The 144,000 and The Seal of God
What does the Bible tell about God's people at the End of Time?

Who are the hundred and forty four thousand and what is this Seal of God? A quick reading of Revelation in the Bible reveals that God's people will be one hundred and forty four thousand in number, living at the end of time. They will be alive when Jesus comes. Also, all of these numbered people will have the seal of God on their foreheads (verses 3 & 4).

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

Also, we see that the 144,000 are sealed just before the winds of strife hit the earth at the end of time. The four angels are holding back the four winds of the earth so they cannot harm the earth etc., until God's servants are sealed on their foreheads. So, it is clear that the 144,000 are God's people living at the time of the end in the time of trouble. It is also clear that the 144,000 will need this sealing in order to survive the trouble of the last days. That is why it is so urgent that they receive God's seal and its why the angels are holding off the trouble until they are protected.

But who are these people? All the 144,000 is said to come from the twelve tribes of Israel:

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:
5. of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
6. of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7. of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
8. of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed. Revelation 7:4-8

Some might wonder if only the Israelites will be found in this group. But, there is a problem with this idea. Many of these tribes no longer exist. Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, and Simeon were lost when they were forced to leave their land.

5. Now the king of Assyria went throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria and besieged it for three years.
6. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria and carried Israel away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah and by the Habor, the River of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 2 Kings 17:5-6

18. Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone. 2 Kings 17:18

Samaria, the northern 10 tribes, were moved to various places and they intermarried with other groups. They disappeared out of sight long ago, thus they no longer exist. So, how could the 144,000 be numbered from tribes that no longer exist?

In addition we find that the probation of the Jews as a nation had been passed.

43. Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. Matthew 21:43

The kingdom of God has been taken from them and given to others. Paul adds to this idea:

13. For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

17. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,
18. do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. Romans 11:13, 17-18

Those of us who are not Jews can also be included because we are grafted into the various tribes. So, Gentiles also partake of the root (which is Christ) and fatness of the olive tree.

In God's kingdom, there is neither Jew nor Greek:

27. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:27-29

If we have been baptized into Christ, we will have put on Christ. Which makes us Abraham's seed. Thus, we are heirs according to the promise because there is neither Jew nor Greek. We have been grafted in. So yes, we can be included into the 144,000 even if we are not Jews because we have become Abraham's seed.

28. For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;
29. but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. Romans 2:28-29

A true Jew is one who is inwardly a Jew where the Spirit of God is in the Heart.

However, there is a warning in the Bible: God wants true repentance from each of us.

7. Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8. "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
9. "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." Luke 3:7-9

These verses are important. God can make children of Abraham out of stones. But He has chosen to make children of Abraham from those of us who have good fruit. But He throws into the fire those who have not repented of their sins.

19. You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in."
20. Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.
21. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.
22. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
23. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. Romans 11:19-23

God is so gracious. Because of unbelief God's original people were broken off. However, those same people can be grafted in again if they get rid of their unbelief. So, it is easy to see that God keeps holding the door open for all of us to go in. As long as probation continues, He will continually give us more chances to again be connected with Him.

6. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7

It also should be obvious that God wants His people to fully believe and to act out their faith in repentance. He wants true repentance from each of us, especially from the 144,000 as we will see later.

All of this should remind us that we need to be ever mindful of our danger because we might also be broken off just like they were. If we continue to sin because of unbelief, we will lose-out and be broken off.

Just after the 144,000 is described in Revelation 7 we then see this great multitude which no one can number.

9. After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, Revelation 7:9

The group on earth was just about to be sealed. But now this large multitude is seen in heaven. Could it be the same group but at a later time or is this group in heaven now a different group that is larger?

Many people mistake this group in heaven to be some more massive group that is different from the 144,000. The fact is, no other group in Revelation is said to live through the great tribulation at the end of time to be saved or redeemed. The 144,000 is the actual group that has to be sealed with God's seal. It is also the only group that heaven is concerned with at the end to be sealed. So, this has to be the only group since no other group is mentioned.

To confirm the idea that there is no second group let's look at verses one through four again:

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

In verse three we see that the earth, sea, and trees are not to be harmed until the servants of God are sealed on their foreheads. This sentence tells us that all of God's servants are to be sealed, not just a portion. In addition, in verse four, we find that God's servants equal exactly 144,000 in number. This is the total number of God's people! That means there is no second group at the end of time. All of God's people when counted are found to total 144,000 in number.

When it says the four angels held the four winds of the earth; What does that mean. They are really winds of strife. It represents war and bloodshed! Satan and his evil angels will stir up the wicked to promote anarchy in the world with war and bloodshed, but God will have the four angels hold back all the winds of strife until all of God's people are fully sealed.

We know that the 144,000 will live through to the end but that is not true of the wicked. Much of the world's population will be killed off at this time.

21. "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22. "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. Matthew 24:21-22

So, it is easy to see why the righteous 144,000 would need to be sealed. They would need to be protected and they can only be protected if they are sealed with God's seal. This might remind us of the original Passover at the Exodus. The blood was a sign to the destroying angel to pass over that house:

13. 'Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. . .

23. "For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.

26. "And it shall be, when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?'
27. "that you shall say, 'It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.'" So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. Exodus 12:13(part), 23, 26-27

Just as the blood of the lamb, on the lintel and doorposts of their front door, was a sign for God's people in Egypt; Jesus is now our Passover because He was sacrificed for us.

7. Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 1 Corinthians 5:7

God's people at the end of time will be under the shadow of the Almighty. They will not be hurt and they will only see with their eyes the destruction of the wicked because they will have been sealed with the Seal of God.

1. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
3. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.
4. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6. Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
8. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
9. Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10. No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11. For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. Psalm 91:1-11

As we continue to think of the group seen in heaven, let's look at verse nine:

9. After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, Revelation 7:9

When the text says that the group is too large to number; All that means is that no one could number the group just by looking at them. John was looking and he beheld the great multitude but could not determine how many were there. If we usually see a large group of people, we might only be able to make an estimate of their number. They would be too numerous to count. So, John saw a large group that no one could number by seeing them. What this means is that this group in heaven, which is too large to number, could very well be the same 144,000 that we saw at the beginning of Chapter 7.

The book of Revelation has always been a hard book to understand. One reason is because it does not describe events in their natural order. The book seems to follow themes. Each subject is covered one at a time and it is up to the reader to try to place all the events in time. It may be that a fuller understanding of the book will only come about by the actual events that it describes.

So, the first eight verses of Revelation 7 deal with the 144,000 when they are about to experience the time of trouble on Earth. But with verse 9 and on, we see that that John switched to a time in the future when this same group will be in heaven. This would be after the trouble on Earth has finished.

Let's see what else we can learn about this great multitude in heaven:

10. and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
11. All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
12. saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen."
13. Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?"

This is what we are wanting to know. Who are these people in heaven with white robes and where did they come from?

14. And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15. "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
16. "They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
17. "for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:10-17

Verse 14 helps to confirm that this group in heaven is actually the 144,000. They are the ones who came out of the great tribulation. they are the ones who washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. They experienced the trouble of the end times, the great tribulation with hunger, thirst, and heartache. Now, they are in heaven before the throne of God.

There is another clue. The 144,000 will have a special position in heaven. They will serve God day and night in His temple and God will dwell among them.

