144,000 sealed and the Mark of the Beast

I used to believe the seven seals and seven trumpets in Revelation represented seven periods throughout the gospel age. 

You may have been taught something similar. 

Many believe the events described in Revelation are unfolding now or will be soon. 

What if I told you they all happened during Daniel’s 3/12 years that began around when “the sacrifice and the oblation ceased” in 66AD and ended when “the city and the sanctuary” were destroyed in 70AD (Daniel 9: 26&27).

As I compare Revelation to the rest of the bible and to the writings of first century historian Josephus, the latter view is making more and more sense to me. 

Today we’re going to examine Revelation chapter 7.

Revelation 7:1-4

And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

And 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 given to hurt the earth and the sea,

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Revelation 14 and 7 are very similar, both mention 144,000 being sealed in their foreheads.

Revelation14

1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.

If we explore the context of Revelation 14 that might help us to understand what “earth” represents in chapter 7, also the 144,000…who they were, when and why they were sealed. 

Revelation chapters 12-14 describe very important events that took place in 66AD as recorded in `The Wars of the Jews’ Book 2, chapters 17 and 18.

In Revelation 12 we see a pregnant woman standing on the moon, she’s clothed in the sun and has 12 stars in her crown. 

We also see a red dragon ready to devour her “man child” as soon as he’s born (Rev. 12:1-5). 

The woman represents faithful Israel through whom descended Jesus Christ.

Who tried to kill Jesus as soon as he was born? Herod the Great (Matthew 2:16). 

The seven heads on the dragon therefore represent the Herodian dynasty from Herod the Great through to Agrippa II who ruled as “client king” over Judea in 66AD.

“Client kings” were those put into power by Rome. 

The 10 horns on the dragon represent 10 Roman Caesars from Julius Caesar through to Emperor Vespasian.

Josephus described a situation in 66AD in which Agrippa II was driven out of Jerusalem. In fact every Roman influence was driven out of the city and Herod’s temple was burnt down by zealots.

(The zealots were an extreme political faction who wanted Jewish independence from Rome at any cost. They were willing to use violence to achieve their goals. They were basically terrorists.)

…Agrippa attempted to persuade the multitude to obey Florus, until Cæsar should send one to succeed him; but they were hereby more provoked, and cast reproaches upon the king, and got him excluded out of the city; nay, some of the seditious had the impudence to throw stones at him… (The Wars of the Jews 2.17.1)

…The others then set fire to the house of Ananias the high-priest, and to the palaces of Agrippa and Bernice: after which they carried the fire to the place where the archives were reposited, and made haste to burn the contracts belonging to their creditors, and thereby to dissolve their obligations for paying their debts; and this was done in order to gain the multitude of those who had been debtors, and that they might persuade the poorer sort to join in their insurrection…(The Wars of the Jews 2.17.6)

This was the point at which the “dragon” was cast from heaven to earth (Rev. 12, 9,10&13).

In Revelation 13 we see a beast rise from the sea which also had seven heads (Rev. 13:1-8). 

These heads may represent the Hezekiah dynasty. Hezekiah’s son Judas of Galilee established the zealot movement in 6AD. Judas’s grandson Menahem was a prominent zealot leader in 66AD. 

This beast therefore represents zealot-led Israel who rose up in strength and influence as the “dragon” was cast down.

Then we see a second beast rise from the “earth”.

It had two horns like a lamb but spoke like a dragon. It caused everyone to worship the first beast and to receive a mark in their hand and forehead (Rev. 13:11-17).

Here “earth” represents the temple, specifically the part of the temple only priests were allowed to enter. Therefore the second beast represents the corrupt Jewish priesthood led by Eleazar ben Ananias.

To receive the mark of the beast was to pledge allegiance to the zealot movement and join their revolt. This was the pressure people were under at the time. They either joined the revolt or they were murdered by the zealots.

Revelation 13

15…as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

2…At the same time Eleazar, the son of Ananias the high-priest, a very bold youth, who was at that time governor of the temple, persuaded those that officiated in the divine service to receive no gift or sacrifice for any foreigner. And this was the true beginning of our war with the Romans…

3 Hereupon the men of power got together, and conferred with the high-priests…they shewed the great indignation they had at this attempt for a revolt, and for their bringing so great a war upon their country…”(The Wars of the Jews 2.17.2&3)

After Eleazar ben Ananias refused to receive sacrifices from foreigners (a declaration of war upon Rome) zealots seized control of the temple. 

