I read this interesting study about the 144,000 "Servants of YHWH":
Sabbath Observance
and
“The Rapture”
Scott Nelson 10/09
Introduction
As the title suggests, we will be exploring evidence that there is a direct connection between Sabbath observance and being counted “worthy to escape” the difficult times that are soon coming on the earth. Even though the term “rapture” is not found anywhere in Scripture, it has become a popular term to describe the taking-out or catching-up of believers to heaven before Yahshua returns. There have been numerous rapture scenarios taught by various Christian sects over the years. Of these, the most prominent teaching is that all Bible-believing/faith-alone/born-again Christians will be taken out of the world, without notice, prior to the rise of the antichrist and the last seven years of “tribulation”. This is the “pre-tribulation” rapture theory. Some have noticed the Scriptural fallacies of this doctrine and the highly-marketable lullaby aspect of it and have gone to the other extreme teaching that there will be no rapture at all until just before the final judgment only a short time before Yahshua’s return. This has been called the pre-judgment rapture theory. There is an element of truth in each that unfortunately the other can’t seem to get its arms around. The debate has been long and one could go on in an extensive essay outlining the arguments and the respective truths and fallacies of each, but I would loose most readers before even getting to the main thrust of this article, so I will just state my position on this part. I believe the Scriptural truth of the matter lies squarely between the two. This position includes two phases of the “rapture”. The first is an early taking-out of a relative few who are ready and worthy before a three and a half year tribulation (as opposed to seven years), and the second rapture occurs immediately before Yahshua’s return. These in the second group are those who have gone through the fires of persecution and remained faithful by not taking the mark of the beast.
A brief overview of some classic passages that clearly portray that there is an early taking out of those few who are ready include Yahshua’s parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins as found in Matthew 25:1-13. In this passage, all ten virgins undoubtedly represent believers who are espoused to him, but only a few of them were ready and counted worthy to go with him.
A second classic passage is found in Luke 21:36 where after describing the terrible things that would be coming on the earth, Yahshua said:
“Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the son of man.”
Working from this premise, the question becomes: How exactly does a follower of Yahshua become “worthy” of getting out early? As you will see, there is strong Scriptural evidence to suggest that the proper observance of YHWH’s Sabbath is an important and key part of the answer to that question. There is no single passage from the Scriptures that states one must be a Sabbath observant believer to qualify for getting out early, but when the numerous pieces of the puzzle are shown in their proper light, the picture clearly emerges.
Looking at the Pieces
A significant part of the confusion over the rapture issue stems from misunderstanding the references made to it in the book of Revelation. It is important to know which of the two raptures is being referred to when it is portrayed. For the purposes of this article, we will concern ourselves with only those that refer to the first rapture. It might surprise the average Bible reader to find out that there are actually three references in Revelation made to this rapture and/or those who are part of it. Another important fact that must kept in mind is that the prophecies in Revelation are not listed in the chronological order in which they will be fulfilled. There is indeed the general chronological framework in chapters 5-16 of seven seals, leading to seven trumpets which in turn lead to the last seven bowel-judgments, but within this 7-7-7 framework, as well as later in chapters 17 and 18, we are given a number of flashbacks to certain events in which we are given more detail and the events are portrayed from a different angle. This observation of the structure of Revelation is one of the most important keys to understanding the book.
Another important key to understanding Revelation is the fact that everything John saw was to be fulfilled in the future from his point of view in time. Immediately before embarking on his prophetic journey John heard these words: “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”[1] Therefore we must assume that no prophecy from Revelation chapter 4 and on concerns any event from before John’s visions. Some common interpretations of certain prophesies actually flash-back too far and include events that were history at the time of John’s visions. One such prophecy that is commonly misinterpreted is The Woman Clothed with the Sun. [2] This prophecy comprises the entire 12th chapter, and correctly gleaning all that is being said in it is key to understanding the significance of Sabbath observance and its relation to the first rapture. Here are the highlights of that prophecy.
Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. … And she bore a male child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. … Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. … And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Yahshua the Messiah. (Revelation 12:1-2, 5-6, 13-14, 17)
Every resource I have consulted concerning the interpretation of this prophecy identifies the woman as Israel , and the child as the Messiah. Many translations of this passage actually capitalize the word “Child” in an effort to steer the reader to this conclusion. They argue that the twelve starts on the woman’s head represent the twelve tribes of Israel . The single greatest support for the interpretation that the child represents Yahshua resides in the fact that the prophecy says the child is “destined to rule all nations with a rod of iron.” Even though this is indeed descriptive of Messiah, it is the only point, and there is an alternative interpretation. I will get to that in a moment. While this is the only substantive point, it is important to notice that there are a couple of serious problems with the interpretation that the child represents the Messiah. The first is the fact that Israel , having given birth to the Messiah, who later ascended to heaven, was already history, as opposed to a future event, at the time John saw the vision. The second is that those who believe the woman is Israel , have the impossible task of explaining how 1,260 days (also spoken of as 3½ years) where the woman is protected from the dragon in the wilderness, fit into their picture.
