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Point 6.

What do the 144,000 accomplish that is so great?  They proclaim the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue and people during the seven trumpets.  Because they walk with God as Enoch did, these people reach a level of spiritual maturity above all other people.

These understand better than any others the sufferings and works of Christ. The highest honor God can bestow upon a Christian is to allow the Christian to enter into Christ’s suffering.  See II Corinthians 6:3-10, Mark 10:38,39.

What does spiritual maturity involve?  The 144,000 know what it means to live by faith as Jesus lived by faith.  These people know what complete and full submission to the will of God means. These would rather die than willfully commit a sin.  These carry the responsibility of the gospel during the judgment hour to a reeling world – a mission whom many people can’t understand.  These people are serious students of God’s Word.

These are recipients of the latter rain or outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  These are both a demonstration and proclamation of the character of Jesus.  These are the choice fruits of heaven’s harvest.  These might be thought of as 144,000 clones of the Apostle Paul!

When does this maturity occur? Before the first trumpet takes place. “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” Revelation 7:3 Since these people are yet to appear, and it is obvious the first trumpet has not sounded, it is self evident that the sealing of the 144,000 is taking place right now!  Jesus says, “My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.” Psalm 101:6

One last comment on the identity of the 144,000.  In Revelation 12, the story of the true church (represented by a women) and a terrible dragon is told. The woman wears a crown of 12 stars on her head.  From the Greek, we learn that these stars are set in a “stephanos” or crown of victory.  Stars symbolize messengers or angels and by applying the words of Daniel 12:3 to Revelation’s symbolism we find a very beautiful fit. “Those who are wise (or teachers) will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness like the stars for ever and ever.”  In other words, the crown of victory is set with 12 stars that represent the glorious triumph of the 12 tribes. The 144,000 are “stars” in every sense of the word!

Point 7.

Are 144,000 a literal number?  If the number is symbolic and does not represent a literal number of people, then the scripture must tell us the meaning of the symbol. Since no such description exists for any number in Revelation, we can feel free to regard the number as literal. Numbers are not symbolic in the Bible.  For example, in Revelation 17, John saw a beast having seven heads and ten horns.  The heads and the horns are symbolic – not the numbers!  The number 144,000 is a literal number.  The term “servants of God” suggests that these people will powerfully lead the proclamation of the everlasting gospel.  The work of the 144,000 will be to first gather “remnant 1” and then march into Babylon to gather “remnant 2.”

Bible Truth and Holy Spirit Power Manifested through 144,000

Two Witnesses control the 144,000

This brings us to the heart of Revelation’s story:  the Two Witnesses.  Who are they? How do they relate to the 144,000?

Notice the following comments from Revelation 11 about the Two Witnesses:

1. The Two Witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days in sackcloth. {V3}
2. These are the two olive trees and two lamp stands that stand before the Lord. {V4}
3. Anyone that tries to harm them must die by fire. {V5}
4. These men have the power to shut up the sky and prevent rain (during the 1,260 days) and the power to turn water to blood and strike the earth with any plague as often as they want. {V6}
5. After 1,260 days are ended, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them and kill them. {V7}
6. Their bodies lie in the street of the city called Sodom and Egypt, where Jesus was crucified. {V8}
7. The earth will rejoice that the Two Witnesses are dead. {V10}
8. After 3 ½ days they live again. {V11}
9. They ultimately go up to heaven in a cloud. {V12}

Revelation 11 is a chapter describing the two instruments God uses in the conclusion of the plan of salvation.  These two powerful instruments used together might be compared to a cutting torch. When oxygen and acetylene are mixed together, a hotter and more penetrating flame is obtained than using either gas alone.  God has always used these Two Witnesses to cut through the barrier of sin.  The Two Witnesses are brought into prominent focus in the final days of Earth because sin has almost destroyed the people of earth.  The distress caused by the trumpets is carefully designed to give credibility to the Two Witnesses.  They will offer salvation to all who want to be saved!

The Two Witnesses are:

1. The Bible (two lamp stands)
2. The Holy Spirit (the two olive trees producing the oil)

The Bible appeals to the intellect and the Holy Spirit appeals to the heart. It is through these cooperative agencies or “witnesses” that God works for the salvation of man. “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.” Hebrews 8:10

In Zechariah 4, we learn that God’s work on earth will be completed through the power of the Holy Spirit.  “’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ saith the Lord Almighty.”  Zechariah 4:6 In this same chapter, Zechariah saw a lamp stand with seven lights on it.  Pipes were connected to the lights from two olive trees that stood close by.

Golden oil from the olive trees flowed through the pipes enabling the lamp stand to burn continually.

Zechariah asked the meaning of what he saw and the angel said, “These (the lamp stands and the two olive trees providing oil) are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”  Zechariah 4:14

As mentioned above, Zechariah saw a lamp stand with seven lights.  John saw Jesus standing in the midst of the seven lamp stands in revelation 1:12.  In Revelation 11:4, John mentions two lamp stands standing before the Lord.  The harmony of these references might be explained by saying that Jesus was encircled by the seven lamp stands.  John sees two of the seven lamp stands in front of Jesus and describes the scene accordingly.

