October 13, 2022

(continued from yesterday)

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 7:4

There is an “I heard” and “I saw” pattern in the apostle John’s account of the Revelation. At this point of his vision, he has not seen the last generation of the sealed, but only heard the number. But later, he sees an incalculable number of victorious saints standing before the throne (v.9)! This is the last generation of the saved, and the angel who is speaking to John identifies them: “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.” (v.14) Therefore, in answer to the question “who is able to stand?” (6:17), we see that it is those who have the seal of the living God (7:2).

Both the number and the term Israel are symbolic. Revelation is a book of symbolic language. The number is readily recognized as organized military units (see Numbers 1:16 and 31:3-7). A tribe had twelve units consisting of 1000 each, making the total number 144,000. Twelve is the number for leadership, hence the twelve disciples. This level of organization of God’s faithful ones, under the headship of Christ, stands ready to weather the final war of fallen earth’s history. Thus, the 144,000 represents a theological entity of God’s faithful who are still alive when Christ returns. The final crisis through which they will pass, with uninterrupted loyalty to their beloved Commander in Chief, is a condensed representation of what God’s people have experienced since the murder of Abel by his brother Cain.

The term Israel, meaning ‘Overcomer with God’, represents God’s faithful. Use of the term will be continued until the end of earth’s history. The failure of many in the past to remain faithful and overcome, who claimed the name, does not negate its meaning. Therefore, Israel is a theological entity designating the body of God’s faithful ones. To limit the use of the name Israel to those with a certain DNA or geographical boundary is not only inaccurate but misrepresents God as small-minded. Christ’s followers are a new creation . . . the Israel of God (Galatians 6:15-16).

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:16-18

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