ISRAELITES. When John the Baptist introduced the Messiah, he spoke of him as “the Lamb of God” and as he who was to be “made manifest to ISRAEL” (John 1:29-31). When Yeshua originally sent out his disciples, he said: “Go not into the way of the Gentiles...but rather to the lost sheep of the house of ISRAEL” (Matthew 10:5,6).

A nucleus of believers from Israel was gathered at the Temple on Pentecost and were filled with the holy spirit. The Bible records that 3,000 ISRAELITES were converted on that day alone -- men from all the tribes of Israel being represented on that occasion (Acts 2:5, 36). Now the preaching of the gospel began at JERUSALEM (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:47). The gospel went “to the Jew FIRST and also for the Greek" (Romans 1:16). The term "Jew" in this verse refers to the Judahites (House of Judah) whereas "the Greek" are those of the ten northern tribes of Israel found in dispersion throughout the ancient world.

When the apostle Peter spoke to a multitude of Judahites in the Temple, he said: “Men of Israel...so it is to you FIRST that God has sent His servant whom He has raised up, so that He might bless you by turning each one of you from your evil ways” (Acts 3:12, 26). Later this very same principle was involved in the statement made by the apostles Paul and Barnabas to the Judahites at Perga: “It was necessary that God’s word be spoken FIRST to you. But since you are rejecting it...we’re turning to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). Once again, the term "Gentiles" here refers to the northern House of Israel in dispersion.

Nevertheless, there were many thousands of Judahites which did accept the Messiah -- so many in fact that we read the following statement in Acts 21:20: “You see, brother, how many TENS OF THOUSANDS of believers there are among the Judeans, and they are all zealots for the Torah.”

It should also be noted here that the people of the twelve tribes of Israel were not in unknown parts of the world, inaccessible or lost to the outreach of the early Church of YEHOVAH. Had this been the case, Paul could not have spoken of the “twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night” (Acts 26:7).

We should realize that converts to the Messiah came from ALL the twelve tribes, though scattered throughout the then known world. It was to such converts that the apostle James addressed the New Testament book which bears his name: “To: The Twelve Tribes in the Diaspora: Shalom!” (James 1:1). Also significant is the fact that James refers to these converts as “a kind of FIRSTFRUITS of all that He created” (verse 18) -- a perfect cross-reference to the passage about the 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel!

In view of the fact that there were “many tens of thousands of believers...among the Judeans” alone -- FIRSTFRUITS to the Messiah -- it is not at all inconceivable that the total number from all the tribes down through the ages could be 144,000!

Notes Howard B. Rand in A Study in Revelation --

"With the Lamb on Mount Zion John saw "An hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads." The fact that they are with the Lamb in Mount Zion designates these 144,000 as those who are to reign with Him in the restored Kingdom. The Father's name written in their foreheads is in contrast to the mark placed on the foreheads of those who worship the beast. The Father's name indicates that they are completely in accord with God in all their works, for His Spirit dominates their intellectual faculties and controls all their acts" (page 205).

We notice that the 144,000 were pictured as having the name of YEHOVAH God “written in their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1). References to a name in the forehead are found several times in the Book of Revelation. Those who serve the “beast” are said to have his name or mark “in their foreheads” (Revelation 13:16, 17). The “harlot” is seen with a name written upon her forehead (Revelation 17:5). In Revelation 22:3-4 we read that those who are servants of YEHOVAH God “shall serve Him: and they shall see His face; and His name shall be on their foreheads.”

What is meant by these strange verses about a name in the forehead? Writes Thomas Newton: “It was customary among the ancients for servants to receive the mark of their master...These marks were usually impressed on their right hand or on their forehead” (Dissertations on the Prophecies, Vol. 2, p. 296). Or, as the noted Biblical expositor Albert Barnes remarks, “Among the Romans, slaves were stigmatized with their master’s name or mark on their foreheads.”

When you understand the literal practice upon which the symbol in the Book of Revelation was based, it is easy to find the meaning intended by the use of this symbol. The mark (as literally used) showed that a person was a SLAVE and TO WHOM he belonged. In order to show that the 144,000 belonged to YEHOVAH God as His servants, they were pictured as having the name of YEHOVAH in their foreheads.

Although a literal branding of people and animals with a hot iron was a common practice of the time, such was used here symbolically. There is absolutely no reason to believe that the servants of the “beast” were to be literally branded any more than the servants of YEHOVAH God were to be branded in a like fashion. Those seen with the mark of the beast in their foreheads are slaves of the “beast” -- and those seen with the name of YEHOVAH God in their foreheads are slaves of the “Lamb.” We should be careful not to make any more of this symbol than was intended.

