The 144,000 and the Multitude
Chapter 7
Zion And The Law
So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. - Joel 3:17
Zion (or Sion) where the 144,000 are seen with the Lamb; is the Lord’s Holy mountain; where God dwells. This verse states that Jerusalem shall be Holy. Which Jerusalem? This would be the true remnant Church of the 144,000. This verse states that Zion is the Lord’s holy mountain, and in the following verses we can find out where His Holy mountain of Zion in located.
But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. [2] And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. - Micah 4:1, 2
The word that Isaias, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the
mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. [3] And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. - Isaiah 2:1-3
As you can see, the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the tops of the mountains, and in Isaiah 2:2, it states that it shall be established in the top of the mountains in the last days. When would that be? In the end times, or a period of time more commonly referred to as “the Tribulation.”
Also, the top of the mountains, as referenced in these verses, can certainly be considered “wilderness.” Remember, the “wilderness” is where the woman flies to.
We can also notice something else in these verses. In each of these verses it states “for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” These verses give us a very important clue as to what occurs during the period of the tribulation.
“The law goes forth,” and it does this “of Zion.” What is this law? Didn’t Christ fulfill the law at the cross? Is the law coming back?
The Law
To answer these questions, it’s useful to look at the word law. It is defined as; torah from a precept or statute; especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch - law. [i] The under-definition means; to flow as water - to point out (as in aiming a finger) to teach, inform, instruct, etc. [ii]
From this definition, it seems as if some type of the law does return. How can this be? In this section, I will put forth a brief overview of what these verses are referring to.
JESUS CHRIST fulfilled all of the law when he died on the cross. When we, as believers, accept Jesus Christ in truth and understand that the law was completely fulfilled by His death, we come under the covering of grace.
However, the key element here is the truth. There are so many false doctrines and false religious systems out there, that the church has become apostatized. The truth that once flowed from the Christian church has been reduced to a trickle and in the time of the end, non-existent.
That is why the remnant, are told to come out of her (the harlot church systems). The ones that come out and meet the qualifications of the 144,000 are covered by this covering of the Lord. They understand that in Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law. By our abiding in Jesus Christ, and being obedient to His Lordship, we are one with him, and are completely covered by grace.
This would also include the keeping of the Sabbaths and the Feasts. These were also fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We may choose to keep a Sabbath or Feast, but we are not required to. For Jesus is the Sabbath, and the Feasts, and the Law.
On the other hand, the apostate Church puts itself under the law. They are oriented towards the cycle of either a Saturday of Sunday day of worship (Sabbath). Ironically, neither is the true Sabbath as the Old Testament Sabbath is a floating day that changes based upon the new moons (for more on this, see www.threshingfloor-radio.com).
The church’s position is essentially, `you had better come to church because you must not forsake the assembly of the saints’, thereby placing their fellowship in a premier position. This, in effect, places their version of the “gospel” into the equation and makes adherence to each respective church system the crucial criteria for walking “in the light.” [iii] This is a form of idolatry (to say nothing of legalism) in and of itself, and places each respective church in the role of Christ himself.
Because the corporate churches are configured with the governments as their creator (read their “head”) through incorporation and non-profit status, they have become conformed to the image of the beast. [iv] This means those that are within the churches are following the beast system, and are not under the grace of Jesus Christ – and will be judged by the law.
By putting themselves under the law (albeit inadvertently) through their disobedience to the scriptural truth, and by following false doctrines and false religious tenets, they do not abide in Jesus Christ. They are, therefore, not covered under the grace of Jesus Christ by their own actions.
Galatians 4:21-31 speaks about two covenants: the one from Jerusalem and the one from Mount Sinai which is Hagar which genders to bondage. One covenant refers to the direct move of freedom from the Lord, Jerusalem which is above, and the other refers to the bondwoman (Hagar) who was the mother of Ishmael. This passage in Galatians speaks about the Jerusalem which is above, and is free, compared to Hagar, who is in bondage with her children.
