“And I looked, and lo a Lamb stood on Mount Zion and with Him an hundred and forty and four thousand having His Father’s name written in their foreheads,” Rev. 14:1-5.

THE SEALED 144,000 IS SYMBOLIC OF SPIRITUAL ISRAEL

Again, verses 5 and 16 of the account of Numbers, chapter one, is very significant. Therein we are told, “And these are the names of the ‘men’ that shall stand ‘with’ you …These were renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.”

I would like to quote these verses from another translation, “One man from each tribe, each the head of his family, is to Help you. These are names of the men who are to ASSIST you…,” Num. 1:4, 5, 16 NIV.

Now notice something. These ‘men’ that are to be ‘with Moses’ are the ones to help or assist in administering the congregation (church) of Israel. Can you see any connection with those who are with the Lamb on Mount Zion?

Look at it from the Amplified Translation; “Then I looked and lo the Lamb stood on Mount Zion, and WITH HIM an hundred and forty and four thousand (men …).”

The fact of the matter is, these 144,000 are MEN; meaning they are mature people who are now qualified for the position of administration. For we know that ‘men’ in the Scriptures speaks of maturity.

The Word says,”Brethren, be not children in understanding; howbeit in malice be ye children, BUT IN UNDERSTANDING BE MEN” (1Cor. 14:20).

“Therefore… MEN (alight to) pray everywhere lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting” (1Tim. 2:8).

“Wherefore … when He (Jesus) ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts UNTO MEN” (Eph.4:8).

This is plain enough that so many of us cannot be blessed especially with the fivefold ministry gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (v. 11 ) because of our spiritual immaturity.

It is only a stupid father who will give a loaded pistol (shot gun) to his child of three year old as a birthday present (toy) or give a car key to a four year old boy as a present and ask him to go and drive. Once again, only the mature ones can assist the Lamb on Mount Zion in His administration.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TWELVE TRIBES BY THE APOSTLES

This administrative position for only the spiritually matured was promised to the disciples (apostles) of Jesus who were trained by Him personally when they asked Him what will be their reward for following Him and having forsaken all things.

In reply He, “…said unto them, verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, IN THE REGENERATION when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of (Spiritual) Israel,” Matt. 19:27-28.

The very twelve tribes that were sealed in Rev. 7, they shall be judging Israel even as “did Prophet Samuel all the days of his life,” 1Sam. 7:6, 15; 8:1.

In other words, he ruled or governed Israel on behalf of God.

Now the promise of the disciples administering was fulfilled when the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Apostles in the upper room – gifts to mature men. The key word to your understanding what I am saying from the passage is the word ‘regeneration.’

Quoting the same passage from the Amplified, it says,

“…Truly, I say to you in the new – the Messianic rebirth of the world (i.e. in the regeneration) – when the Son of man shall sit down in the throne of His glory (see Matt. 10:22-23; 16:28) you (who have become my disciples, sided with My Party and followed me) will also sit on twelve thrones. (place of authority) and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Can you remember how Apostle Peter exercised this authority as a judge in the early Church of Ananias and Sapphira? (Acts 5:1+.) What of when he preached about Christ and the people asked what shall we do and he said repent for the forgiveness of your sins? (Acts. 2:37-38).

That was judgment passed on the wicked generation in the time of the regeneration that they may return unto God. So the time or age of the regeneration is the age of the Holy Ghost.

“Even as God saved us from our foolishness… not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by (the) cleansing (bath) of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Ghost,” Tit. 3:5-5 AMP.

THE HOLY GHOST – OUR SEAL

So you see, the sealing of the twelve tribes (Rev. 7) of spiritual Israel is the indwelling power of the Holy Ghost. The Bible says, “When we believed we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of His glory,” Eph. 1:1-14. Amen.

To be continued…