In Revelation Chapter 14 we will see that the 144,000 are the first fruits of God and of the Lamb which means they are specially dedicated to God. That matches with the idea of them serving Him day and night in His temple. Later we will come back and look into how they washed their robes making them white in the Lamb's blood.

Now in the 14th chapter we see the same group. They are 144,000 in number and they are sealed with their Father's name written on their foreheads.

1. Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads.
2. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
3. They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
4. These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. Revelation 14:1-4

Again, we see the 144,000 in heaven. They are redeemed from the earth. The reason why their experience is so remarkable is because they will have lived on earth when the Mark of the Beast is to be urged on the people of the whole world. Thus they now have a new song, a song of experience.

They are to be the first fruits of God and to the Lamb. This is a group that is especially dedicated to God. They will stand on Mount Zion in the presence of God and the Lamb in the temple of God and they will follow the Lamb wherever He goes. So, both Chapter 7 and 14 are speaking of the same group.

Let's widen our scope to include the war that Satan makes against God and His people, the 144,000. In the process we will better understand the hundred and forty four thousand's experience and also their purpose in the time of trouble at the end of this world.

On earth, we see that the whole world will worship both Satan the dragon and the beast:

4. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" Revelation 13:4

The beast is so strong that everyone considers it foolhardy to even think of going against what the beast says to do. That is why they exclaim: "Who is able to make war with the beast?"

8. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8

But it is only those who do not have their names written in the Book of Life that worship the beast! This includes all the wicked who are not sealed. So, the 144,000 are the only ones, on earth, who will dare to disregard what the beast tells them to do.

But now a second beast comes up. And this second beast makes the situation even more forbidding.

16. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,
17. and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Revelation 13:16-17

This second beast forces all to worship the first beast and it will cause all to receive a mark and whoever does not receive this mark will not be allowed to eat! They will not be able to buy nor sell anything!

But of course, God has probably the strongest language found in the Bible for anyone who receives the Mark of the Beast:

9. Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,
10. "he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
11. "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Revelation 14:9-11

If anyone worships the beast or receives his mark they will receive the wrath of God and they will have no rest day nor night!

At this point, we have to ask the question: How did we ever get to this point? Why would God allow this to happen? Either the world will try to starve us out and kill us by draconian force; or we will face the full strength of the wrath of God without any mercy! Those are our only choices! There is nothing easy to choose.

11. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:11

However God's people will overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb. And God will richly reward them.

Something very important is happening in this war between God and Satan. In the last days it will result in "Jacob's time of Trouble" which seems to be an important aspect of the war and we need to find out from the Bible what is really happening! We also need to understand how we can become part of that group, the 144,000.

On this web page we will explore what the Bible itself actually teaches concerning the real issues that the 144,000 will be facing. What will God require the 144,000 to do?

Satan has declared that he is the rightful ruler of the Earth. When he tempted Christ, he said that it was in his power to give Christ the world because that world had been given to him. Thus, Satan promises Jesus that he will yield his dominion of the world and make Christ the rightful ruler if only Jesus would worship him. Of course, this was a trap.

5. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
7. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. Luke 4:5-7

When Satan had successfully tempted Adam and Eve, he not only brought the human family into the life and death struggle that we experience today, but ever after that point in time, he has claimed the world as his. Satan began claiming the earth as the place where he rules. Even Jesus called Satan the ruler of this world when He was on earth.

30. Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.
31. "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
32. "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."
33. This He said, signifying by what death He would die. John 12:30-33

Also, in the Lord's prayer we have another indication that the things that happen on the earth is not according to God's will. Jesus says:

9. "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10

We are still praying for God's will to occur on earth as it is in Heaven, because God's will is still not yet happening fully. Jesus has not yet taken full authority. Yes, that is right. Satan is still the ruler of this world. There is just so much death, destruction, hate, and sorrow all around us. The war is still occurring. Jesus still has not taken our world away from Satan, and we know that is true because we are still here living in this sad sinful world!

44. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? Matthew 22:44

Jesus will continue to wait until God the Father makes His enemies his footstool. Then, at that time Satan will be cast out and destroyed. Later we will find out that this happens at the time of the end.

One of the reasons why the 144,000 will be facing difficult times in the last days is because Satan claims the earth as his and if he can help it, he will not tolerate anyone disobeying him. So, these are important topics.

There is good evidence in the Bible to show that Satan has actually declared that He rules the world to the rest of the occupants of the Universe.

This might seem like a strange thing to say but if the earth was made to be inhabited, could there also be other places in the Universe that are to be inhabited as well?

18. For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. Isaiah 45:18

The Bible seems to primarily speak of our own world and of angels, but let's concentrate on the Scripture that point to people in other worlds.

We must only ask why God would create such a large Universe if it is totally empty except for our little Earth. Let's see if there is evidence that there are actually many worlds that are inhabited in the Universe.

14. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15. Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Ephesians 3:14-15

Ephesians shows that there is a family in heaven and there is a family earth.

6. You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You. Nehemiah 9:6

God has made all the heavens with all their host. It's not just the host in heaven, where the angels dwell, that this verse refers to, but it says: to "all their host". This represents the multitudes of people found in the heavens on different planets. These are those in heaven that worship God.

9. For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world (universe), both to angels and to men. 1 Corinthians 4:9

God's people are a spectacle not only to our world but to the universe as well. The word translated: "world" does not fit in this verse since the angels are not part of this world. But the translation: "universe" adds understanding to this verse. Because, men can also refer to those in the universe and not just the earth.

12. "Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time." Revelation 12:12

The inhabitants of the earth and sea are woe stricken because Satan is now on this world. But all the inhabitants of heavens can now rejoice. This describes all the people who dwell in all the heavens:

There must be quite a number who live in the heavens. Revelation is referring specifically to those who dwell in the heavens.

Now, with the idea of a populated Universe let's look into the book of Job. Satan is actually a central figure in the book of Job:

6. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
7. And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." Job 1:6-7

This is a description of people. The sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord. As we look into this story we will find that this meeting is not on earth but heaven.

In the next verse we find that Satan also came. He saw himself as one of the leaders in the Universe. When God asked Satan why he came, he essentially told God that Earth was actually his.

If that is true, then all the other people that came must be the rulers or leaders of all the other planets of the Universe. This is all very interesting to me and is discussed in the next section.

In this story about Job, we are not only told what happens to Job, but we also get to understand what is happening behind the scenes. Also understand that the story of Job is extremely important to the question of why the 144,000 will meet with severe persecution.

As depicted in the book of Job, there is a meeting in Heaven. It must be in heaven because there is no record of God having regular meetings with the sons of God on Earth. In addition we find that Satan is also present and apparently he should not be there. At least it sounds like he is uninvited. Even God asks why he has come.

6. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
7. And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." Job 1:6-7 NKJV

We most likely are looking at a meeting of extraterrestrials. Each member at the meeting is a representative of their own world. We can know that this is a meeting of representatives because of how Satan says he has a right to be there. We will see that Satan is saying that he is the representative of Earth! So what we have here is a system of government for the Universe that God Himself oversees.

Apparently this was an important event. In this meeting the sons of God are presenting themselves before the Lord. It seems that all who were there, except one, had a right to be there. At least we don't have any record of God questioning their presence. The whole point of this part of the story is that Satan was not invited. When God asked Satan why he was there, he essentially answered: from walking around on the Earth.

