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The 144,000
The Great Multitude
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn
unto the LORD:
and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee.
Psalms 22:27
Down the lengthy corridor of time,
history has witnessed numerous great gatherings. For example, the Bible records
an instance in which multiple millions of angels shouted for joy as they beheld
earth’s creation (Job 38:4-7). Scriptures in Exodus describe a great assembly,
which when women and children are included, numbered more than two million
leaving Egypt on foot (Exodus 12:37). In our modern world, we view gatherings
such as the Tournament of Roses, where on any given New Year’s morning a throng
of more than a million people crowd the five and a half mile parade route.
Looking forward, an incredible army numbering two hundred million is prophesied
to march into earth’s final climactic battle (Revelation 9:16).
Impressive as these numbers may seem, they almost pale to
insignificance when compared to the number of people that will attend a future
massive gathering of humanity. The Apostle John witnessed a convocation that
will be the single greatest collection of individuals ever to have occurred.
Anyone who has attended a gathering, such as a concert or
sporting event where upwards of 100,000 people may be jammed into a single
stadium, can attest to the fact that seeing so many people packed into one place
is an awesome sight. Imagine the Apostle John’s reaction at seeing a group of
people so vast that he could only describe it as being innumerable.
After receiving the vision of the 144,000, the Apostle John
next viewed this incredibly enormous assembly. He describes it in the following
way:
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-10).
Stunned by the sight of such a vast assembly, the apostle
states that there were so many that he found the multitude impossible to number.
The Scriptures indicate that this great crowd embodied the vast majority of
people who ever lived and died throughout human history. John viewed these
generations consisting of various nations, races, and cultures from the
beginning of man’s history as they stood all together before the majestic white
throne of God Almighty. Such an array of humanity would no doubt number well
into multiple billions, but exactly when does this enormous assemblage occur?
The Timing of the Great Multitude
The Apostle begins his description of the great multitude
with the phrase, “After this.” By this phrase, John makes it clear that the
multitude appears after the 144,000, but exactly how much later does this occur?
John sees this multitude standing before God’s throne after
having been resurrected. Their white robes, symbolic of righteousness, and their
cry of “Salvation to our God,” indicate that they have been saved. For this
reason, some commentators interpret this vision as occurring immediately
following the first resurrection. By this, they mistakenly conclude that the
great multitude are included in this momentous event.
There are several reasons why this cannot be the case. First,
all the evidence presented in the preceding chapters have confirmed that the
144,000 are the entirety of the first resurrection. Further, as the following
critical reading of John’s description of the multitude unfolds, it will become
obvious that their resurrection can only take place after the millennial rule of
Jesus Christ on this earth has been completed.
The Size of the Multitude
One major piece of evidence that the great multitude is not
resurrected at the same time as the 144,000 is the immense size of this group.
This army of people is so vast that it causes John to be awe-struck! His first
word is “Lo.” This word implies that something unique and very important is
going to follow. It is akin to the word “behold” in English, and John uses it to
call the reader’s attention to what he sees.
While John did not actually view the 144,000 in chapter seven
of Revelation, he did view a vast sea of people he calls a “great multitude.”
John’s use of these two words to describe the vision is significant. The first
term is the word “great.” This word is “polus” in the Greek. It means “much,”
“to abound,” “number,” “multitude,” “great,” or “large.” Polus also implies that
which is “common.”
The second word John uses to describe those he sees is the
word “multitude.” This word is “ochlos” in the Greek, and means “throng,”
“rabble,” or “a class of people.” “Ochlos” can also include the meaning of
“riot,” such as when people are so close together they are pressed into one
another.
Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament
Words explains the meaning of the word “multitude” in the following way:
When used with polus, “much” or “great,” (the word Ochlos) . . . signifies “a great multitude”. . . or the common people . . . perhaps preferably “the mass of the people” (p. 1082).
