The 144,000 and the Multitude
Chapter 8
The Redeemed of the Lord
The redeemed of the Lord was discussed in the first chapter, “The Sealing.” The redeemed are the 144,000 and later the Multitude will join them as the redeemed of the Lord.
These next verses are speaking about the Multitude as the ransomed of the Lord returning from where they were, under the covenant of Agar and shall come into Zion, where the 144,000 and the Lord is with songs and joy.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. - Isaiah 35:10
Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. - Isaiah 51:11
When they return to Zion/Jerusalem which is above and is free their darkness shall be turned into light. Their sorrow and mourning will flee away. The Lord shall redeem Jacob and will ransom him from the beast and their spirit will be freed.
For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. [12] Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. - Jeremiah 31:11, 12
The five foolish virgins will become wise; their lamps will be filled with oil upon their acceptance of the terms that the Lord has instructed in Leviticus 26.
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. [14] And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD. – Jeremiah 31:13
The word redeemed in the preceding verses and the word ransomed in Isaiah 35:10 is defined as; to sever, i.e. ransom; generally to release, preserve: deliver. redeem, rescue. [i]
This definition clearly shows that the Multitude is severed out from the Harlot Church. They are ransomed (Jesus paid the ransom with His Blood), and they are released from the oppression of Babylon forevermore.
In comparison the 144,000 had voluntarily come out of Babylon prior to the judgements of God coming down upon the church. The 144,000 were led out of Babylon by the Lord to be the chosen and selected of God to be the end time fulfillment of scripture. The 144,000 are preserved with the seal of God.
These next verses show this select group of people and that the Lord nourishes them in the wilderness as it states in Revelation 12 pertaining to the woman that flies into the wilderness.
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. – Revelation 12:14
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: [16] Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the
bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. – Joel 2:15-16
This passage in Joel is the calling together of the 144,000 to come together in unity and one accord; just as the apostles did. The 144,000 are then given instructions on what to pray for. The 144,000 stand in the gap for the Multitude and the Lord will answer their prayers.
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? [18] Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. - Joel 2:17, 18
If you have some time, compare Joel chapter 2, starting at verse 15 with Joel chapter 1. The comparisons between the two are astonishing. The parallel between the two has language so similar that it is almost word for word. Joel 1 is speaking about the apostate Church and what befalls them, whereas Joel 2 is speaking about the 144,000 and the blessings the Lord sends them and sends to the Multitude also as a result of the prayers of the 144,000 and the Multitude.
There is another passage that I would like to mention, which applies to the 144,000. This is a picture of the sealing.
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. [21] For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. – Isaiah 26:20, 21
This passage is a very interesting passage to study. Within this passage, we see the sealing of protection given to the bride of Christ (the 144,000) to go through the tribulation, completely protected from the indignation of the LORD. There is even a hint within these verses concerning the marriage of the bride and the bridegroom.
The word indignation means; fury, froth at the mouth i.e. (figuratively) fury especially of God’s displeasure with sin) angry, indignation, rage. [ii] You do not want to be the recipient of God’s indignation!
When we look at this passage, we find verse 20 begins with “Come, my people.” Who would this be? This would be the people that are following the LORD, following the Lamb withersoever He goeth. He then tells us to enter into “thy chambers.” What is meant by chambers?
Chambers is defined as; an apartment (usually literal), ([bed] inner) chamber, innermost (-ward) part, parlour. [iii] The under-definition means; properly to inclose (as a room), i.e. (by analogy) to beset (as in a seige) - enter a privy chamber. [iv] The word beset used as an analogical definition for chambers is defined in Webster’s as; 1) to cover or set thickly with, stud. 2) to attack from all sides. 3). to surround or hem in. [v]
The word chambers is the same word used in Joel 2:16 in the verse “the bridegroom going forth of his chamber.” The last part of Joel 2:16 states “and the bride out of her closet.” The word closet is defined as; a canopy: - chamber, closet, defence. [vi] The under-definition means; to cover; by implication, to veil, to incase, protect: - ceil, cover, overlay. [vii]
These definitions clearly show that when the people of the Lord (144,000) enter into their chamber and shuts the door; there is a protection that occurs with this action. This is the sealing of the 144,000. There is one definition that is out of sequence with the other definitions though. That is the word beset. Although two of the definitions apply to the concept of protection, the 2nd definition speaks about an attack. In the book “The Secret” this will be explained.