Is Satan claiming ownership? I think so. Remember, this intergalactic war is over whether Satan is actually the owner of the earth. Satan actually wants the throne of God but for now he is fighting for the right to own the earth. Apparently, Satan is starting a legal process that he thinks will allow him to take over planet Earth.

In the meeting, Satan seems to conclude that he either owns or he rules our world. He is actually claiming rulership of the Earth in that meeting! That is why I think he went to the meeting. He sees himself as the leader of the whole planet Earth. This thought confirms the idea that this meeting is most likely a meeting of the leaders of the Universe with God; So Satan felt he had a right to be there.

We can determine this point of rulership further from the following discussion:

8. Then the LORD said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?
9. So Satan answered the LORD and said, Does Job fear God for nothing?
10. Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
11. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!
12. And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person. So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:8-12.

Because of the fact that God answers Satan, we should understand that what they were talking about was extremely important! Why didn't God just throw Satan out? God already threw Satan out of Heaven once before so God could have thrown Satan out again, but He didn't. He definitely has the power to do so. But instead, God just questioned Satan verbally and challenged his stated position.

We should realize that the manner in which God answered Satan is important as well. They were not talking by themselves, there was an audience surrounding them. All the representatives of the Universe were there personally witnessing what was happening.

Remember, we most likely are looking at a meeting of extraterrestrials. Each member at the meeting is a representative of their own world. A system of government for the Universe that God Himself oversees.

Since Satan himself has rebelled against God, we can see that the rebellion was trying to enter into the system of government of God's Universe! If it was a matter of power, God could have destroyed Satan right there, or He could have just thrown him out. But God did not. Instead, God entered into dialog with him.

Let's talk about the dialog itself. If this discussion wasn't concerning ownership or rulership of the Earth; then, why does God answer Satan's statement of walking over the face of the Earth, with: "Have you considered my servant Job. . ."?

In this discussion, by saying that he walks over the face of the earth; What Satan is really saying is this: that he has control of the Earth. So God begins questioning Satan's claim by pointing his attention to Job, whom Satan is not able to control. What God is doing, is to show that Satan really does not control the world. So, God emphasizes the fact that Job is upright, just, and that he fears God.

I can imagine that Satan here begins to squirm as he essentially says: Well of course Job likes you. You give him everything he wants, why wouldn't he obey You? So God tells him: OK, I'll let you try. We'll see who really is in control, but you can't touch his body to make him sick.

If you read the book of Job, you will see that Job does not know a thing about this discussion. He is clearly having a hard time with the reality of his bad fortune. In addition he is forced to consider, from an earthly point of view, why all sorts of bad things are happening to him. Satan seems to be controlling all Job's personal friends as well.

This story is very interesting. Apparently Satan's ownership of the Earth depends upon everyone being subject to Satan's leading. As long as Job was a decided follower of God, Satan could not claim the Earth. We actually do not know if Job was the only follower of God, but at least he was the one that God chose to mention.

Does this war Between God and Satan depend upon the allegiance of people? It would seem so, the whole story in the book of Job is dependent on the idea that things will be decided, on what one person does on earth. If Job continues to follow God then God has the advantage, on the other hand, if Job listened to his wife and friends and cursed God, then Satan would have had the advantage. That is if he was the only righteous person on the world.

This is an amazing situation. Something really terrible and awful must have happened in Heaven when Satan initially rebelled. To have a third of all the angels of Heaven take off to side with Satan, against God in a war. Remember this rebellion happened in Heaven! How could this happen? To have the angels who live in Heaven, in the very presence of God, to rebel against God himself!

7. And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,
8. but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.
9. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:7-9 New King James Version

What did Satan do to the angels to have them rebel against God? What did he say to them that would make them fight against God Himself?

We know that God is all powerful, that He created all things. So why would they decide to enter a war that could not be won by power? They must have known something about God perhaps. It is quite possible that they knew enough about God that they were confident that God would play fair. God would keep to the rules of the Universe that He has created. So they knew that this war must be over opinions rather than power. All the worlds of the Universe might have to decide who is right in this war.

It is also possible, that because Satan is the source of evil in the Universe, that he and his new followers just became so selfish that they lost all sense of reason when they started demanding things of God. They knew that God would play by the rules even when they broke the rules. They probably thought they could take advantage of God.

What is happening with Job and the behind-the scenes battle is clearly part of the war that Satan started when he was initially in heaven. Since then Satan and his angels are now kicked out of heaven and they are reduced to fighting a war involving the planet earth.

Let's continue the story of Job to see how it ends out. Pay special attention to what happens in this story because it has special relevance to what happens to the 144,000!

A second meeting of the sons of God with God is described in Job chapter two. Again the same issues are brought up but with slightly different specifics in the arguments. Satan failed the first time around to change Job's allegiance from God to himself. So this time he is calling fowl. He still claims the Earth as his and he wants even more power in trying to force Job to obey him. Read the account and see what happens.

1. Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
2. And the LORD said to Satan, From where do you come? So Satan answered the LORD and said, From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.
3. Then the LORD said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.
4. So Satan answered the LORD and said, Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.
5. But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!
6. And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.
7. So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. Job 2:1-7.

We can see from the actual text that Satan still claims the Earth. It seems that Satan believes that if all people were under his control then the Earth would rightfully belong to him! There also seems to be some truth to Satan's claim since God counters Satan on the very level that Satan is thinking on.

It seems that these meetings are a regular event and here, God counters Satan's claim by pointing to Job which Satan was unable to control. God adds to what He said before by stating: he still holds to his integrity. But God repeats what He said before: He calls him, His servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil. This could very well indicate that Job was the only one who followed God fully during that time.

Also very interesting to note, we see that God takes the blame! He doesn't say that Satan is moving to destroy Job but He says that you have moved me against him, to destroy him.

So, Satan asks for more power and he suggests to God that there is a limit to Job's loyalty. If Job was afflicted with pain on his body, he will curse You to Your face! This is really the ultimate question. Will Job continue to fear or reverence God even when it threatens his life?

This is the same question that Daniel and his three friends faced. Was Daniel still willing to pray to God at his open window facing Jerusalem; Even if it meant his death (Daniel 6)? What about his three friends; Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah? They faced King Nebuchadnezzar and said that they will not serve his gods, nor will they worship the gold image that he set up! The king had already told them that they would be thrown into the flames if they would not bow down. But they stood their ground anyway (Daniel 3).

To them it was more important to serve God then whether they would face death or not. To me, these are moving and amazing stories and I must ask the question: I wonder how you or I would act if we were faced with the same decision?

Daniel and his three friends were just like Job. They kept their integrity toward God even when facing death. Daniel and his friends were actually willing to die rather than to worship another god.

If the story of Job actually shows the conflict happening behind the scenes, then we can know that Satan definitely had a central role in the conflict against Daniel and his three friends. Also, we now understand that Satan has to have fought for the privilege of threatening their lives. He just can't come and destroy us, he must first ask for permission for whatever he does against us.

Normally God places a hedge around His people. He protects those who fear Him and are loyal to Him:

7. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Psalm 34:7

God has angels around those who fear Him. And God delivers them out of trouble. Because God is always looking to protect and lead those whose heart is loyal to Him!

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 (first part)

Satan would never have been able to attack Job unless he first accused Job before God. He said that Job would not remain faithful if he ever faced real hardship.

10. "Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land".
11. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. Job 1:10-11

The story of Job not only tells us how Satan operates but it also shows what his limitations are. He can't do anything without God's permission. In addition, we now have a better idea why he does what he does. He is contending for ownership of the Earth. In order for him to win the rights to our planet he must control all the people on the earth!

