The 144,000 and the Multitude
Chapter 1
The Sealing
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. [2] 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, [3] Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. [4] And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. – Revelation 7:1-4
There are 12,000 of each of the twelve tribes that are sealed. How each one is placed in each one of these tribes is a mystery. It may have something to do with the characteristics of each of the tribes, or an entirely different reason for placement within each of these tribes that is, as yet, unclear. But, really what matters, is not what tribe one may be in, but that you are counted in the tribes that are sealed.
Two things are of note here. First, we see that the original tribe of Dan is replaced with the tribe of Manasseh. This is an interesting comparison to the twelve apostles and the removal of Judas who was then replaced with Paul by the Lord.
The second item of note is in Revelation 7:2, 3.This is the passage in which the angel that ascends out of the East having the seal of the living God and crying with a loud voice to the four angels that had the power 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.”
The earth and the sea are not to be hurt until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. This gives us the timing of when the sealing actually occurs. It is before the first trumpet is sounded. For the first trumpet hurts the earth, the second trumpet hurts the sea, and the third and fourth trumpets hurt the earth. Therefore, the sealing occurs prior to the first trumpet being sounded. They are sealed from the judgements of God that come down upon the church.
The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled withblood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. [8] And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; [9] And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. - Revelation 8:7-9
The scriptures that give us an overall picture of who the 144,000 are can be found in the following passages:
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. [2] 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: [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 fortyand four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. [4] These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. Theseare they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits 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. - Revelation 14:1-5
In the above verses are many clues as to who the 144,000 represent. We will look at these verses carefully and see if there is additional scripture to give us a better understanding of who the 144,000 really are.
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. - Revelation 14:1
In the above verse, the 144,000 are with the Lamb (Jesus Christ) on mount Sion (spiritual Sion), and they are sealed in their foreheads with the seal of the living God as is stated in Revelation 7:3.
And they sang 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. - Revelation 14:3
Only the 144,000 can learn “as it were a new song,” and they sing it before the throne. These are the only ones that can learn this song. This is an important clue for there is another group spoken about in Revelation that sings the Song of Moses, which is not the same song that the 144,000 sing. This verse shows that we are dealing with two different groups of people. The second group will be addressed in the section on the “Multitude.”
What is meant by “which were redeemed from the earth”? We can look at this word redeemed to get a clearer picture of whom this is speaking about.
The word redeemed means; to go to market, i.e. (by implication) to purchase; specifically to redeem: - buy, redeem. [i] The 144,000 are in some manner purchased from the earth. Let’s take a look at these next verses, for they will give us a deeper understanding of what is being referred to. The word redemption appears in these next verses.
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. - Ephesians 4:30
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, [14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. - Ephesians 1:13,14
Redemption means; (the act) ransom in full. [ii] When Jesus Christ died on the cross, he paid the ransom in full. This word redeemed is speaking about the believer in Jesus Christ who is following Jesus Christ in Truth and has accepted the gift of salvation that was paid in full at the cross.
Ephesians 4:30 states “whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” This verse tells us that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God “unto the day of redemption.” What is the redemption and when does the day of redemption occur? We can find the answers to those questions in the next verses.
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. - Luke 21:28
In the verse above it tells us to look up, lift up our heads, for the redemption is close; and you are to do these things when these things begin to come to pass. The word, begin means,
commencement. [iii] This would then give us the clue that the redemption occurs when these things begin to commence or begin to happen.
The next verse will be describing what the redemption is. Notice that it states “escape all these things that shall come to pass.” There is continuity between these two scriptures. One verse states that when these things “begin to come to pass….your redemption draweth nigh,” and this next verse states that you “may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass.”
Looking at the continuity of these two scriptures, one may conclude that the redemption (sealing), allows one to escape all these things that shall come to pass, if you are accounted worthy. God’s wrath is upon the children of disobedience. [iv] His wrath is not upon the believers that are following the Lord Jesus Christ in Truth.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. - Luke 21:36
In the verse above it tell us to “pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass.” This verse is speaking about being accounted worthy. Those that are accounted worthy participate in the “redemption.”
Another interesting note to point out in the above verse is concerning the word worthy. The definition for worthy is; to deem entirely deserving. [v]
Let’s now look at some verses that will give us a clearer view of what would be the commencement or beginning of these things.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows. - Matthew 24:6-8
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. - Mark 13:8
Both of the above verses speak about these things that are happening as “the beginning of sorrows.” And we are told that “when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
Once the 144,000 are sealed, they are redeemed from the earth. They then belong to Jesus Christ and follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth. They are still here on the earth, but they are not of the earth. They dwell in spiritual Sion.