The impression created by John’s choice of words is twofold. First, the Apostle John is gazing at an incredibly vast number of people. A second point is that the crowd is defined as the “common people,” or as being of the “common class.” These words specifically distinguish the great multitude from the 144,000, who are destined for leadership roles with Christ. Reminiscent of God’s declaration to Abraham, John refers to a group of people so large in number that it cannot be counted. The Eternal promised the patriarch:
Look now toward heaven and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be (Genesis 15:5).
Today, with our massive telescopes,
we can probe the heavens and map the stars. Still, we have no idea how many
actually exist in the many galaxies of our universe. God is telling Abraham that
his descendants would be innumerable, much like the stars in the universe.
Further, those who would eventually trust in Christ would be numbered as
Abraham’s seed. This includes the entirety of mankind—all who will eventually
come to Christ. This is an awesome number to contemplate.
The impression John conveys is that he may have been looking
out at a throng of people so large, and so closely pressed together to be in the
presence of God’s throne, that it was somewhat like the tens of thousands
compressed around the stage of a modern rock concert. The only difference is
that in John’s vision this throng no doubt extended for hundreds, or even
thousands of miles.
A group of this magnitude standing before God’s throne is
found in only one account in the Bible. It can only be true of God’s second
harvest of souls. This harvest is not the firstfruits, comprised of 144,000.
Instead, it is the rest of humanity from every part of the globe. It will
include all who ever lived during the first six thousand years, those who live
in the millennial period, and those who live after that.
This vast collection of humanity is from every race, culture,
and historical period. It consists of every nation, kindred, and tongue. Such a
throng of people would likely be so awesome as to be both shocking to view and
impossible to number.
When does this Multitude Stand before God?
The Bible reveals that God’s Holy Days are prophetic in
nature, foreshadowing things to come (Colossians 2:16-17; Leviticus 23). Each
feast depicts an important event in the Eternal’s plan for mankind. For example,
Christ actually died on the Passover and the Holy Spirit was given on the day of
Pentecost.
Regarding events yet to be fulfilled, the Feast of Trumpets
pictures the future seven trumpet plagues, culminating in the last trump when
the kingdoms of this world become Christ’s. The Day of Atonement pictures Satan
being bound. The Feast of Tabernacles reflects the time when Christ will
tabernacle with man on the earth, ruling with the 144,000 for a thousand years.
The last day of this feast pictures the rest of mankind being raised in
judgement before God. The Apostle John describes this chronology of events,
stating:
And he (the angel) laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgement was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection (Revelation 20:2-5).
These verses clearly reveal that a thousand years after the 144,000 are raised, Christ will resurrect the rest of the dead. These are those who were not called to know Jesus Christ, and were not chosen in this lifetime. All the different races and nationalities, from every generation since the beginning of time, will be given physical life again, and they will all live at the same time. Jesus refers to this resurrection when He says:
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here (Matthew 12:40-41).
In the above verse, Jesus refers to
a time after His thousand year reign. This is the time when “the rest of the
dead” will live again. Christ explains that the inhabitants of Nineveh, along
with the Queen of Sheba, will be raised to live at the same time as the Scribes
and Pharisees of His century.
All of these people will finally have their first chance to really know Christ,
and make their choice to follow Him. All the unique generations, different
races, and fascinating cultures from every nation and tribe will be present.
Christ will then judge them by how they live, just as He judges His Church now.
The last Holy Day, the eighth day of the Feast of
Tabernacles, pictures the conclusion of God’s plan of salvation for man and a
new beginning for humanity. Once mankind has been saved, and is part of God’s
family, the Eternal can reveal the awesome future He has prepared for His sons
and daughters.
This grand destiny begins when Christ gathers all people
before God’s throne. There He pronounces judgement on each one. John describes
this event:
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
Compare this scene with John’s
vision of the great multitude. Here are the rest of the dead, small and great,
from all generations, standing before God’s throne for judgement. The great
multitude is this very group which has been saved through this final judgement.
Notice the difference between this group and the 144,000. The
144,000 are spiritual Israel, and they stand with Christ on Mount Zion, the
headquarters of God’s government. They sit with Christ in His throne. This means
that they will also rule in various positions under the authority of His throne
all around the earth for a thousand years. Finally, they will rule from the New
Jerusalem when it descends to the new earth.
