The 144,000 and the Multitude
Chapter 5
The Rain and The Barley
The timing of the marriage in Joel 2:15 gives us a clue in the following verses, about something called “the rain.” What is the rain? What does it do? The rain that is referred to in the following verses relates to the Holy Ghost. The former rain these verses refer to is the Holy Spirit during the time of the Apostles.
The Apostles raised the dead, cast out demons, healed people, and more. The rain would be the Holy Ghost power that we currently have. The latter rain would be the Holy Ghost power that is given to the 144,000 during the latter days (the tribulation).
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. [24] And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. [25] And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. [26] And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. [27] And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. - Joel 2:23-27
This verse gives us some clues pertaining to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. It begins by stating “for he hath given you the former rain moderately.” What is interesting about this statement is that this explains why we do not see the miracles today that the Apostles preformed during their ministry.
The Lord has given to us the former rain moderately. As believers, we have a little bit of what the apostles had, but not the full measure of it. It does, however, state that He will cause the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain to come down at the same time. Can you imagine, having what we have now, and add to that the Holy Ghost power that the apostles had, and then add to that the latter rain! We don’t even know what that is yet, for it has not yet been manifested; but it appears to be a triple dose of the Holy Ghost power which the 144,000 receive.
When does this happen? It states in verse 23 that the former and the latter rain comes down in the first month. However, scriptural clues indicate that this is most likely actually referring to something called “the first dominion” that is referred to in the book of Micah. This concept will be addressed in a later chapter.
In Joel 2, verse 24; Joel speaks about the floors being full of wheat, and the vats overflowing with wine and oil. This is similar language to a verse in Deuteronomy. The passage is revealing, for it has the same type of wording in it as the previously cited verse in Joel.
That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. [15] And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. - Deuteronomy 11:14, 15
In this verse, it has both the former and the latter rain, and evidently because of the former and the latter rain at that time, we see the gathering of the corn, wine, and oil. What are the corn, the wine, and the oil? As we are finding out, these likely represent something else. They are metaphors.
The corn, the wine, and the oil are indications of some type of a harvest. The corn (barley and wheat) is harvested by threshing, the wine (from grapes) is treaded out, and the oil (from olives) is pressed. Corn may be representative of the components of bread. We eat the Bread of Life, the Truth. Wine and Oil may be representative of the Word, the wine of the cup of Jesus, and the oil was used for anointing. The oil can be seen in the lamps of the 5 wise virgins so this could also be representative of Truth or the Spirit. In either case, the 144,000 will receive plenty of these when the rain, the former, and the latter rain come down.
Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. [2] After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. [3] Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. – Hosea 6:1-3
This verse tells us that He (The Lord) will come to us (the 144,000) “as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” Isn’t that interesting? That indeed requires more study. There is a deeper meaning there to the Lord coming down to us as the rain, the former and the latter rain. It is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in the name of Jesus down to us. [i]
I would also like to reference that previously mentioned verse in Deuteronomy 11:14 which uses the phrase “in his due season.” In his due season designates a time period that He is referencing in that verse. There is a season that is His and “in his due season” is a possessive statement. This would be referring to the harvest of the firstfruits, the barley, and the wheat.
If you think about physical crops and the harvesting of them, crops need rain to come to harvest. The spiritual harvest that we are discussing in these verses also needs rain. A crop needs rain to come to maturity; the beginning rains (former), the rain (current), for continued growth and the end of the growing period rain (latter) for the proper development. Notice that the Lord sends the former, current, and latter rains all at the same time to the 144,000. They get the full season of rain at one time, for they have fully developed by that time and need no further ripening at the time of the sealing. We can see this in this next verse.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. - James 5:7
This verse shows that the husbandman (Jesus) waits for the precious fruit (144,000) until he (the 144,000) receive the “early” (former) and “latter” rain. This is also confirmed in the following verse.