The Great Multitude

Alongside the 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel, we find mentioned "a great multitude which no one could number." Revelation 7:4 states that the 144,000 are taken from “all the tribes of the children of ISRAEL.” Then, in verse 9, we read: “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of ALL NATIONS and kindreds, and people and tongues” who were also redeemed by the Lamb (Yeshua the Messiah). The standard interpretation is that this is a gathering of Gentiles, non-Israelites. Or, are they in fact Israelites? Does the context provide any clues? Let us see what the Book of Revelation says!

After the sealing of the 144,000 Israelites (verses 1-8), John sees a crowd of people before the throne of YEHOVAH God. These individuals are standing before the throne of YEHOVAH God and that of the Lamb (the Messiah). The seventh chapter of the Revelation continues:

“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. 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.”

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,….” The words “nations,” “kindreds,” “people,” and “tongues” certainly sound like Gentiles or non-Israelites. However, notice the rest of the context. Verse 15 says: “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.” The “great multitude” of verse 9 serves YEHOVAH God “in his Temple.” In other words, they are “priests.” Moreover, the Bible says, “These are they which came out of great tribulation” (verse 14). Who are “priests” who also endure tribulation? Gentiles or non-Israelites? No! They are Israelites!

Isaiah says to Israel:

“But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves” (61:6).

And Revelation 1:5-6,

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Next, Revelation 5:9-10 (notice how verse 9 here parallels Revelation 7:9):

“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.”

Finally, 1 Peter 2:9:

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;….”

The “priests” in Scripture are Israelites, especially in end-times.

This all goes back to Exodus 19:5-6, with YEHOVAH God speaking to the nation Israel through Moses:

“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”

Israel is to be a “kingdom of priests,” in perfect agreement with the verses we examined earlier.

Since I am sure you are wondering, I will ask and answer it for you. If Revelation 7:9 is indeed a group of Israelites and not Gentiles, why the language of Gentiles nations? Why are Israelites said to be “of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues…?”

Acts chapter 2 is an interesting parallel:

“And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews [Israelites], devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”

Beginning with the Assyrian captivity (circa 722 B.C.) and the Babylonian captivity (circa 606 B.C.), the Israelites in Canaan were deported and scattered all around the then-known world. At the time of Acts chapter 2, coming to worship in Jerusalem for Pentecost, they had been living in “every nation under heaven” and had adopted new languages. Verse 5 says they are “Jews” rather than Gentiles. This is exactly how we are to view Revelation 7:9: “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;….” A further huge ingathering from those of Israel!

So where did this multitude of Israelites in Revelation 7 come from or come out of? "These are the ones who come out of great tribulation.." What "tribulation" are we talking about here since there are many "tribulations" mentioned in the Bible? The Greek word for "tribulation" in Revelation, as translated in many Bibles, is thlipsis -- meaning "affliction," "anguish," "burdened," "persecution," "tribulation," "trouble." See Strong's Concordance #2347. "Tribulation" is just one of a number of meanings for the Greek word. So which meaning should we consider here?

Jacob’s Trouble

One prophecy in particular needs to be considered here -- the time of Jacob’s trouble! “Ah, that day is awesome; there is none like it! It is a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be delivered from it (Jeremiah 30:7)." Because this description in some translations uses the terms “great” and mentions trouble “is awesome; there is none like it,” let's be clear here. The time of Jacob's trouble is NOT the same as the "great tribulation" mentioned in Matthew!

Because the book of Jeremiah is a long book -- the second longest in the scriptures -- many people are simply not familiar with the SETTING in which this prophecy was given. Jeremiah repeatedly warned the Israelites that enemy armies would come against them; they would be taken into captivity; they would be punished by YEHOVAH if they did not repent. They did not repent, and the time of trouble came upon them. They were then taken into captivity by the king of Babylon. But notice that the prophecy said, “but he [Jacob -- Israel] will be delivered from it.” This took place when YEHOVAH God allowed the people to RETURN from the Babylonian captivity.

"We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? 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. For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck...I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return...I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents...and the city shall be builded upon her own heap" (Jeremiah 30).

That there is a future fulfillment of this prophecy, and that we are moving into a time of unprecedented trouble, becomes more apparent with the passing of each week. Many of you are well aware of the significance of this time, which the Scriptures refer to as “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”.

As we have seen, the prophet Jeremiah spoke of this time of challenge and trouble for YEHOVAH God’s servant people, Israel, the peoples which today comprise the Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Germanic, Scandinavian, and kindred peoples, the nations which comprise Christendom, as well as did the Messiah in the Gospels.