The one covenant, Jerusalem which is above and free is covered under the GRACE of Jesus Christ. The second covenant, Agar from Mount Sinai genders to bondage and is covered under the law. Those in the covenant of Agar have put themselves under the law and ARE NOT covered by grace.
The true Jerusalem is holy, therefore there can only be truth in that city. There can be no lies, no false religious strongholds, no false doctrines, and no misunderstanding of who the chosen of God really are. All others that have not the truth would fall under the other covenant. This is the covenant of Hagar, which puts those that are in Hagar in bondage under the law. If they that are in Agar (the KJV spelling) are under the law, they are not abiding in Jesus Christ, and are therefore not covered by His Precious Blood. If they are not covered by His sacrifice, there is no grace.
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. - Galatians 5:4
Some simple reasoning is required here. Since there is only one gospel, there cannot be a reversion to salvation by adherence to the law before or after the sealing of the 144,000.
Yet we do see verses that are implying a form of adherence to the law in the verses dealing with the multitude. How can this be explained?
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. - Revelation 12:17
This verse is speaking about the remnant of her seed (the woman’s), and they keep the commandments of God. Now, under the Grace of God, we are told we do not have to physically keep the commandments of God with respect to the ten commandments; for when one is in the Truth, they are keeping the commandments.
It states in this verse that the Multitude keep the commandments of God. Again, we know that if one does not abide in Jesus Christ, they put themselves under the law. And when one puts himself under the law, if they break one law, they are guilty of all.
The problem here is one of perception. Instead of assuming the shift that occurs after the sealing of the 144,000 is one of what system the LORD requires for salvation, we should be asking why the remnant (the 144,000) were chosen by the LORD in the first place, and how is the Multitude to respond to that information.
To put it another way, God has plainly stated he will “shut” the door at the end of the age. [v] This represents the sealing of the 144,000; yet we are going to see that the Multitude that are not sealed are still allowed an avenue to salvation. It’s imperative that we see the LORD has to stop the program at some point – and yet His mercy still prevails in that He is going to allow the Multitude that “loved not their lives unto the death” to have a place in the kingdom of God.
When the Multitude sees what occurs with the 144,000, they will realize the LORD has run out of patience. They will truly see the “error of their ways” and they will repent. That repentance will be in accord with what the 144,000 teach them at that juncture.
The Multitude will seek every means available to demonstrate to the Lord that they desire to be with Him. There is no formal transition to a reliance on the law; there is simply an overwhelming motivation on their part to please God. Their “love of the truth” during this period is destined to bring them to martyrdom. When they come back to Jesus Christ and begin to walk in the Truth and Doctrine of Jesus Christ, they come out from under the law, and into Jesus Christ who is the law. When they are walking in Jesus Christ in Truth they are keeping the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Please look at those verses again where it states that “the law will go forth from Zion” and take a look at the definition. The definition states that the law is a precept, or a statute -- especially the Decalogue, which are the Ten Commandments. To repeat, when the tribulational cycle emerges, scripture indicates there is only one gospel, so it is inaccurate to say that the law of God will be re-inaugurated. Indeed, the pinnacle of the law was the shedding of the blood of an animal for the sins of the believers; but it should be obvious that animal sacrifice can never be reactivated for the remission of sins, for JESUS CHRIST is the final sacrifice for sin.
The key to understanding this is to recognize that, as the remnant of Israel, we keep the commandments of God NOW. We have the testimony of Jesus Christ NOW. His law (all His commandments) is written in our hearts and we keep His commandments NOW. The remnant, the 144,000, has already been obedient to come out of the harlot church.
We have recognized the truth (the prime ingredient in salvation), and embraced Him – even though that obedience has cost us our families, our jobs, our fellowship in the assemblies, and overwhelming rejection by all things supposedly “Christian.”
Conversely, the LORD says He sends the church a “strong delusion” because they “received not the love of the truth.” [vi] The willingness to cast aside anything and “every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God” [vii] is what has distinguished the “remnant” from the “church.” This is the LAW that is written in our hearts, and when the Multitude recognizes this TRUTH, they will seek the 144,000 for instruction as to how to come back into the grace of God.