Briefly, this part of the definition applies to the Multitude. This word chambers is also used in a passage concerning the spiritual place where the Multitude is presently located. They are within the churches and they will be beset (as in a siege). When looking at the definitions for a particular word, the context of the verse determines which group is being spoken about.
In Joel 2:16, we find “the bridegroom going forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.” But, in Isaiah 26:20, it tells us to “enter thou into thy chambers.” How can this be? It seems like a contradiction. Are they supposed to go out, or go in? There is an answer to this question. To obtain the answer, we must go back to the parable of the ten virgins.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. – Matthew 25:6
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. – Matthew 25:10
Here is the explanation. The bridegroom comes out of his place, “let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber” [viii] and the bride goes out of her place to meet Him, “and the bride out of her closet.” Both of them then come together in one place when the bride “went in with him.” This explains how they both go out from where they were and then come together in one place. This brings the verses into complete harmony.
Let’s continue to look at some of the other definitions within Isaiah 26:20.
The verse tells those that enter into the chambers, are to shut thy doors about thee, and to hide thyself. Let’s look at these definitions. Shut is defined as; shut up, inclose, figuratively to surrender. [ix] Hide means; to secrete: hide (self). [x] The under-definition means; properly to hide (as in the bosom), i.e. to cherish (with affection): - love. [xi]
These definitions certainly sound like the whole aspect of the sealing and the marriage. The sealing is a sealing of protection, one of the many items that the sealing entails. There is another verse in Zephaniah that speaks about being hid.
Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; [2] Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you. [3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger. - Zephaniah 2:1-3
The language used in these verses has the tribulation written all over it. In verse 3, it is stated that “it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.” What is the day of the LORD’S anger? It is the Tribulation when His wrath and His indignation come down upon the church. Both Isaiah 26:20 and Zephaniah 2:3 are speaking about hiding or being hid from the LORD’S indignation and anger.
Hid used in Zephaniah 2:3 is defined as; to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively, absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret. [xii]
This definition is pretty close to Isaiah 26:20, with the exception that Isaiah 26:20, seems to be more personal, “hide in the bosom, i.e. cherish (with affection) and love.”
The last definition we need to look at is the word overpast. Overpast means; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literally or figuratively); specially to cover (in copulation). [xiii]
The word copulation is defined in the dictionary as; a joining together; coupling. [xiv]
What does this sound like? This is the joining together in marriage as the Bride and the Bridegroom come together. This is when the sealing of the 144,000 occurs. This seal is a seal of protection that they will go through the Tribulation with. The wrath of God is not upon them as they go forth to teach the Multitude the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
There are also two prayers that the 144,000 should be praying continually.
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
...Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them. - Joel 2:17
The 144,000 are sealed prior to the first trumpet seen in Revelation 8. They have come out of the harlot church system. They have the Truth and they are Holy. They are on Mount Sion with the Lamb -- which is located in the tops of the mountains.
At the time of the Sealing, they are wed to the Lord. They are the seed of Jacob and Judah, the elect of God, and the redeemed of the Lord. They shall feed the Multitude with the Word of the Lord and the law that goes forth out of Zion.
They will receive the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first dominion. They are the Remnant of Israel. They will be joined at a later time by the Multitude when the Multitude will become the redeemed of the Lord and will become part of the Bride of Christ as the Remnant of Israel.
