Why is the 144,000 Righteous?
How does their experience get them ready for What they will Face?

At the end of the world, in the time of trouble, the hundred and forty four thousand will be alone in the world. The rest of the world will hate them and try to kill them. But the 144,000 will be the only ones who will be righteous. The 144,000 will live in a world that has grown cold because the world will have moved away from God. They will be so far from God that they can never come back.

12. "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12

Natural affection for others already seems to be disappearing for some. But in the actual time of the end, the change will be more complete and overwhelming. Natural affection for others will be "a thing of the past". Already, there is a tendency for violence to be in the streets. This kind of unrest will increase.

1. But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3. unloving (without natural affection), unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of (those that are) good,
4. traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5. having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5

If we are told to turn away from these people, it must mean they are beyond help. Thus the whole world will be lovers of pleasure but not God.

At the same time a universal religion will be forced on the people of the world. This will be brought about by the beast power of Revelation 13. But it will not be urged that the people of the world will need to get rid of their sins and to try to obey what God would have us do.

5. having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:5

This means that the world will have a form of religion but they will not have the power of God that changes lives to make them righteous. This religion will be based on the tradition of men.

6. He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
7. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'
8. "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
9. He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. Mark 7:6-9

The Commandments of God will be replaced with the traditions of men. So people will be religious but they will no longer follow the words of the true God because they have rejected and laid aside the commandments of God. This is how they honor God, with their lips but their heart is far from Him. They say they are following God but they do not obey His commandments nor anything else He asks us to do.

The universal religion that will be forced on the world will make the word of God of no effect because they will choose to follow tradition rather than the word of God.

13. "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." Mark 7:13

So, what happens when people no longer choose to follow God by following His commandments?

1. Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.
2. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2

We find that God is always ready to hear us but the wicked will have separated themselves from God because of their sins. So, God will not hear their prayers to Him.

9. One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. Proverbs 28:9

Our very prayer becomes an abominable to God when we turn away from the Law of God. If we start regarding iniquity in our hearts; if we start sinning, God will not hear us.

18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear us. Psalm 66:18-20

But, at any time, if we come to God with the idea that we are willing to let go of our sins, God is very willing to help us.

18. "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

It does not matter how bad (or scarlet) our sins have become, He can make our sins as white as snow and wool. So, God's eyes are always on the righteous, and those who want to become righteous, and He will listen to our prayers. But those who are determined to do evil, those who are determined to follow man's laws, without getting rid of sin; God will be turned away from them.

12. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:12

Yet it is in this very same time that 144,000 will draw from God in a very direct way the righteousness that they need from Christ.

Toward the end of the world, the wicked will have fully joined up with Satan. So, the Lord will have a controversy with all the nations on earth and He will judge all people:

31. A noise shall come to the ends of the earth; for the LORD has a controversy with the nations; He will enter into judgment with all flesh. He will give those who are wicked to the sword, says the LORD. Jeremiah 25:31 MKJV

(What does it mean when God says He will judge "all Flesh"? Does it mean that God will judge all the people in the world? In the Bible, it does not always mention the exceptions. For instance, God will not have a controversy with the righteous. However, they will be a very small minority. It is the wicked majority that God will have a controversy with, and He will enter into judgment with the wicked only.)

When God judges the earth, He will punish the wicked because of their sins. They will be killed and their bodies will cover the earth.

21. For behold, the LORD comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain. Isaiah 26:21

Their bodies will be found from one end of the earth to the other. There will be no one to cry over them and no one to bury them. They will be like dung on the ground!

33. "And at that day the slain of the LORD shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. They shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried; they shall become refuse on the ground. Jeremiah 25:33

So, the wicked will face punishment and death when they face God's judgement! But the 144,000 will not receive death:

3. saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."
4. 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 7:3-4

In a special way they are sealed and God will hold back the trouble of the last days until all of His people, the 144,000 will be sealed.

In the book of Ezekiel we find a situation that was similar to what will happen in the last days. Israel had become full of sins since they served other gods, even in the temple of the real God on earth.

Ezekiel saw a vision where the people, at that time in Jerusalem, would face judgement from God. Only a few people would be spared. All the rest would be killed.

So, Ezekiel saw in vision that an angel called out and six other angels came near with weapons in their hands. They were there to destroy the people in the city.