When they then seek the Truth and repent of their ways, they will actually come out from under the law (where they were) and out of the covenant of Agar.
Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. – Galatians 4:24
And they shall come back into the covenant that the Lord made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Look at the conditions that the Multitude must accept prior to their being accepted back. They must confess their iniquity (sins), their hearts must be humbled, and they must accept the punishment of their iniquity THEN the Lord will remember the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Until each one of the Multitude follows this pattern in their hearts and minds, they are under the covenant of Agar and under the law. When they follow these steps, they come into the grace of Jesus Christ, are forgiven their sins and He places a new heart within them. They will still have to reap what they have sown, but they now have the gift of eternal life and not eternal damnation.
If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; [41] And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: [42] Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land. – Leviticus 26:40-42
Last but not least, if you will look again at the root word for the word LAW; to flow as water, to point out (as in aiming a finger) to teach, inform, instruct. [viii] This really puts the whole concept of the 144,000 feeding the Multitude in perspective. The 144,000 teach, inform, and instruct the Word (River of Living Water) to the Multitude. This next verse rather concisely describes the concept that has been outlined above.
And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. - Daniel 11:33
Here we have a verse that states that those that understand shall instruct many. Who would that be? The 144,000 instruct the Multitude. The “they” that fall by the sword, flame, captivity and spoil are the Multitude that will sacrifice their lives. This will be discussed further in the section on the Multitude. In the meantime, this verse in Daniel tells the whole story of the 144,000 and the Multitude.
The 144,000 will be teaching the Multitude that they need to come out of the covenant of Agar and into the covenant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and claim their true birthright as a spiritual Jew afforded all of the promises under the covenant that the Lord made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
“They that understand (the 144,000) shall instruct many (the Multitude)…”
[i]. Strong’s 8451
[ii]. Strong’s 8384
[iii]. 1 John 2:9
[iv]. Revelation 13:15
[v]. Matthew 25:10
[vi]. II Thessalonians 2:10
[vii]. II Corinthians 10:5
[viii]. Strong’s 8384
Zion (or Sion) where the 144,000 are seen with the Lamb; is the Lord’s Holy mountain; where God dwells. This verse states that Jerusalem shall be Holy. Which Jerusalem? This would be the true remnant Church of the 144,000. This verse states that Zion is the Lord’s holy mountain, and in the following verses we can find out where His Holy mountain of Zion in located.
But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. [2] And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. - Micah 4:1, 2
The word that Isaias, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the
mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. [3] And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. - Isaiah 2:1-3
As you can see, the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the tops of the mountains, and in Isaiah 2:2, it states that it shall be established in the top of the mountains in the last days. When would that be? In the end times, or a period of time more commonly referred to as “the Tribulation.”
Also, the top of the mountains, as referenced in these verses, can certainly be considered “wilderness.” Remember, the “wilderness” is where the woman flies to.
We can also notice something else in these verses. In each of these verses it states “for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” These verses give us a very important clue as to what occurs during the period of the tribulation.
“The law goes forth,” and it does this “of Zion.” What is this law? Didn’t Christ fulfill the law at the cross? Is the law coming back?
The Law
To answer these questions, it’s useful to look at the word law. It is defined as; torah from a precept or statute; especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch - law. [i] The under-definition means; to flow as water - to point out (as in aiming a finger) to teach, inform, instruct, etc. [ii]
From this definition, it seems as if some type of the law does return. How can this be? In this section, I will put forth a brief overview of what these verses are referring to.
JESUS CHRIST fulfilled all of the law when he died on the cross. When we, as believers, accept Jesus Christ in truth and understand that the law was completely fulfilled by His death, we come under the covering of grace.
However, the key element here is the truth. There are so many false doctrines and false religious systems out there, that the church has become apostatized. The truth that once flowed from the Christian church has been reduced to a trickle and in the time of the end, non-existent.
