144,000 Will Be Saved

In the historic liturgy, the Divine Service, the gathered congregation enters the presence of God by remembering the cleansing power of Holy Baptism. The worshippers make upon themselves the sign of the cross (†), remembering that this sign was made upon their heads and hearts during their baptism to mark them as those redeemed by Christ's death and washed clean in His blood.

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin 

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;

There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,

Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

The Lamb pauses before opening the seventh seal of the scroll to unleash the terrifying judgments of God upon mankind. He pauses in order to comfort and strengthen the saints and to assure them that He will not forget them during the forthcoming terrors and tribulation. They will be rescued to stand before the throne of God to serve Him and He will shelter them with his presence forever.

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." - Rev 7:16-17 ESV

Ghent Altarpiece - Adoration of the Lamb of God

Who are these sealed servants and how many are they? They are . . .

. . .  a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" - Rev 7:9-10 ESV

God's mercy reaches out to a great multitude that no one could number! Cleansed of their sins and wearing the white robes of Christ's righteousness (Rev. 6:11), they wave their palm branches as did those who welcomed Jesus on the first Palm Sunday (John 12:12-13). He has heard their Hosanna pleas for salvation and rescue and answered them.  In joyful response they lift up their voices to cry, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!"

In turn they are joined by the angels, elders and the four living creatures to worship God, saying,

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." - Rev 7:12 ESV

 These are those sealed by the seal of the living God. The reference to a seal was well known to the Apostles and early Christians. Just as the Children of Israel received the sign or seal of circumcision to mark them as God's children (Rom 4:11), so God's New Testament children are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit as the guarantee that they will inherit the resurrection from the dead and life eternal with their heavenly Father (Eph 1:13-14; 2 Cor 1:22). They are the true Israel of God (Rom 9:6-16; Gal 6:15-16), saved from the foundation of the earth (1 Pet 1:17-21).

To emphasize and confirm God's eternal plan the Revelation uses the great symbol of the 144,000. This number symbolizes the totality of all believers in both the Old and New Testament times, all those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb

Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood - Rev 1:5 ESV  

And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, - Rev 5:9 ESV  

I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. - Rev 7:14 ESV

It would be a great mistake to literalize this number, contrary to the way numbers are used throughout the Revelation. The number 12 is used to name the 12 tribes of Israel. In turn Jesus chose 12 Apostles (Luke 6:12-16) to lead the new Israel. However note that in naming the 12 tribes of Israel here there are several peculiarities.

1. Judah is listed first rather than Reuben, the eldest of Jacob's sons. This is because the Messiah, the Christ, came from the tribe of Judah as foretold (Gen. 49:10; Heb 7:14). The Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5), the King of all kings and the Ruler of His people.  
2. The tribe of Dan is absent. This tribe turned to idolatry (Judges 17:1-18:31) and was eliminated. 
3. In order to complete the symbolical number 12, Manasseh, Joseph's firstborn (Gen. 41:50-51) is substituted.
4. Then, rather than Ephraim, Joseph's second son, the tribe of Joseph is listed (Rev 7:8).

Then the tribes multiply to become 144,000. That number stands for the perfect and complete number of God's people, the square of 12 (both OT and NT believers) multiplied by the cube of 10 (12 x 12 x 10 x 10 x 10). 

Thus believers in the Lamb throughout the 1,000 years of the Lamb's reign are comforted. More on that later (Rev. 20:2-7). 

Do Not Be Surprised When You Are Persecuted

Five seals of the scroll with seven seals (Rev. 5:1) have been opened by the Lamb. From the first four came the terrible Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. With the opening of the fifth the martyrs under the heavenly temple's altar cry out to the Sovereign Lord for vengeance. When will the Lord punish those who have murdered His beloved disciples? Be patient, He says and watch. Here comes the opening of the sixth seal.

When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" - Rev 6:12-17 ESV

Scripture in the light of 1st century history

These are classical images from the prophets about the LORD's fierce anger loosed upon proud sinners. The sun, moon and stars will turn dark on the great and terrible day of the LORD.

Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light. - Isa 13:9-10 ESV 

Then the moon will be confounded and the sun ashamed, for the LORD of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and his glory will be before his elders. - Isa 24:23 ESV 

When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens and make their stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light. All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you, and put darkness on your land, declares the Lord GOD. - Eze 32:7-8 ESV

The Lord Jesus Himself foretold the persecution of his disciples. They were to be on guard for councils will condemn them, He warned, and they will stand before rulers to bear witness. And the gospel must be proclaimed to all nations (Mark 13:9-27). To speak of those events He borrowed the fearful symbolical language of prophets:

"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. - Mar 13:24-27 ESV

The martyred saints beneath the altar are comforted as they hear about what was to happen to the seemingly invincible rulers of the earth's mighty nations.

So on to the opening of the seventh and final seal and the sealing of the great multitude, the 144,000, from every tribe of the sons of Israel. More on that in the next post.

And the application of this Word to all who believe in the Lord Jesus? Don't be surprised when the children of this world hate you and persecute you. Expect it. That is exactly what they did to our Lord Himself. Listen to words from the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 4:1-19).

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 

For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. . .  

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. . .  

. . . if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" (Proverbs 11:31) Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. - 1Pe 4:1-19 ESV

(A final note to this posting: The picture above is from a group of that teaches the Preterist View of the end times. Preterism denies that Revelation is a prophecy about the future. My readers may want to study that view, among the many interpretations of Revelation. As a Christian committed to the Lutheran Confessions of 1530, I must reject it. I'll have more to say about that in future postings.)

The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse

The drama continues. The Lamb who is worthy opens the seven seals and each time he does a voice like thunder cracks out the word, "Come!"—a command in Greek that means not only come, but also "Go!" And one by one out come four horses, white, bright red, black and pale (Rev. 6:1-8).

Four Horses of the Apocalypse

As the  Lamb opens the first seal a white horse springs forth, with a rider who has a war bow. A crown is given to him. He comes conquering and to conquer. 

At the opening of the second seal a red horse appears, ridden by one with a great sword. He removes peace from the earth so that people slay one another.

With the opening of the third seal a black horse springs forth, ridden by one with a pair of scales in his hand. And from the midst of the four living creatures a voice cries, "A quart of wheat for a denarius and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!" 

Finally, with the opening of the fourth seal, a pale horse whose rider's name was Death, followed by Hades, leaps forth. They move with authority over a quarter of the earth to kill, bringing famine and pestilence and wild beasts. 

What does all this foretell? Many commentators believe that the white horse and its rider point to the Parthian empire. The key lies in the conqueror's bow. This was the favorite weapon of the mounted Parthian warriors. To them white was a sacred color.  They were the arch enemies of Rome, threatening the empire's eastern borders for decades. By opening this seal, Christ,  the Lord of all lords (1 Tim.6:15; Rev 17:14; 19:16), foretells a continual war between Rome and Parthia. And points to the endless wars of today. 

Various writers have suggested that the rider of the white horse is Christ Himself (Rev 19:11-16), and claim that the symbol points to the victorious progress of the gospel (Mark 13:9-13) in the midst of conflict. The problem with that interpretation is that it is Christ Himself who opens the seals and consequently can hardly be the first rider. 

The second seal and its red horse further symbolizes war and bloodshed. The third seal with its horseman on a black horse points to what happens when food is destroyed in war and economies are disrupted. Ordinarily the denarius, a day-laborer's common wage (Matt 20:1-16), could purchase 8 to 16 times more grain than the quarts of wheat or barley mentioned. In other words the black horse and its rider foretell inflation and famine. 

The fourth horse, pale as the color of death itself, is appropriately named Death, with Hades, the place of the dead, close behind. A fourth of the earth is killed by war, famine and pestilence, followed by ravishing wild beasts. 

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse continue to ride in our day. Nation rises against nation with the resulting famine, suffering and death. And so it will be until the King of kings returns to crush all rebel nations under His heel:

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us." 

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." 

I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." 

Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. - Psa 2:1-12 ESV

Even so, come Lord Jesus. Come quickly.

Worthy Is The Lamb

John has taken us with himself to stand before the awesome and frightening throne of God. As we stand there a dramatic moment unfolds.

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. - Rev 5:1-4 ESV

What is this mysterious scroll, sealed with seven seals? And why is John so deeply moved when he sees that no one in all of heaven and earth is able to open and look into it?