1. And He cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, Let the overseers of the city draw near, even each with his destroying weapon in his hand.
2. And behold, six men came from the way of the Upper Gate which faces north, and each had his battle-ax in his hand. And one man among them was clothed with linen, and a writer's inkhorn by his side. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar. Ezekiel 9:1-2 MKJV & NKJV

But there was another angel there as well. This angel didn't have a weapon but he had a writer's inkhorn by his side. This angel was there to mark or to place a seal on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry because of all the sins that were being committed by the people.

3. . . . And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer's inkhorn at his side;
4. and the LORD said to him, "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it." Ezekiel 9:3-4

In the last days, the 144,000 will sigh and cry over all the abominations that are happening in the world. Especially will they cry over what is happening in the church as well. We will see more of this later.

5. To the others He said in my hearing, "Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity.
6. "Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were before the temple. Ezekiel 9:5-6

So, the six angels having battle-axes went out and killed all the people except those who had the mark or the seal of God on their forehead. Now the very same thing is going to happen at the end of time. Only the 144,000 will be spared while all the others will be killed and later fully destroyed.

There are two very interesting points that are brought out by Ezekiel. In verse 6 above we see that the angels began slaying the elders who served in the temple. Thus, the killing begins with those who should be leaders of the righteous; But in actuality, they must be leading people the wrong way toward wickedness! So, they will be the first to be killed because of God's anger is very great toward them. The reason is clear, they were leading astray God's people who otherwise might be saved.

The other point is that God will slay the wicked and He will not have any pity toward them

8. So it was, that while they were killing them, I was left alone; and I fell on my face and cried out, and said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Will You destroy all the remnant of Israel in pouring out Your fury on Jerusalem?" Ezekiel 9:8

When Ezekiel saw all those who were being killed, he was alarmed: "Will there be any left in Jerusalem?"

An important aspect of the 144,000 is their love for the wicked. They will sigh and cry over them and try to win them to Christ that they may escape the destruction slated for the world. But once probation has closed, which is when there is no longer any hope of their being saved, then the wicked will be killed without pity.

9. Then He said to me, "The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity; for they say, 'The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD does not see!'
10. "And as for Me also, My eye will neither spare, nor will I have pity, but I will recompense their deeds on their own head." Ezekiel 9:8-10

In the time of the end the countryside and the church will be full of bloodshed and perversity, wickedness and corruption. Thus God's eye will neither spare nor have pity. Only the 144,000 will He save.

Lets look at why some will be killed off without mercy while others will be saved with abundant mercy. In the last days, of those who are still alive, only the 144,000 will receive mercy:

19. Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." Exodus 33:19

Here we see that the Lord passed before Moses because He wanted to reveal something about Himself. And this is it: He will determine whom He will be gracious and compassionate to when God judges the earth.

This does not seem to really help us but it's a start. But listen to this. As the Lord passed before Moses, He said something else:

6. And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,
7. "keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation." Exodus 34:6-7

We can see that He will be gracious and compassionate to many. Yet, we also see that God will by no means clear the guilty. So how does He decide who He will forgive iniquity, transgression, and sin? Here is the clue:

9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Jesus is faithful and just to both forgive us and to cleanse us. So, we obviously have an Advocate with the Father:

1. My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
2. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2

It is because we have an Advocate with the father that the Lord is merciful to us. So, the good news is that we have an Advocate with the father because Jesus is the propitiation for our sins!

However, anyone who has not made use of Jesus our Advocate will still have their sins unforgiven. All those with their sins yet remaining on them will still be guilty and at that time, when it is too late to receive the mercy that only Jesus can bestow on us, God will by no means clear them of their guilt.

6. Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6

A day is coming when the door to mercy will be forever closed. This will be especially important to the 144,000 because they will actually live through the time when God's probation will close. It is then that Jesus will say these words:

11. "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11

So seek the Lord now while He may be found!

10. "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11. "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'
12. "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
13. "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25:10-13

At some point in time just before the second coming of Christ, it will forever be too late to ask for mercy. Here is another verse that also speaks of the closed door to the mercy that is provided to us:

23. Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" And He said to them,
24. "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
25. "When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from,' Luke 13:23-25

We are to strive to enter through the narrow gate because many will try to enter but they will not be able to. God's people, the 144,000 will seek God when He can be found. but some others will wait until it is too late. They will strive to enter in through the narrow gate when the world will be in turmoil. But they will not be able to come in.