The assumption that the child must be the Messiah because he is destined to rule the nations with a rod of iron is flawed because it presupposes that this description can only apply to him. That presupposition vanishes in light of Revelation 2:26-27 where Yahshua himself said:
“And he who overcomes, and keeps my works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations… he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the potters vessels shall be broken to pieces… as I also have received from my Father.”
It should be clear that there will be a group of obedient over-comers who will rule the nations with a rod of iron right alongside Yahshua.
Here I submit a better interpretation of The Woman Clothed with the Sun, one which takes into account all the known facts.
The woman is not Israel past, but Christianity in general future.
The twelve stars on her head represent the twelve apostles of Yahshua from whose testimony all of Christianity has come into existence. The stars in fact represent both the apostles of the Lamb and the twelve tribes of Israel-future that they will judge! (Matthew 19:28, Luke 22:27-30)
The fact that the woman is “clothed with the sun” is indicative of Christianity itself in that Christianity has been steeped in pagan sun-worship observances since the days of Constantine . For one thing, Mithraism celebrated December 25th as the birthday of the sun, and the most blatant sun-worship observance of all was the abandonment of the seventh-day Sabbath rest to instead gather on “the day of the sun” …Sunday!
The moon under the woman’s feet represents the fact that Christianity has traditionally stepped out and gone back to work on the pagan “day of the moon” now known as “Monday”.
The child that the woman gives birth to and is “caught-up” to God are those who are also known as the “wise virgins” of Matthew 25:1-13, the “obedient over-comers” of Revelation 2:26-27, and the “counted worthy to escape” of Luke 21:36, who are taken out of this world and will return to rule with Yahshua (Revelation 20:4) and his apostles. (Matthew 19:28, Luke 22:27-30)
The 1,260 days that the woman is persecuted represent the last 3½ years of Daniel’s last seven-year period, where it is prophesied that in “the middle” of the seven, the beast (antichrist) sets up “the abomination of desolation”, which is also when all hell breaks loose against God’s people. (Daniel 9:24-27)
The fact that the child is not clothed with the sun and is separated from woman who is, is indicative of those who abstain from the pagan idolatrous rituals of Christianity and keep only YHWH’s appointed days. These individuals are portrayed as a labor pain to the woman (Christianity) from which she desires to be delivered.
This is just the beginning of the Sabbath observance rapture picture. There are several other Scriptures that dovetail perfectly with this interpretation. The best will be saved for last. But first, there are two more prophecies from Revelation concerning the first rapture that we need to look at.
The 144,000
Another prophecy that has caused an immense amount of confusion is that of the 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth. This group is mentioned twice in the book of Revelation, the first time in chapter 7, and then again in chapter 14. Most popular interpretations have erred in suggesting that these are two different groups of 144,000. The first group is believed to consist of 12,000 members from each of the twelve tribes of Israel , while the second group supposedly consists of 144,000 celibate men. But upon closer analysis it should become clear that these two prophecies are speaking of the very same group of individuals. The first passage describes the sealing of these people while they were still on the earth, and the second is a closer look at them after they were brought to heaven as “first fruits”. Here is the first reference.
After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then 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 granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I hear the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed… Revelation 7:1-4
Now, here they are portrayed later as first fruits.
Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion , and with him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. And they sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes, These were redeemed from among men, being first-fruits to 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
The problem with the celibate-men picture:
The one significant problem that makes it difficult to see that these passages are speaking of the same group of people is that we are led to believe the second group consists entirely of celibate men. The problem with the sentence that I have highlighted in yellow is that it suggests only celibate men can be members of this group, and what’s worse, women are only capable of “defiling” men and keeping them from it! First of all, nowhere in Scripture can it be found that sexual relations between a man and a woman permanently defile either one. Moreover, there is good reason to believe this particular verse has been touched up by early ascetic Christians who were predisposed to hating all things sexual. The first clue is that the context in which these words are found has absolutely nothing to do with sexuality or gender specifics. If celibacy and gender were critical factors, there certainly should have been something more in the context to corroborate that picture. But there is nothing! The very first verse certainly could have helped by stating that these were “one hundred and forty-four thousand men”… specifically males. But it doesn’t. In verse 4 where is says “These were redeemed from among men”, the Greek word translated “men” is not gender-specific, but indicates “mankind” in general.
