An Analysis on the 144,000 in Revelation

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Nehemiah6

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Jul 18, 2017
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The Bible says NOTHING about Jesus taking glorified believers to heaven.
What an amazing discovery! Really? Isn't that amazing in the light of (a) John 14:1-3 and (b) Philippians 3:20? If our citizenship is in Heaven, and Christ is preparing mansions in Heaven for His saints, where else would believers go except to Heaven? The New Jerusalem is the heavenly city designed and built by God for His people. And that city is definitely in Heaven. Therefore Abraham looked for a city that has foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God. So how in the world can any Christian miss all this and claim that glorified believers will not go to Heaven? Did Enoch go to Heaven? Did Elijah go to Heaven? Are all the OT saints now in Heaven? Are all the NT saints who have passed on now in Heaven? Why don't you study the Bible before making OUTRAGEOUS statements?
 

TheDivineWatermark

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Aug 3, 2018
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Are all the OT saints now in Heaven? Are all the NT saints who have passed on now in Heaven? Why don't you study the Bible before making OUTRAGEOUS statements?
Not BODILY, no... which is what FreeGrace2's point pertains to.

Of course, I DISAGREE with his interpretation of things... I DO see the "24 elders" as the glorified (and rewarded) "Church WHICH IS HIS BODY," as being UP IN HEAVEN before the START of the FIRST SEAL (i.e. INITIAL "BP [singular]" at the START/ARRIVAL of the DOTL time-period of JUDGMENTS unfolding upon the earth), and their saying "hast redeemed US... out of EVERY"

[... as well as a number of other points of disagreement between his and my view]
 
Aug 2, 2021
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Not BODILY, no... which is what FreeGrace2's point pertains to.

Of course, I DISAGREE with his interpretation of things... I DO see the "24 elders" as the glorified (and rewarded) "Church WHICH IS HIS BODY," as being UP IN HEAVEN before the START of the FIRST SEAL (i.e. INITIAL "BP [singular]" at the START/ARRIVAL of the DOTL time-period of JUDGMENTS unfolding upon the earth), and saying "hast redeemed US... out of EVERY"

[... as well as a number of other points of disagreement between his and my view]
Revelation ch4 expresses that the 24 Elders have not yet received their glorified resurrected bodies.

ALL of Revelation up to ch20 expresses that no one has glorified resurrected bodies except ONE = JESUS.
 

TheDivineWatermark

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P.S. OT saints (and Trib saints who die in the Trib years) will [both] be "resurrected ['TO STAND AGAIN' (on the earth)]" AFTER the Trib years, per Daniel 12:13... per Job 19:25-27... per John 11:24... (per Rev20:4b)...



[NONE of those ^ (incl'g the MK age saints as well) were promised the "CAUGHT UP / SNATCH / RAPTURE [G726]" thing that "the Church WHICH IS HIS BODY" has been promised--it simply does not pertain to them]
 
Jan 31, 2021
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FreeGrace2 said:
The Bible teaches that there will be just one resurrection of the saved.
The Bible actually teaches that the "first resurrection" (that for the saved) is in three phases (just like a Hebrew harvest): (1) Christ is the First Fruits, (2) the Resurrection/Rapture is the main harvest, and (3)the resurrection of the Tribulation saints would be "the gleanings". See 1 Cor 15
Forcing an agricultural harvest into the resurrection isn't near enough. We have to actually SEE each resurrection. And no pretribber has done that. They all just mention harvest language.

In 1 Cor 15:23, Paul was very clear regarding the single resurrection of the saved. The reason He describes the resurrection of Jesus as "firstfruits" has NOTHING to do with harvesting. It is because He was the FIRST ONE to be resurrected, just as Acts 26:23 says - that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

Now, obviously, He wasn't "the first to rise from the dead" as we have examples from the OT and Lazarus, widow's son, etc in the gospels.

So, how was His resurrection the FIRST? He was the first one to receive a glorified body. That's how.

And then 1 Cor 15:23 goes on to tell us WHEN that resurrection will occur, which is "when He comes". And who will participate: "those who belong to Him". That would be EVERY believer from Adam on.

"When He comes" FOR the saints at the Rapture. So the Resurrection/Rapture is one event.
First, the gathering of living believers WILL be at the resurrection. But there is NO SUCH THING as a rapture in the way pretribbers think of it. There is NO trip to heaven in glorified bodies.

