PENTECOST – 2000

“More On 144,000”

Fred R. Coulter – June 17, 2000

Now I want to answer some questions concerning the bride and the guests and maybe a little bit concerning the 144,000.  I might mention that I’m working on a booklet on the 144,000 and so we’ll be able to cover that.  I also have a booklet that I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.  I’ve a lot of it done which centers on the series I did on Sabbath-keeping, on “The Holy Sabbath”.  But now with some of the information that we have, especially concerning Hebrews 4 and sabbatismos and the various verb forms of it and the Septuagint Greek version of the Old Testament, we are going to make that Sabbath booklet a whole lot stronger.  And it’s not going to be based upon Old Testament doctrine.  It’s going to be based on New Testament doctrine, and it’s going to be put in such a way that there will be no doubt whatsoever that Sunday-keeping never came from God. 

Let’s come to Matthew 20, and what I want to do is cover a little part concerning the 50^th day harvest of the 144,000 and great innumerable multitude.  And we might add a little bit more to it.  Now let’s pick it up here in verse 1.  “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.  And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day [or we can just say a silver coin a day], he sent them into his vineyard.  And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you.  And they went their way” (Matt. 20:1-4).  Now this is interesting isn’t it?  Because one thing that we have to get rid of is the Gerald Waterhouse mentality that it’s all stacked up according to his four-hour sermon.  See, it’s not that way because God is going to determine who will be where and what position.  And that’s all a part of this, as we will see.  So he didn’t tell them very much, or he said, “Whatever is right I will give you.” So they went their way.   

“Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.”  So he went out there at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m.  “And about the eleventh hour [which then is 5 o’clock cause the 12^th hour then is 6] he went out and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?  They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us.  He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.  So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first” (vs. 5-8).  Now this tells us an awful lot, doesn’t it?  And as we will see the whole parable tells us that God does not think like we think.  Now especially if you ever belonged to a union.  I mean this would be called the greatest scab operation that they had ever come across. 

“And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny [or silver coin].  But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more…”  Now this is judging by human standard, correct?  Yes.  “…And they likewise received every man a penny [or a silver coin].  And when the had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, these last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.  But he answered one of them and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny [or a silver coin]?” (vs. 9-13). So this tells us what?  That God is going to do what He is going to do.  He is going to reward whom He is going to reward in the way He is going to reward them.  And that all of our complaining or comparing isn’t going to change it.  And that also means that…and I know there are to be some people who say, “Well, how are you to say that we’re not going to be part of the bride?”  Well, the truth is, Christ is going to determine who it is, and I’m sure God the Father is going to select the bride.  Don’t you think so?  Ok.

Now just recently I had a wedding, and I love weddings.  Weddings are my favorite thing.  And it was really a wonderful outdoor wedding.  Andy Davis and Jennifer, his wife.  And it was beautiful.  Only thing is it was at noon and 95 degrees, so it was a little warm.  But just as we started there was a breeze that came up and made it livable.  So I finished the ceremony in 10 seconds.  [Laughter]  No, I didn’t.  Went through the ceremony fully, all the way.  And then we went on over where they were going to have the wedding supper.  And they had a wedding supper.  And as I was sitting there, and my wife was sitting there, and we were enjoying everything.  And here the bride and groom came in and they took the first dance, ok.  And I thought this is just exactly what the Bible is talking about.  Now we’re here and we’re enjoying it, and I was happy to have a part in doing the ceremony, but there is the husband and there is the bride and all the rest of us are guests.  And I though, you know, that’s just the way it’s going to be in the resurrection.  And God is the One Who’s going to have to decide. 

Now let’s continue on here verse 14, “Take that thine is, and go thy way; I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.  Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?  Is thine eye evil, because I am good?  So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen” (vs. 14-16).  Now this almost sounds like what we read about in Job here just a little earlier, wasn’t it?  “Will you disannul My judgment that you may be righteous?”  That’s what they’re trying to do here, see. 

Now, hold your place here and let’s look at the literal last, because we’ll come back.  Let’s go to Revelation 7 and then Revelation 11.  Now are not these in Revelation 7 the 144,000 from Israel.  And I think that’s very clear that they are different from the 144,000 in Revelation 14.  Now, as we covered on Pentecost Revelation 7 is approximately at the end of two full years of the 3 ½ year tribulation.  Meaning that there’s one year and six months left.  This, I believe, is the 50^th day harvest that belongs to God.  Now here it gives no inclination of any reward at all does it?  Except that it says, after you get through the 144,000 then you come down here the great innumerable multitude, which no man can number.  And then it says here in verse 14, “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.  And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”  So these here may very well be a good portion of the number of guests, because if they’re in white then those are the wedding garments of the guests.  We’ll go back to Matthew 22 here in just a little bit.  These are part of the last, which will probably be some of the first who are resurrected.  But that doesn’t mean that they’re going to necessarily be first in reward. 