And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. - Revelation 14:3
[i]. Strong’s 6299
[ii]. Strong’s 2195
[iii]. Strong’s 2315
[iv]. Strong’s 2314
[v]. Webster’s New World Dictionary
[vi]. Strong’s 2646
[vii]. Strong’s 2645
[viii]. Joel 2:16
[ix]. Strong’s 5462
[x]. Strong’s 2247
[xi]. Strong’s 2245
[xii]. Strong’s 5641
[xiii]. Strong’s 5674
[xiv]. Webster’s New World Dictionary
These next verses are speaking about the Multitude as the ransomed of the Lord returning from where they were, under the covenant of Agar and shall come into Zion, where the 144,000 and the Lord is with songs and joy.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. - Isaiah 35:10
Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. - Isaiah 51:11
When they return to Zion/Jerusalem which is above and is free their darkness shall be turned into light. Their sorrow and mourning will flee away. The Lord shall redeem Jacob and will ransom him from the beast and their spirit will be freed.
For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. [12] Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. - Jeremiah 31:11, 12
The five foolish virgins will become wise; their lamps will be filled with oil upon their acceptance of the terms that the Lord has instructed in Leviticus 26.
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. [14] And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD. – Jeremiah 31:13
The word redeemed in the preceding verses and the word ransomed in Isaiah 35:10 is defined as; to sever, i.e. ransom; generally to release, preserve: deliver. redeem, rescue. [i]
This definition clearly shows that the Multitude is severed out from the Harlot Church. They are ransomed (Jesus paid the ransom with His Blood), and they are released from the oppression of Babylon forevermore.
In comparison the 144,000 had voluntarily come out of Babylon prior to the judgements of God coming down upon the church. The 144,000 were led out of Babylon by the Lord to be the chosen and selected of God to be the end time fulfillment of scripture. The 144,000 are preserved with the seal of God.
These next verses show this select group of people and that the Lord nourishes them in the wilderness as it states in Revelation 12 pertaining to the woman that flies into the wilderness.
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. – Revelation 12:14
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: [16] Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the
bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. – Joel 2:15-16
This passage in Joel is the calling together of the 144,000 to come together in unity and one accord; just as the apostles did. The 144,000 are then given instructions on what to pray for. The 144,000 stand in the gap for the Multitude and the Lord will answer their prayers.
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? [18] Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. - Joel 2:17, 18
If you have some time, compare Joel chapter 2, starting at verse 15 with Joel chapter 1. The comparisons between the two are astonishing. The parallel between the two has language so similar that it is almost word for word. Joel 1 is speaking about the apostate Church and what befalls them, whereas Joel 2 is speaking about the 144,000 and the blessings the Lord sends them and sends to the Multitude also as a result of the prayers of the 144,000 and the Multitude.
There is another passage that I would like to mention, which applies to the 144,000. This is a picture of the sealing.
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. [21] For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. – Isaiah 26:20, 21
This passage is a very interesting passage to study. Within this passage, we see the sealing of protection given to the bride of Christ (the 144,000) to go through the tribulation, completely protected from the indignation of the LORD. There is even a hint within these verses concerning the marriage of the bride and the bridegroom.
The word indignation means; fury, froth at the mouth i.e. (figuratively) fury especially of God’s displeasure with sin) angry, indignation, rage. [ii] You do not want to be the recipient of God’s indignation!
When we look at this passage, we find verse 20 begins with “Come, my people.” Who would this be? This would be the people that are following the LORD, following the Lamb withersoever He goeth. He then tells us to enter into “thy chambers.” What is meant by chambers?
Chambers is defined as; an apartment (usually literal), ([bed] inner) chamber, innermost (-ward) part, parlour. [iii] The under-definition means; properly to inclose (as a room), i.e. (by analogy) to beset (as in a seige) - enter a privy chamber. [iv] The word beset used as an analogical definition for chambers is defined in Webster’s as; 1) to cover or set thickly with, stud. 2) to attack from all sides. 3). to surround or hem in. [v]
The word chambers is the same word used in Joel 2:16 in the verse “the bridegroom going forth of his chamber.” The last part of Joel 2:16 states “and the bride out of her closet.” The word closet is defined as; a canopy: - chamber, closet, defence. [vi] The under-definition means; to cover; by implication, to veil, to incase, protect: - ceil, cover, overlay. [vii]
These definitions clearly show that when the people of the Lord (144,000) enter into their chamber and shuts the door; there is a protection that occurs with this action. This is the sealing of the 144,000. There is one definition that is out of sequence with the other definitions though. That is the word beset. Although two of the definitions apply to the concept of protection, the 2nd definition speaks about an attack. In the book “The Secret” this will be explained.