Satan is called the deceiver of the world. But he has had to continually accuse God's people so he could attain the permission to attack them.

9. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:9-10

This is an amazing point to consider. Down through the history of this world, Satan has been constantly accusing God's people before God. He is the accuser of the brethren! And this is an amazing verse because it helps to confirm that the story of Job, with all it's behind-the-scenes information, is actually a reality. Satan really does go before God to accuse God's people day and night! And it sounds like this has been happening ever since sin entered the world.

In Revelation 13 where the Mark of the Beast is introduced, we see that in the last days God is going to allow Satan to do what he has always wanted to do. He will be given more liberty than he has ever had before, to try to force the righteous to become wicked. A strong statement, but look at this:

4. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
5. And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
6. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
7. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
Revelation 13:4-7

So, a behind-the-scene event happened, just like in the story of Job. God has given Satan the authority to persecute the saints, the 144,000. Thus Satan is able to give that authority to the beast and for 42 months it is able to make war with the saints and overcome them. And this beast will have authority over the whole Earth!

Apparently this is not good enough. Satan is not getting what he wants, so he now uses a second beast. This second beast gives breath to the image of the beast through an amazing miracle. In the process, this second beast will cause all who will not worship the image to be killed.

15. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. Revelation 13:15

In Daniel, we find the same thing depicted at the end of time. The beast will persecute God's people and this will occur three and a half times which is 42 months or three and a half years.

25. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. Daniel 7:25

This beast will make war against God's saints and will prevail or triumph over them.

21. "I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, Daniel 7:21

It is only when the power of God's people is completely shattered that God will bring this time of trouble to a finish.

7. Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. Daniel 12:7

So, for three and a half years, Satan will be allowed to try to force God's people to break with God and to follow him. He will make war and overcome them. Persecuting to the point of killing them. He will prevail against them until the power of God's people is completely broken.

Satan has been accusing God's people constantly before God trying to promote his cause. But now Satan has been kicked out of heaven for the last time. Thus he now knows that his remaining time is almost finished. But, Satan is now aided with a special freedom to try to forward his cause to get all to follow him. So with an intense hatred, he comes back to the earth to attack God's people.

12. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time. Revelation 12:12

Satan's attention becomes centered on God's people because, just as Job who became the center of attention because his presence and his devotion to God became the primary focus of the battle between God and Satan. So, in the last days, the righteous, the 144,000 will also become the center of attention because they hold to their integrity toward God. They are the ones who keep God's commandment and they also have the testimony of Jesus Christ!

17. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17.

Job was hit with the destruction of his family and then he was faced physical torture because of the sores; It was a hard battle but Job did not fail. He stayed true to God no matter what happened.

God's people will also face persecution and they will rather die than to go against God.

11. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:11

Thus, Satan's cause is lost. Just as he lost in Job's time, he will lose in the end.

Let's expand our view for a moment. While Satan is persecuting God's people on earth something different is beginning to happen in heaven:

21. I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them,
22. until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. Daniel 7:21-22

God, the Ancient of Days makes a judgment in favor of God's people that they will possess the Kingdom of God. In the next text, we find that there is actually a court session in heaven.

9. "I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire;
10. A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened. Daniel 7:9-10

Everything is put in place, and God the Ancient of Days is seated. Thus the court in heaven is started and the books are opened. We might ask: What books are these that are opened?

7. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
8. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:7-8

Here's the clue. The beast will force the whole world to worship him. But he can only get those who's names are not in the Book of Life of the Lamb! When God judges the people of the world, it is the Lamb's book of life that He uses to judge us.

27. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Revelation 21:27

It is only those who's name is in the Lamb's Book of Life that will inhabit the New Jerusalem! These are the people of God who will inherit the Kingdom of God.

It is at this time that Satan is also judged. Even while Satan is speaking pompous words against the Most High, the court of heaven is seated and it is decided at that time to take Satan's kingdom away from him. Satan will eventually be destroyed forever.

25. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.
26. But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever. Daniel 7:25-26

The time that Jesus will rule the earth (the kingdoms of this world) will not occur until the Seventh Trumpet sounds.

15. 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, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18. 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, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. Revelation 11:15-18

It will not be until the Seventh Trumpet sounds that the Kingdom of God will also include the kingdoms of this world, in other words, the earth. At that time, Jesus will reign for ever and ever and all the angels of heaven will rejoice because Jesus has taken His great power and has finally began to reign.

Let's backtrack a little. We can see that the 144,000 will take their stand at the very time when Judgement in Heaven occurs. But now we need to study the 144,000 to find out more about them. After all, if we are truly living at the time of the end, we might want to become one of them. We might wonder what it takes to be in that number.

There will actually be two groups at the end of time. Now, we have already seen that, at the very end, there will only be the 144,000 left. However, before that happens, there will be other righteous people who will give up their life for God. They will be martyrs. They will stand for what is right.

We have already seen that Satan will be allowed to kill some of God's people:

15. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. Revelation 13:15

Satan will have authority over every tribe, tongue, and nation of the earth to make war against God's people. There are some he will overcome:

7. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. Revelation 13:7

Some will do wickedly, but God's people will be strong and do great things. However many will fall by sword and flame etc.

32. "Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.
33. "And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. Daniel 11:32-33

However, not all of God's people will be killed. When Jesus comes there will be some who are yet alive at that time. That means they survived through the whole time of the end!

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

We can see that some will be yet alive when Jesus comes. When Jesus comes, those who have died will be called up from their graves first. Then all those in Jesus that are still alive, the 144,000 at the end, will be caught up in the air to be with the others. And they will ever be with the Lord from that point onward.

So the 144,000 will live through to the end but others who are righteous will be killed. Now these people who have been killed are not cursed of God. Jesus said that they would receive a special blessing:

10. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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 5:10-12

Do you realize that when the early Christians were taken to the arena to be fed to the lions in Rome that they actually sang as they went. The Roman officials could not make any sense of it. And when the people in that colosseum saw how the Christians died there were actually more converts than there were of those who died. They saw something in these Christians that changed their lives.

I believe that those who die in the last days will be a special witness for God. And they will receive a great reward in heaven. Have you seen this text?

13. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." Revelation 14:13

These people will be a special witness and people will be saved as a result of their witness at their death. So, their works will follow them and they can rest from their labors. God tells them they can rest in the grave, "your chambers", until the indignation is past because the Lord will come out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth.

20. Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past.
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 26:20-21

This is the time when the Lord comes out of His place to punish the earth. For the remaining righteous, the 144,000, as we will see, it is the time of Jacob's trouble.

Eventually the four angels will release the winds of the earth. But before this happens, when the four angels are just about ready to let go; Another angel comes and cries out that they are not to let go until the 144,000 are fully sealed:

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

There is an additional reason why the 144,000 must be ready and sealed before this time comes. There will come a time when probation will actually close. This is when everyone will have decided what they want to do; Either to follow God and be righteous and holy; Or to follow Satan and be unjust and filthy:

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

Once every case is decided there is no longer any need to die as a martyr. There is no further need of a witness that someone may be convicted to follow God.

So, before this happens, the righteous must be ready and completely sealed when probation closes.

5. Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me. Isaiah 27:5

They must be fully settled in their own mind that they will follow God no matter what happens. In addition, they will have learned to trust in God and to be able to ask God for help at all times.