If there were such a trip coming, how come the Bible says NOTHING about it?

So, please quote specific verses and label or number the supposed phased resurrections, so I can see why you believe such a thing.

Thanks.
 
Aug 2, 2021
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The Bible actually teaches that the "first resurrection" (that for the saved) is in three phases (just like a Hebrew harvest): (1) Christ is the First Fruits, (2) the Resurrection/Rapture is the main harvest, and (3)the resurrection of the Tribulation saints would be "the gleanings". See 1 Cor 15

"When He comes" FOR the saints at the Rapture. So the Resurrection/Rapture is one event.
QUESTION: Can you find a directive from the LORD or the Apostles that the LORD will leave behind His Saints and then come back for them after the Resurrection?
 

TheDivineWatermark

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Aug 3, 2018
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Revelation ch4 expresses that the 24 Elders have not yet received their glorified resurrected bodies.
Revelation 4 expresses NO SUCH THING.



Paul had said he would be awarded a "stephanon / crown" IN THAT DAY(2Ti4:8)... and not to HIM ONLY... (note that "IN THAT DAY" does NOT refer to the day of Paul's DEATH).


In Rev5:4, the word for "WAS FOUND" indicates that a searching judgment has ALREADY TAKEN PLACE (in the same way that this very word is used regarding PAUL, in the latter chpts of Acts, when he was brought before their human / earthly "BEMA")


The "24 elders" (in 5:9) are SAYING "hast redeemed US to God by thy blood OUT OF EVERY kindred/tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation" (with these verse having very similar language to that which was already expressed in 1:5-6<--SO WHO ARE THOSE???)


They are shown sitting on "thrones" ("thrones" have a purpose, just as the ones in 20:4a do [which 20:4a corresponds with Dan7:22 [see v.25 for ITS timing, which is DISTINCT from the timing of these in Rev5])...


Too many more things to mention... especially for one who is adamantly opposed to examining the Scriptures to see if these things be so, but would rather embrace what men-in-books[-or-in-videos] have said, instead... ;)





["this is the resurrection the first [adjective]"... same word used of Paul as the "CHIEF [adj]" of sinners... ;) ]
 
Aug 2, 2021
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Revelation 4 expresses NO SUCH THING.



Paul had said he would be awarded a "stephanon / crown" IN THAT DAY(2Ti4:8)... and not to HIM ONLY... (note that "IN THAT DAY" does NOT refer to the day of Paul's DEATH).


In Rev5:4, the word for "WAS FOUND" indicates that a searching judgment has ALREADY TAKEN PLACE (in the same way that this very word is used regarding PAUL, in the latter chpts of Acts, when he was brought before their human / earthly "BEMA")


The "24 elders" (in 5:9) are SAYING "hast redeemed US to God by thy blood OUT OF EVERY kindred/tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation" (with these verse having very similar language to that which was expressed in 1:5-6<--SO WHO ARE THOSE???)


They are shown sitting on "thrones" ("thrones" have a purpose, just as the ones in 20:4a do [which 20:4a corresponds with Dan7:22 [see v.25 for ITS timing, which is DISTINCT from the timing of these in Rev5])...


Too many more things to mention... especially for one who is adamantly opposed to examining the Scriptures to see if these things be so, but would rather embrace what men-in-books[-or-in-videos] have said, instead... ;)
That Day is the Resurrection................From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

ALL Saints are given white robes until that Day arrives where we are transformed into His Glorious Image/Likeness.

Have you forgotten Genesis???
 
Jan 31, 2021
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FreeGrace2 said:
The Bible says NOTHING about Jesus taking glorified believers to heaven.
What an amazing discovery! Really?
Yes, it is. Considering how many people there will be such a trip.

But since you seem confident that there will be one, could you provide the verses that show it?

Isn't that amazing in the light of (a) John 14:1-3 and (b) Philippians 3:20? If our citizenship is in Heaven, and Christ is preparing mansions in Heaven for His saints, where else would believers go except to Heaven?
OK, let's start with John 14. I'm always glad to repeat myself for the benefit of those who might have missed it before.

