Ken Blue Ministries

THE RAPTURE OF THE 144,000

Chapter 14 takes the reader through the entire Tribulation one more time. We have stated repeatedly that Revelation was not written in chronological order. There are seven independent events listed in this chapter.

               We leave the horrible events of chapter 13, which issue from the first and the second beast, the Antichrist and the False Prophet. That scene took place on earth. The opening events in chapter 14 take place in heaven. Jesus is seen standing in the heavenly Jerusalem on Mount Zion with His redeemed 144,000.

               Tim LaHaye thinks this scene is on earth, and he takes several pages to prove that the 144,000 here are different than the ones sealed in chapter 7. He says that, of the millions who have followed Jesus in this dispensation, some were never married and would qualify as the 144,000. He says that these are certain “elite” believers of the church age who have earned this special status. In addition, he believes they follow Jesus during the Millennium. He argues that they are probably different because of the differences recorded about the two groups.

               We disagree with Brother LaHaye and will give our reasons following the text.

 “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”  (Revelation 14:1-5).

               In chapter 7, a parenthetical chapter, the 144,000 are sealed prior to the opening of the first seal in chapter 6:1. It is obvious that they were sealed for ownership and protection. In 9:4 the demons are commanded to not harm the 144,000 who were sealed.

               There is no reason to assume that God sealed them for protection and then allowed them to be martyred later in the Tribulation. It is also illogical that God would mention two sets of 144,000 that were sealed. The Book of Revelation is not about believers of the church dispensation; therefore, these in chapter 14 are not from the church, the body of Christ, but are the same ones sealed at the beginning of the Tribulation.

               We are not told what the seal is. In chapter 14 it is the name of the Father. Whatever it means it implies their commitment to Him and His ownership of them.

               They are called the “first fruits” unto God. That is, they were the first of the Jewish nation during the seven-year Tribulation to be redeemed by God and set aside for a particular ministry. We believe they will be witnesses to the rest of the nation.

               John hears singing and harps playing in heaven, which sounded like the thundering of many waters. No doubt this was a beautiful and awe-inspiring sound. The 144,000 had the four beasts and twenty-four elders for their audience. The song is called “new” because it was never sung before, nor could anyone else sing it. Bible songs were an expression of some experience that had occurred in the life of the singers. Examples of this are seen in the song of Moses at the Red Sea in Exodus 15 and Deborah’s song in Judges 5.

“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.  The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.  Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.  The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.  Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.  And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.  And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.  The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.  Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.  Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?  Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.  The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.  Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.  Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.  Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.  The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.  For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.  And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”  (Exodus 15:1-21).

               The redemption of these 144,000 is from among those on the earth and suggests a rapture. Throughout the Tribulation they have been on the earth. No doubt their purpose was to witness for God and Christ. They are now seen in the heavenly Jerusalem on Mount Zion. “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,” (Hebrews 12:22). We believe they were caught up to that location.

               They are called virgins. This may be a figure of speech illustrating their purity, by rejecting the religion of the false prophet and keeping themselves from the immorality of that religion. Homosexuality will be prevalent in the religion of the Beast and the False Prophet.

               We believe, however, these are actual virgins. Jesus gave the parable of the ten virgins who waited on the Bride Groom. This special group was faithful in His absence and watched for His return. Because they were ready, they were called to “go out and meet” Him. This, no doubt, is the meaning concerning the 144,000. They are the fulfillment of the parable. (See Matthew 25:1-13.)

The Second Beast-The False Prophet (13:11-18)

 “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”  (Revelation 13:11-18).

               Just as the identity of the Antichrist is unknown today, so it is impossible to identify the False Prophet. We are informed only of his character and his deeds.

               The beast (Antichrist), we are told, comes from a sea of people. As we have said, we believe the Antichrist comes for Syria, and Babylon. It seems evident that the “sea” consists of the kingdoms within the Old Roman Empire. However, the False Prophet is said to come “…up out of the earth.” Most agree that this is the land of Palestine. 

               Dr. Walvoord says the earth means he comes “out of the world, not simply out of Palestine.” Tim LaHaye says, “He will not be of mixed nationality; that he comes out of the earth (around Palestine) may indicate that he will be a Jew.”  Cohen and Kirban say, “This would seem to mean that he raises out of the ‘land,’ that is, the land of Palestine.” 

               It is possible that the False Prophet comes from the land of Palestine, but it is not imperative. Some argue that the False Prophet and the Antichrist must be a Jew or at least a half-breed. Again, we see no proof why that must be so, and we have read most of the arguments. 