10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Revelation 3:10

God's people are going to be tried just as Job was tried. But God will make the 144,000 strong just as He made Job strong to meet that temptation.

It is when Michael stands and that there will be a time of trouble such as never was before!

1. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. Daniel 12:1

Once the trouble is over then God's people will be delivered. These are the ones who's names are in the Lamb's book of life.

This time of trouble will be a time of trembling, and all faces are turned into paleness. It is the time of Jacob's trouble. But the righteous will be saved out of it.

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

The 144,000 will wrestle with God in the time of Trouble. They will not give up and they, like Jacob will cry out: I will not let You go unless You bless me!

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.
26. And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"
27. So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob."
28. And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have 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 32:24-30

In the end, the 144,000 will be saved out of it because they will have struggled with God and they will prevail. Thus, they will be preserved during this time.

What does the Bible say about the righteous at the end, the 144,000?

4. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. Revelation 9:4

John, who wrote Revelation, says they have the seal of God on their foreheads. The location is important. It shows that the righteous are fully decided in following God. Naturally God wants us to follow and obey Him from our heart. He wants us to obey Him because we love Him and thus His law is actually written up in our minds.

11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

Satan works differently. The mark can be on the forehead or it can be placed on the hand as well:

16. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, Revelation 13:16

In Satan's kingdom, he will try to make you want the things of sin. But if he can't get you to obey him voluntarily then he will force your hand. He will threaten you with the pain of death.

There will be some people who know that to take the mark is against God but they themselves are not fully decided themselves. They would like to think of themselves as Christians but when it comes down to actually facing the cold reality of death, they will take the Mark anyway. The temptation will be too much for them.

20. "even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their own righteousness." Ezekiel 14:20

Each one of us must know God for ourselves. If we don't know God ourselves we will not have the power to resist Satan's temptations. It is only when we hide God's word in our heart that we will have the ability not to sin against God. So, we can't depend upon our closest friends or even our minister. Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were alive today, they would not be able to save us. Each person can only deliver themselves by their righteousness. Thus each of the 144,000 will only be able to save themselves because they are the ones who have a close connection with their maker. They have chosen to obey God fully because they are closely connected with God.

It is important to realize that the 144,000 will not be saved by their own righteousness but Christ's righteousness.

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

We are filled with the righteousness of Christ!

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

Thus, when we are saved by our own righteousness, it is really the righteousness of Christ which is in us. We are changed by Christ!

Here's another important point. These next few verses show how God's people will depend upon God for their protection and not by taking up arms.

8. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9. If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
10. He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Revelation 13:8-10

The wicked will take the mark because they will know that it is death to refuse. But what about the righteous? A special point is made and it essentially is saying: Are you listening? "If anyone has an ear, let him hear." This is a clue that what is to follow is extremely important. If we lead into captivity, we will go into captivity. If we try to kill anyone with the sword, we must then be killed with the sword. Thus it looks like it will be a time that we are to utterly trust in the Lord!

If we are not to fight back then we better have strong patience and faith. And that is exactly what the scripture says: "Here is the patience and the faith of the saints."

So, if the 144,000 are not to physically fight the enemy, how are they to win the battle?

11. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:11

They will overcome Satan and the whole Mark system by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. Yes they will suffer persecution but they will not love their lives to the death. They would rather die than to go against God and His instructions. That is how they overcome Satan.

The Bible specifically shows what the 144,000 will do in the last days.

12. Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12

They will have patience given to them by God and their highest desire is for their God. Thus, they will keep God's commandments even if it means death and torture. They really do have the faith of Jesus and it is their love for God that sustains them. All the while, they are attended to by God and His holy angels but they will probably not know it.

This is what makes Satan so angry because they are keeping the commandments of God rather than to obey him.

17. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17

It is easy to understand what keeping the commandments of God really means but what does it mean to have the testimony of Jesus Christ?

10. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10

There are two times when John was overwhelmed and he fell at his feet to worship the angel that was helping him. But the angel said not to do that because he was a fellow servant and of thy brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. He then identified what this means. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

God's people will have the gift of prophecy at the time of the end.

16. "But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17. 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.
18. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. Acts 2:16-18

This is good to know that God will be communicating with His people in a special way. His Spirit will be on His people and they will prophesy and see visions in the last days.

However, we also know that Satan will be communicating with his followers as well. So the wicked can talk to evil spirits. How can we tell the difference? This is a serious question because we know that Satan is always trying to destroy us!

8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8

So, both the wicked and the righteous will see miracles! We are told not to despise prophesying. But we are to prove all things, and to hold fast that which is good because Satan will try to deceive us to believe lies. Thus, it is absolutely important that we prove all things from the Bible!

19. Quench not the Spirit.
20. Despise not prophesyings.
21. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22. Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

So, we must prove all things. That means we must know our Bible so that we can tell the truth from error. It is to the law and to the testimony. (The word and testimony of the prophets. Thus it is the Bible we must compare all present day prophesying to.) And if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

19. And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
20. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isaiah 8:19-20

So, God's people will keep the commandments of God and they will have the testimony of Jesus, the spirit of prophecy. Which means we will have Christ's help. Remember, Jesus said that He personally would be with His people till the end.

20. "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28:20

So, all the blessing Jesus has given His church (the people of God) will be given to the righteous at the end.

When Jesus was on earth, it was safe for those who met Jesus to have faith in His miracles. He came with signs and wonders that they might believe Him.

22. "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-- Acts 2:22

But we must remember that in the last days Satan will be given his day. He will be given the chance and the power to try to win even the righteous to his side:

5. And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
6. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
7. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
Revelation 13:4-7

As we saw earlier, Satan will receive permission from God so that he will be able to do things that he could not do before.

So, in the last days, not only will the Righteous show signs and miracles; But Satan will also show signs and miracles. In the last days, Satan will be given his chance to get everyone to worship him. So, he will be allowed to do things he could not do before.

During this time demons will come out and perform signs. They will not only appear before the kings of the earth but also to the whole world. Their job is to unify everyone against God so that they might think to battle against Him in that great day.

13. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Revelation 16:13-14

But a lawless one will come with all power, signs, and lying wonders. He will use the power of Satan to try to deceive the world.

9. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 2 Thessalonians 2:9

Satan himself will appear as an angel of light. He will try to masquerade as Jesus.

14. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14

The second beast of Revelation 13 will also perform great miracles. He will make fire come down from heaven and the world will see it happen. He will also form an image of the beast and cause it to start breathing and to start speaking!

13. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
14. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
15. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. Revelation 13:13-15

So, it is no wonder that when Jesus starts talking about the last days that He starts warning His followers that Satan will try to deceive them. Jesus said that false christs and false prophets will come and make miracles so that they can deceive everyone in the world. Jesus said that He was telling this beforehand so that they, and us as well, can know for sure what is to happen.

23. "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.
24. "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
25. "See, I have told you beforehand.
26. "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms! (or secret chambers!)' do not believe it. Matthew 24:23-26

Now why do people get deceived? It is because they do not love the truth. They do not search the Bible out to see if something is really true. In the end, people will be lost because they listened to their friends and they really love unrighteousness.

9. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10. and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12. that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

So, it is clear that Satan is going to try to deceive the whole world with lying miracles and with great signs and wonders. And they will very definitely use these miracles as an evidence that this is the leading of God. This is Satan's trap because his miracles give a lying report.