This is a very important and revealing end time or latter day prophecy that Jeremiah spoke over 2,700 years ago. It has certainly come to pass, even as Jeremiah prophesied, as we are now seeing that oppressors have placed a yoke of economic bondage upon the neck of YEHOVAH's servant people Israel. Unfortunately, this is a truth of which most people are completely ignorant. For example, how many people know to whom we owe our National Debt, which in America now amounts to several trillions of dollars? This is, indeed, a tremendous yoke upon our people! But, thank YEHOVAH God Almighty for the wonderful promise in verse 7 of Jeremiah’s prophecy, wherein we are told that the He will burst the economic chains which bind us when He comes with great power and glory.

It would be well to note that Moses, whom YEHOVAH God used to lead His servant people, Israel, out of bondage some 700 years before the birth of Jeremiah, warned His people (the 12 Tribes of Israel) about blessings or curses that would come upon them, depending on whether they obeyed or disobeyed the laws, commandments and judgments of YEHOVAH their God. We read of this in the 28th chapter of Deuteronomy, and we realize that this warning is still in effect today.

It is abundantly evident that the United States of America, Canada, England, Germany, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, and the other Christian Israelite nations of Europe, to a great extent in recent years, have forsaken YEHOVAH’s moral laws and commandments, and no longer honor them. Therefore, the curses, or judgments, of YEHOVAH God Almighty, as found in Deuteronomy 28:43-44, have come upon America -- and on all of YEHOVAH's people Israel. We read,

"The stranger [foreigner] who is within thee [living among thee] shall get up above thee very high [higher and higher above thee…Amplified Bible], and thou shalt come down very low [lower and lower…Amplified Bible]. He [i.e. the stranger] shall lend [our National debt] to thee [i.e. America, and to all of the Israelite nations], and thou shalt not lend to him [we’re broke and couldn’t lend to him if we wanted to]; he shall be the head [leaders and rulers], and thou shalt be the tail."

Have you ever wondered why we as a nation and people seem helpless to stop the tremendous flow of drugs that are now destroying a great portion of our youth, or the continual immoral filthy movies that continue to pour out of Hollywood? And what about the debauched music that has taken over the minds of so many of our people, young and old? And on and on we could go! We cringe when we see what has happened to our once-decent nation. It’s because of our sins that we are being destroyed.

A very interesting and timely prophecy by Moses, some 3,400 years ago, relates to our day. In Deuteronomy 31:28,29 we read:

"Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you, and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands."

This long-range prophecy is being fulfilled before our very eyes today

Because of the evil and wickedness that now prevails among our people, many are fearful in our cities to venture out in the evenings; they have numerous locks on their doors; they have to be concerned about what filth might come into their homes on the TV or over the Internet; or if our women or children are going to be abducted or molested. And we need to be very concerned about the godless philosophies which so many of our people are embracing today. These are being promoted on every hand.

As we, as a people, refuse to hear, honor, and obey the Laws of YEHOVAH God, these things will get worse and worse. Yes, we are paying a price for having forsaken the ways of the LORD our God.

We find the Messiah agreeing with the above “end time” or “latter day” prophecy of Jeremiah, and with the prophet Malachi (and others), that troublous times are predestined to come to pass when we, YEHOVAH's servant people, Israel, forget and forsake the words of YEHOVAH God as found in the Holy Bible.

What About the "Last Fruits"?

In the 20th chapter of Revelation we find a brief summary of YEHOVAH's plan for the future. When YEHOVAH God appears, Satan the devil will be bound (Revelation 20:1-3), the saints will be resurrected, and they will reign on the earth with YEHOVAH God and the Messiah for one thousand years (verses 4-5). This is the 144,000 and the "great multitude" of Revelation 7.

"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished," the apostle John writes (verse 5). Therefore, at the end of the thousand years, all those Israelites who have ever lived and died, who are not of the 144,000 and the "great multitude" (the saints), will be resurrected. This tremendous resurrection, of an untold number of Israelites, is recounted in verses 11 and 12:

"And I saw a GREAT WHITE THRONE, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."

Notice. This is a resurrection to life. The book of LIFE was opened. Those coming up in this resurrection will be judged "according to their works"! This is not a resurrection to condemnation -- but it is a resurrection to JUDGMENT!