               This beast (false prophet) has two horns like a lamb. He appears, to the masses, as a sheep; however, he speaks the words of the dragon. When he opens his mouth, he speaks a lie.

               Since religion is the opiate of the people, the False Prophet capitalizes on this to weld the people to the Antichrist and his kingdom.  He accomplishes this through miracles, images and executions.

               It is not uncommon for false prophets to have miracle working power. This is seen in both testaments. Two examples are in Egypt, and in the book of Job. Paul warned of this man and his deception. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:3-11.) Jesus warned of this person when He said, ^“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  Behold, I have told you before.  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not” (Matthew 24:23-26).

               We cannot be sure what this live image is. This may be a huge television screen like that on Times Square in New York. This live image could be a means through which the Antichrist communicates with those within his kingdom. He would also be able to see them through modern technology that exists today. We are not saying that this will be the case, but it is possible, and most likely. The internet with its web cams and virtual reality make this easy for us to understand the possibility.

               Those who do not comply will be killed or brought under subjection through hunger and privation. None can buy or sell without proper identification provided by the Beast kingdom. Each person must have a number, a name, or a mark. The constant threat of terrorist attacks will force the nations to institute a tracking system which cannot be foiled.  No one today knows exactly what that system or mark is, but it will be clear in that day. We hear much today about the ability to control nations through embargoes, and “freezing” bank accounts.  The Christian can see that everything is quickly falling in place for all these events to transpire.

Regardless, the false prophet is controlled by Satan, and will assist is the deception of the masses. We should note the he is also called a beast.

THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS, AND BEGINNING OF HIS MINISTRY. A-4

 

Matthew 4:1-25

Jesus was always led by the Spirit. It was necessary that He be tested by the devil to show that a sinless man with a free will could resist his temptations. The first Adam had every comfort which Jesus did not have, yet Adam willing sinned and plunged all creation under a curse and into death.

Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness without food or water. Although the hunger would have an effect on His strength, He was able to resist the temptation which involved food. The temptation in Eden also involved food. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” Genesis 3:6. Adam and Eve had every food imaginable, yet ate of the one commanded to not eat. She also misquoted God’s Word, whereas, Jesus quoted it and defeat the devil thereby. (Deut. 8:3). This temptation was an appeal to the lust of the flesh.

The devil now appeals to the pride of life. “Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Matthew 4:5-6. “Josephus describes as of tremendous height (Antiq. xv. 11.5)” Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. The suggestion by the devil was that angels would carry Jesus into the Temple area proving that He was their Messiah, and the people would willing accept Him as sent from God.   

Satan quotes Psalm 91:11-12, rather, he totally misuses the verses. The context will show that the verses have nothing to do with this temptation. They were written to Israel by Moses to encourage them as they wondered through the wilderness. It is interesting that the devil did not quote verse 13. It predicted his own doom. See Deut. 6:16 for our Lord’s response. We note that the devil purposely misused the verse. Sadly, many preachers do the same thing today. They may not do it to deceive, but they do have an agenda, and if they find any verse that will accomplish it, they will completely ignore the true intention of the context in order to get people to “buy into” their plan.  

The devil has many wiles, and he will use all of them if necessary. The next recorded temptation was directed to the lust of the eyes. The devil gave Jesus a panoramic view of all the kingdoms of this world in a moment of time. Satan knew from Genesis three, that there would be an end to his kingdom, and the Son of God would take it. Thus, he offers Him a way to have the kingdoms, in an attempt to avoid his loss of all, and his confinement in hell. Again, Jesus defeats this temptation by obeying the Word of God. (Deut. 6:13).

Although the devil left Him, it was only for a season. If one follows the life and ministry of Jesus, he will see the devil at work on every page. I would recommend every Christian read the account of the temptation as described by John Milton in his Paradise Regained. It is a classic, and will open one’s eyes to the possible extent of the full forty days of testing.

Matthew 14 explains why John was in prison. Jesus leaves Galilee and dwells for a season at Capernaum by the sea. The reason is given in verses 14-16. The reader should consult a good map of Bible lands to follow the travels of Jesus. The great light that was seen was Jesus, the Light of the world. (Isa. 9:1-2).
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”(17)