In his Gospel John writes of the Word (Logos) who was with God from the beginning and is God. By Him all things were made and without Him nothing! has come into existence (John 1:1-4). This Word has revealed His secrets to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). From these prophets we learn that the names of all those who revere and stand in awe of (Heb.-yare' ) the LORD of hosts and esteem His name have their names written in a Book of remembrance. They are His treasured possession (Mal 3:16-17; Ps 56:8). John sees this scroll. It is full of names written on both sides, but it is completely sealed with seven seals and no one in heaven, on earth or under the earth is able to open or look into it. What now?

A mighty angel steps forward to ask, "Who is worthy (Gk - axios) to break the seals and reveal the names of the LORD's treasured possession?" (Rev 5:2)  No one steps forward, no one is able and John begins to weep loudly. Are all lost?

"No," says one of those 24 elders. "Weep no more. Look upon the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David . . ." Ever since the day that Israel first blessed his sons Judah has been called a lion (Gen.49:9-10). Jesus is clearly descended from that tribe and from the royal family of David  (Matt 1:3-16; Heb 7:14). He who was born in David's village, He is the righteous Branch destined to reign as the God-appointed ruler of the true Israel (Mic 5:2; Jer 23:5-6; Isa 11:1, 10; Gal 6:16).

The Lion of Judah on a Bezalel ceramic tile

So John looks, but what does he see? Instead of a lion he sees One like a slaughtered lamb.

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. - Rev 5:6 ESV

 A lion that is a lamb? Remember, as always, that we are dealing with images, symbols that point beyond to reveal something we are to understand and believe. The Lamb of God had been predicted since John the Baptist prepared the way (John 1:29-36). Jesus is that slaughtered Lamb who endured the cross under the judgment of Pontius Pilate and is now risen from the dead and seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb 12:2). By His suffering and death He has conquered death. All those who put their faith in Him find forgiveness and life (1 Cor 15:53-57). They have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This Lamb has seven horns. He has complete power (Matt 28:18; Ps 2:8-9). And His seven eyes points symbolically to the truth that He knows all things (Rev 1:14; 2:18; 19:12). Even Gentiles may now find hope in Him (Rom 15:12).

And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." - Rev 5:7-10 ESV

No wonder that the living creatures and the elders and the unlimited thousands (myriads of myriads) of angels (Heb 12:22) break into loud song, 

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" - Rev 5:12 ESV

Lamb of God

And on earth our prayers rise as incense (Exo 30:34-37) to join those prayers of praise in heaven.

O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! - Psa 141:1-2 ESV

Join in your heart as the Messiah chorus leads us to praise the Lamb: Worthy is the Lamb. 

Jesus' Little Lamb

This coming Sunday is called Good Shepherd Sunday for those churches that follow the ancient church year. The readings for this day emphasize that Jesus is our Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep and sees that not a single one is lost or harmed (John 10:1-30). 

For our family this Sunday, May 15, 2011, is also the day on which my first great-grandson will be baptized into the family of Christ and declared a member of the Good Shepherd's flock. He is the first born son of my grandson Shawn and his wife Marian. I am privileged to officiate. It is a time of great celebration for us. His baptized name is Byron. 

Curious about the name Byron's parents chose for him, I did a little research. There are a number of towns in the U.S. named Byron. Since I grew up in Minnesota, I was interested to learn that there is a little town in Minnesota ten miles west of Rochester named Byron. In 1865, when the Winona—St. Peter Railroad (now known as the Dakota Minnesota and Eastern Railroad) was being built, S.W. VanDusen, a New York millionaire, purchased land near Rochester and platted a village he named Byron, after his hometown, Byron, N.Y. Byron, N.Y. is 25 miles SW of Rochester and was first settled around 1807. Settlers named their town in honor of Lord Byron, the renowned British poet.


So, acting in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I will pour water upon Byron's head. In that very simple act, Jesus will declare He has taken Byron with Him into death and out of death into life eternal (Romans 6:3-11). Thus Byron will begin his life as a lamb of the Good Shepherd. In this simple little song we all join Byron to say,

I am Jesus’ little lamb,
Ever glad at heart I am;
For my Shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my need, and well provides me,
Loves me every day the same,
Even calls me by my name.

 I rejoice that Byron will become Jesus' little lamb on Good Shepherd Sunday.