The “men of power” and high priests (peace-loving men opposed to the zealot-led revolt) then seized upon the upper city, also called Mount Zion.

5 Upon this the men of power, with the high-priests, as also all the part of the multitude that were desirous of peace, took courage, and seized upon the upper city [Mount Sion]; for the seditious part had the lower city, and the temple in their power…(The Wars of the Jews 2.17.5)

These men had refused the mark of the beast.

Revelation 14

9…If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation;

These men on mount Zion represent the 144,000, a remnant from each of the 12 tribes, who were faithful to God under the Old Covenant.

The seal of God was not a seal of protection from physical death, rather an assurance of eternal life with God.

Revelation 14

13…Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth…

We must remember that the Old Covenant was still in effect at this point. It did not entirely pass away until the destruction of the temple in 70AD.

Matthew 5

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled

According to Josephus soon after Eleazar seized upon the temple, the tower of Antonia was assaulted by Zealots, which made the temple "four square”, a sign of its imminent destruction. 

7…the fifteenth of the month Lous, [Ab], they made an assault upon Antonia…

8…they dug a mine from a great distance under one of the towers, and made it totter, and having done that, they set fire on what was combustible, and left it; and when the foundations were burnt below, the tower fell down suddenly (The Wars of the Jews 2.17.7&8).

…the Jews, by demolishing the tower of Antonia, had made their temple four square: while at the same time they had it written in their sacred oracles, that “then should their city be taken, as well as their holy house, when once their temple should become four square.” (The Wars of the Jews 6.5.4)

Roman soldiers pleaded for mercy and Eleazar ben Ananias promised to let them live but as soon as the soldiers put down their weapons Eleazar’s men barbarously murdered them all. Josephus wrote that at this point the city was “all over polluted with abominations”.

…Metilius, who was the Roman general, sent to Eleazar, and desired that they would give them security to spare their lives only, but agreed to deliver up their arms…The others readily complied with their petition…but as soon as… they had all laid down their shields, and their swords… Eleazar’s men attacked them after a violent manner…And thus were all these men barbarously murdered…it appeared to be a prelude to the Jews own destruction…the city was all over polluted with such abominations, from which it was but reasonable to expect some vengeance…this murder was perpetrated on the Sabbath day, on which day the Jews have a respite from their works on account of divine worship (The Wars of the Jews 2.17.10).

Furthermore Josephus wrote that in “the very same day and hour” that these soldiers were killed 20,000 jews were slaughtered in Cesarea due to the “direction of providence” (The Wars of the Jews 2.18.1).

When the tower of Antonia fell making the temple “four square” and when Roman soldiers were slaughtered on the sabbath day, it was time for God’s judgement to begin. It was time for his destructive winds to be released upon the earth.

Revelation 14

7…the hour of his judgment is come…

Whilst in Revelation “earth” often represents the temple, according to Strong's concordance the Greek word rendered “earth” (in Revelation 7) can also mean the land of Israel and it’s inhabitants.

Earth

1093. γῆ gḗ; gen. gḗs, fem. noun. Earth, land.

(IV) Of a country, region, territory, as the land of Israel (Matt. 2:20, 21); Canaan (Acts 13:19)…

Gennesareth (Matt. 14:34; Mark 6:53)…With a gen. of person, one's native land (Acts 7:3). Spoken particularly of and used in an absolute sense of the land of the Jews, Palestine (Matt. 23:35; 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 4:25; 21:23; Rom. 9:28; James 5:17; Is. 10:23). Also in the expression, to "inherit the earth" (Matt. 5:5 quoted from Ps. 37:11; see Ps. 37:9, 22, 29; 25:13; Is. 60:21 [cf. Lev. 20:24; Deut. 16:20]). Figuratively used for the inhabitants of a country (Matt. 10:15; 11:24). 

At the end of Revelation 14 we see the “great winepress of the wrath of God” being “trodden without the city” (Rev. 14:19&20).

According to Josephus, in 66AD death and destruction was happening inside and outside the city simultaneously but it was sparked by what happened in the temple.

