The 144,000 in Revelation 14 are those faithful few who are chosen by God to carry the three angel’s messages to a dying world. But in particular, they are to deliver the third message, since the first two have been given since the autumn of 1844, and thereafter. The third angel’s message is the last, and final one to be given to earth’s inhabitants, and it is designed to permanently close human probation.
The third angel’s message is to be given at the very midnight of earth’s history, at a time when spiritual darkness like a thick cloud has overspread the land, when the evangelical, and protestant believers of our time have become disgusted by the traditions, forms and fables of the churches to the point where many have literally stopped attending church.
The dreaded mark of the beast would then have overspread the land, and the inhabitants of earth would then be called to choose between Christ and satan, truth and error, good and evil, righteousness and unrighteousness, the seal of God or the mark of the beast. It is at such a time that the servants of God will deliver to the world, heaven’s last call of mercy. Let’s read:
Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four 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.
4 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, being the first- fruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, 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….
The messages given to this group are of very grave import and represents God’s last message of mercy to a dying world. It is represented as the everlasting gospel because it carries eternal consequences for the last generation to live upon the planet. Those who are to give these messages are not to consider family relations, nor are they to be afraid of the face of man.
They are not to seek favor of any, nor should they alter the messages given them because of censure or applause, for the eternal destiny of millions of people depend upon their faithful execution of the commission given them. Indeed, it is never a good policy to alter God’s word to curry favor with the popular majority of the people.
A thus saith The Lord in its purest, unadulterated form is the only thing that will work in this crisis. Thus, we must turn to the scriptures to understand how God works in times of crisis, and what is to be expected from His chosen messengers, at a time when gross darkness has covered the earth, and the multitudes may seem to be engulfed in irretrievable ruin.
We will observe several important pointers, from the three examples given, and we will close with the message given to the 144,000 to give to the world. The following observations will be made from the examples given:
[1] All three instances pertain to a time of national apostasy when idolatry has taken deep root.
[2] The call to service will be given directly by God, for not everyone will be able to deliver such urgent and potent messages. Thus, their marching orders come to them directly from God.
[3] In consequence of the serious nature of their commission, they run the risk of alienating friends, families, and foes, but they must not be distracted
by potential consequences.
[4] The purpose of God’s commission to His chosen is to save as many of those who desire to be saved from irretrievable ruin.
Thus, we begin with Gideon, to whom The Lord appeared directly, at a time when national morale was low, and idolatry had overspread the land of Palestine. The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel on account of their sins and backsliding, to the point where Gideon had to hide his food from the tribes that invaded the land. Let’s read:
Judges 6:1 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites,
8 That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus, saith the Lord
God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;
9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land;
10 And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
11 And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.
14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
But before Gideon can be used to deliver Israel, he would have to put his money where his mouth is, by taking a definite stand against false worship, thus, showing in unmistakable terms whose side he is on. One of the problems with the church of Laodicea in our day is that many are not certain which side they are on, and it’s because of this indecision why some are described as being in a lukewarm condition.
Now, Gideon’s commission will have the potential to cause alienation in his own immediate family, in his neighborhood, and nationally, yet he must not in any manner alter what God has told him to do, even though it will stir up trouble. He is to obey implicitly, the voice of God, letting the chips fall where they may, and leaving the consequences in God’s hands.
What one’s family thinks is not to be brought into the equation, when deciding to obey God, because the first and foremost issue of importance is doing God’s will, without turning to the right hand or the left. This will almost certainly put those who are thus called, at odds with friends and family, yet they must pursue their course with unwavering, and firm integrity. Let’s read:
Judges 6:25 And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it.
26 And build an altar unto the Lord thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
The commission given the 144000 will not only put them at odds with friends, family and foes alike, it may actually put their safety in apparent jeopardy, because their commission will involve the tearing down of established religious institutions, traditions and mainstream forms of worship, and because of this, they will have to trust fully, and solely in the providence of God, not considering any inherent or potential risks to their own persons. Let’s read:
Judges 6:27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
28 And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.
29 And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.
30 Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.
The same scenario is repeated with Samuel, as he is given a terrible message pertaining to Eli and his house. At this time also there was national apostasy because of the vile actions fostered, and practiced by Eli and his sons. And just as it is in our day, folks began to stay away from church, because they had become discouraged by the greed and materialism exhibited by the spiritual guardians of the people.
1st Samuel 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.
13 And the priest's custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a flesh-hook of three teeth in his hand;
14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.
Again, just like with Gideon, God speaks directly to Samuel and gives him a message of terrible import. To put it plainly, it’s bad news, for at its core is the close of probation for Eli and his household. After the grave message is given, Samuel cannot sleep, he awakes early the next morning, and does all of the outside chores, for he wants to avoid at all costs, being questioned by Eli, who is as a father to him.
He carries out the garbage, he mows the lawn, he sweeps the exterior of the temple and, he hangs the laundry out to dry, just to avoid any conversation with his “daddy”. But, finally Eli confronts him and asks him what the message is. Samuel trembles in his little boots.
Would he be faithful in telling Eli exactly what God told him, or would he water down the message to lighten the burden that will rest as a shadow on Eli’s brow? Remember, Eli and his sons are like family to young Samuel, and the message given him by God is that their probation will be permanently closed. It’s a ton of pressure resting on young Samuel, for his age.