So, what is it that is going to keep those who are trying to enter, not to get in? It is when the Master of the house closes the door. It is really signifying that the door to mercy will be forever shut! At that point, if the Lord does not know us we will be lost, because it will be forever too late to ask for forgiveness for all our sins!

So, are any of us dragging our feet waiting for a later time? We may wait until it is too late just like the people who missed getting on the Ark with Noah. Once God closed the door to the Ark, then it was too late!

37. "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
38. "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
39. "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
40. "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
41. "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
42. "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
43. "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
44. "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:37-44

Most people did not go in the ark with Noah and the door was closed without them! We need to take this story to heart and decide for ourselves that we must be ready when Jesus comes; Because we are facing a time when the door will again be shut! This is what the 144,000 will face.

We have seen that while the 144,000 is drawing toward God, all the rest of the world is moving away from God and God will no longer hear them.

In addition, we see that the 144,000 are not only drawn toward God but as they grow into Christ, they receive the Seal of God. It seems that it is absolutely necessary for them to be sealed because only those who are sealed are protected from harm. Only those WITHOUT the Seal of God will feel the effects of the seven last plagues, those who have the mark of the beast.

1. Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth."
2. So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Revelation 16:1-2

Thus, exactly what we saw in Ezekiel 9, the righteous are protected from destruction. It is only those who have the Mark of the Beast and who worship Satan's image, who will receive the wrath of God. So, it is really important that we make sure we have gone to confess our sins through Jesus. It is also important that we do not defile our garments so that we are clean.

4. "You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. Revelation 3:4

We must make sure we are not naked in that day.

15. "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." Revelation 16:15

So, how did the 144,000 get this way. How will they change so that they will want to obey God above all other things, even life itself!

You know, God does not ask the impossible from us. He is not unreasonable. So, what God does is that He enables us, giving us His ability. This is how we can truly follow Him, because He enables us so we can change.

This is the aim of this page that we can start looking at the actual experience of the 144,000. How is it that God changes them?

The wicked are going to be facing the final plagues and death. But the righteous will not have an easy time in contrast. The 144,000 will experience the Time of Jacob's Trouble.

5. For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
6. 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?
7. 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. Jeremiah 30:5-7

All faces will be turned into paleness, even the righteous. It will be a real struggle for the 144,000. Let's see if we can understand what's happening by looking at Jacob's story.

The experience that Jacob had is an indication of what the 144,000 will experience in the last days and his struggle is much like that of the 144,000 in the last days.

Jacob had sinned. He lied so that he could get the birthright.

18. So he went to his father and said, "My father." And he said, "Here I am. Who are you, my son?"
19. Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me." Genesis 27:18-19

Jacob lied pretending to be Esau to his father so that he could get the birthright blessing.

When Esau later came, he found out that his brother already received his blessing.

35. But he said, "Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing." Genesis 27:35

When Esau found out that he couldn't receive the blessing, he was angry and wanted to kill his brother.

41. So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob." Genesis 27:41

Now when Jacob's mother told Jacob to do this sin, she acknowledged that there would be a curse.

13. But his mother said to him, "Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me." Genesis 27:13

So Jacob obeyed his parents by running for his life. But, Jacob had something hanging over his head as he left home. It was his sin.

Jacob met his uncle, but his uncle eventually no-longer liked him and tried to cheat him. But God spoke to Jacob in a dream and told him to go back to his own land. He left with his wives and children and all that he had. But an angry uncle came after him.

If God had not helped him, Jacob might have met with disaster. But soon he with his family continued home.

He knew that he could never again run to his uncle for safety. So now, he had to face the music with his brother. But then everyone is frightened when they hear that Esau, his brother, was coming with 400 men! No doubt they would all be killed!

Jacob sent gifts ahead of him. He did everything he could think to try to ease his brother's anger against him. But Jacob knew that only God could soften Esau's heart.

So, he decided to pray long with God. He moved his family and everything he owned across the river then he went back across the river to be with himself. But something went wrong! Somebody found him and attacked him in the night:

24. Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.
25. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. Genesis 32:24-25

At first Jacob thought it was a man that was attacking him. He didn't know it was an angel. However, once the angel touched his hip to put it out of joint, Jacob knew that it must be an angel.