The destruction of the second temple in 70AD marked the end of the Old Covenant sacrificial system and levitical priesthood. 

It also marked the the beginning of a New Covenant age without end. God’s people, spiritual Israel, would forever dwell with God in his Kingdom of righteousness.

2 Peter 3

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

You can be part of that everlasting kingdom of righteousness TODAY but you must first “put off the old man and his deeds” (Col. 3:9) and “put on” the “new man…created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephes. 4:24) through godly sorrow and repentance (2 Cor. 7:10) proven by deeds (Acts 26:20).

God bless as you study to show yourself approved. 

Symbolism of the Sun, Moon and Stars

So far in Revelation 6 we've looked at the four horses and the souls under the altar. Today we will look at the at the sun, moon and stars being darkened or cast from heaven to earth.

Revelation 6

12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Let’s compare these verses to the creation story in Genesis 1

Genesis 1

14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven…

15 And let them…give light upon the earth…

God created the sun, moon and stars to give light upon the earth.

In Revelation 6 we see the opposite to this, the sun and moon are darkened, the stars fall from heaven to earth.

Therefore what we see is a de-creation process that continues into chapters 8&9. 

Would you agree that Revelation is a book of symbols? 

If it were not, a literal beast would have to rise from the sea (Rev. 13), a literal dragon would need to be cast from heaven to earth (Rev. 12).

If we agree that Revelation is a book of symbols what does that tell us about the creation story in Genesis chapters 1&2?

Over the last few weeks my studies have led me to look at the creation story with fresh eyes.

Rather than it just being God’s log-book of what he created each day, I’ve begun to consider the symbolism it contains. 

What are the sun, moon and stars symbolic of?

In Genesis 15:5,17:7, 22:17 & 26:4 God promised Abraham that his seed would be as “the stars of heaven” and that he would establish an “everlasting covenant” with them.

In Genesis 37:9&10 Jospeh has a dream in which the sun represented his father (Israel), the moon his mother, the stars his brothers…the 12 tribes of Israel.

The creation story is reflected in the design, fabric and furniture of the Tabernacle of Moses. Even the priestly garments.

God made the sea, land and sky. He planted a garden with the tree of life in the midst.

The Tabernacle of Moses was divided into three parts. The outer court, holy place and most holy place with the ark of the covenant in the midst.

Only the high priest could enter the most holy place once a year with the blood of an animal to make atonement for the sins of the children of Israel.

According to first century historian Josephus, his blue outer garment represented the sky, his breastplate the land, his girdle the sea. 

Upon each shoulder sat a sardonyx stone with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel engraved into them. These stones represented the sun and moon. (Antiquities of the Jews 3.7.7)

The sun, moon and stars are symbolic of Israel, God’s chosen people, in Covenant with him.

Let’s go back to Genesis chapter 1.

Genesis 1

14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night…

15 And let them…give light upon the earth…

Israel was meant to be a light in the world.

16…the greater light to rule the day, and -- the lesser light to rule the night…

Israel was meant to exercise spiritual authority.

14…and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years…

Israel was meant to understand the signs and seasons, the appointed times in which prophesy would be fulfilled.

In Revelation 6 we’re seeing the de-creation of Old Covenant Israel/Judah including the sacrificial system and Levitical priesthood.

We’re seeing a power-shift as the kingdom of God is “taken” from the Pharisees and “given” to a nation bringing forth fruit (Matthew 21:43&45).

The POWERS of the heavens were shaken. The religious “vipers” of Jesus’s day lost their authority.

Matthew 24

29-- Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

The book of Hebrews describes the transition from the Old to New Covenant and also mentions a great shaking.

Hebrew 12

26…Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

28…we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

The New Covenant kingdom can not be shaken or moved.

According to Daniel it is an everlasting kingdom.

Daniel 2

44…the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed…it shall stand forever.

Daniel 7

14…his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

27…the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom…

Towards the end of Revelation, we see this everlasting Kingdom in all its glory and and an invitation to be part of it. 

Revelation 22

17…the Spirit 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.

This invitation is on-going. It is relevant for you today. Will you repent from sin? Put off your old man and enter the New Covenant kingdom of righteousness that can never be moved, shaken or destroyed?

God bless as you study to show yourself approved.