Now let’s come to Revelation 11 and let’s look at the very two last, the two witnesses.  Let’s pick it up here in verse 3.  “And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.  And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt hem, he must in this manner be killed” (Rev. 11:3-5).  So this is going to be quit a thing.  And I can just see it now, CNN News there which Christine Amamadpur, whatever her name is, you know.  And Peter Aunet out there, you know, giving the news.  “Boy did you see that?  Fire came out of their mouth and look, here are the ashes…”  You know talking to different ones.  “…And what are we going to do to stop them?  They’re upsetting this thing of the One World Government.”

Verse 6, “These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit [who then is talking about Satan and the man that he possesses] shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.”  Well this is just like with Christ.  Satan thought he had it made when Christ was killed.  But He was resurrected and totally defeated him.  So here the beast will think boy we finally have it made.  And we’ll teach them a lesson.  “And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified” (vs. 6-8).  And of course the coming one world religion is going to be nothing more than a re-warmed Egyptian version of the New Age religion. 

Did you know that Mormonism, when you read this book, “Primitive Christianity In Crisis”, Mormonism is nothing more than modern Gnosticism.  When you read this it will blow you away.  Cause the Gnostics believe that we were spirits up here in heaven and that we had to come down and possess a human body.  That’s a basic tenant of Mormonism.  Very basic tenant of Mormonism.  Ok, let’s not get too detracted here.

Verse 9, “And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.”  Now when it talks about “all the world shall see it”, it means they will see it.  And today we understand that statement.  I think it will be with television.  No question about it.  “And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another…”  I can just hear the beast.  “Brethren of the world.  We have finally conquered these two men who were disturbing and upsetting our wonderful one world government.  They have caused plagues, and killed people, and drought, and now they are dead.  Let us celebrate.  I proclaim a feast.”  [Laughter]  That’s what’s going to happen.  And my wife thinks it’s going to be Wilhelm Clinton.  Could be.  The longer he sticks around the more I think, hey there could be something to it.  “…And shall send gifts to one another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth” (vs. 9-10).

“And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet…”  Can you imagine that?  Can you imagine the breathlessness of all of the television reporters?  You can just see them, you know.  Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw, and Dan Rather, all breathlessley reporting this.  And Christian Amamadpur, you know, and all the cameras are there.  And then we have our discussion, you know.  Larry King live.  They’ll have a Rabbai, and they’ll have you know, “What do you think of this.”  They won’t quite have time for that but you can almost just see the whole thing going on here see.  And right when they’re talking about good it is that they’re dead, all of a sudden the cameras pointing on their bodies see them rise up on their feet.  “…And they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.  And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither.  And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them” (vs. 11-12).  These are the last two who are killed, who are what?  The first resurrected.  Perfect example of the last shall be first. 

“And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.  The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh [immediately] quickly.”  That’s what it means.  Not just quickly, immediately.  “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever” (vs. 13-15). Here then is the resurrection.  But just prior to the resurrection, the two witnessesses, the last two are raised first. 

Now let’s come back to Matthew 20:16.  “So the last shall be first, the first shall be last: for may are called, but few chosen.”  Then we have this, the next section.  And Jesus went up.  He told them He was going to be betrayed and so forth.  Now let’s come down to verse 20 because this ties right in with it, see.

“Then came to Him the mother of Zebedee’s children and her sons, worshipping Him, and desiring a certain thing of Him.  And He said unto her, What wilt thou?  She saith unto Him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in Thy kingdom” (vs. 20-21). Boy, now you talk about a political move to make it good for my two boys.  But this has the same thing to do with the first and the last.  Only from a little different perspective.  Only this time instead of the first and last being the general laborers that were out in the vineyard, now we here have it with the 12 apostles.  And He gives the lesson here.  

“But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask, Are ye able to…”, you see because her two sons were right there.  You know they wouldn’t want to march up and say, “Lord, give it to us.  Look how good we are.”  “But Mom, you are so persuasive.  Why don’t you do it for us?”  You know.   “…Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with?”  And He just told them that He was going to be crucified.    “They say unto Him, We are able” (vs. 22).  And of course they didn’t know what that was.  You know it’s kind of like a Marine recruit.  “Are you able to go up and capture that enemy machine gun nest?”  “Yea, I can.”  Don’t even know what you’re saying.  Never been under fire.  “We are able.” 