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Remember that Jesus hadn't died YET when He said this to His 11 disciples. So, v.2 is clearly a statement guaranteeing that they will go to heaven when they die. Jesus hadn't gone YET. But He would be, after His death and resurrection.

v.3 changes the subject and focuses on Jesus' Second Advent "I will come back". Does Jesus tell them He will take them back to heaven? Why would He. By the time of the Second Advent (or even just before the Trib), all 11 disciples will have been IN heaven for about 2,000 years, give or take. They are ALREADY IN heaven. And they will be with Him when He comes back to earth. Jesus says nothing about going to earth and then back to heaven. He simply assures them that where He is, they will be with Him.

That has already been fulfilled. Just as Jesus has been IN heaven since the ascension, all 11 disciples have been with Him as well.

No mystery and no trip back to heaven after getting a glorified body.

Now for Phil 3:20 - But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

First, I don't see anything that describes a trip to heaven in glorified bodies.

Second, when did Paul write this? Approx 2,000 years ago. Except those who "are alive and remain until the coming of our Lord", EVERY believer will go to heaven, where their citizenship is.

But neither passages supports a pretrib trip to heaven in glorified bodies.

The New Jerusalem is the heavenly city designed and built by God for His people. And that city is definitely in Heaven.
There is no argument here. And the Bible tells us WHEN believers will experience that city; after the Millennial reign and the present heaven and earth are melted and there will be a new heaven and earth. Rev 21:1

Therefore Abraham looked for a city that has foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God. So how in the world can any Christian miss all this and claim that glorified believers will not go to Heaven?
I have a better question: how in the world an any Christian claim that Jesus will take glorified believers to heaven? When there are NO verses that say so.

Did Enoch go to Heaven? Did Elijah go to Heaven? Are all the OT saints now in Heaven? Are all the NT saints who have passed on now in Heaven?
That's my point. ALl believers from Adam on who have died ARE ALREADY IN HEAVEN.

Why don't you study the Bible before making OUTRAGEOUS statements?
What is actually 'outrageous' is believing that Jesus will take glorified believers to heaven.

Believers receive glorified bodies at the resurrection, of which there is just one.

Read Rev 20:4,5
4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.

Tribulational martyrs are in THE FIRST RESURRECTION. Plain as day.

Acts 24:15 - and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

How many resurrections do you count in this verse? I count 2: one for the saved and one for the unsaved.

And the FIRST of these 2 resurrections involve "those who belong to Him" per 1 Cor 15:23.

Unless you can prove with Scripture that Jesus will give glorified bodies to all believers and THEN take them to heaven and that there are stages of believer resurrection, you have only conjecture, innuendo and presumption.
 
Jan 14, 2021
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The point in the article I posted (linked) was that ALL 73 mentions of the word "Israel" in the NT ALL mean "Israel" (whether the believing part of Israel or the un-/dis-believing part of Israel, depending on context).
Listen, I'm not going to waste my time again reading and replying to articles that you barely take the time to read or reply to. State your arguments here. I will only entertain reading and researching your links and posted articles if you actually reply to the content in the other thread where you did that and I made a reply that you didn't reply to the content of.

And no, some parts talk about the children of Israel and other in regards to Spiritual Israel. All of spiritual Israel will be saved but only a remnant of the children of Israel will be saved. "Israel" is handled differently in different parts of scripture.

If we view it as you suggest (that "Jesus is Israel") and we set about replacing the word/name "Jesus" in each place in the NT where the word "Israel" is used, we'd come up with a mish-mash of mush:
You misunderstand.

Regarding Spiritual Israel, I was not stating "Israel = Jesus" (though you could make that case), I was stating that at the very least "Israel ⊃ Jesus" and "Jesus ⊇ Christians" therefore " Israel ⊃ Christians"

Look again! Think! You can't use substitution in this case. So again, in that argument, which statement are you disputing? "Israel ⊃ Jesus" or "Jesus ⊇ Christians"?
 
Aug 2, 2021
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Listen, I'm not going to waste my time again reading and replying to articles that you barely take the time to read or reply to. State your arguments here. I will only entertain reading and researching your links and posted articles if you actually reply to the content in the other thread where you did that and I made a reply that you didn't reply to the content of.

And no, some parts talk about the children of Israel and other in regards to Spiritual Israel. All of spiritual Israel will be saved but only a remnant of the children of Israel will be saved. "Israel" is handled differently in different parts of scripture.



You misunderstand.

