![]() ![]() Spurgeon described the "great multitude, which no man could number" as the "great gather of the Gentile multitude redeemed by blood, numbered by God, never to be numbered by men, being like the sand on the seashore, innumerable!" Spurgeon declared "the day shall come when first and last shall rejoin together in the equal blessing of the Most High." He noted the tribe of Dan is missing but explained "we shall never understand all the things of God." The 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes with Judah and Benjamin joined together stand in equal position. In his sermon entitled "The Believer's Glad Prospects," Charles Spurgeon gave an explanation of Revelation 7:4-9. ![]() In his commentary, Methodist theologian, Adam Clarke wrote the 144,000 includes “all of the Jews converted to Christianity 12,000 out of each of the 12 tribes: but this must be only a certain for an uncertain number for it is not to be supposed that just 12,000 were converted out of each of the 12 tribes.” No one will be excluded or granted partiality based upon lineage. The tribal distinctions referred to in Revelation were eliminated well before the writing of John.Īdditionally, one could logically adhere to the opinion that the separation of tribes was used to symbolize the numerous Christian denominations and their equality in number of inclusion. This group of people will evangelize the world during this period, leading the salvation of millions referenced in Revelation 7:9. This futuristic count refers to the theory that the 144,000 are “sealed Jews,” protected from the wrath of the Antichrist during the tribulation period. One can believe the number in Scripture is a definite count and still have the hope of attaining heaven. Literal Theory: 144,000 Are the “Sealed Jews” Generally, Christians either interpret this verse as literally 144,000 people, or they believe it is a definite number to symbolize an indefinite number of people. ![]() Who is included in the 144,000? Much debate and discord have resulted from the study of exactly who the 144,000 in Revelation are.Ĭhristians agree the 144,000 does not denote the total of souls throughout history who will be ultimately be saved from the wrath of eternal damnation. ( 2 Thessalonians 1:9) When Jesus was asked, “Are those being saved few?” he replied: “Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will seek to get in but will not be able.”- Luke 13:23, 24.“And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” ( Revelation 7:4) The Bible identifies God as the primary source of salvation, often referring to him as “Savior.” ( 1 Samuel 10:19 Isaiah 43:11 Titus 2:10 Jude 25) In addition, God used various men to deliver the ancient nation of Israel, and the Bible calls them “saviors.” ( Nehemiah 9:27 Judges 3:9, 15 2 Kings 13:5) b Likewise, since God provides salvation from sin through the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Bible refers to Jesus as “Savior.”- Acts 5:31 Titus 1:4. For this reason, the Bible urges Christians who have received salvation “to put up a hard fight for the faith.” ( Jude 3) It also warns those who have been saved: “Keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”- Philippians 2:12. Just as a person saved from drowning could fall or jump back into the water, a person who has been saved from sin but fails to keep exercising faith could lose out on salvation. It is “God’s gift” based on his “undeserved kindness,” or “grace.”- Ephesians 2:8, 9 King James Version. ( James 2:24, 26) However, this does not mean that you can earn salvation. The Bible shows that you must have works, or acts of obedience, to prove that your faith is alive. To gain salvation, you must exercise faith in Jesus and demonstrate that faith by obeying his commands.- Acts 4:10, 12 Romans 10:9, 10 Hebrews 5:9. ( Matthew 1:21) Since death is caused by sin, people who are saved from sin have the hope of living forever.- John 3:16, 17. ( Exodus 14:13, 14 Acts 27:20) Often, though, these terms refer to deliverance from sin. The terms “save” and “salvation” are sometimes used by Bible writers to convey the idea of a person’s being delivered from danger or destruction. ![]()
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