Some have suggested the two lamp stands represent the Old and New Testaments.  In any case, the Word of God contains light.  King David said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 The Apostle Paul says, “the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12

The Bible is an inspired witness revealing God’s love and beneficence for His creation. God necessarily inspires the Bible, for man is unable to understand God without divine revelation.  The Bible is still the world’s bestseller. The Bible is still the most widely translated book in the world.  Owning a Bible is still the hope of millions in third world countries.  As a book, the Bible has no equal its existence has endured the assaults of nations, dictators, infidels and skeptics, and yet its message and purpose remain unchanged.

The second witness or agency God uses to impress mankind is the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples at Pentecost and thousands of people believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and were baptized!  Jesus promised the power of the Holy Spirit to his disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:8

Cutting through prejudice, bias and ignorance, the Holy Spirit makes the Word of God more than a book of old manuscripts.  The Holy Spirit brings conviction, comfort and hope.  Jesus said, “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me…When He comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 15:26; 16:8

The combined testimony of these Two Witnesses is harmonious, truthful and winning.  When brought face to face with these Two Witnesses, like Pharaoh, man has to do one of two things.  Either he surrenders to the evidence of truth or hardens his heart. During the seven trumpets, every person will be brought face to face with these Two Witnesses in all their glory.  All will have the opportunity to hear the full gospel calling for the worship of Jesus.  Great power will attend those proclaiming the last message of salvation.  The Bible and the Holy Spirit will validate the truthfulness of their message.

One last point about the Holy Spirit must be made.  There is a sin that cannot be forgiven.  It is the sin of rejecting the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said, “every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.”  Matthew 12:31

How is it that God can forgive every sin except sin against the Holy Spirit?  It is only through the prompting of the Holy Spirit that we yield our lives to Jesus.  If we harden our hearts to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and refuse God’s call of salvation – we cannot be saved.  “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I Corinthians 2:14 God cannot save a rebellious person.  Sin is rebellion against God.  He is going to rid the universe of rebellion.  Sin will never appear again!

Some think the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11 to be the prophets Elijah and Moses. Hal Lindsey in his book, There’s a New World Coming, states on page 162 “Now who are the two witnesses going to be? I believe they will be Moses and Elijah!”  He appeals to Malachi 4:5 for support.  “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.”  Lindsey reasons that the physical person of Elijah must come to announce the coming of Jesus.

Remember our study in lesson 2 where the Jews interpreted the Elijah prophesy of Malachi as literal and their prophetic understanding, among other things led them to reject Messiah!  The prophecy of Malachi cannot be taken literally.  Jesus said to the disciples concerning John the Baptist, “And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.” Matthew 11:14 As a matter of fact, the angel told the father of John the Baptist that” he (John) will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:17

From scripture it is clear the Two Witnesses are not two literal men but rather two partners working for the salvation of mankind.  They are the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.  The 144,000 personify the Two Witnesses because they preach the message of salvation with the same power and spirit of Elijah!

Note:  The NIV translates the plural form of the pronoun “they” to say “men.” Verse 6 in the NIV reads, “These men have the power to shut up the sky…” The KJV reads, “These have the power to shut heaven, that it will not rain…” We cannot press either translation very hard for the KJV also differs from the NIV on the third angels’ message in Revelation 14:9.  The NIV says, “If anyone worships the beast…” and the KJV says, “If any man worships the beast…” Surely, the KJV is not suggesting that women can worship the beast!

144,000 Servants x 2 Witnesses = Enlightened World

With the identity of the Two Witnesses established, notice again what Revelation 11 says:

1. The Two Witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days in sackcloth. {V3}
2. These are the two olive trees and lamp stands that stand before the Lord. {V4)
3. Anyone that tries to harm them must die by fire. {V5}
4. These men have the power to shut up the sky and prevent rain (during the 1,260 days) and they have power to turn water to blood and strike the earth with any plague as often as they want. {V6}

The expression of the Two Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth describes a period of distress and calamity.  In Bible times, the renting or tearing of the clothes and wearing sackcloth often expressed great anguish.  Sackcloth is a course and disagreeable material to wear. So it is, the Two Witnesses do their final work on earth in a time of great distress.  People will be angry, frightened and cruel as Satan leads the world to focus their frustrations on God’s people.

Earlier in this chapter, we learned that the 144,000 are the spiritually elite or first fruits of the harvest of earth.  We know they are uniquely sealed prior to the opening of the fourth seal and the beginning of the seven trumpets.  We know they are without fault or blameless.  We know they sing a new song of experience that others can’t sing. John the Baptist was a representative of these people.  Just as he was filled with the Holy Spirit to prepare the Jews for the coming of Jesus at the first advent, these will be filled with the Holy Spirit to prepare the world for the coming of Jesus at the Second Advent!

God grants to the 144,000 the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in great abundance and with their knowledge of the scriptures they become the leaders of God’s cause on earth. The 144,000 have no equals.  Even though they come from different backgrounds and languages, even though they may not know each other, their message and lives are in perfect harmony.  Their source of knowledge and inspiration is the same!  Their work is both a proclamation and demonstration of God’s truth.

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