Rather than a small specific number called Israel, the great
multitude is a vast accumulation of all peoples and tongues. They are not
firstfruits. They do not stand with Christ, sit in His throne, or have the
Father’s name in their foreheads.
Instead, this vast assembly is pictured as standing before
the throne of God after having been judged. While judgement is on the Church now
(I Peter 4:17), God is not presently judging the rest of mankind. Their time of
judgement will come. It will begin one thousand years after the millennial reign
of Christ, and be completed at the White Throne Judgement. Then, those who have
been granted eternal life will stand before the throne of God. This is the great
innumerable multitude.
The Symbolism of the Palms
Another indication of the timing regarding the great
multitude is found in the symbolism of the palms carried in their hands
(Revelation 7:9). These branches were commanded to be used to build temporary
living quarters for the Feast of Tabernacles. While describing this feast, God
explains:
In the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a Sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a Sabbath. And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days (Leviticus 23:39-40).
These palms are also referred to when Christ rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. The Apostle John records this historical moment, writing:
Much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord (John 12:12-13).
While God does not command the use
of palm branches in the observance of Passover, it is possible He inspired their
use at this triumphant completion of Christ’s ministry. The entry of Jesus into
the holy city was a type, symbolizing His victorious return to this earth to
take Jerusalem, and rule in justice and righteousness. God may have inspired the
use of these palm branches, germane to the Feast of Tabernacles, because this
event foreshadowed what that feast looks forward to—our God returning to
Jerusalem in triumph to again tabernacle with man.
The palm branches that the great multitude held in their
hands represent the time period in which these people will attain salvation.
These people are the product of Christ’s salvation during the time when He will
again walk, and live, among mankind. It is a time when a second resurrection
will occur, and an ultimate final judgement will take place.
The Great Multitude Cry Out
Another indicator that the great multitude exists at a
different time than the 144,000 is found in the words they utter. Together they
cry out, saying, “Salvation to God on the throne and to the Lamb.”
First note that they are not singing a song of triumph, as do
the 144,000. Neither do they sing a song that no one else can learn. The great
multitude cannot learn the song that the 144,000 sing. That song is reserved for
them alone. Instead of singing, the multitude cries out loudly, literally
shouting, “salvation to God, and to the Lamb.”
The word “salvation” is “soteria” in the Greek, and it means
“rescue,” “safety,” or to “be saved spiritually.” More importantly, the word
implies God’s final manifestation of His power to save. These words that the
great multitude shout reflect God’s victory over sin for all time after a long,
arduous experience. They point to this massive group as finally being saved.
They were not saved through the first resurrection.
This incredible multitude is composed of those who will
ultimately be saved in and through the second resurrection, and the
corresponding great White Throne Judgement.
What are These?
The vision of such a massive crowd stunned John. As the
apostle stood speechless, an angel asked:
What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? (Revelation 7:13).
The angel asks this question
knowing that the 144,000 are the first resurrection. He would not ask the
identity of this second group if they were part of the firstfruits mentioned
earlier.
His question was likely designed to jar John back to his
senses after the shock of seeing so great a multitude, but the angel’s query is
further evidence that the 144,000 and great multitude are not in the same
resurrection. The angel states:
These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14).
The angel tells John that these came out of great tribulation. As discussed in
the previous chapter, this is not referring to the Great Tribulation that comes
on the whole world at the end of the age. Instead, it refers to the enormous
trials that come upon those who are not believers during this lifetime.
The multitude are those who have been resurrected after the
millennium. This is when they have washed their robes in Christ’s blood,
accepted His sacrifice, and overcome their human nature. As such, they are now
able to stand before God’s throne, and shout, “Salvation!”
They Stand before God’s Throne
The angel continues to explain more detail about the great
multitude. He next states:
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. (Revelation 7:15).
The Scriptures explain that the
great multitude stand “before God’s throne.” It is important to note that they
do not sit in His throne as do the 144,000 who rule with Christ. Instead, the
Bible shows a vast multitude standing before God’s throne at the time of the
White Throne Judgement (Revelation 20:11-12).
