Israel and the 144,000 Part Two

Israel and the 144,000 Part Two could this be a reality in 2024?

Hi I’m Rod Anderson, last week you will remember we begun dealing with a very important, even critical study into one of the most dangerous deceptions to enter Christianity in recent years, and that being the specious belief that the temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt, and the Jews will convert the world. Further to that was the belief which declares the 144,000 of Revelation chapter 7 underscore the reality of that teaching.

But a considered study of the New Testament and the book of Revelation dispels that error.

I don’t have time to review everything discussed, but just to serve as a refresher the Apostle Paul identifies Christians as spiritual Israel in the following terms, For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 If we are Christ’s, meaning if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, despite the Jewish rejection, then we are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.  In other words because of our relationship with Jesus, we are spiritual Jews, and spiritual descendants of Abraham.  Paul says this in Romans 2:28-29,

 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; ²⁹but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

 In this verse the Apostle Paul declares, it is not the man’s appearance or actions which demonstrates true spirituality, nor if a man has been circumcised, but it is the response of each ones heart to please God which counts, and as such God views them as spiritual Jews and heirs according to the promise.

 Last week as we studied the 12 tribes of Revelation chapter seven, it was quite obvious the names were different when compared to the original 12 tribes of Israel in Genesis 49.  Additionally, Revelation chapter seven cannot be talking about literal tribes, because not even Israelites today can tell you what tribe they are from, that has been lost and confused through pogroms, dispersion, world wars, resettlement and time. 

In fact a study of the meaning of the 12 names  listed  in Revelation chapter 7, the discipline is called etymology, you come up with something quite extraordinary. Judah means “I will praise the Lord,” Ruben means “He has looked on me,” Gad means “Given good fortune.” Asher means “Happy am I,” Naphtali means “My wrestling,” Manasseh means “Making me to forget.” Simeon means “God hears me,” Levi means “Joined to me,” Issachar means “Purchased Me.”Zebulun means “Dwelling,” Joseph means “Will add to me,”  Benjamin means “Son of His right hand.”

 Now here is the amazing part. Look what happens when you line up the meaning of the names according to their order in Revelation chapter seven. It forms a remarkable statement declaring what God promises to do for his elect in the last days! I have underlined my added words to make the reading more idiomatic.

 “I will praise the Lord for he has looked on me and granted good fortune. I am happy because my wrestling, God is making me to forget. God hears me and is joined to me. He has purchased me a dwelling and will add to me, the Son of His right hand.”

If you would like to read the full transcript of this video simply go tohttp://theorchardmelbourne.org.au

Israel and the 144,000 Part Two Israel and the 144,000 Part Two Israel and the 144,000 Part Two Israel and the 144,000 Part Two Israel and the 144,000 Part Two Israel and the 144,000 Part Two

Israel and the 144,000 Part Two Israel and the 144,000 Part Two Israel and the 144,000 Part Two Israel and the 144,000 Part Two  Israel and the 144,000 Part Two Israel and the 144,000 Part Two