Daily Devotional

The Bible teaches that when we receive Christ, we become spiritual Jews: “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).

This particular group of 144,000 appears only in the seventh and fourteenth chapters of Revelation—and nowhere else in Scripture. Both appearances have an immediate context pertaining to the Second Coming. The question has been asked, “Who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:17). Now we have an answer: the 144,000. “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. … And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:4, 5).

The children of Israel were usually numbered “according to their armies” (Numbers 1:52). They were further organized with leaders over companies of “thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, leaders of tens, and officers” (Deuteronomy 1:15). This is the way that armies are generally organized today; such organization allows for efficiency when conducting warfare.
Heading into the great tribulation, we find that God has a people who are cleansed and equipped.

They have taken up “the whole armor of God” and will “be able to withstand in the evil day” (Ephesians 6:13). While 144,000 is arguably a symbolic number, it shows that this number, too, like Gideon’s ranks, have been dwindled down to a small company. “For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant. … The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 37:32).

Every one of the sons of Jacob had a unique life experience tainted by sin, yet God was able to work in them and change their hearts until they could be tried by Joseph and be found without fault, cured of their natural dispositions. Just as each one of us will enter the New Jerusalem through one of the gates assigned with the names of the tribes of Israel, so we will also go through similar experiences on our way to that heavenly city.

God of all peoples, keep us in Your fold. Save us from ourselves and make our characters fit for your heavenly kingdom.

For Further Study: Ezekiel 48:19; Romans 9:27; James 1:1