That is why the remnant, are told to come out of her (the harlot church systems). The ones that come out and meet the qualifications of the 144,000 are covered by this covering of the Lord. They understand that in Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law. By our abiding in Jesus Christ, and being obedient to His Lordship, we are one with him, and are completely covered by grace.
This would also include the keeping of the Sabbaths and the Feasts. These were also fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We may choose to keep a Sabbath or Feast, but we are not required to. For Jesus is the Sabbath, and the Feasts, and the Law.
On the other hand, the apostate Church puts itself under the law. They are oriented towards the cycle of either a Saturday of Sunday day of worship (Sabbath). Ironically, neither is the true Sabbath as the Old Testament Sabbath is a floating day that changes based upon the new moons (for more on this, see www.threshingfloor-radio.com).
The church’s position is essentially, `you had better come to church because you must not forsake the assembly of the saints’, thereby placing their fellowship in a premier position. This, in effect, places their version of the “gospel” into the equation and makes adherence to each respective church system the crucial criteria for walking “in the light.” [iii] This is a form of idolatry (to say nothing of legalism) in and of itself, and places each respective church in the role of Christ himself.
Because the corporate churches are configured with the governments as their creator (read their “head”) through incorporation and non-profit status, they have become conformed to the image of the beast. [iv] This means those that are within the churches are following the beast system, and are not under the grace of Jesus Christ – and will be judged by the law.
By putting themselves under the law (albeit inadvertently) through their disobedience to the scriptural truth, and by following false doctrines and false religious tenets, they do not abide in Jesus Christ. They are, therefore, not covered under the grace of Jesus Christ by their own actions.
Galatians 4:21-31 speaks about two covenants: the one from Jerusalem and the one from Mount Sinai which is Hagar which genders to bondage. One covenant refers to the direct move of freedom from the Lord, Jerusalem which is above, and the other refers to the bondwoman (Hagar) who was the mother of Ishmael. This passage in Galatians speaks about the Jerusalem which is above, and is free, compared to Hagar, who is in bondage with her children.
The one covenant, Jerusalem which is above and free is covered under the GRACE of Jesus Christ. The second covenant, Agar from Mount Sinai genders to bondage and is covered under the law. Those in the covenant of Agar have put themselves under the law and ARE NOT covered by grace.
The true Jerusalem is holy, therefore there can only be truth in that city. There can be no lies, no false religious strongholds, no false doctrines, and no misunderstanding of who the chosen of God really are. All others that have not the truth would fall under the other covenant. This is the covenant of Hagar, which puts those that are in Hagar in bondage under the law. If they that are in Agar (the KJV spelling) are under the law, they are not abiding in Jesus Christ, and are therefore not covered by His Precious Blood. If they are not covered by His sacrifice, there is no grace.
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. - Galatians 5:4
Some simple reasoning is required here. Since there is only one gospel, there cannot be a reversion to salvation by adherence to the law before or after the sealing of the 144,000.
Yet we do see verses that are implying a form of adherence to the law in the verses dealing with the multitude. How can this be explained?
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. - Revelation 12:17
This verse is speaking about the remnant of her seed (the woman’s), and they keep the commandments of God. Now, under the Grace of God, we are told we do not have to physically keep the commandments of God with respect to the ten commandments; for when one is in the Truth, they are keeping the commandments.
It states in this verse that the Multitude keep the commandments of God. Again, we know that if one does not abide in Jesus Christ, they put themselves under the law. And when one puts himself under the law, if they break one law, they are guilty of all.
The problem here is one of perception. Instead of assuming the shift that occurs after the sealing of the 144,000 is one of what system the LORD requires for salvation, we should be asking why the remnant (the 144,000) were chosen by the LORD in the first place, and how is the Multitude to respond to that information.
To put it another way, God has plainly stated he will “shut” the door at the end of the age. [v] This represents the sealing of the 144,000; yet we are going to see that the Multitude that are not sealed are still allowed an avenue to salvation. It’s imperative that we see the LORD has to stop the program at some point – and yet His mercy still prevails in that He is going to allow the Multitude that “loved not their lives unto the death” to have a place in the kingdom of God.
