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The book of Revelation is exactly that, the book ëopening upí an understanding of the future, not the past. The present (shortly come to pass. Rev. 1:1) was in reference to the messages to the seven churches, otherwise it foretold the future, even to our time. Its references to time are, ìthe time is at hand.î Rev. 1:3 Rev. 22:10 ìthings which shall be hereafter.î Rev. 1:19, 4:1 All bearing witness that what we are about to consider has no connection with any event from the past. This is a vital understanding that we must have if we are to correctly interpret the all important revelations which are found in the book.
The woman of Revelation twelve is a married woman for it is stated that, she is with child and about to give birth. Rev. 12:2 That there is to be a marriage between Christ and the living church in the end of the age is unquestionable. Christ is presented as loving the church and giving Himself for her. Eph. 5:25 A church which is thoroughly sanctified, glorified and living in complete holiness. Eph. 5:26-27 Inasmuch as the church is His body He will love it and tenderly nourish and cherish it. Eph. 5:28-29.
Leaving all others, the two will become one. Eph. 5:31 A mystery, a hidden act, a secret act to which Paul has now made all who will and can receive it, to know and understand, that the marriage of Christ and His church is very real.
The very special group known as the one hundred forty four thousand are virgins (parthenos, a female living apart, in their Fathers house). The statement that ìthey are not defiled with womenî does not require that they are to be males. As an example, Mary as a virgin, (a parthenos, female virgin), gave birth to the Christ child. Mt. 1:23 This group is not defiled after the manner of women. Take for instance, the marriage of a priest, what defiled a woman so that he might not marry her? Pure and simple, marriage or intercourse. The priest was to marry a virgin. Other restrictions also prevailed in his choice. Lev. 21:13-14 Christ as our great high Priest must marry a virgin of the same status of purity. Paul stated that marriage was ì honorable among all and the bed undefiled.î Heb. 13:4 The whole of the body, the church is purified and given the status of a virgin, so thoroughly and completely does the blood of Christ cleanse and reclassify the sinner. 2 Cor. 11:2 Even so, the very that special group are true virgins and very definitely are female.