Who are all these people who will stand before YEHOVAH God at the END of the Millennial reign of YEHOVAH God, the Messiah and the saints? They will be the uncountable number of Israelites who lived and died in this life, who did not qualify to be in the FIRST RESURRECTION, at the return of YEHOVAH God and the Messiah -- to be a part of the "firstfruits" of YEHOVAH God! The vast majority of them never even had a chance for salvation -- they grew up, lived and died in a foreign society which didn't have the knowledge of YEHOVAH, or His truth.

They are those who lived and died in ignorance, those who never even heard the true Gospel of the Messiah during their lives! At that future time they will be "judged" according to their works, and most will be given a period of time to repent of their misdeeds in this life, to be re-educated, and to qualify for eventual salvation and eternal life! In that future resurrection, YEHOVAH God will open their eyes, show them His truth, and give them their first and only chance for salvation!

This harvest of Israelites, represented by wheat, is a thousand years after the harvest of Israelites represented by barley. The barley harvest, or firstfruits, is at the beginning of the Millennium which is the coming of YEHOVAH God, and the wheat harvest, or last fruits, is at the end of the Millennium, 1,000 years after YEHOVAH God's coming.

Yeshua the Messiah put the truth plainly. He stated:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the DEAD [Israelites] shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live...Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which ALL THAT ARE IN THE GRAVES shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, to the RESURRECTION OF LIFE."

This is the second resurrection, or last fruits, which occurs at the end of the Millennium!

But notice! Yeshua goes on, concerning the REST of the dead: "And they that have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment" (John 5:25-29). The King James uses the word "damnation" here, but the Greek word means "judgment." This means that part of the Israelites who come up in the 2nd resurrection will be JUDGED by the Messiah based on how they conduct their lives after being resurrected. Will they repent of their evil? These are those who were really evil, to the core -- perhaps like an Ahab, or Amon, or serial killers, or others who gave their lives over to do EVIL. These Israelites are what is known as the "grape harvest" in Scripture.

These Israelites will be trodden in YEHOVAH's winepress (Isaiah 63:3-14) and will be given a chance to repent, and live out their lives in the flesh, to prove whether or not they will obey YEHOVAH. Not all will be condemned! In fact, in all probability, MOST of the millions of Israel, given this first "real chance" at salvation, will probably jump at the chance, deeply repent, and eventually qualify for salvation and eternal life in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH!

Servants of YEHOVAH God

We read in Revelation 14:4 that the 144,000 “were REDEEMED from among men.” The word “redeemed” here has the meaning of purchased, bought. The redeemed are those purchased to YEHOVAH God as slaves. They are His servants (in a servitude of love) and are “bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 7:23).

Being the servants of YEHOVAH God, the 144,000 (and also the great multitude) are spoken of as being “before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:5; 7:9). Since they are His servants they are before the throne to heed His instructions and carry on His work. The servants of YEHOVAH God -- even in this life -- have access to the throne, to which they are told to boldly come (Hebrews 4:16).

We are also told, in Revelation 14:4, that the 144,000 “were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.” Now, it would be a carnal interpretation indeed to claim this means only unmarried people. Even Roman Catholic expositors -- with their desire to exalt celibacy -- do not read this into it. In 2 Corinthians 11:2 all believers are viewed spiritually as chaste virgins, and as having been presented as such to the Messiah. They are “without fault” before YEHOVAH God (Revelation 14:5) and can therefore stand “faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24), “without blame before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:4), and as “a glorious church...without blemish” (5:27).

Unfortunately, many in the Churches of God have accepted the futurist viewpoint on the Book of Revelation without question. At first glance, it seems correct and true. But a closer study clearly reveals that this viewpoint is full of inconsistencies and problems. For one example, the futurist idea is that the bulk of the Book of Revelation has never been fulfilled. We are told that the events of many of the early chapters will not take place until the last years of this age. But this concept utterly fails to explain the opening words of the book which forcefully state that these things were written to show YEHOVAH God’s servants things “WHICH MUST SHORTLY COME TO PASS” and that the time for their fulfillment was “AT HAND” (Revelation 1:1, 3).

The futurist idea regarding the 144,000 is that they will not be converted until the very last years of this age -- whereas the Book of Revelation clearly reveals the 144,000 were the “FIRSTFRUITS” unto the Lamb! Since many, many thousands have already been converted to the Messiah over the past almost 2,000 years, HOW could a group converted only in the future possibly be the firstfruits unto the Lamb? Obviously, the converts from Israel in the first century A.D. -- and those down through the ages -- are the firstfruits unto the Lamb and are symbolized by the number 144,000!

Hope of Israel Ministries -- Proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God!

Hope of Israel Ministries P.O. Box 853 Azusa, CA 91702, U.S.A. www.hope-of-israel.org

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