• Literally, “kingdom from the heavens.” It is headed by Jesus Christ for the purpose of re-establishing the kingdom of God over this rebellious part of God’s realm. Only found in Matthew because it is the gospel of Jehovah’s King. It is a dispensational term and refers to Messiah’s kingdom on earth. Offered by both John and Jesus (Mt. 3:2; 4:17; 10:7). Because it was rejected, it was postponed until Christ comes to set up the kingdom (Mt. 11:12,20-24; 27:22-25; Lk. 19:11-27; Acts 1:6-7; 3:19-26)… At the end Christ will come and set up a literal earthly kingdom forever (Mt. 25:31-46; Rev. 11:15; 19:11 — Rev. 20:10; Zech. 14; Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-27; Lk. 1:32-33). During the first 1,000 years of His eternal reign He will put down all rebellion and rid the earth of all rebels. Then God will become “all in all” as before rebellion (Rev. 20:1-10; 21:1 — Rev. 22:5; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:10). Anything said of the kingdom of heaven can also be said of the kingdom of God, because the former is only the earthly dispensational aspect of the latter. There are many things said of the kingdom of God, however, which cannot be said of the kingdom of heaven.” Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible.

There is no doubt that these men had heard and observed the ministry of Jesus prior to this event. When called, they immediately followed Him. They were called to preach the Kingdom of Heaven, and get the nation to accept Jesus as their Messiah, and King.

The word gospel means “good news.” “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” Galatians 3:8. Every dispensation had its gospel, and all of them differ. Sadly, many pastors cannot see or understand this truth. The common saying that “people in the Old Testament looked forward to the cross” is not true. Not one person in Matthew through John understood or believed that Jesus was going to die for our sins.  

Jesus was and teacher and a preacher. He spent most of His time teaching the disciples, and the other, preaching to the multitudes. His message in Matthew was “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” His healing ministry was part of the Kingdom gospel, and it confirmed the Old Testament Scriptures concerning Himself. The Kingdom and the King were offered. The reactions will be the rejection of the King and the Kingdom.

 

 

Matthew 3:1-17

“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.”

The events take place about thirty years after the birth of John. He has spent most of His life in seclusion in the wilderness, and Jesus spent much of His life in seclusion at Nazareth.

The common people believed John’s message and wanted to be ready for the Messiah. John’s ministry was preparatory. Those who wanted to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven, repented, were baptized and confessed their sins. John knew that the Pharisees and Sadducees were a bunch of vipers. They rejected John’s message because they did not believe it, nor did they see themselves as sinners. The fact that they were descendants of Abraham meant absolutely nothing. 

It is interesting that John ask who had warned them of the wrath to come. John has the Tribulation in mind. The Scriptures were clear that the Day of The Lord must precede the Kingdom. The axe laid at the root of the trees, the baptism with fire, and the purged floor, all pointed to that day.

John baptized those who repented, Jesus would later baptize the repentant nation with the Holy Spirit. “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:” Isaiah 44:3. A foretaste of this took place on Pentecost when the Spirit was poured on the Apostles. Since the nation refused to repent, the fulfillment of that promise has been postponed until the remnant repents in the Tribulation. John was attempting to turn the nation to the coming Messiah so Isaiah could be fulfilled.

John was the last of the Old Testament prophets to announce the coming of Christ. The fact that the Law and the Prophets were “till John” does not mean the Law of Moses ended at the coming of John, or that there were no prophets after his coming. The meaning is, the former days foretold Christ’s coming, John was now in the days of His coming. 

John lived as a poor man. His home was in the wilderness. He came in the manner of Elijah, and would have fulfilled in type his ministry, had the nation receive his ministry. John did no miracles, and was not in the Kingdom of Heaven. He did not start a church, Baptist, or otherwise. His message and ministry concerned the Kingdom of Heaven only. The statement by Jesus that John was greater than all prophets, spoke not of his character, but his ministry. They all told of His coming, John introduced Him to Israel.

John was not a Baptist, he was the baptizer. The church at Corinth had its factions. “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:12. It is significant that none claimed to be of John. It is unfortunate that there is a church denomination named “The Church of Christ,” and one called “The Church of God” simply because believers were designated as such. Thus, many have made the same error with the name Baptist. The early church had no denominational name, even though believers were call by many names. John’s message, nor his baptism had nothing to do with the death, burial, or resurrection of Christ. That event never entered the mind of John or the Twelve. John’s gospel was the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, and was not what we preach, or what Paul preached.

Jesus was also about thirty years of age when He came to be baptized. There is more significance in His age than most think. Also, for those who affirm that the follow Christ to the letter, why do they not wait untill they are thirty?

Jesus was baptized, not that He needed repentance, but to identify Himself, and make Himself known as Messiah and the Son of God. Jesus kept the Law, and did what was expected of those who followed the truth. John’s baptism introduced, and made known Israel’s Messiah and King. Jesus was declared to be that, and more, at His baptism.