The 144,000... who are they and why only 144,000?

[JonMiller]

I am very sure that Christ will return in the next 100 years (and so I will likely be alive, baring accidents or ill health). I think it could be in the next 5...

JM

 

[TrustAndObey]

I am very sure that Christ will return in the next 100 years (and so I will likely be alive, baring accidents or ill health). I think it could be in the next 5...

JM

My grandmother told me when I was 10 that Jesus would return within five years. Seriously.

Everyone that has tried to guess when He'd return has been wrong so far...unless you count those that say "within the next generation" and it just happens to be within the next generation when He really does return. LOL

But so far, NO ONE has been right.

 

[TrustAndObey]

The moral of my story?

Treat every day like Christ is coming back tomorrow.

 

[JonMiller]

I didn't say I was completely sure. He might not come for a 1000 years. I just feel that it is more immediate then I Did 10 years ago.

JM

 

[TrustAndObey]

I am too. But I think it's going to get a LOT worse first.

 

[JonMiller]

Hmm? I don't understand why people fear the time of trouble. God said He would be with us, and would keep us.

Doesn't sound like something to fear at all! My relatives (and I, probably) know people who worry about it, and get hideaways and the like. But that isn't something that we should concern ourselves with.

I do admit that sometimes the sin that surrounds me depresses me. The unpleasentness/etc. But this has always been something people have had to live with, while they were on this earth.

JM

 

[TrustAndObey]

Hmm? I don't understand why people fear the time of trouble. God said He would be with us, and would keep us.

Doesn't sound like something to fear at all! My relatives (and I, probably) know people who worry about it, and get hideaways and the like. But that isn't something that we should concern ourselves with.

I do admit that sometimes the sin that surrounds me depresses me. The unpleasentness/etc. But this has always been something people have had to live with, while they were on this earth.

JM

I guess I'm scared for my children. I know some people will give in and turn their backs on God. I pray nightly that my boys stay strong and that it goes quickly.

 

[sentipente]

"There is no fear in love for perfect love casts out all fear." What happened to that text?

 

[TrustAndObey]

LOL

I don't run out in traffic just because I know God loves me and I love Him.

 

[sentipente]

But it is not fear that controls that behavior.

 

[djconklin]

I highly doubt that you run out into the street. Fear can be a very powerful motivator even if you are not aware of it. Now as for, say, killing someone, love for one's neighbor should be the key deciding factor--not fear of getting caught.

If it was only fear then we know that if we wrap your body in a blanket, take you down by the river, pour gasoline all over the corpse, lit it and then sweep the ashes into the river ... Can we say Habeus Corpus?!? Isn't it amazing what one can learn by watching CSI and Law & Order*? Of course, now, with my luck he'll "turn up" missing!

*Speaking of which: it is on now, bye!

 

[TrustAndObey]

But it is not fear that controls that behavior.

Sure it is. I'm afraid I'd be hit by a car.

More importantly, I'm afraid I'd be hit by a car and NOT die...but be in a wheelchair or disfigured for the rest of my life.

 

[Adventist Dissident]

seventh-day adventism has had a problem with the 144000. The mais reason for this is because we used to teach that only 144000 would be saved, but when we surpassed this number it had to be rethought.

did you ever wonder why we do out reach to other christians? the pioneers were trying to reach the 144000

 

[TrustAndObey]

I highly doubt that you run out into the street. Fear can be a very powerful motivator even if you are not aware of it. Now as for, say, killing someone, love for one's neighbor should be the key deciding factor--not fear of getting caught.

If it was only fear then we know that if we wrap your body in a blanket, take you down by the river, pour gasoline all over the corpse, lit it and then sweep the ashes into the river ... Can we say Habeus Corpus?!? Isn't it amazing what one can learn by watching CSI and Law & Order? Of course, now, with my luck he'll "turn up" missing!

LOL David, that was eerily specific.

 

[reddogs]

OTD, do you think the 144,000 is who is being referred to in Isaiah in that verse about "that is our God, we have waited for Him and He will save us"?

That makes sense.

I really feel that Christ will return in this generation, but so did my late grandmother (may she rest in peace). Then I think about how hard it would be to live during that time, and I'm not sure that I want to be in the last generation either.

But if I'm not, my children may be.

It's just a scary thing to think about, but I do know that God will protect THROUGH, not FROM.

Well from the looks of things with 'Harry Potter' spiritualism running rampant in the younger generation, we only need Satan to appear and they will follow him blindly with his 'magical powers' on display and the older generation wont be too far behind with the Pope and Evangelist Preachers leading them. They all seem to think they should head to Jerusalem and there worship this 'false christ' but after that there doesnt seem to be a script.....maybe because thats when the 2nd Coming happens and Satan knows no magic will help him then.