The incredible numbers of people that will exist together at
this time will be from every race, every time period, and every culture. There
will be every possible language and dialect represented before God, awaiting His
judgement. After they are judged, those found written in the Book of Life will
rejoice, shouting that God has brought about their salvation.
If the Bible is the only source used to interpret the
Scripture, then the account of the great multitude, and the verses depicting the
judgement of the rest of the dead, are parallel verses. They portray the exact
same people. The great multitude can only be those who come through the White
Throne Judgement.
They Serve God in His Temple
The Apostle John is also told that the great multitude “serve
God in His temple.” The word “serve” is “Latreuo” in the Greek. Its root is “latris,”
meaning one hired for menial labor. The use of this word indicates that this
group ministers to God, in religious homage, doing service in the temple. This
is a far cry from the position of those who attain the first resurrection.
Those in the first resurrection assist God by ruling with
Christ. They will wear crowns, and serve God and the rest of mankind in
leadership roles. The vast multitude is not part of this resurrection, and
therefore, the Scriptures reveal that the future role of the great multitude is
menial or commonplace.
Another difference between these two groups is evidenced by
the fact that the great multitude serves in God’s temple. Those who are in the
first resurrection are described as being God’s temple (I Corinthians 3:17;
Ephesians 2:19-21). The 144,000 are the temple, which is the New Jerusalem!
The Church, during this age, is called the bride of Christ.
The bride is also described as the New Jerusalem that comes down from heaven
(Revelation 21:9-10). Those who are the 144,000 are Christ’s bride, and
therefore, their identity is also New Jerusalem. They will inhabit this grand
edifice, and it will be a part of their new married name (Revelation 3:12).
Those who are in the great multitude are not God’s temple.
They only serve in it. Therefore, the great multitude is not the first
resurrection. Neither do those in the great multitude have the same reward,
responsibility, or position in the Kingdom as those in the first resurrection.
In What Temple do They Serve?
The great multitude is said to serve God in His temple. But
in what temple? Is it the temple during the millennium, or one that comes later?
The temple in which the great multitude serves cannot be the
one on the earth during the millennial period. That temple is described in
detail in Ezekiel, chapters forty through forty-eight. This earthly temple is
not large enough to house even a portion of so great a people. According to
Barnes’ commentary on Ezekiel, this temple is five hundred square cubits, and
the precincts associated with it are under three thousand square cubits (Barne’s
Notes, p. 397-398).
The people that comprise the great multitude are so
incredibly large in number, it literally shocks the Apostle John to see them.
They number in the billions, and would never fit in the millennial temple or its
courts. For that matter, all the land adjacent to the temple would not hold
these people. The only temple which could house such a massive group would have
to be the one which is described as Christ’s bride—the New Jerusalem. Only this
temple is big enough to shelter all of mankind. John describes this tabernacle,
writing:
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God (Revelation 21:3).
This tabernacle, or temple, is the future City of God. It is the New Jerusalem, and the size of this grand edifice is described by God’s apostle in the following terms:
The city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal (Revelation 21:16).
According to Barclay’s commentary on Revelation, this spiritual temple is massive. It is beyond human comprehension! The famous commentator writes:
Each side of the city was twelve thousand stades. A stade is very nearly a furlong; therefore, each side was 1,500 miles long, and the total area of the city was 2,250,000 square miles . . . a city with that area would stretch nearly from London to New York (Commentary on Revelation Vol. 2 P. 212).
If the New Jerusalem were a cube, it would encompass more than four billion
cubic miles of inhabitable space. Therefore, all of saved humanity could easily
serve within New Jerusalem’s gates.
In all likelihood, the temple that the multitude will serve
in is the one presently located in the third heaven. This means that the time
frame for these people to stand before God’s throne must be after the end of all
things. It is the time when those who are the second harvest of mankind have
been saved—the third resurrection.