“And He saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on My right hand, and on My left, is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My Father.”  So the Father is in charge of all of this, right?  Yes He is.  Not just us as human beings, or just Christ alone.  “And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren” (vs. 23-24).  Because they got there first.  The other 10 would have liked to have gotten there first to ask.  That’s what they were mad at.  Cause, you know, just carnal human wanting to be the best, the greatest, and all this sort of thing.

“But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, [He’s giving the lesson here] Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.”  And of course the exercised dominion is katakurieuo, which is “downward”.  And the other one is kataexousio, which is “authority downward”.  “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (vs. 25-28).  Now that all ties in with those who are going to be in the resurrection.

Now, let’s come over here to Matthew 22 and let’s look at the guests.  Matthew 22:1.  “And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son.”  Now the king there is God the Father, and the son obviously has to be Jesus Christ, Who is giving a parable.  “And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come” (Matt. 22:1-3).  Let’s stop right here.  The king who is God the Father is going to have the marriage and He is going to select the bride.  Have to be. 

He “…sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.  But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.”  Just a summary of the life of the apostles.  “But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: hand he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.”  Now that is Jerusalem, and the fall of it in 70 A.D.  “Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.  Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.  So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good…”  Now this is talking about people who are bad people and good people, not in a sense of spiritually speaking but just in their lives.  And of course both the bad and the good have to repent.  It’s harder for the good to repent because they don’t see the sins that they have done.  “…And the wedding was furnished with guests” (vs. 3-10).

Now here the parable breaks down a little bit because obviously this is referring to the first resurrection, but there is not going to be anybody in the first resurrection who’s going to be there without the proper wedding garment.  But in order to show that you have to apply yourself and have to have the proper wedding garment, this is here in the parable.  So when will those who do not prepare to be guests, when will they be cast into outer darkness?  Well that will be the lake of fire, which will be at the end of the millenium and the Great White Throne Judgment.  So in order for the sake of the parable to show it, it has to be combined here.  Let’s read it.

“And when the king came in to see the guests…”  Now the king being God the Father, maybe this helps answer the question: when we are resurrected will we see God the Father?  Why not?  Will we be spirit beings? Yes.  Are we not His children?  Yes.  Would He not want to see His children just resurrected, born from the dead?  Yes.  Would we not want to see Him?  Absolutely.  As well as Christ?  No doubt.  So this says He came to see them.  “…He saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?  And he was speechless.  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  For many are called, but few are chosen” (vs. 11-14).

Let’s go to Matthew 25.  Now let’s hope we can understand this a little bit more.  Verse 1, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.”  Now here we have the virgins and the bridegroom.  Before we had the guests coming to the wedding.  This is obviously a different category of people.  “…Went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them” (Matt. 25:1-3). 

Now you need to understand about the lamps.  The lamps that they had were probably as you see the top of this little teapot here.  A little bigger than this and maybe just a little deeper as it sits over on it’s side.  And there was a little wick that came out on the side.  Olive oil was put into the middle of it and the wick would hang over the edge of it and give light.  Well obviously if you only have oil in your little lamp here you don’t have very much.  So that’s why they should have had some with them to carry an extra amount to pour in there when they needed it.

“But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.”  Showing that they will all have their own individual problems.  “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us our your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves” (vs.4-9).  Now this obviously showing that they did not have enough spiritual character in order to qualify as part of the bride. 

“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came…”  Now again in a parable it can’t fit everything to the exact facts.  “…The bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”  Now in this case he doesn’t say, “Depart into outer darkness and there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  So this does not necessarily show a loss of salvation.  But this shows a loss of being part of the bride.  The door to being the bride is shut.  It doesn’t say they won’t be in the kingdom of God, but it does tell us they won’t be part of the bride.  “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (vs. 10-13).

Now then, I think that that’s the best understanding I’ve been able to derive from this.  In other words these virgins by the virtue of the fact, now it says they were virgins, but by virtue of the fact that they didn’t exercise the spiritual character they should have had they, in a sense, disqualified themselves from the marriage.  Now it doesn’t necessarily say that they sinned and lost the, what we would call the spiritual virginity, but it does show that they were very negligent. 

Now let’s answer the question concerning the firstfruits.  Let’s go to 1 Corinthians 15:20.  “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”  Now we know that this is the first of the firstfruits by several things.  Number 1, God says in Exodus 34 that you are to bring the first of the firstfruits unto the Lord.  We also know by the wave sheaf offering that was elevated on the wave sheaf offering day, that that signified Christ ascending to the Father to be accepted as the firstborn from the dead.  So we have Christ Who is the first of the firstfruits. 