I say as soon as this generation reaches maturity, Satan will make his move, all the prophecies are fullfilled in a few hours or days and it all comes to a conclusion........

Red

 

[Windmill]

With so much to study in the bible, the 144,000 has never exactly been high on my list of priorities, as you know, if you've got your Christian walk sorted, who actually needs to know? Its still interesting though.

But this thread has greatly disturbed me.

I've always been brought up, and taught that the 144,000 was a "special" group, but that they were not the only saved ones. Nor is this really tackled at prophecy seminars much either.

From my own personal reading of the bible in revelation, from memory it seemed to imply that the 144,000 were taken to heaven before the first ressurection, though?

But, if it is true that only 144,000 of the worlds alive population will be saved, then again, I am extremely disturbed. To me, I look around, and I see true Christians in many denominations. I would have thought that millions upon millions alive today have their heart in a saved state. Yet, only 144,000? I'll sure as be in it if thats true P), but, logically, it just... doesn't seem right.

 

[OntheDL]

With so much to study in the bible, the 144,000 has never exactly been high on my list of priorities, as you know, if you've got your Christian walk sorted, who actually needs to know? Its still interesting though.

But this thread has greatly disturbed me.

I've always been brought up, and taught that the 144,000 was a "special" group, but that they were not the only saved ones. Nor is this really tackled at prophecy seminars much either.

From my own personal reading of the bible in revelation, from memory it seemed to imply that the 144,000 were taken to heaven before the first ressurection, though?

But, if it is true that only 144,000 of the worlds alive population will be saved, then again, I am extremely disturbed. To me, I look around, and I see true Christians in many denominations. I would have thought that millions upon millions alive today have their heart in a saved state. Yet, only 144,000? I'll sure as be in it if thats true P), but, logically, it just... doesn't seem right.

How many people were saved from the great flood? Eight people! Narrow is the way, few that find it.

Why would it disturb you? "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;..." Hebrews 2:3. You think nominal christianity can get people to heaven?

 

[Endium]

With so much to study in the bible, the 144,000 has never exactly been high on my list of priorities, as you know, if you've got your Christian walk sorted, who actually needs to know? Its still interesting though.

But this thread has greatly disturbed me.

I've always been brought up, and taught that the 144,000 was a "special" group, but that they were not the only saved ones. Nor is this really tackled at prophecy seminars much either.

From my own personal reading of the bible in revelation, from memory it seemed to imply that the 144,000 were taken to heaven before the first ressurection, though?

But, if it is true that only 144,000 of the worlds alive population will be saved, then again, I am extremely disturbed. To me, I look around, and I see true Christians in many denominations. I would have thought that millions upon millions alive today have their heart in a saved state. Yet, only 144,000? I'll sure as be in it if thats true P), but, logically, it just... doesn't seem right.

Don't get discouraged. You also have to remember that just before the time of trouble God will allow MANY (i believe) of His people to rest(die).

Think of all the older people with health problems and such. They will not be able to survive the harsh persecution, and for them it will just be better to rest. Also think of those who have not taken care of their bodies (meat eaters, those who don't get the nutrition they need, etc..) Their bodies may also not be fit for the time of trouble. God will just allow them to rest. And possibly there will be those who do not have the level of faith to make it through the time of trouble. God may also let these people rest in order to save them.

So even though the 144,000 may be a literal number of those who are saved through the end times, it is likely that many more than that number of people will be laid to rest beforehand.

 

[OntheDL]

Don't get discouraged. You also have to remember that just before the time of trouble God will allow MANY (i believe) of His people to rest(die).

Think of all the older people with health problems and such. They will not be able to survive the harsh persecution, and for them it will just be better to rest. Also think of those who have not taken care of their bodies (meat eaters, those who don't get the nutrition they need, etc..) Their bodies may also not be fit for the time of trouble. God will just allow them to rest. And possibly there will be those who do not have the level of faith to make it through the time of trouble. God may also let these people rest in order to save them.

So even though the 144,000 may be a literal number of those who are saved through the end times, it is likely that many more than that number of people will be laid to rest beforehand.

Very true. The 144000 are a special group. 12000 of each of the 12 tribes. 12000 is the number for armed men, Number 31:5. So in that sense the 144000 are 'battle hardened' warriors. Considering the probation closes before the plagues, they will go through a period of no intercession.

 

[sentipente]

It is interesting the way so many are speaking firm in the knowledge that they have absolutely correctly interpereted the language of the prophet. Wow! Not even the Creator would dare contradict them.