Then the angel acted like he wanted to get away:

26. And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" Genesis 32:26

Since the day is dawning, we know that they were fighting all night. He must have been tired yet he was not going to give up!

But Jacob had power over the angel. This might sound like a strange thing to say. But it is true. Jacob prevailed. He wept and made supplication. He literally begged for a blessing.

4. Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us; Hosea 12:4

Notice the last part of the sentence in Hosea 12:4: It says that Jacob found him in Bethel, and there God also speaks with us! So, Jesus also speaks to us through the example of Jacob. If we go through a Jacob experience, we can also find God and be at peace.

The 144,000 will win their battle in a Jacob like fashion. They will also be crying and begging for God's blessing. They will be asking for the forgiveness of their sins and also they will be pleading to be saved from destruction since the wicked, who surrounds them, want to destroy them.

Jesus spoke of this happening and he told what kind of response they would get:

7. "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
8. "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:7-8

Jesus tells us that God will speedily avenge His own elect people, those who cry out to Him day and night!

Jacob had power with God as a prince and he prevailed. Thus the 144,000 will also have power with God as princes and princesses and they will prevail.

27. So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob."
28. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29. Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there.
30. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." Genesis 32:27-30

Jacob's struggle was a life-and-death struggle. He was willing to give up everything for that blessing. That is the key! Thus he prevailed.

How does the 144,000 learn to pray like this? The answer is this: It will come about by a hard experience. God will work with us and He will cause experiences to come our way to test us.

This means we must not think that when bad things start happening to you that God is against you. Actually, the direct opposite is true. God is allowing ferce trials to come your way to help you:

12. Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13. but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

To be glad with exceeding joy when Christ's glory is revealed means we will be saved. That is the reason for the exceeding joy. Thus the fiery trials will prepare the 144,000 for heaven. Jesus at times mentioned that His followers would face hard times and persecutions and that we should rejoice.

11. "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12. "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:12

It is the persecution and the bad things that happen to us that can cause us to draw close to God. That is what happened to Jacob. He knew that there was no one else he could turn turn to and so he held on to the Angel with all His might.

If we draw toward God when we are tested, we will gain the victory. However, if we give up, all will be lost!

13. each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 1 Corinthians 3:13

It is the genuineness of our faith that God is after. It is more precious than gold!

6. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
7. that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 1:6-7

We are to rend our heart so that we may have this genuine faith that God wants to be in us. Just as Jacob, who realized that there was no one else to turn to, God's people will do the same at the end but before God's mercy ends. They will realize by faith that God is gracious and merciful, that He is slow to anger, and He has great kindness. If we plead with Him, He will repent of His anger to us and save us.

13. And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Joel 2:13

These trials are given to us so that we can grow into Christ.

We are already familiar with the sealing of the 144,000. In Revelation 7 we find that it is imperative that the 144,000 must be sealed before the real trouble of the last days begins. Apparently there is a protection that is acquired through this sealing.

1. After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.
2. 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,
3. saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."
4. 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 7:1-4

It is interesting that the angels are having to wait for the 144,000 to get sealed. Apparently some of God's people are not yet ready and have not been sealed.

But it does not seem likely that the reason why the 144,000 are not already sealed, when the four angels were first about to release the four winds of strife, is due to angels not getting the task done in time. It seems more likely that there is something that God's people must do in order to be sealed.

Because it takes trial and hardship for God's people to be prepared, it would make sense that this might take some time. Thus, some of the 144,000 are not ready when the winds are about to blow and so God mercifully has the angels wait until they are safely sealed. We will see indications of this idea, as we study some of the parables of Christ.

Many people, when they read Christ's parables, believe He is just giving simple parables to illustrate spiritual truths. But many of these parables actually describe things that will happen at the end of time. In addition, it is the 144,000 who will experience them.

If it takes trial and persecution for the righteous to be prepared and sealed, we might expect that Jesus might talk about what is needful. We would expect that God would make sure that what they need to understand would be in the Bible.

Here is a parable that relates to people of all ages. But it especially relates to the 144,000. This parable or story shows how important heaven should be to us. We will see that it is everything to the 144,000.