Now let’s notice.  “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  But every man in his own order…” (vs. 21-23).  Notice, every man in his own order.  So there is an order to the resurrection.  Part of what we have of the order that we saw was what?  The last shall be first and the first shall be last.  Now if Adam repented and made it is he going to be the last one resurrected?  I don’t know.  But the ones who are going to be the very last, who are going to be resurrected, are those who are alive when Christ returns. I Thessalonians 4 says that they which are dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive will be caught up in the air together with them and meet the Lord in the air.  Now meeting the Lord in the air can also have the meaning “for the meeting with the Lord in the air”.  So there’s an order.  Ok, the bride is the firstfruits.   

Let’s go to James 1:18.  Here in James 1:18 we are called firstfruits.  All those in the first resurrection are called firstfruits.  Christ is called firstfruits.  So Christ is the first of the firstfruits, now let’s look at the rest.  “Of His own will [that’s speaking of the Father] begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”  Now that means of His creation, meaning those of us who are created in Christ Jesus.  That’s what it’s referring to.  So we are called firstfruits.  Christ is also called the firstborn, isn’t he?  Romans 8:29, “…that He should be called the firstborn among many brethren.”  We’re also called of the church of the firstborn, Hebrews 12. 

Now then let’s go back to Revelation 14 and let’s see concerning the 144,000 here.  And the distinction between this and the 144,000 in Revelation 17 becomes very clear when we analyze all the differences.  What is said of the 144,000 in Revelation 7 is that they are 12,000 from the 12 tribes of the children of Israel.  It lists Joseph, and it lists Manasseh, and it does not include Dan.  Now that’s because of the prophecy that Dan will wait for his salvation. 

Now here in verse 1, “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion…”  Now that’s what we are to come to, correct, the Church of the Firstborn, Hebrews 12?  “…And with Him an hundred forty and four thousand…”  Now when you look at Revelation 7 with the innumerable multitude and 144,000…let’s go back there.

Revelation 7:9, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.”  Now you have to have the white robes in order to be a guest, correct?  Yes.  This is probably indicating that these are all guests.  They stood before the throne.  That is out around before the throne.  “And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.  And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four [living creatures] beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 7:9-12).

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes?  and whence came they?  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.  And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall fed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (vs. 13-17).

Now let’s come back and compare that with the 144,000 in Revelation 14.  144,000 at mount Sion “…having His Father’s name written in their foreheads.  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 [living creatures] 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…” Now let’s just leave out “being” cause that’s not there in the Greek.  And let’s leave out “the” because that’s not there in the Greek.  “…These were redeemed from among men…firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.” Now since we are all called firstfruits what category are these?  Verse 5, “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Rev. 14:1-5).

Now let’s go back and just analyze this just a little bit more.  Let’s begin with firstfruits.  These were redeemed from among men, not the children of Israel.  Can be from any race or people or whatever.  Firstfruits unto God and the Lamb.  Now Christ is called firstfruits so we know He is the first of the firstfruits.  Could we say then if this 144,000 represents the bride, are these the next category of firstfruits because it says everyone in his own order.  And then all of the rest in the first resurrection will be called firstfruits.  So we have three category of firstfruit.  Christ the first, the bride next, all the rest of us after that.  And I think if we put the scriptures together properly we can see how that will be. 

Let’s go back and look at this a little bit more.  Last part of verse 3, “were redeemed from the earth”.  It says “redeemed from among men” and “redeemed from the earth”.  Again showing that it’s from all nations.  But this is differentiating it from the children of Israel.  “These are they which were not defiled with women.”  Now what does it mean to be defiled with women? 

All right, let’s look at it.  Let’s go to Revelation 17.  What does it mean to not be defiled with women?  Who are the women that defile the saints of God?  That’s another way of answering the question, see.  Revelation 17:1, “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.  So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.  And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (Rev. 17:1-5).  So it could be mother Babylon or any one of her daughters that can defile the saints.  So these 144,000 of Revelation 14 were never defiled by false doctrines.  The false doctrines of the churches of this world.

“These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth” because it says then Christ and the bride say…let’s go back here to Revelation 22.  And this a summary of what goes on during the millennium.  Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit [Who is Christ] and the bride say, Come.  And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”  So this is Christ and the bride.  Everything in the millennium will flow from Christ and the bride.  Who will it flow to?  Well let’s go to Revelation 20:6.  “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection…”  Now that’s a blessing upon all.  “…On such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”  Now we also know from Matthew 25 that there will be those who are reigning over cities.  We know also from Jesus explaining about who’s going to sit on the 12 thrones of the children of Israel, that it’s going to be each one of the apostles.  So they will be kings.  Here we have priests.  We will reign as kings and priests with Christ.  But the 144,000 are with Christ wherever He goes.  Whereas those who are priests will be where ever Christ sends them to be priests.  So it’s a little bit different situation. 

Now let’s go back and look at this right here.  Verse 1.  “Having their Father’s name written in their forehead…..”