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. - Jeremiah 5:24
In this verse, it again speaks about the Lord, and how He gives both the former and the latter rain in his season. It then goes on to state that He (The Lord) has reserved to us the appointed weeks of the harvest. There is a set (appointed) time for the harvest. This verse states that there are reserved the “appointed weeks.”
In the Old Testament, we find that there is a feast of weeks that is observed from the day after the seventh day Sabbath of the Week of Unleavened Bread. This feast is associated with a period of 50 days. This is called the “Feast of weeks” when the barley is harvested. It took 7 weeks to harvest the barley in ancient times; after gathering the barley harvest, the wheat crop would be ready for harvesting.
They would then commence with the harvesting of the wheat once the barley was completed. There is still much more to be understood about the harvest and the elements of timing, for this is multilayered and seen through a glass darkly. We can understand some of these meanings, but more is to be understood at a later date.
We are now studying the firstfruits (the 144,000) and will be examining the wheat when we look at the Multitude. For now, let’s continue to look at the barley and its connection to the firstfuits (the 144,000).
The Barley
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: [11] And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. - Leveticus 23:10,11
The firstfruits that this verse is speaking about are the firstfruits of the barley harvest. The firstfruits are brought to the priest on the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The morrow after the Sabbath in verse 11 is referring to the day after the Sabbath of the fifteenth day of the first month. The day after the Sabbath of the fifteenth, would be the sixteenth day of the month, or the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. A sheaf offering was brought to the priest that day. We recognize that this is the firstfruit offering of the barley harvest and not the wheat harvest by the next verse.
And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. [32] But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up. [33] And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth. - Exodus 9:31-33
These verses are speaking about the plague of the hail which was one of the plagues in the land of Egypt during the time of Moses and the Pharaoh. The Exodus from Egypt occurred immediately after the final plague of the death angel. When the plague of the hail came down, it destroyed the barley and the flax, but did not harm the wheat and the rye, for it was not yet grown. As these are similes for the Lord’s harvest, let’s examine the growing seasons of barley and wheat for a better understanding of the timing.
Barley and wheat are sown at the same time in the late part of the fall in that part of the world. The barley and the wheat sprout about the same time, but barley matures in about 65 days, while wheat matures in about 106 days.
When any type of grain plant is growing, the most critical period of growth that is threatened by adverse weather is the time when the plant puts up its stalk and heads out. A heavy rain, or hailstones, will pound the plants and bend the stalk. Once the stalk is bent over, it never recovers and is useless -- and is therefore destroyed. Since barley matures faster, it puts up its stalk earlier than wheat. So, we can see by that verse that the barley was close to harvesting. The barley was matured to the point of having its stalks extended, and they were flattened by the hail. The wheat had not yet put up its stalk (not grown up) and therefore was not destroyed.
In Exodus 12:2 we can see that when the Passover occurred and the Israelites left Egypt, it was the first month. The word first in the Strong’s is the word Abib which means green ears. This would be referring to the green ears of the corn (barley head). The Passover was killed on the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month. The first day of Unleavened Bread is the fifteenth of the month, and the firstfruit offering is brought to the priest on the day after the fifteenth of the month, making it the sixteenth of the month, or the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
The verses in Exodus 9:31-33 give us the timing of when the barley is ripening. When the barley is ripening, the wheat is not yet grown up. Thus we know that the firstfruits brought into the priest on the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread must be barley.
Now let’s take a look at the word sheaf. Sheaf is defined as; sheaf – properly a heap, i.e. a sheaf, also an omer. [ii]
The word sheaf is synonymous with heap and omer. When you see verses speaking about a “heap offering,” this would mean firstfruits. Also the word omer would mean firstfruits. In the back of Strong’s Concordance there are tables and charts of months, money, and measurements -- both liquid and dry. In the table of dry measurements there are four different dry measures that are used in the Bible. There is a Homer, a Seah, an Ephah, and an Omer.