Could God trust Samuel to deliver, or would he buckle under the terrible pressure resting on his young shoulders. Remember now, that this is his inaugural statement as a prophet, and his entire tenure could be molded or tainted by the way he executes this sacred trust.
Let’s say here, that no Christian person in their right mind, having Christ living within, would be eager to carry such a message; similarly, any person who is eager to deliver the third angel’s message certainly has something seriously wrong with their character. Like the message given to Samuel, the third angel’s message is bad news to those who will receive the mark of the beast regardless of the warnings given. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 3:10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
11 And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone that heareth it shall tingle.
12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever.
15 And Samuel lay until the morning and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
17 And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide anything from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
18 And Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.
Again, we have the experience of Elijah, who has been called directly by God to bring about reforms during a time of national apostasy. Idolatry has taken deep root, and the mainstream forms of worship are littered far and wide. The true worship of God, and the keeping of His commandments lie in ruins, and satan is at the head of the nation in the form of Jezebel, leading the inhabitants blindfolded to destruction.
Against this backdrop Elijah is sent with a terrible message from God, that is sure to put him at odds with friends, families and foes. More than this, the message God gives him will threaten the nation’s security, by bring commerce almost to a halt, and because of this, Elijah will become the most wanted man in the country, with a bounty on his head, and with his picture on billboards and fliers.
Will he be faithful, or will he be politically correct as he enters the palace of the then reigning king. Will he dumb down the message, or will he speak forth the words given him by God, without fear or favor. And what about his family and friends who might become the objects of ridicule, contempt, scorn and possibly persecution, as a result of the message.
Will they support Elijah in his course of action, or will they join with satan and Ahab in denouncing what they interpret as an affront to the citizenry? Can God trust Elijah to do His bidding, or will he, like so many pliant Aarons in our day, buckle under the terrible pressure of popular demand? Let’s read:
1st Kings 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
2 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, 3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
1st Kings 18:7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?
8 And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
9 And he said;
10 As the Lord thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
11 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
1st Kings 17:17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
The first and second angel’s messages are old news, being given around 1844 and increasing thereafter, but the third angel’s message which is to be given is the one that will close off probation for all of earth’s inhabitants. The first message which declares that the hour of His judgment has come referred directly to the investigative judgment which began in 1844, when Christ entered the most holy place.
The second message which declares that “Babylon is fallen is fallen”, refers firstly to the utter rejection of the first angel’s message by protestant churches; and the second fall was completed recently when Protestantism officially came to an end. Therefore, there is only one more shoe to drop, and that’s the third angel’s message, which warns of very severe consequences for those who subscribe to the beast in the near future.
And as it was with Gideon, Samuel, and Elijah, the dire message would be given at a time of national apostasy, when false forms of worship have taken root and the laws and commandments of God are being trampled in the dust.
It is against such a backdrop that God will again speak directly to certain individuals; persons who will not faint under the burden of carrying such a grave message, persons who will not curry favor with politicians or popular preachers, persons who will not be politically correct in delivering their God given message, and who will not allow family, foes, and friends to dissuade them from proclaiming the truth.
Just like it was with those whom God had called in times past, the 144,000 will certainly become the objects of universal execration, they will be put at odds with those whom they love dearly, and during that terrible time they will have to depend on God, and God alone for everything. However, the third angel’s message must be presented in its pure form so as not to leave anyone deceived as to its import. Let’s read:
Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, 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….
We will do a disservice if we did not spell out in clear terms what this third message means. Thus, in a simple question and answer format, the goods are laid bare for all to see. Using nothing but scripture, the word of God will explain itself.
Question: What will be the mark of the beast?
Answer: The mark of the beast will be a person’s allegiance given to the power that is pitted against Christ. The sign of allegiance to the Creator is the Sabbath, and therefore the mark of allegiance to the beast will be Sunday, the counterfeit sabbath, when it is enforced. Sunday is an ordinary working day which has no sanctity whatsoever. Let’s read:
Exodus 31:13 Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.
14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you.
Isaiah 8:16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
Isaiah 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Question: How can one avoid taking the mark of the beast?
Answer: There is one way, and one way only, that is to have Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives, because when this is done, the keeping of all of God’s commandments will be a natural by-product.
If we are of the sort who try to avoid stepping on toes because of inconvenient truths given to us by God, we may be laid to rest before the final deluge, because the 144000 must deliver their God-given message without candy-coating it to suit itching ears. The disposition to water down cutting truths will put us at odds with God when He is ready to work in times of grave national peril.
The messages must be delivered in a distinct, and clear-cut manner, even if people might think the messengers judgmental, or pharisaical. None of our cautious methods, and reservations are to interfere with God’s work. If the 144000 are maligned and called names by the sin-loving multitudes, then so let it be.
The honor of God, and the faithful dispatch of duty must be their only watchword. Therefore, we close with a pertinent scripture, given to us to let us know of the urgency of the message, and the seriousness of the moment, if peradventure we may awake out of deep slumber, for now is our salvation much nearer than when we first believed. Let’s read:
Ezekiel 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
God Bless!