The Kingdom of heaven is like treasure that is hidden in the field, says Jesus. It is also like one who wants to buy an expensive pearl and he wants it so much that he sells all that he has to buy it.

44. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
45. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46. Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46

In spite of it being so important to our future, because let's face it, the time of end is soon to come upon us; When the end comes many will be destroyed:

47. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
48. Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
49. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
50. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:47-50

It may be that to gain the Seal of God, God's people will really have to give their all to Him. Otherwise they will not obtain it. Is that why the angels will have to wait on God's people to be sealed, because they had not given God everything in their life quite yet?

To gain heaven, the 144,000 will have to give themselves to God fully. The majority of the world's people will choose to do anything but to give themselves to God. They will be destroyed in the fire and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth!

In Matthew 22, Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is like a king who's son was getting married. So, the king asked a lot of people to come to the wedding. However they would not come. So the King had other servants go out and ask these same people to come. But they all had various excuses. Then the king got angry and actually killed those people with his army.

Those who were originally invited were not worthy, said the king. So the king sent his servants out into the highways to urge others to come. These people came. Let's see what the king found when he came to see them:

11. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14. For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:1-14

This story is not just a story but it is a prophetic story. It is a serious story because God has sent His Son that they may be saved and that they can come to the marriage feast. A large class will be destroyed just as the story depicts.

We also see that it is not enough to just come to the wedding. The right clothing must be worn. As it was important to this king that everyone must have on the right wedding garment; Well, it is extremely important to the King of Heaven that we also come with the right wedding garment as well!

Why is this wedding garment so important? Well, do you realize that Jesus is going to be married to His church?

7. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. Revelation 19:7-9

Those who come to the marriage feast will be spotless. So, blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb! His saints, the 144,000 will be righteous because their wedding garment also represent their righteous character which is pure and spotless.

It is Jesus who fills His people with His righteousness:

11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11

This means the 144,000 will be like Christ because they will have His righteousness. It is not our righteousness but through the faith of Christ the 144,000 will have the righteousness of Christ. It is of God!

9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:9

The wicked will have their own wicked character. So they will be destroyed when wickedness is destroyed.

Since we receive the righteousness of Christ, it is easy to see that this marriage actually represents the union of humanity with divinity.

The Parable of the ten virgins adds to our understanding of having the righteousness of Christ, of having the right wedding garment. The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps with them to meet the bridegroom:

1. "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2. "Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3. "Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
4. "but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5. "But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.Matthew 25:1-5

Five of these virgins were wise but five were foolish. The foolish took no oil which represents the Holy Spirit. They took no or little part in their devotions and prayer. They had not continued their watch to look for the bridegroom's arrival, who is Christ. So they were not gaining any strength from the Holy Spirit for the time ahead.

Even though all ten were sleeping, five of them were prepared because they had continued to watch through prayer and through their study of the Bible.

Then suddenly, the bridegroom comes:

6. "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!'
7. "Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
8. "And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
9. "But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' Matthew 25:6-9

Now, who is it that sells oil? It is Christ!

18. "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. Revelation 3:18

The wise told the foolish to go and buy from the Saviour free of charge.

1. "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Isaiah 55:1

But something strange has happened. It is now past time when no man can buy salvation at any price. When the foolish now try to gain salvation, the door is shut!

10. "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11. "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'
12. "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
13. "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25:6-13

When the Lord says: "I do not know you"! This is a clue that Jesus is speaking of one who has not prayed and studied for themselves so that God would know that person in a spiritual way.

The 144,000 will have struggled with God in prayer. This means they have gone to the throne of grace that their sins could be forgiven by Jesus our High Priest and that they would be victorious.

14. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

God specifically knows His own people:

11. "The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. Psalm 147:11

9. "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

The 144,000 will be spending long hours to God in prayer. But the troubled events of the last days will be held back until the 144,000 will be ready.

7. "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
8. "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:7-8

2. 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,
3. saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."
Revelation 7:2-3

The oil that the five virgins carried represents the work of the Holy Spirit in changing the lives of Christ's followers. They take on the righteousness of Christ which means they would have on the wedding garments of righteousness.

There is one atribute which the 144,000 will have that will especially distinguish them from the rest of the world:

4. and the LORD said to him, "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it."
5. To the others He said in my hearing, "Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity.
6. "Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were before the temple. Ezekiel 9:4-6

In the past God was looking for those who were sighing and crying over the sins of Jerusalem. In many ways, the time of the end will be much like the time when Ezekiel was alive.