The omer is the smallest dry measure that is used in the Bible. It takes 100 omers to make one Homer. This is an interesting item of note. The omer is the smallest dry measure. Small can be synonymous with the word few, or a minority. Does remnant sound familiar?
I recently received a letter from a listener of the radio program The Threshing Floor, and she pointed out some interesting facts about barley and wheat. These facts about the barley and the wheat show the characteristics of the two. Barley is a cereal grain that is rough in its texture. It can withstand wide temperature fluctuations and it can handle drought. It is not as easily digestible as other grains and has a high nutritional value.
Barley plantings do not have any tares. The barley plant is easily recognizable and weeds can be easily distinguished from the barley and pulled out. If you compare the 144,000 to the barley as a people, you will find that the 144,000 can weather adverse circumstances (wide temperature fluctuations). They are resilient and tough (rough grain). They can take long periods of no fellowship (drought). They have the truth and, as many cannot stand their preaching or teaching, they are ostracized by the contemporary church (high in nutrition and not easily digestible).
On the other hand, wheat is a smooth grain (not rough), it cannot take wide temperature fluctuations, it cannot survive drought, and tares can be disguised as the wheat. When compared to the Church as a people, you will find that they are not tough (smooth skinned), they buckle under adverse conditions (temperature fluctuations), cannot stand long periods of no fellowship (drought), and have tares (apostate Christians) disguised as Christians right along side them.
As I looked for any relevant passages containing the word barley in the Bible, I found another instance where the barley is mention that is very interesting.
When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? [6] And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. [7] Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. [8] One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, [9] There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? [10] And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. [11] And Jesus
took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. [12] When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. [13] Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. - John 6:5-13
And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. [15] Andnwhen it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a
desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. - Matthew 14, 15
These are accountings of when Jesus fed the multitude. There is a remarkable comparison with this parable and the 144,000. Let’s look at each one of these comparisons. First of all, Jesus and the disciples are in the wilderness. If you look at the verse of Matthew 14:15, it states that they were in a desert place. Desert is the same word used for the word “wilderness” in Revelation, chapter 12, where the woman flies into the wilderness.
There are five barley loaves, which can be compared to the five wise virgins. There are two fishes which can be compared to the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3. The five barley loaves and the two fishes feed the multitude. There were over 5,000 people -- including men, women and children; when the multitude was filled.
When they were all finished eating, they gathered the fragments that remained, and filled twelve baskets full. The baskets represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Another remarkable thing to note is that there was not anything that remained of the two fishes. In Revelation chapter 11, the two witnesses are killed; but there were fragments of the barley loaves filled twelve baskets full.
The 144,000 and the two witnesses have a distinctive purpose during the tribulation. When the tribulation begins, the 144,000 and the Two Witnesses are the only ones on earth that have the whole truth and are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. If anyone else had the truth and was walking in the truth, they would be one of the 144,000. The Two Witnesses are the Multitude. This was revealed through a series of shows on the Threshing Floor called “The Two Witnesses” that clearly shows that this is so. The 144,000 and the Two Witnesses feed the Multitude during the tribulation. The 144,000 feed the Multitude whereas the Multitude will also be feeding one another. They will be witnessing to each other the Truth, hence the Multitude feeding the Multitude
Let’s now look at a verse that is the 144,000 feeding the Multitude of the last days.
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. - Revelation 14:6, 7
Look at where this verse is located in Revelation. It follows the verses speaking about the 144,000. The verse that precedes this verse is Revelation 14:5 “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”
Then in verses 6 and 7 you find that there is an angel that flies in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth. Now, is there really an angel that will be flying around in the heaven preaching to those on the earth? This could be a literal rendition of what will occur, however, a more feasible interpretation would be for the 144,000 to be preaching. This preaching begins after the 144,000 are seen on Mount Sion with the Lamb; which is after the 144,000 are sealed.
They teach the Multitude the true ways of God, and they show them that they have been following after lies and have been in a delusion, and now must come to the Truth if they are to enter the kingdom of heaven. We can find a thread that takes us to this understanding in an upcoming section, where we learn about “the remnant and the seed.”