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: - Ephesians 2:6
They will go through the tribulation with the seal of God in their foreheads. We know that they go through the tribulation, for there is a verse in Revelation 9:4, where the creatures in the fifth trumpet are commanded to hurt only those “who have not the seal of God in their foreheads.” The 144,000 have the protection of God when the sealing occurs and therefore, cannot be hurt by the creatures described in the fifth trumpet.
The word seal in Revelation 7:2 means; a signet, (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation; by implication the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or figuratively: - seal. [vi] The word sealed in Revelation 7:3-8 is; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication to keep secret, to attest: - (set a, set to) seal up. [vii]
In both of these definitions you will find the sealing is some type of a marking; for preservation and protection; but protection from what? The things described in the book of Revelation that occur during the Tribulation. The 144,000, once sealed, will go through the tribulation, but with a Godly protection around them. They do not receive the judgement of God; they have already been judged and deemed worthy. They are also protected by the forces of Satan that would come against the 144,000 and harm them if they had the power to do so. This will be covered further in the chapter on “The Woman in the Wilderness.”
There is another verse that speaks about a seal. A person that receives the testimony of Jesus Christ has “set to his seal that God is true.”
He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. [32] And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth;
and no man receiveth his testimony. [33] He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. - John 3:31-33
In this next verse, we can also get a clearer picture of what “his testimony” represents.
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. - Revelation 19:10
Wow, the “testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” This has huge implications. Could this be in any way referring to those that have the Truth, and the Truth is the testimony of Jesus, and those that have the testimony of Jesus then have the spirit of prophecy?
The word prophecy is defined as; (prophecy); prediction (scriptural or other): - prophecy, prophesying. [viii] With this understanding of the definition, a person with the spirit of prophecy would have the knowledge of the truth of the future. In having the knowledge of the future, you would be able to read the scriptures about the end times and have at least a basic knowledge of the upcoming events. And most importantly, you would have the truth of those forthcoming events – as opposed to believing the lies propagated from the pulpits of the churches.
The spirit of prophecy would be the acceptance of the end time events and acknowledgment of the truth about the servants of God going through the Tribulation. This would also be the acceptance of the understanding of who the 144,000 are; and would include putting away preconceived ideas or theologies and understanding what the scriptures actually say.
Let’s take a look at these next verses and see if we can learn what they are speaking about. Are these really Jewish male virgins, or are they something else entirely different?
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 firstfruits 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. - Revelation 14:4-5
Rev. 14:4 states that the 144,000 “were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.” Let’s look closely at the meaning of some of these words in this verse.
The word defiled means; to soil (fig): - defile. [ix] The word women is defined as; a woman; specifically a wife: - wife, woman. [x] The word virgins is defined as; a maiden; by implication; an unmarried daughter: - virgin. [xi] Let’s now read that verse with the definitions as our guide. These are they which were not defiled (soiled) with women (a woman) for they are virgins (maidens, unmarried daughters).
Does that sound like anything close to Jewish male virgins? Most assuredly not! Let’s now take a look at the modern times that we find ourselves in and see if we can come to anything closely resembling what this may be describing.
There is a woman that is spoken about in the book of Revelation.
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: [2] 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. [3] 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. [4] 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: [5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. – Revelation 17:1-5
This description is about the Mother of Harlots, Babylon. This is speaking about spiritual Babylon. The spiritual Babylon is the incorporated church system that has 501C3 contracts with the governmental institutions and has all of the leaven that they can muster.
This spiritual Babylon is the apostate church who is defiled, unclean, soiled and filthy. Remember the verse that says to “Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” [xii] The Bride of Christ is not defiled, unclean, soiled, or filthy. She is clean and pure. She is a chaste virgin as we can see in the following verse.
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 11:2
The word chaste means; clean. [xiii] The word virgin [xiv] of chaste virgin is exactly the same word that is used to describe the 144,000.
Now, let’s read those verses with this understanding of the definitions and what they represent. These are they which were not soiled (defiled) by going to the harlot church (woman), for they are maidens, a chaste virgin (virgins) unto Christ. This is quite different from the concept of Jewish male virgins!
The whole concept of virgins has a feminine aspect to it. The church is commonly referred to being in the feminine as the Bride of Christ. The bride of Christ has within it both males and females saved by the grace of God. The True and Holy church, the Bride, is female.
[i]. Strong’s 59
[ii]. Strong’s 629
[iii]. Strong’s 756
[iv]. Colossians 3:6
[v]. Strong’s 2661
[vi]. Strong’s 4973
[vii]. Strong’s 4972
[viii]. Strong’s 4394
[ix]. Strong’s 3435
[x]. Strong’s 1135
[xi]. Strong’s 3933
[xii]. Revelation 18:4
[xiii]. Strong’s 53
[xiv]. Strong’s 3933
There are 12,000 of each of the twelve tribes that are sealed. How each one is placed in each one of these tribes is a mystery. It may have something to do with the characteristics of each of the tribes, or an entirely different reason for placement within each of these tribes that is, as yet, unclear. But, really what matters, is not what tribe one may be in, but that you are counted in the tribes that are sealed.