Now essentially the whole world is "a sitting duck" for this lie. Because virtually everyone has the idea that miracles show God's leading. They forget that Satan can also work miracles. Great miracles will happen in the future and the world will follow these miracles. They will believe the lie.

Now, the righteous will also have miracles as well and these miracles will help to promote the work of the church in the last days. However, they will not use them as evidences of God's leading. They will not use the miracles as proof. The real indicator is that the miracles will point to the truth that is found in the Bible. It is the Bible that will show who is following God and who is not following God! We must have a love for the truth.

Now what should we do if we see a miracle and they tell us to follow familiar spirits or something else?

19. And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
20. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isaiah 8:19-20

God's people, the 144,000, will be followers of the Word of God. While God's people will experience special help from God, they are not to use miracles as the basis for believing that God is leading. At all times the Scriptures will be used to determine whether a miracle is from God or from Satan.

In the last days, Satan will tell you to worship some other god. That god is him. But the real God says this is a test to see whether you will love and follow the truth of the Lord with all your heart.

1. "If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder,
2. "and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods' --which you have not known--'and let us serve them,'
3. "you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
4. "You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. Deuteronomy 13:1-4

Thus, we must walk after our God only to fear (The word "fear" means "to respect") Him. Thus we will keep His commandments and obey His voice.

This point will be extremely important in the future because in the last days there will be important religious leaders who will try to get all people to do things that are totally opposite from what the Bible tells us to do. This is of course prophesied in the Bible that Satan will do this very thing.

So, if we are to be of the 144,000, we must follow what God has told us to do rather than what men tells us to do!

Even an angel made it a special point to say that God's people must keep the words of the Bible. This is the other time that an overwhelmed John tried to worship an angel:

8. Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
9. Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." Revelation 22:8-9

Because they keep the words of the Bible, the 144,000 will not even think to worship any other person except God. But more specifically, God's people will be keeping God's Commandments and it those who will have the right to the tree of life in heaven:

14. Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14

John, who had seen all the visions that led to the writing of Revelation, then wrote first, second and third John. It was after he had seen more then virtually anyone else on what is to happen behind the scenes, that he says the keeping of God's commandments is actually the sign that shows one's connection to God. Their obedience shows that God's love is perfected in them. So, the keeping of the commandments is how we can know we are in Him, that we are truly Christians:

3. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
6. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1 John 2:3-6

So, if we have a good relationship and a close connection with God, we will keep His commandments. In fact, this is how we can know that we are in Him; It is when we keep His word that we can honestly realize that we know Him. It is because our obedience is God's love perfected in us.

John doesn't say this important truth just once but he says it quite a few times. We show that we have the love of God when we keep His commandments.

2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
3. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 2 John 5:2-3

It is important to realize that to the 144,000, keeping God's commandments is not a burdensome thing. But rather it is an obedience of love because of how much Jesus had done for them.

Most people do not believe that the ten Commandments are important today. But if it weren't important; Why will Satan try to force everyone to break the Ten Commandments at the end of time? The very commands that Satan is trying to force the world to break, is part of the Ten Commandments of God!

There are ten commandments but let's just look at the first four commandments because they specify our devotion and worship toward God.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.

2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

   Exodus 20:3-11.

Now let's look at the specific ways that Satan will try to get all the world to worship him. This involves the Mark of the Beast.

4. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"

12. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

15. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
16. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,
17. and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Revelation 13:4,12,16-17

So Satan would have the world worship Him, the dragon, and to worship the beast. In addition Satan would have the people worship the image to the beast and also to receive the Mark which is the name or number of the beast. This is a signal that they are owned by the beast and that they worship the beast.

So, Satan is making the people break the first commandment that: You shall have no other gods before Me. In addition Satan is making the people break the second commandment as well because they are bowing and worshipping the image to the beast: You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything. Also: you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.

There is one more thing which seems to be a very big issue. We see that the wicked will all receive the Mark of the Beast but all the righteous will receive the Seal of God. What is this really talking about? It seems to be a really serious issue because the worse curse of all the Bible is given to those who have the Mark of the Beast! (Revelation 14:9-11)

God has a seal to give to His servants and He places this seal on their foreheads.

This sealing is so important that God tells the four angels to keep holding back the winds of strife until all of God's servants are sealed. God's people must be fully settled in their allegiance to God that they cannot be moved before the evil of the last days is to erupt upon the earth.

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." Revelation 7:1-3

The seal of the living God is given to the servants of God on their foreheads. But, who is the living God?

15. He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16. Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17. Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:16

Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God

9. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
10. and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

The true and living God has a Son who is Jesus Christ. He is the one we are still waiting for to come from heaven (the second coming). So, when we put the verses together, we are reminded that it is the true and living God who is the owner of the Seal. That must mean that the Seal must belong to the Father.

We have confirmation in Revelation 14:

1. Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. Revelation 14:1

It is actually the Father's name written on the foreheads of the 144,000.

There is only one way to receive the Father's name on the forehead. It is by Jesus Christ:

6. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

The Son is the only way to the Father. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ! So, it is only through the Son of God that we can receive the Father's name on our forehead, to receive the Seal of the living God.

37. Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' Matthew 22:37

We are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. To love with all our mind means with all our understanding. Thus we are to be true worshipers of the Father with understanding. We will worship Him in spirit and truth.

23. "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. John 4:23

This means not only with our actions and spirit, but with our thoughts we are to worship God. We are to have a proper understanding of God. The 144,000 will love Him and think about Him. It is with their thoughts and understanding that they will honor God.

The place where the seal is placed on the 144,000 is important as well. This seal is placed on their foreheads. Thus the thoughts of God would be their thoughts.

Is there a commandment that actually deals with our thoughts? It seems to be designed to aid the righteous in their thoughts of God.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Exodus 20:8-11.

This is the one commandment that says we are to remember. So, right away we are told to remember the Sabbath day. It is to guide our thinking processes toward God.

It tells us to remember the Sabbath day and that we are not to do any of our work on that day. But we are to think on God of all the things He has done for us. This is a commandment that deals with the mind and the Sabbath day can help us to think and study who God is. Why would God be so different from all the other gods that people worship on the earth?

As it turns out, the fourth commandment of the Bible is the only commandment that actually tells us who God is! This is the God who has created all things in six days and He rested the seventh day. There is none other like Him!

5. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
6. That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:5-6

He is the true God and the living God and there is no one else!

10. But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
11. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
12. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. Jeremiah 10:10-12

God is the true God who has made the earth and us (and everything else) by his power. All the other so called gods who have not made the heavens and the earth will eventually perish.

Thus, the Lord is the true God who has made the heavens and the earth and it the Sabbath that helps us to remember that He indeed is our Creator and that we are to remember Him often.

On earth, we find that there are certain essentials that an official seal must have. 1) They must indicate the Name of the lawgiver. 2) They must indicate his authority, his official position. 3) They must indicate his kingdom.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Exodus 20:8-11.

In the fourth commandment we find all three essential elements. 1) He is the Lord or Yahweh. 2) He is the Creator of all things. 3) He rules over Heaven and Earth.

Thus, the Sabbath has all the needed elements of the seal of God. So, do we have any additional evidence showing that the seal of God involves the Sabbath?

The Sabbath is to be a perpetual covenant between God and His people. It is even stated by God to be a sign between God and His people.