[i]. John 14:26
[ii]. Strong’s 6016
The Apostles raised the dead, cast out demons, healed people, and more. The rain would be the Holy Ghost power that we currently have. The latter rain would be the Holy Ghost power that is given to the 144,000 during the latter days (the tribulation).
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. [24] And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. [25] And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. [26] And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. [27] And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. - Joel 2:23-27
This verse gives us some clues pertaining to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. It begins by stating “for he hath given you the former rain moderately.” What is interesting about this statement is that this explains why we do not see the miracles today that the Apostles preformed during their ministry.
The Lord has given to us the former rain moderately. As believers, we have a little bit of what the apostles had, but not the full measure of it. It does, however, state that He will cause the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain to come down at the same time. Can you imagine, having what we have now, and add to that the Holy Ghost power that the apostles had, and then add to that the latter rain! We don’t even know what that is yet, for it has not yet been manifested; but it appears to be a triple dose of the Holy Ghost power which the 144,000 receive.
When does this happen? It states in verse 23 that the former and the latter rain comes down in the first month. However, scriptural clues indicate that this is most likely actually referring to something called “the first dominion” that is referred to in the book of Micah. This concept will be addressed in a later chapter.
In Joel 2, verse 24; Joel speaks about the floors being full of wheat, and the vats overflowing with wine and oil. This is similar language to a verse in Deuteronomy. The passage is revealing, for it has the same type of wording in it as the previously cited verse in Joel.
That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. [15] And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. - Deuteronomy 11:14, 15
In this verse, it has both the former and the latter rain, and evidently because of the former and the latter rain at that time, we see the gathering of the corn, wine, and oil. What are the corn, the wine, and the oil? As we are finding out, these likely represent something else. They are metaphors.
The corn, the wine, and the oil are indications of some type of a harvest. The corn (barley and wheat) is harvested by threshing, the wine (from grapes) is treaded out, and the oil (from olives) is pressed. Corn may be representative of the components of bread. We eat the Bread of Life, the Truth. Wine and Oil may be representative of the Word, the wine of the cup of Jesus, and the oil was used for anointing. The oil can be seen in the lamps of the 5 wise virgins so this could also be representative of Truth or the Spirit. In either case, the 144,000 will receive plenty of these when the rain, the former, and the latter rain come down.
Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. [2] After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. [3] Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. – Hosea 6:1-3
This verse tells us that He (The Lord) will come to us (the 144,000) “as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” Isn’t that interesting? That indeed requires more study. There is a deeper meaning there to the Lord coming down to us as the rain, the former and the latter rain. It is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in the name of Jesus down to us. [i]
I would also like to reference that previously mentioned verse in Deuteronomy 11:14 which uses the phrase “in his due season.” In his due season designates a time period that He is referencing in that verse. There is a season that is His and “in his due season” is a possessive statement. This would be referring to the harvest of the firstfruits, the barley, and the wheat.
If you think about physical crops and the harvesting of them, crops need rain to come to harvest. The spiritual harvest that we are discussing in these verses also needs rain. A crop needs rain to come to maturity; the beginning rains (former), the rain (current), for continued growth and the end of the growing period rain (latter) for the proper development. Notice that the Lord sends the former, current, and latter rains all at the same time to the 144,000. They get the full season of rain at one time, for they have fully developed by that time and need no further ripening at the time of the sealing. We can see this in this next verse.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. - James 5:7
This verse shows that the husbandman (Jesus) waits for the precious fruit (144,000) until he (the 144,000) receive the “early” (former) and “latter” rain. This is also confirmed in the following verse.
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. - Jeremiah 5:24
In this verse, it again speaks about the Lord, and how He gives both the former and the latter rain in his season. It then goes on to state that He (The Lord) has reserved to us the appointed weeks of the harvest. There is a set (appointed) time for the harvest. This verse states that there are reserved the “appointed weeks.”
