The American Wisdom Series

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Pamphlet #4669

Revelation 7:1  ķAnd after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2  And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3  Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.


Have you ever heard about the 144,000 of Revelation? Some churches and sects have taught (and still do this very day) that there will only be 144,000 people go to heaven out of the great tribulation. And of course you could guess that most of those who teach that will tell you those 144,000 are members solely of their church. So you'd better join their ranks if you want to be spared the great tribulation!

In fact, one major group started out teaching that they alone were the 144,000 and once their membership exceeded that number they were forced to modify their doctrine. It would now be those "among them" who were the more righteous servants of God (read "biggest financial contributors") who would be selected. So dig deep and give, give, give and we'll give you recognition as a good Christian.

The first problem with this line of thinking (other than it stinks) is that heaven isn't even mentioned, nor is it discussed at all in relation to the 144,000. So let's recap where we are in the Book of Revelation and learn from Him, not from the imaginations of men who preach "elitism" in order to hold captive their congregations.

We had just finished chapter six where the Lamb of God had opened six seals and it looked like we were ready for number seven. But in Rev 7:1 John then saw the four angels whose job it is to release the four winds upon the earth, which bring about the final events of this flesh age, standing on the four corners of the earth, N, S, E, W. Four remember is the number of "earth" in Biblical numerics. In verse 2 then we read (in Baby Boomer paraphrase form): But after those things John looked and ascending in the eastern sky, "It's a bird, it's a plane, it's an angel having the Seal of the living God saying to the four winds of the earth with a great voice 'Stop, do not bring about the final events of this earth age until we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads'."


5  Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6  Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7  Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8  Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10  And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11  And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12  Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13  ķAnd one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15  Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
16  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.
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