Two things are of note here. First, we see that the original tribe of Dan is replaced with the tribe of Manasseh. This is an interesting comparison to the twelve apostles and the removal of Judas who was then replaced with Paul by the Lord.
The second item of note is in Revelation 7:2, 3.This is the passage in which the angel that ascends out of the East having the seal of the living God and crying with a loud voice to the four angels that had the power 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.”
The earth and the sea are not to be hurt until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. This gives us the timing of when the sealing actually occurs. It is before the first trumpet is sounded. For the first trumpet hurts the earth, the second trumpet hurts the sea, and the third and fourth trumpets hurt the earth. Therefore, the sealing occurs prior to the first trumpet being sounded. They are sealed from the judgements of God that come down upon the church.
The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled withblood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. [8] And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; [9] And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. - Revelation 8:7-9
The scriptures that give us an overall picture of who the 144,000 are can be found in the following passages:
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. [2] 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: [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 fortyand four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. [4] These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. Theseare they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits 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. - Revelation 14:1-5
In the above verses are many clues as to who the 144,000 represent. We will look at these verses carefully and see if there is additional scripture to give us a better understanding of who the 144,000 really are.
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. - Revelation 14:1
In the above verse, the 144,000 are with the Lamb (Jesus Christ) on mount Sion (spiritual Sion), and they are sealed in their foreheads with the seal of the living God as is stated in Revelation 7:3.
And they sang 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. - Revelation 14:3
Only the 144,000 can learn “as it were a new song,” and they sing it before the throne. These are the only ones that can learn this song. This is an important clue for there is another group spoken about in Revelation that sings the Song of Moses, which is not the same song that the 144,000 sing. This verse shows that we are dealing with two different groups of people. The second group will be addressed in the section on the “Multitude.”
What is meant by “which were redeemed from the earth”? We can look at this word redeemed to get a clearer picture of whom this is speaking about.
The word redeemed means; to go to market, i.e. (by implication) to purchase; specifically to redeem: - buy, redeem. [i] The 144,000 are in some manner purchased from the earth. Let’s take a look at these next verses, for they will give us a deeper understanding of what is being referred to. The word redemption appears in these next verses.
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. - Ephesians 4:30
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, [14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. - Ephesians 1:13,14
Redemption means; (the act) ransom in full. [ii] When Jesus Christ died on the cross, he paid the ransom in full. This word redeemed is speaking about the believer in Jesus Christ who is following Jesus Christ in Truth and has accepted the gift of salvation that was paid in full at the cross.
Ephesians 4:30 states “whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” This verse tells us that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God “unto the day of redemption.” What is the redemption and when does the day of redemption occur? We can find the answers to those questions in the next verses.
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. - Luke 21:28
In the verse above it tells us to look up, lift up our heads, for the redemption is close; and you are to do these things when these things begin to come to pass. The word, begin means,
commencement. [iii] This would then give us the clue that the redemption occurs when these things begin to commence or begin to happen.
The next verse will be describing what the redemption is. Notice that it states “escape all these things that shall come to pass.” There is continuity between these two scriptures. One verse states that when these things “begin to come to pass….your redemption draweth nigh,” and this next verse states that you “may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass.”
Looking at the continuity of these two scriptures, one may conclude that the redemption (sealing), allows one to escape all these things that shall come to pass, if you are accounted worthy. God’s wrath is upon the children of disobedience. [iv] His wrath is not upon the believers that are following the Lord Jesus Christ in Truth.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. - Luke 21:36
In the verse above it tell us to “pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass.” This verse is speaking about being accounted worthy. Those that are accounted worthy participate in the “redemption.”
Another interesting note to point out in the above verse is concerning the word worthy. The definition for worthy is; to deem entirely deserving. [v]
Let’s now look at some verses that will give us a clearer view of what would be the commencement or beginning of these things.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows. - Matthew 24:6-8
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. - Mark 13:8
Both of the above verses speak about these things that are happening as “the beginning of sorrows.” And we are told that “when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
Once the 144,000 are sealed, they are redeemed from the earth. They then belong to Jesus Christ and follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth. They are still here on the earth, but they are not of the earth. They dwell in spiritual Sion.
