THEY ARE A SEALED PEOPLE. The mark, the seal of the Lord to be placed in their foreheads. This is done for identification and protection. They are set apart and signified as members of this very important segment of the Bride of Christ. Rev. 7:3 This is in contrast to the fact that following this the antichrist will develop a system of his own that will require a stamp or signet, { no doubt an image of himself}, to be inscribed in the hands or foreheads of all who would do any kind of merchandising. Rev. 13:16-17 This very unique group of sealed ones are seen again as those who accompany the Lamb. They remain in close affinity with the Lord Jesus, the Lamb of God. The seal is described as being a name. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ which is the name of the Son of God. The Father has also given Jesus His name, which is LORD. Rev. 14:1
HIS NAME IS INVOKED UPON US IN WATER BAPTISM. The command was that converts were to be baptized in the NAME of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Mt. 28:19 What is His name? Father, Son and Holy Ghost are titles and not names. Our God does have a NAME and responds when we use His NAME in prayer. Note the pattern of baptisms in the Acts of the Apostles. {1}. IN THE NAME, Of the LORD JESUS. Acts 2:38 {2}. In the NAME of JESUS. Acts 8:12 {3}. In the NAME of the LORD JESUS. Acts 8:16 {4}. In the NAME of the LORD. Acts 10:48 {5}. In the NAME of the LORD JESUS. Some texts have the full NAME of the LORD JESUS CHRIST in these scriptures. A very strong pattern emerges from the Acts that the early church fully honored the command and baptized in the NAME of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a triune name, by which the Triunity of the Bible may be identified and fully known. God is everything that His name implies. The thoughts presented here are not intended to associate with any one particular group or organization but rather, to present a truth that is presented to us throughout the scriptures. It is a subject that is worthy of all considerations. His name is above every name that is named.
November 16, 2002(2)
THEIR ORIGINS. They are descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel. Twelve thousand from each tribe. Rev. 7:4-8 As scattered, mixed and mingled as the tribes of Israel are today, if the Lord holds to the letter of the word and requires that these people be literal descendants of Israel, we can rest assured that He will find them. They are chosen to accomplish a spiritual service required by the Lord.
WHO IS A JEW? Heed the words of one who was a Hebrew of the Hebrews. A Jew, under New Testament economy, is not a Jew simply because he has been born into Israel. Paul differentiated very strongly between one who is of the flesh and one who is of the spirit. The flesh, with the sign of circumcision, the natural man, Paul states; is not a Jew. The sign of one who is a Jew, is still circumcision, but not of the flesh, rather of the spirit. A work that is done in the heart, inwardly. A time when the heart is changed and the old life becomes extinct. The New Life in Christ Jesus is now in control and reigns supremely. Rom. 2:28-29 Being born of the flesh, regardless of race or creed, does not automatically include an individual as a child of God. Jesus said; You must be born again. That which is received and accepted by the Lord must be children of His promise. That promise is life eternal in the Lord Jesus. Rom. 9:8
WHAT TRANSACTIONS COUNT WITH THE LORD?Neither circumcision, in the flesh, nor uncircumcission have any value before the Lord. Only a new creature has any merit whatsoever with the Lord. The new man will loose the religiosity of his old ways. For in Christ, the fleshly divisions of race cease to exist, the church is no longer Jew or Greek, circumcision or uncircumcision, but Christ reigns supreme and is manifesting the life of that new man. Col. 3:11 The new man is in a process of alteration and spiritual change. Becoming knowledgeable in the Word and teachings of Christ. The ultimate purpose of the Lord is that He might have a people who are in the total image and complete likeness of their Lord. Col. 3:10
ADOPTION. Frequently, much to do is made because of the adoption of sons that is ours in Christ Jesus. All who are new creatures in Christ are members of the great family of believers. Therefore if the Lord continues to maintain the twelve tribe order, every one in Christ is a member of the tribes, by proper and legal adoption. Gal. 4:5 Interestingly, the original twelve tribe race who are the descendants of Abraham were also adopted. Rom. 9:4 Abram was a Syrian, until the Lord called Him, adopted him and made of him a great nation. Deut. 26:5 It is the choice of the Lord made by His call that will elevate one into the great and wonderful family of the Lord. The one hundred forty-four thousand are very choice servants of the Lord. We might note also that the scripture does not state that the one hundred forty-four thousand are evangelist preaching during the tribulation period.