Regarding Spiritual Israel, I was not stating "Israel = Jesus" (though you could make that case), I was stating that at the very least "Israel ⊃ Jesus" and "Jesus ⊇ Christians" therefore " Israel ⊃ Christians"

Look again! Think! You can't use substitution in this case. So again, in that argument, which statement are you disputing? "Israel ⊃ Jesus" or "Jesus ⊇ Christians"?
Jacob was named Israel for a very special New Covenant reason...................
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
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That Day is the Resurrection................From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
ALL Saints are given white robes until that Day arrives where we are transformed into His Glorious Image/Likeness.
Hmmm... is THAT what you think Revelation 3:5 is saying? "He that overcometh, the same SHALL BE CLOTHED in white raiment..." (when he's DEAD)?



And what are your thoughts about this passages, in view of that idea:


13 καὶ
13 and
13 Conj

4016 [e]
peribeblēmenos
περιβεβλημένος
having been clothed with
V-RPM/P-NMS


2440 [e]
himation
ἱμάτιον
a garment
N-ANS


911 [e]
bebammenon
βεβαμμένον
having been dipped
V-RPM/P-ANS


129 [e]
haimati
αἵματι .
in blood

N-DNS

2532 [e]
kai
καὶ
And
Conj

2564 [e]
keklētai
κέκληται
is called
V-RIM/P-3S

3588 [e]
to
τὸ
the
Art-NNS

3686 [e]
onoma
ὄνομα
name
N-NNS

846 [e]
autou
αὐτοῦ ,
of Him
PPro-GM3S

3588 [e]
HO

The
Art-NMS

3056 [e]
Logos
Λόγος
Word
N-NMS

3588 [e]
tou
τοῦ
-
Art-GMS

2316 [e]
Theou
Θεοῦ .
of God
N-GMS

14 2532 [e]
14 Kai
14 Καὶ
14 And
14 Conj

3588 [e]
ta
τὰ
the
Art-NNP

4753 [e]
strateumata
στρατεύματα
armies [PLURAL]
N-NNP

3588 [e]
ta
τὰ
who were
Art-NNP

1722 [e]
en
ἐν
in
Prep

3588 [e]

τῷ
-
Art-DMS

3772 [e]
ouranō
οὐρανῷ
heaven

N-DMS

190 [e]
ēkolouthei
ἠκολούθει
were following
V-IIA-3S

846 [e]
autō
αὐτῷ
Him
PPro-DM3S

1909 [e]
eph’
ἐφ’
upon
Prep

2462 [e]
hippois
ἵπποις
horses
N-DMP

3022 [e]
leukois
λευκοῖς ,
white
Adj-DMP

1746 [e]
endedymenoi
ἐνδεδυμένοι
having been clothed in
V-RPM-NMP

1039 [e]
byssinon
βύσσινον ,
fine linen
Adj-ANS

3022 [e]
leukon
λευκὸν ,
white
Adj-ANS


2513 [e]
katharon
καθαρόν .
pure
Adj-ANS






... "having been clothed [perfect participle] in fine linen..." chpt 19

vs

..."[he that overcometh] the same shall be clothed [future tense] in white raiment [himation / himatiois ]" chpt 3 (in the "things WHICH ARE" section)





Are you suggesting that the ones in Rev19, coming down out of heaven, are getting ready TO SHED THEIR "having been clothed [perfect tense] in..." status/presentation???
 
Jul 23, 2018
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@FreeGrace2 ,



[I responded...]

No.

The text does NOT state this.

You are imagining this. The text itself is not informing you/us this (as you've put it).







[for the readers: a refresher at Post #520 - https://christianchat.com/threads/an-analysis-on-the-144-000-in-revelation.204640/post-4807649 ]
@TheDivineWatermark

Ok, I think I got a glimpse of your point.

Could you give me the difference portrayed there in the way postribbers would interpret that?
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,923
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[to add to my previous post]

^ In 2Cor5:1-8 (speaking of believers / the Church WHICH IS HIS BODY),

--"UNCLOTHED" in this text means, "being apart from a body, for a time, UPON DEATH of the believer" (though "at home with the Lord" while "ABSENT from the body");

--"CLOTHED UPON" in this text means, "immediately clothed upon with our glorified bodies, APART FROM having to DIE first" (which occurs at "our Rapture" point in time!)