The most significant key to understanding this passage is found in the Greek word translated “virgins”. It has two predominant meanings. The first is literally a virgin maiden and is indeed gender specific. It is never used in reference to sexually celibate men! A secondary meaning is more figurative of sexuality, is non-gender specific, and refers to “a person who has abstained from all uncleanness and whoredom attendant on idolatry, and so has kept their chastity”.[3] This picture fits perfectly in the context where these 144,000 who have The Father’s name on their foreheads are contrasted in verses 9-10 with idol worshipers who receive the mark of the beast.
Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation”.
So here is what I believe happened to that part of verse 4 that I highlighted above. I believe it originally read;
“These are the ones who are not defiled, for they are chaste (of idolatrous practices)”.
Later, when an early ascetic monk read this, knowing that the Greek word chaste could mean a virgin sexually, he interjected his own commentary/foot-note “with women” after the word defiled. His interpolation later became part of the text.[4] This is why the words “with women” stand out like a sore thumb with absolutely no contextual support. I don’t believe that these two words were in John’s original text.
This group of 144,000 in chapter 14 consists of both men and women who keep themselves from idolatrous worship and are therefore deemed worthy to be “redeemed from among men, being first-fruits to God and to the Lamb”. Now let’s go back and take a closer look at the first mention and description of this same group in chapter 7 where it says:
“Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I hear the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed…
Here the prophecy refers to the 144,000 as “the servants of our God”. This description of the 144,000 is of utmost significance. Please remember it. We will return to it in a moment.
Notice also that the 144,000 in this first passage are being sealed “on their foreheads.” And in the second reference they are described as having been “redeemed from the earth” as “first fruits to God and the Lamb”, who have Yahshua’s “Father’s name written on their foreheads.” It should be obvious that having Yahshua’s Father’s name written on these people’s foreheads earlier is what had sealed them to become the redeemed from the earth as first fruits later!
This first reference to the 144,000 goes on in verses 5-8 to further identify them as consisting of twelve thousand members of each of the twelve tribes of Israel . The text even names the tribes. But now there is the problematic fact that 10 of the tribes have been lost and are unidentifiable today! Are we to assume that God knows who the physical descendants of these tribes are today and has exactly 12,000 from each tribe marked? I don’t believe so, because that picture smacks of predestination. Or, could it be that God intends to adopt into these tribes idolatry-free Gentiles who have joined themselves to Him and Israel ... as many as are needed to fill the remainder of each to 12,000?
Now comes the really good part.
Tying it all together from Isaiah
Bearing in mind that the 144,000 who have been redeemed (raptured) from the earth as first fruits, and follow The Lamb where ever he goes are also referred to as “the servants of our God”, take a good long look at this passage from Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8 and ask yourself what constitutes being called a servant of God.
Thus says YHWH: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold on it; who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. Do not let the son of the foreigner who has joined himself to YHWH speak, saying, ‘YHWH has utterly separated me from His people’”… “the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to YHWH, to serve Him, and to love the name of YHWH, TO BE HIS SERVANTS—EVERYONE WHO KEEPS FROM DEFILING THE SABBATH, AND HOLDS FAST MY COVENANT—even them I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My alter; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations”. YHWH God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel , says, “YET I WILL GATHER TO HIM ( Israel ) OTHERS BESIDES THOSE WHO ARE GATHERED TO HIM”
Putting all the pieces together
The “child” that was “born” out of “pain” to Gentile Christianity, who was not “clothed with the sun” worshipping practices of the pagans, but instead became “servants” of the Most High by refraining “from defiling the Sabbath”, are those “144,000” “wise virgins” who “kept oil in their lamps” and were thus recognized by the angels to be sealed with “the name of Yahshua’s Father on their forehead”, effectively marking them as adopted into “the twelve tribes of Israel” and “counted worthy to escape” and be “redeemed from the earth” as “first fruits to God and to the Lamb.”
The woman who was clothed with the sun had to stay behind for a period of three and a half years for further testing and purification by fire.
[1] Revelation 4:1
[2] Even within this one chapter it is obvious there is a flashback/scene-change in verses 7-12, where the focus of the vision goes from the woman having fled for protection in the wilderness to Satan being thrown out of heaven, which is the reason the woman needed to flee. After opening this another window of insight, the prophecy concerning the woman then resumes in verse 13.
[3] Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament # 3933.
[4] A scholarly analysis of the history of NT manuscripts documents that this phenomenon of interpolated-commentary later becoming part of the text has occurred numerous times. See Misquoting Jesus, by Bart D. Ehrman, ISBN 0-06-073817-0