They Serve God Day and Night
The Scriptures also state that the great multitude will serve
God “day and night.” This could mean that there is still a sun and moon in
existence when John sees this vision. However, it is more likely stated this way
because the angel who speaks to John realizes that the apostle only knows and
understands time in terms of day and night. The angel is saying that the great
multitude serves God unceasingly, or around the clock.
The word “day” is the Greek word “hemera,” and Strong’s
Concordance explains that when it is used figuratively, the meaning must always
be understood by the context in which it is used. Since in this case, it is used
symbolically in the book of Revelation, we should expect to understand the word
“day” figuratively. According to this famous Greek dictionary, “day” could mean
“age,” “always,” or “forever.”
According to Strong’s the meaning of the word “day” also can
includes the concept of “judgement,” and “time.” Therefore, the Scriptures
convey a strong implication that the great multitude have come up in a
resurrection, have been judged, and now serve God for eternity.
Who Sits on the Throne?
Several verses in the last part of Revelation, chapter seven,
shed light on the timing of the chapter, and define the time period when the
multitude stands before the throne of God. The final part of verse fifteen in
Revelation, chapter seven, states that “He that sitteth on the throne shall
dwell among them.” The one who sits on this throne is none other than God the
Father. Verse ten makes this clear:
They cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb (Revelation 7:10).
Notice that there is a distinction made between God, who sits upon the throne, and the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Another verse in this same chapter is similarly worded. It states:
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes (Revelation 7:17).
John’s account indicates that there
are two separate beings in the picture—Christ and God the Father. It is the
Lamb, Jesus Christ, who feeds the multitude while the Father wipes away all
tears.
In addition, the angel speaks of the Lamb being in the
“midst” of the throne, not “on” the throne. The word “midst” is “mesos” in the
Greek, and it means, “among,” or “before.” The importance of this is that the
Lamb is in, not on, the throne.
Furthermore, the word “midst,” comes from the root word,
“meta.” When this word is used as an adverb, it denotes “accompaniment.” It is
the Father who sits on the throne, and Christ accompanies Him.
When does the Father Dwell with Man?
The Bible reveals that there is a time when the Father will
dwell with mankind. This will occur at the end of all things. It is after Christ
has ruled over the earth, with the saints, for a thousand years. It is after
those who are raised in the second resurrection have been judged by Christ, and
their names entered in the Book of Life. Only then does the Father dwell with
man. Paul explains the order of events to the Corinthians when writing of the
resurrection:
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all (I Corinthians 15:20-28).
After Christ returns to the earth,
He will set up the Kingdom. He will then begin to bring the nations under His
control. After ruling for a thousand years, He will raise the rest of the dead.
Finally, God’s plan for mankind culminates in the White Throne Judgement. Only
after this does Christ turn all things over to the Father.
It is the Father who sits on the throne before the great
multitude. Christ is there also, but He is in the midst of the throne. He has
turned all things over to the Father, and is now in the role of accompanying the
Father in His rule.
This group, called the great multitude, is shown when Christ
has turned everything over to the Father. It is composed of those who are the
second harvest of mankind, and the time frame is after the White Throne
Judgement.
Fountains of Living Waters
As the verses depicting the great multitude are further
probed, it becomes even more obvious that the time period in which it is
revealed comes after the White Throne Judgement. Notice the next words the angel
speaks:
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes (Revelation 7:16-17).
Christ will now lead these people who have suffered through so much during their individual lifetimes. God will wipe away the tears from their eyes. This is the same imagery that God uses when describing the time of the new heaven and earth. Speaking of this time, which occurs after the White Throne Judgement, the Apostle John writes:
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new . . . (Revelation 21:4-5).
The angel tells John that the great multitude will no longer hunger or thirst, and they will be led to fountains of living waters. This is not the time of the first resurrection. Neither is it the second resurrection. This is the period that Christ calls the end of all things. It is the time when the entire plan of God written in the Bible is finally fulfilled. Notice the very words of Christ as He says:
It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely (Revelation 21:6).