When the Multitude sees what occurs with the 144,000, they will realize the LORD has run out of patience. They will truly see the “error of their ways” and they will repent. That repentance will be in accord with what the 144,000 teach them at that juncture.
The Multitude will seek every means available to demonstrate to the Lord that they desire to be with Him. There is no formal transition to a reliance on the law; there is simply an overwhelming motivation on their part to please God. Their “love of the truth” during this period is destined to bring them to martyrdom. When they come back to Jesus Christ and begin to walk in the Truth and Doctrine of Jesus Christ, they come out from under the law, and into Jesus Christ who is the law. When they are walking in Jesus Christ in Truth they are keeping the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Please look at those verses again where it states that “the law will go forth from Zion” and take a look at the definition. The definition states that the law is a precept, or a statute -- especially the Decalogue, which are the Ten Commandments. To repeat, when the tribulational cycle emerges, scripture indicates there is only one gospel, so it is inaccurate to say that the law of God will be re-inaugurated. Indeed, the pinnacle of the law was the shedding of the blood of an animal for the sins of the believers; but it should be obvious that animal sacrifice can never be reactivated for the remission of sins, for JESUS CHRIST is the final sacrifice for sin.
The key to understanding this is to recognize that, as the remnant of Israel, we keep the commandments of God NOW. We have the testimony of Jesus Christ NOW. His law (all His commandments) is written in our hearts and we keep His commandments NOW. The remnant, the 144,000, has already been obedient to come out of the harlot church.
We have recognized the truth (the prime ingredient in salvation), and embraced Him – even though that obedience has cost us our families, our jobs, our fellowship in the assemblies, and overwhelming rejection by all things supposedly “Christian.”
Conversely, the LORD says He sends the church a “strong delusion” because they “received not the love of the truth.” [vi] The willingness to cast aside anything and “every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God” [vii] is what has distinguished the “remnant” from the “church.” This is the LAW that is written in our hearts, and when the Multitude recognizes this TRUTH, they will seek the 144,000 for instruction as to how to come back into the grace of God.
When they then seek the Truth and repent of their ways, they will actually come out from under the law (where they were) and out of the covenant of Agar.
Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. – Galatians 4:24
And they shall come back into the covenant that the Lord made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Look at the conditions that the Multitude must accept prior to their being accepted back. They must confess their iniquity (sins), their hearts must be humbled, and they must accept the punishment of their iniquity THEN the Lord will remember the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Until each one of the Multitude follows this pattern in their hearts and minds, they are under the covenant of Agar and under the law. When they follow these steps, they come into the grace of Jesus Christ, are forgiven their sins and He places a new heart within them. They will still have to reap what they have sown, but they now have the gift of eternal life and not eternal damnation.
If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; [41] And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: [42] Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land. – Leviticus 26:40-42
Last but not least, if you will look again at the root word for the word LAW; to flow as water, to point out (as in aiming a finger) to teach, inform, instruct. [viii] This really puts the whole concept of the 144,000 feeding the Multitude in perspective. The 144,000 teach, inform, and instruct the Word (River of Living Water) to the Multitude. This next verse rather concisely describes the concept that has been outlined above.
And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. - Daniel 11:33
Here we have a verse that states that those that understand shall instruct many. Who would that be? The 144,000 instruct the Multitude. The “they” that fall by the sword, flame, captivity and spoil are the Multitude that will sacrifice their lives. This will be discussed further in the section on the Multitude. In the meantime, this verse in Daniel tells the whole story of the 144,000 and the Multitude.
The 144,000 will be teaching the Multitude that they need to come out of the covenant of Agar and into the covenant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and claim their true birthright as a spiritual Jew afforded all of the promises under the covenant that the Lord made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
“They that understand (the 144,000) shall instruct many (the Multitude)…”
[i]. Strong’s 8451
[ii]. Strong’s 8384
[iii]. 1 John 2:9
[iv]. Revelation 13:15
[v]. Matthew 25:10
[vi]. II Thessalonians 2:10
[vii]. II Corinthians 10:5
[viii]. Strong’s 8384