In the Old Testament, we find that there is a feast of weeks that is observed from the day after the seventh day Sabbath of the Week of Unleavened Bread. This feast is associated with a period of 50 days. This is called the “Feast of weeks” when the barley is harvested. It took 7 weeks to harvest the barley in ancient times; after gathering the barley harvest, the wheat crop would be ready for harvesting.
They would then commence with the harvesting of the wheat once the barley was completed. There is still much more to be understood about the harvest and the elements of timing, for this is multilayered and seen through a glass darkly. We can understand some of these meanings, but more is to be understood at a later date.
We are now studying the firstfruits (the 144,000) and will be examining the wheat when we look at the Multitude. For now, let’s continue to look at the barley and its connection to the firstfuits (the 144,000).
The Barley
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: [11] And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. - Leveticus 23:10,11
The firstfruits that this verse is speaking about are the firstfruits of the barley harvest. The firstfruits are brought to the priest on the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The morrow after the Sabbath in verse 11 is referring to the day after the Sabbath of the fifteenth day of the first month. The day after the Sabbath of the fifteenth, would be the sixteenth day of the month, or the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. A sheaf offering was brought to the priest that day. We recognize that this is the firstfruit offering of the barley harvest and not the wheat harvest by the next verse.
And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. [32] But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up. [33] And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth. - Exodus 9:31-33
These verses are speaking about the plague of the hail which was one of the plagues in the land of Egypt during the time of Moses and the Pharaoh. The Exodus from Egypt occurred immediately after the final plague of the death angel. When the plague of the hail came down, it destroyed the barley and the flax, but did not harm the wheat and the rye, for it was not yet grown. As these are similes for the Lord’s harvest, let’s examine the growing seasons of barley and wheat for a better understanding of the timing.
Barley and wheat are sown at the same time in the late part of the fall in that part of the world. The barley and the wheat sprout about the same time, but barley matures in about 65 days, while wheat matures in about 106 days.
When any type of grain plant is growing, the most critical period of growth that is threatened by adverse weather is the time when the plant puts up its stalk and heads out. A heavy rain, or hailstones, will pound the plants and bend the stalk. Once the stalk is bent over, it never recovers and is useless -- and is therefore destroyed. Since barley matures faster, it puts up its stalk earlier than wheat. So, we can see by that verse that the barley was close to harvesting. The barley was matured to the point of having its stalks extended, and they were flattened by the hail. The wheat had not yet put up its stalk (not grown up) and therefore was not destroyed.
In Exodus 12:2 we can see that when the Passover occurred and the Israelites left Egypt, it was the first month. The word first in the Strong’s is the word Abib which means green ears. This would be referring to the green ears of the corn (barley head). The Passover was killed on the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month. The first day of Unleavened Bread is the fifteenth of the month, and the firstfruit offering is brought to the priest on the day after the fifteenth of the month, making it the sixteenth of the month, or the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
The verses in Exodus 9:31-33 give us the timing of when the barley is ripening. When the barley is ripening, the wheat is not yet grown up. Thus we know that the firstfruits brought into the priest on the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread must be barley.
Now let’s take a look at the word sheaf. Sheaf is defined as; sheaf – properly a heap, i.e. a sheaf, also an omer. [ii]
The word sheaf is synonymous with heap and omer. When you see verses speaking about a “heap offering,” this would mean firstfruits. Also the word omer would mean firstfruits. In the back of Strong’s Concordance there are tables and charts of months, money, and measurements -- both liquid and dry. In the table of dry measurements there are four different dry measures that are used in the Bible. There is a Homer, a Seah, an Ephah, and an Omer.
The omer is the smallest dry measure that is used in the Bible. It takes 100 omers to make one Homer. This is an interesting item of note. The omer is the smallest dry measure. Small can be synonymous with the word few, or a minority. Does remnant sound familiar?