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: - Ephesians 2:6
They will go through the tribulation with the seal of God in their foreheads. We know that they go through the tribulation, for there is a verse in Revelation 9:4, where the creatures in the fifth trumpet are commanded to hurt only those “who have not the seal of God in their foreheads.” The 144,000 have the protection of God when the sealing occurs and therefore, cannot be hurt by the creatures described in the fifth trumpet.
The word seal in Revelation 7:2 means; a signet, (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation; by implication the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or figuratively: - seal. [vi] The word sealed in Revelation 7:3-8 is; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication to keep secret, to attest: - (set a, set to) seal up. [vii]
In both of these definitions you will find the sealing is some type of a marking; for preservation and protection; but protection from what? The things described in the book of Revelation that occur during the Tribulation. The 144,000, once sealed, will go through the tribulation, but with a Godly protection around them. They do not receive the judgement of God; they have already been judged and deemed worthy. They are also protected by the forces of Satan that would come against the 144,000 and harm them if they had the power to do so. This will be covered further in the chapter on “The Woman in the Wilderness.”
There is another verse that speaks about a seal. A person that receives the testimony of Jesus Christ has “set to his seal that God is true.”
He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. [32] And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth;
and no man receiveth his testimony. [33] He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. - John 3:31-33
In this next verse, we can also get a clearer picture of what “his testimony” represents.
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. - Revelation 19:10
Wow, the “testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” This has huge implications. Could this be in any way referring to those that have the Truth, and the Truth is the testimony of Jesus, and those that have the testimony of Jesus then have the spirit of prophecy?
The word prophecy is defined as; (prophecy); prediction (scriptural or other): - prophecy, prophesying. [viii] With this understanding of the definition, a person with the spirit of prophecy would have the knowledge of the truth of the future. In having the knowledge of the future, you would be able to read the scriptures about the end times and have at least a basic knowledge of the upcoming events. And most importantly, you would have the truth of those forthcoming events – as opposed to believing the lies propagated from the pulpits of the churches.
The spirit of prophecy would be the acceptance of the end time events and acknowledgment of the truth about the servants of God going through the Tribulation. This would also be the acceptance of the understanding of who the 144,000 are; and would include putting away preconceived ideas or theologies and understanding what the scriptures actually say.
Let’s take a look at these next verses and see if we can learn what they are speaking about. Are these really Jewish male virgins, or are they something else entirely different?
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 firstfruits 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. - Revelation 14:4-5
Rev. 14:4 states that the 144,000 “were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.” Let’s look closely at the meaning of some of these words in this verse.
The word defiled means; to soil (fig): - defile. [ix] The word women is defined as; a woman; specifically a wife: - wife, woman. [x] The word virgins is defined as; a maiden; by implication; an unmarried daughter: - virgin. [xi] Let’s now read that verse with the definitions as our guide. These are they which were not defiled (soiled) with women (a woman) for they are virgins (maidens, unmarried daughters).
Does that sound like anything close to Jewish male virgins? Most assuredly not! Let’s now take a look at the modern times that we find ourselves in and see if we can come to anything closely resembling what this may be describing.
There is a woman that is spoken about in the book of Revelation.
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: [2] 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. [3] 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. [4] 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: [5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. – Revelation 17:1-5
This description is about the Mother of Harlots, Babylon. This is speaking about spiritual Babylon. The spiritual Babylon is the incorporated church system that has 501C3 contracts with the governmental institutions and has all of the leaven that they can muster.
This spiritual Babylon is the apostate church who is defiled, unclean, soiled and filthy. Remember the verse that says to “Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” [xii] The Bride of Christ is not defiled, unclean, soiled, or filthy. She is clean and pure. She is a chaste virgin as we can see in the following verse.
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 11:2
The word chaste means; clean. [xiii] The word virgin [xiv] of chaste virgin is exactly the same word that is used to describe the 144,000.
Now, let’s read those verses with this understanding of the definitions and what they represent. These are they which were not soiled (defiled) by going to the harlot church (woman), for they are maidens, a chaste virgin (virgins) unto Christ. This is quite different from the concept of Jewish male virgins!
The whole concept of virgins has a feminine aspect to it. The church is commonly referred to being in the feminine as the Bride of Christ. The bride of Christ has within it both males and females saved by the grace of God. The True and Holy church, the Bride, is female.
[i]. Strong’s 59
[ii]. Strong’s 629
[iii]. Strong’s 756
[iv]. Colossians 3:6
[v]. Strong’s 2661
[vi]. Strong’s 4973
[vii]. Strong’s 4972
[viii]. Strong’s 4394
[ix]. Strong’s 3435
[x]. Strong’s 1135
[xi]. Strong’s 3933
[xii]. Revelation 18:4
[xiii]. Strong’s 53
[xiv]. Strong’s 3933