The 144,000 will be sighing and crying over all the sins that are being done. It seems that as they have become more like Christ, that evil will be more hateful to them. So they will be giving reproofs and warnings to the wicked and they will weep over them.

So, it looks like the 144,000 will become more like prophets. However, much like the prophet Jeremiah, they will be powerless to stop all the iniquity that surrounds them and they will be filled with grief and alarm because they will know where these people are headed. They are headed for destruction, and that is why the 144,000 will cry over them. With tears they will warn the wicked just like the prophets before them. But the wicked will only mock them.

We have seen that Jesus has told us in more than a few places that God's people, the 144,000 of the last generation, will have some preparing to do. It is true that they will be given Christ's righteousness, but in order to receive that righteousness, they will have to respond to God in a certain way.

13. for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

God wants us to do His good pleasure. But not only does God want that, but He also wants us to will ourselves to do those good works. God wants us to do His good pleasure because that is what we want to do. This is what this text is saying, that God is working to get us to the place where we will both will and to do His good pleasure.

In order to will and to do His good pleasure, we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice which is acceptable to God. This is our reasonable service to God. We are not to be conformed to this world but we are to be transformed, so that we can prove the perfect will of God.

1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 1:1-2

The ten virgins, the wedding garment, the pearl of great price, and the fact that the angels are having to wait to seal all of God's people, the last generation just before the time of trouble; All of these parables indicate that the 144,000 of the last generation will have a special work to do so that they can be sealed. Because of this, they will also have a special relation to God and His Son Jesus.

14. 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. Revelation 7:12

The 144,000 will present themselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. This will be their reasonable service to God. Their minds will be transformed and renewed so that they can do what is good and acceptable, the perfect will of God because they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12

We also saw that we should not think it strange to have fiery trials in our lives because of our connection with Christ. This fire will test each one of us but it will result in genuine faith if we stay faithful. All of this speaks of the same kind of experience that Jacob had and it is why the whole experience of the 144,000, at the end is named: The Time of Jacob's Trouble. In this experience, they will wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

25. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
26. that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
27. that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27

10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15. and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16. above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18. praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- Ephesians 6:10-18

10. Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. Isaiah 43:10

	The 144,000 and the Seal of God. What does the Bible tell about God's people at the End of Time? See how Job's experience explains what the 144,000 will experience and how Satan will try to trick and force his way. Click on the link to the Left (A new window will appear).
	This issue could play a rather large and central role in the way Satan attacks the 144,000 in the last days? To learn more about the Mark of the Beast and how the Sabbath relates. Click on the link to the Left (A new window will appear).

Yes, I believe that the 144,000 are those who will be living when Jesus comes. It does not include nor represents all the righteous people who are saved throughout history. I believe it is the specific number of the righteous who are still alive when Jesus comes.

Let's look at a little evidence. We see that there will be two groups of righteous people when Jesus comes. Those who were dead are the first group. They are risen from the dead when Jesus comes. The other group which are alive and remain until Jesus comes, This is the 144,000!

16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17. 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. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

So, when Jesus comes, He will descend from heaven with a shout and the dead in Christ will rise first. So all the people who are God's righteous people will rise again at the second coming.

Then all the people which are yet alive on the earth and remain; This is the 144,000, which are the people that are righteous, who are alive when Jesus comes.

Now in in the next Scripture we see that those who are God's servants, the righteous, who are yet living, they will be sealed with the seal of the living God.

1. After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.
2. 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,
3. saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."
4. 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 7:1-4

The dangers of the last days is just about to come upon the earth, but there is an urgent cry. The angels must hold back the winds of the earth. The 144,000 must be sealed before all the winds of the earth is allowed to happen. They must be fully sealed to that they can be fully protected.

The 144,000 do not die, but they are redeemed from the earth:

1. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
2. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:1-5

The 144,000 will go through a hard time at the end. They shall hunger, and thirst and more but they will be victorious having come out of great tribulation. They have washed their robes making them white with the blood of the lamb.

13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:13-17

So, the 144,000 only references the people who are alive at the end. I personally believe that there will also be many martyrs at the end as well.