16. 'Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.
17. 'It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.'" Exodus 31:16-17

If the Sabbath is a sign between God and God's people, it must be extremely important. Indeed it is because it points to God's great creative acts.

The Sabbath is the great sign of God's creative power. It is because He actually created the earth in six days that we are to worship Him on the seventh day. So, the weekly cycle is directly connected with the original creation of the earth. This also means, the Sabbath is connected with Creation Week and it must be the last day of each week; as it has been since the beginning.

2. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
3. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Genesis 2:2-3

It is evident, as each Sabbath comes, that God had designed it so we would realize that He actually is the Lord, our God. And it is He who has created us. Thus, He created all things and then rested on the Sabbath, the seventh day.

The Sabbath is that special day which the Lord has made to help us remember who He is and what He stands for. Thus we are to hallow His Sabbaths because He has asked us to hallow it. They will be a sign between Him and us. When we do this we will be able to know that He is the Lord our God.

20. 'hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.' Ezekiel 20:20

The 144,000 will keep all of God's commandments. Especially will they hallow His Sabbaths because it points directly to God and no one else! It is a sign between God and His people.

12. Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12

If God has blessed the Sabbath and made it a part of the week to connect it with our Creation and our Creator; How or why would the 144,000 ever want to change the Sabbath to a different day? They would not. They understand the wisdom God had in setting up a special day that points to Him as the creator of all things. We live in a world that has forgotten God and they do not obey His commandments.

But God's people, the 144,000, are reminded every week that this is the day that God has blessed! The Sabbath day is there to help us to remember that God is our Creator and that He has made everything in six days. The day is specifically connected to the day that God himself rested on. So, He sanctified it as well.

12. "Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them. Ezekiel 20:12

God has given us His Seventh-day Sabbath for a specific reason. It is a sign between Him and His people. He gave us the Sabbath so that we might know that it is the Lord God who sanctifies us and no one else.

It is Satan who wants to change the day of the Sabbath because he does not want people to know God as the creator of all things.

We have already seen that the Seal of God has essential elements, such as the name of God, that He created all things and that he rules over Heaven and Earth. We have also seen that the Sabbath has all these same essential elements and that it is a sign between God and His people.

8. "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." Matthew 12:8

So, if I worship God and Keep His Sabbath holy I would be accepting God's seal of authority. This is why God's Seventh-day Sabbath is a sign between us and God. It is His seal of authority because He created the heavens and the earth and rested on the seventh day.

16. 'Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.
17. 'It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.'" Exodus 31:16-17

Now, what is Satan trying to attack in the kingdom of heaven? It is the authority of Jesus Christ that he is attacking. Since the Sabbath is His symbol of His authority, Satan will have no option but to attack the Sabbath. He will have to place something in its place:

So, what does Satan use in place of God's seal? Well, the Bible suggests that it is the Mark of the Beast that Satan uses to stands for him.

16. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,
17. and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Revelation 13:16-17

The Mark stands for the name of the beast and it is also the number of his name. Thus it must mean that those who have the mark, must belong to the beast; Just as the Seal of God and the Sabbath is a sign that God's people belong to God.

1. And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. Revelation 13:1

The name of the beast includes blasphemy. The beast will try to take the place of God on earth and that is blasphemy! Virtually all people, who should be depending upon God for their salvation, will instead listen to the Beast, thinking that they might be saved an easier way by following the beast. They will believe the lies that the Beast makes. So, the actual work of the beast is that of blasphemy!

14. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. Revelation 13:14

Satan is going to deceive the whole world by signs, which means miracles. Now it is one thing to convince those who are religious to worship. But what about the atheist? What would it take for them to be convinced?

Most in the world have no defense against miracles. If a miracle occurs, most believe it must be from God. Very few are willing to reason that Satan is able to conduct miracles. However, we have seen that Satan has been given permission to do things he could not do before. So, he will be able to deceive people with his miracles in the last days.

23. "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.
24. "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
25. "See, I have told you beforehand.
26. "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look,He is in the inner rooms! (or secret chambers!)' do not believe it. Matthew 24:23-26

This deception is really about worship. Those who worship the beast or the image to the beast are the ones who will receive the wrath of God. These are the ones who believe the deceptions of the beast, or they cave in to the persecution. (We must have the power and spiritual strength that Christ promises to combat the temptation!) The Beast is blasphemous because it wants to take the place of God on earth! It wants all to worship itself and to have people take the mark.

9. Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,
10. "he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. Revelation 14:9-10

In addition, we see that those who also have the mark of this beast will also receive God's wrath. So, this description must mean that they have given themselves to the beast. They are the ones who worship the beast so they can have the mark thus allowing them to buy and sell.

Thus, having the Mark is that sign between Satan and his people just as the Seal of God and His Sabbath is the sign between God and His people.

If God says that the Sabbath will be something that will always be a sign between Him and His people; That must mean that Satan will do something else as a sign. He will not have his people, who are in apostasy, to follow God's commandments.

So what is it that Satan has done that goes against the commandments of God and most specially against the Sabbath that he can use as a sign?

Satan will deceive the whole world. And it will result in a war over worship that will blanket the earth in the last days.

14. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. Joel 3:14

The whole world will be in the valley of decision. What will they choose? Will they choose life with God, or will they choose death with Satan and the Beast? Once they all make their decisions on who to follow, then the Day of the Lord will come. This is the beginning of Judgement. But Satan will not make it easy to choose the right way.

9. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10. and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

Satan will use heavy deception. He will use signs and lying wonders to fool the whole world. The wicked will fall for Satan's lies because they have not received the love of the truth! They don't relish the truth and they don't want to know the truth either. But rather they will try something that they think will be easier and they will probably hope that it will work to save them. Paul did something similar when he persecuted the early church:

4. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6. So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." Acts 9:4-6

Saul who had been persecuting the church apparently had some second thoughts about those who followed Christ. He was probably troubled by the way Stephen died. But he put it out of his mind until Jesus forced him to think about it.

Just like Saul, some of the wicked at the time of the end will probably have second thoughts. There might be something in the back of their mind to trouble them because they may not be fully convinced. However, because they do not have the love of the truth, they will accept the easy way.

Now, there is something interesting in these next two Scripture from Isaiah and Revelation. There was a group of Jews who were not fully following God and these verses talk about them. However, these verses also apply to the time of the end. So we can say: There will be a people at the end of time who will speak and act as if they were God's people. However, God will command God's people to cry aloud and spare not and to tell these people their transgression and their sins!

Much of the world will say that they are Christians. However, God will cry out because of their sins. They are doing all sorts of things that they know is wrong but they do them anyway. Now, at the same time, these people may even like going to church every week, so they think of themselves as Christians.

Thus, they say they are Christian and they act like they are Christian on the outside; But, in reality they actually follow Satan the adversary. They say they are Christians and they may even go to church. But they do not love the truth of God.

This shows the level at which they have been deceived by Satan. Satan will have these people think they are doing what is right.

1. "Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.
2. Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God. Isaiah 58:1-2

Here, God is telling the prophets to lift up their voices like a trumpet and to tell my people their transgression and sins. Yet, at the same time, the people are acting like they delight to know God's ways. They are acting as if they were righteous because they believe they are righteous. They act as if they never did forsake the ordinance of God. But the reality is that they continue to break the commandments of God.

