Preacher: Bob Bryant | Series: The People of the Apocalypse

THEIR MINISTRY

Revelation 14:3 The hundred and forty-four thousand… 4 These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

7:2 An angel…cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God.”

THEIR IDENTITY

4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: 5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; 6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; 7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; 8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues…10 crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 14 These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation…3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it.

John 6:47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

Matthew 24:14 “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

I Timothy 2:3 God our Savior, 4 desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Galatians 1:6 …turning away… to a different gospel.

QUESTIONS FOR LIFE

1.Please read these verses: Revelation 7:4,9,14  One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues… These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

2.Based on these verses, briefly review the identity and accomplishments of the 144,000.

3.How does your understanding of the identity and accomplishments of the 144,000 make you feel?

4.Please review the gospel message taught in each of these theologies:

“Here and now” theology,  Reformed theology,  Arminian theology,  Postmodern theology

5.In the past, did you sit under (or embrace) one of these theologies? Please explain.

6.In your opinion how prevalent are each of these theologies today? Please explain.

7.Briefly review the significance of these diagrams that picture the state of our world today?

(green = true gospel; light blue = a different gospel; dark blue = world population)

8.Based on those diagrams, how much does the world need the 144,000?

9.Please read 1 Timothy 2:3-4  God our Savior, desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

10.Based on the previous questions should we expect the rapture to be soon or far away? Please explain.

11.Please read Genesis 12:1-3  Now the Lord had said to Abram… I will make you a great nation… And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

12. How does your understanding of the 144,000 affect your understanding of Genesis 12:1-3?

13.In what way do you think your understanding of the 144,000 should affect your personal life?

14.What part of the model for daily prayer (The Lord’s Prayer) would best remind you to pray for   the 144,000?  What can you pray for concerning the 144,000?