[we are "EARNESTLY DESIRING" the latter ^ ; however, we are "WILLING" for the former ^ , if the Lord so wills such (/our DEATH)--no one is "EARNESTLY DESIRING" death, but RATHER our "change" occurring APART FROM having to DIE first... but we are "WILLING" (to DIE / "unclothed" in this text) if that be His will for us]
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
6,066
1,948
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Revelation ch4 expresses that the 24 Elders have not yet received their glorified resurrected bodies.

ALL of Revelation up to ch20 expresses that no one has glorified resurrected bodies except ONE = JESUS.
Where do you come up with this stuff?

Rev 4: Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white [b]robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

Not only have they been clothed in their white robes of righteousness. They have been rewarded the crowns and rewards for the work they had done.
 
Aug 2, 2021
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Hmmm... is THAT what you think Revelation 3:5 is saying? "He that overcometh, the same SHALL BE CLOTHED in white raiment..." (when he's DEAD)?



And what are your thoughts about this passages, in view of that idea:


13 καὶ
13 and
13 Conj

4016 [e]
peribeblēmenos
περιβεβλημένος
having been clothed with
V-RPM/P-NMS


2440 [e]
himation
ἱμάτιον
a garment
N-ANS


911 [e]
bebammenon
βεβαμμένον
having been dipped
V-RPM/P-ANS


129 [e]
haimati
αἵματι .
in blood

N-DNS

2532 [e]
kai
καὶ
And
Conj

2564 [e]
keklētai
κέκληται
is called
V-RIM/P-3S

3588 [e]
to
τὸ
the
Art-NNS

3686 [e]
onoma
ὄνομα
name
N-NNS

846 [e]
autou
αὐτοῦ ,
of Him
PPro-GM3S

3588 [e]
HO

The
Art-NMS

3056 [e]
Logos
Λόγος
Word
N-NMS

3588 [e]
tou
τοῦ
-
Art-GMS

2316 [e]
Theou
Θεοῦ .
of God
N-GMS

14 2532 [e]
14 Kai
14 Καὶ
14 And
14 Conj

3588 [e]
ta
τὰ
the
Art-NNP

4753 [e]
strateumata
στρατεύματα
armies [PLURAL]
N-NNP


3588 [e]
ta
τὰ
who were
Art-NNP


1722 [e]
en
ἐν
in
Prep


3588 [e]

τῷ
-
Art-DMS


3772 [e]
ouranō
οὐρανῷ
heaven

N-DMS

190 [e]
ēkolouthei
ἠκολούθει
were following
V-IIA-3S

846 [e]
autō
αὐτῷ
Him
PPro-DM3S

1909 [e]
eph’
ἐφ’
upon
Prep

2462 [e]
hippois
ἵπποις
horses
N-DMP

3022 [e]
leukois
λευκοῖς ,
white
Adj-DMP

1746 [e]
endedymenoi
ἐνδεδυμένοι
having been clothed in
V-RPM-NMP


1039 [e]
byssinon
βύσσινον ,
fine linen
Adj-ANS


3022 [e]
leukon
λευκὸν ,
white
Adj-ANS


2513 [e]
katharon
καθαρόν .
pure
Adj-ANS






... "having been clothed [perfect participle] in fine linen..." chpt 19

vs

..."[he that overcometh] the same shall be clothed [future tense] in white raiment [himation / himatiois ]" chpt 3 (in the "things WHICH ARE" section)





Are you suggesting that the ones in Rev19, coming down out of heaven, are getting ready TO SHED THEIR "having been clothed [perfect tense] in..." status/presentation???
As the Scripture declares it............1 Cor ch15 , 1 Thess 4:18 , 1 John 3:1-3
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
6,066
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Jacob was named Israel for a very special New Covenant reason...................
Jacob was also given a plot of land, And told this land belongs to him and his family forever. As was promised to Abraham and Isaac.

Christ is the heavenly Isreal and the salvation which comes from all nations being blessed through that seed.

Which is seperate from the land promise that God gave Israel.

God did nto give the land or the promise of peace to the church, he gave it to the physical descendents of Abraham, isaac and jacob.
 
Aug 2, 2021
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Where do you come up with this stuff?

Rev 4: Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white [b]robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

Not only have they been clothed in their white robes of righteousness. They have been rewarded the crowns and rewards for the work they had done.
1 Thess 4:13-18 , 1 Cor ch15 , Heb 9:28 , 1 John 3:1-3
 
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