In the past, there were those of the synagogue of Satan who said they were Jews. But they were not true spiritual Jews because they lied. Now, in the last days, virtually the whole world will be of the synagogue of Satan and many will say and believe that they are Christians but they are not. Only the 144,000, those who fully obey the Lord, will be called His chosen people. These are those who have been diligent students of God's word and they are the ones who have received a love for the truth.

9. "Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10. "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:9-10

The 144,000 will follow the commandments of God and they will persevere in following God. So, God will keep the righteous from the hour of trial, meaning He will help them to resist the temptations that Satan will try to bring upon the whole world. Thus, this will be a test for all people living on the earth. But the righteous will not fail.

At some point in time, probably when the realities of Jesus' soon coming hits the wicked, the synagogue of Satan might choose to worship at the feet of the righteous. (verse 9 above) This is not true worship. They will grovel in abject terror at the feet of the 144,000 crying for mercy. They will know that God had loved His righteous people. But the wicked stand condemned.

22. "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
23. "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
24. "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:22-24

This was part of a prayer that Jesus gave that God's people, especially those yet to come, would be given glory and that they could be with Jesus. Thus, it will be very apparient to the wicked that God has loved His righteous people.

In the past, this next prophecy could have happened, that 10 men would grab onto a Jewish man saying "let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you". Of course, they would do that because they would think to benefit by being in close union with one who God is with.

23. "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."'" Zechariah 8:23

However, in the very last days, there will come a time when probation will cease.

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

Before probation, the whole world will be warned as described in Revelation 14. But after that final warning and following the end of our probation, then God's people will no longer try to teach people of God's love. They will no longer try to reach people with the good news of God's salvation through Jesus. At that time there will then be a famine of the teaching of God's Word because it will then forever be too late to come to God!

11. "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD". Amos 8:11

We must come to God now while there is still time!

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

But at that time, at the end, it will be too late and when Jesus actually comes, the wicked will hide in the caves, anywhere to escape from seeing the face of Jesus as He comes!

15. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,
16. and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
17. "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" Revelation 6:15-17

God will test all those on the earth. But, the 144,000 will be shielded from the powerful delusions that Satan has placed on the world. The whole world will be captive to Satan's lies. But the 144,000, because they love the truth, they will be kept from the hour of trial. God will educated His people through the Word of God so they will not fall. The simple truth of the matter is that the testimony in the Bible detects Satan's lies in his disguise. We only need to study God's word with His help, and to follow it fully with His help, to not be led astray.

We have seen that the fourth Commandment is a perpetual covenant between God and His people. It is actually a sign between God and His people that God desires.

16. 'Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.
17. 'It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.'" Exodus 31:16-17

The fourth Commandment was also made so that we would know that the Lord is our God. God wants us to have that knowledge of Him and this is why it will be a sign between us. It is something that brings us together in a closer way.

20. 'hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.' Ezekiel 20:20

On that day we are to think on God. So this is the commandment that deals with our mind. The Sabbath is connected in time to the weekly cycle since it is the 7th day, But its real significance comes from the six days that God took to make heaven and earth! That is what God wants us to remember, we are to serve the God who has created all things in six days. So He rested the seventh day and He asked us to hallow that same special day as the Sabbath.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Exodus 20:8-11.

It is the one commandment that deals with our thoughts and it begins with the word "remember". We are to remember who He is and all that He means to us with all its ramifications.

What kind of a God do we serve that is all powerful and can speak galaxies into existence with a spoken word. Yet He so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son that we might live and not die; That He cares for us?

These are the enjoyable thoughts the 144,000 will have. The 144,000 will be keeping God's special Sabbath day since they keep all the commandments of God. This is also why Satan is so angry with the 144,000.

17. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17.

But the rest of the world already keeps another day. There is no love of the truth that would draw people to be looking for the truth about the Sabbath or any other of the commandments that they don't want to keep. Instead we find wide-spread deception. People are satisfied with tradition and they are also drawn toward tradition. But what if they were to find out that it is actually Satan's counterfeit instead?

We must make sure that we are really following Christ in what we do by becoming diligent students of God's Word. We must have that love for the truth. Because, virtually the whole Christian world worships on a day that God has never blessed and they also break the other commandments as well.

Even in places where there are virtually no Christians, Sunday is still the day that has been set aside. Could there be a reason for this wide-spread uniformity? Could it be that this is the day which is connected to the Mark of the Beast?

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. NOTE: This page is under Construction. Click on the link to the Left (A new window will appear).

The next link will lead you to the second part of the study on the 144,000.

God does not ask the impossible. What God does is that He enables us so that we can truly follow Him. Why is the 144,000 Righteous. Does God do something special for them? 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.

Many believe that there will be two groups of people that will live through to the time when Jesus comes. And the argument is mostly the same and it is based on Revelation 7. The 144,000 is a specific number while the Large Multitude is a number that is much too large for anyone to number. It sounds like a good argument. Yet we will find that much of the rest of the information about this Large Multitude that matches that of Revelation 14 which also describes the 144,000.

I remember Trump's inauguration. It was quite a crowd. The number could have been comparable to 144,000. Yet as I looked at the crowd, I realized that I could not count them by just looking at them. I might come up with an approximation. But not an actual number.

Even if we had all the people that have ever lived on this planet, we could still count them if we let them pass us one by one, etc. But I don't think John is thinking this way. I don't think that there is a number of people that we could not count if we were given the time. But as I already said, I don't think John was thinking that way. I believe the number of people was so large that no one, just by looking at them, could count them.

Thus, I believe 144,000 could easily fit under that description. In addition there is so much more of the rest of the large multitude description that matches that of the 144,000 in Revelation 14.

While the 144,000 are said to come from the 12 tribes of Israel, but the large multitude comes from all over the world. Galatians 3:29 says that if we are Christ's, we are Abraham's seed. Thus we are grafted into the various tribes of Israel.

29. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:29

So, if we become Abraham's seed, we will be grafted into the tribes of Israel.

17. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,
18. do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. Romans 11:17-18

The great multitude is said to come out of great tribulation. This great tribulation, could be none other that the great time of trouble.

1. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. Daniel 12:1

They will experience the great tribulation of the end of time, the time of trouble. Because of their experience and having washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, they will given special privileges in heaven.

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. Revelation 7:14-15

Therefore they are before the throne or seat of God and serve him day and night in God's temple in heaven.

This is a special group and it relates to the description of the 144,000 in Revelation 14:1-5

1. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his FatherŐs 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

So, they serve him day and night of Revelation 7 matches Rev 14 which describes them as being before the throne of God. They also follow Christ where ever He goes.

All this happens because the 144,000 are the firstfruits unto God and they were redeemed from among men!

I think the evidence is very strong for the large multitude being the 144,000.

I don't see any other group that lives until Jesus comes.

1. And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2. And 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 given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Daniel 7:1-3

There is a call that the four angels must hold the four winds until God's servants are sealed. Then starting with verse 4, we find out that the number of God's servants are 144,000. This is what all heaven is waiting for. So, I don't see any evidence that there is any other group that lives till the end, when Jesus comes.

I basically believe that all the others, the people of God, will have been martyred or killed and they will be raised up when Jesus comes:

1. 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:
2. 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 Thess 4:16-17

So, when Jesus comes, we see that the first thing that happens is that Jesus comes down first, then the dead in Christ will rise first, then we which are alive, (the 144,000) will be caught up together with them (those who were dead in Christ) in the clouds. And they will all meet the Lord in the air. And from that point in time they will always be with the Lord!