Briefly, this part of the definition applies to the Multitude. This word chambers is also used in a passage concerning the spiritual place where the Multitude is presently located. They are within the churches and they will be beset (as in a siege). When looking at the definitions for a particular word, the context of the verse determines which group is being spoken about.
In Joel 2:16, we find “the bridegroom going forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.” But, in Isaiah 26:20, it tells us to “enter thou into thy chambers.” How can this be? It seems like a contradiction. Are they supposed to go out, or go in? There is an answer to this question. To obtain the answer, we must go back to the parable of the ten virgins.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. – Matthew 25:6
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. – Matthew 25:10
Here is the explanation. The bridegroom comes out of his place, “let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber” [viii] and the bride goes out of her place to meet Him, “and the bride out of her closet.” Both of them then come together in one place when the bride “went in with him.” This explains how they both go out from where they were and then come together in one place. This brings the verses into complete harmony.
Let’s continue to look at some of the other definitions within Isaiah 26:20.
The verse tells those that enter into the chambers, are to shut thy doors about thee, and to hide thyself. Let’s look at these definitions. Shut is defined as; shut up, inclose, figuratively to surrender. [ix] Hide means; to secrete: hide (self). [x] The under-definition means; properly to hide (as in the bosom), i.e. to cherish (with affection): - love. [xi]
These definitions certainly sound like the whole aspect of the sealing and the marriage. The sealing is a sealing of protection, one of the many items that the sealing entails. There is another verse in Zephaniah that speaks about being hid.
Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; [2] Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you. [3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger. - Zephaniah 2:1-3
The language used in these verses has the tribulation written all over it. In verse 3, it is stated that “it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.” What is the day of the LORD’S anger? It is the Tribulation when His wrath and His indignation come down upon the church. Both Isaiah 26:20 and Zephaniah 2:3 are speaking about hiding or being hid from the LORD’S indignation and anger.
Hid used in Zephaniah 2:3 is defined as; to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively, absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret. [xii]
This definition is pretty close to Isaiah 26:20, with the exception that Isaiah 26:20, seems to be more personal, “hide in the bosom, i.e. cherish (with affection) and love.”
The last definition we need to look at is the word overpast. Overpast means; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literally or figuratively); specially to cover (in copulation). [xiii]
The word copulation is defined in the dictionary as; a joining together; coupling. [xiv]
What does this sound like? This is the joining together in marriage as the Bride and the Bridegroom come together. This is when the sealing of the 144,000 occurs. This seal is a seal of protection that they will go through the Tribulation with. The wrath of God is not upon them as they go forth to teach the Multitude the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
There are also two prayers that the 144,000 should be praying continually.
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
...Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them. - Joel 2:17
The 144,000 are sealed prior to the first trumpet seen in Revelation 8. They have come out of the harlot church system. They have the Truth and they are Holy. They are on Mount Sion with the Lamb -- which is located in the tops of the mountains.
At the time of the Sealing, they are wed to the Lord. They are the seed of Jacob and Judah, the elect of God, and the redeemed of the Lord. They shall feed the Multitude with the Word of the Lord and the law that goes forth out of Zion.
They will receive the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first dominion. They are the Remnant of Israel. They will be joined at a later time by the Multitude when the Multitude will become the redeemed of the Lord and will become part of the Bride of Christ as the Remnant of Israel.
And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. - Revelation 14:3
[i]. Strong’s 6299
[ii]. Strong’s 2195
[iii]. Strong’s 2315
[iv]. Strong’s 2314
[v]. Webster’s New World Dictionary
[vi]. Strong’s 2646
[vii]. Strong’s 2645
[viii]. Joel 2:16
[ix]. Strong’s 5462
[x]. Strong’s 2247
[xi]. Strong’s 2245
[xii]. Strong’s 5641
[xiii]. Strong’s 5674
[xiv]. Webster’s New World Dictionary