I recently received a letter from a listener of the radio program The Threshing Floor, and she pointed out some interesting facts about barley and wheat. These facts about the barley and the wheat show the characteristics of the two. Barley is a cereal grain that is rough in its texture. It can withstand wide temperature fluctuations and it can handle drought. It is not as easily digestible as other grains and has a high nutritional value.
Barley plantings do not have any tares. The barley plant is easily recognizable and weeds can be easily distinguished from the barley and pulled out. If you compare the 144,000 to the barley as a people, you will find that the 144,000 can weather adverse circumstances (wide temperature fluctuations). They are resilient and tough (rough grain). They can take long periods of no fellowship (drought). They have the truth and, as many cannot stand their preaching or teaching, they are ostracized by the contemporary church (high in nutrition and not easily digestible).
On the other hand, wheat is a smooth grain (not rough), it cannot take wide temperature fluctuations, it cannot survive drought, and tares can be disguised as the wheat. When compared to the Church as a people, you will find that they are not tough (smooth skinned), they buckle under adverse conditions (temperature fluctuations), cannot stand long periods of no fellowship (drought), and have tares (apostate Christians) disguised as Christians right along side them.
As I looked for any relevant passages containing the word barley in the Bible, I found another instance where the barley is mention that is very interesting.
When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? [6] And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. [7] Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. [8] One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, [9] There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? [10] And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. [11] And Jesus
took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. [12] When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. [13] Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. - John 6:5-13
And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. [15] Andnwhen it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a
desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. - Matthew 14, 15
These are accountings of when Jesus fed the multitude. There is a remarkable comparison with this parable and the 144,000. Let’s look at each one of these comparisons. First of all, Jesus and the disciples are in the wilderness. If you look at the verse of Matthew 14:15, it states that they were in a desert place. Desert is the same word used for the word “wilderness” in Revelation, chapter 12, where the woman flies into the wilderness.
There are five barley loaves, which can be compared to the five wise virgins. There are two fishes which can be compared to the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3. The five barley loaves and the two fishes feed the multitude. There were over 5,000 people -- including men, women and children; when the multitude was filled.
When they were all finished eating, they gathered the fragments that remained, and filled twelve baskets full. The baskets represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Another remarkable thing to note is that there was not anything that remained of the two fishes. In Revelation chapter 11, the two witnesses are killed; but there were fragments of the barley loaves filled twelve baskets full.
The 144,000 and the two witnesses have a distinctive purpose during the tribulation. When the tribulation begins, the 144,000 and the Two Witnesses are the only ones on earth that have the whole truth and are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. If anyone else had the truth and was walking in the truth, they would be one of the 144,000. The Two Witnesses are the Multitude. This was revealed through a series of shows on the Threshing Floor called “The Two Witnesses” that clearly shows that this is so. The 144,000 and the Two Witnesses feed the Multitude during the tribulation. The 144,000 feed the Multitude whereas the Multitude will also be feeding one another. They will be witnessing to each other the Truth, hence the Multitude feeding the Multitude
Let’s now look at a verse that is the 144,000 feeding the Multitude of the last days.
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. - Revelation 14:6, 7
Look at where this verse is located in Revelation. It follows the verses speaking about the 144,000. The verse that precedes this verse is Revelation 14:5 “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”
Then in verses 6 and 7 you find that there is an angel that flies in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth. Now, is there really an angel that will be flying around in the heaven preaching to those on the earth? This could be a literal rendition of what will occur, however, a more feasible interpretation would be for the 144,000 to be preaching. This preaching begins after the 144,000 are seen on Mount Sion with the Lamb; which is after the 144,000 are sealed.
They teach the Multitude the true ways of God, and they show them that they have been following after lies and have been in a delusion, and now must come to the Truth if they are to enter the kingdom of heaven. We can find a thread that takes us to this understanding in an upcoming section, where we learn about “the remnant and the seed.”
[i]. John 14:26
[ii]. Strong’s 6016