Christ tells us that He is the
beginning and the end. Clearly, Christ is speaking of the end of all things—the
end of all that man has ever known in history past. The context of these verses
is the time of a new heaven and earth. With them, comes the end of an era, and
the beginning of another!
No Light of the Sun
Another evidence regarding the timing of the great multitude
is the statement the angel makes saying that the “sun will not light on them nor
any heat.” This does not refer to God confining individuals in the temple so
that they never see the light of day. That would be more like prison than the
final fulfillment and demonstration of God’s love. Instead, the multitude is
revealed at a time when there is no more sun!
The vast innumerable multitude stand before God when the
light and heat of the sun are no longer needed to sustain life. They are
depicted as standing before God just prior to the New Jerusalem coming down from
heaven, and the Father living among men now changed to spirit. The Apostle John
writes of this wonderful time, saying:
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof (Revelation 21:23).
The great multitude is pictured at
a time when there is no longer a physical universe as we know it. Those changed
to spirit no longer need to eat to sustain themselves. There is no longer the
need for the oceans, the sun, or even air (Revelation 21:1-3, 22:5). Such a time
occurs only after the White Throne Judgement, when all who will be saved are
born as spirit beings into the family and Kingdom of God.
God’s Second Harvest
The verses in Revelation, chapter seven, describing the great
multitude make it clear that this is God’s second harvest of souls. This is the
greatest of His harvests, comprising massive numbers of people. The great
multitude is not a “little flock.” Rather it is an indescribably large group.
The great multitude is composed of those who will be saved after the first
resurrection. It includes those who lived before Christ’s return, and never had
a chance for salvation. Further included are those who were born and lived
during the millennium. It also comprises those raised to physical flesh in the
second resurrection. Finally, it includes all of Israel, who are now blinded,
but who are promised to be saved one day (Romans 11:7, 26).
This is an immense multitude indeed! Made up of untold
billions who will be brought into the Kingdom and family of God, they will live
forever, but the time of their salvation is far into the future. It is after the
White Throne Judgement—a time when the physical earth, the great seas, and even
the sun no longer exist! All the vast galaxies in the heavens, along with our
earth, will be made new, and the physical creation will be replaced by the
spiritual.
The universe that was will have served its purpose. It was
only a training ground for man to overcome his way of selfishness and greed by
learning to learn to live by the selfless love of God. After that has been
accomplished, the physical universe will no longer be needed. Therefore, God
will roll it up like an old garment and discard it. The book of Hebrews states:
Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands: They shall perish; but Thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail (Hebrews 1:10-12).
The physical universe is destined to be burned up in a massive lake of fire, which will vaporize all that is in it. The prophet Isaiah writes:
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but My salvation shall be forever, and My righteousness shall not be abolished (Isaiah 51:6).
This is an awesome and wonderful truth to consider. There is a time coming when
God will set His hand to save all mankind. He is first allowing the world to
experience the result of following human nature and Satan’s influence. This will
bring the world to the brink of such evil, and war so devastating, that man
would destroy all flesh (Matthew 24:21). Before man destroys himself, however,
Christ will intervene, return to this earth as King, and restore the government
of God.
He will gather the 144,000—resurrecting the dead saints, and
changing to spirit His chosen who are still alive. Jesus will then bring them to
Jerusalem, and use them to assist Him as He begins the awesome process of saving
mankind. A time will then follow when all who so desire can come to God. Joel
speaks of this, saying:
It shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in Mount Sion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call (Joel 2:32).
The time these verses depict is
coming—it is the mission Christ undertakes at His return. He will begin work on
a second harvest of human souls by setting His mind and hand to save anyone who
comes to Him desiring to be saved. The great multitude will be the final
conclusion of His monumental work of saving mankind.
The 144,000 are called to be the first harvest of God.
Throughout this first six thousand years of human history, Christ has been
choosing 144,000 individuals to work with and mold their character. He is
preparing them for marriage to Him, and positions of rulership for all eternity.
These individuals will sit with Him in His throne, rule with
Him, and eat at His table (Luke 22:30). This group will consist of only 144,000.
These are the weak of the world now (I Corinthians 1:26). They are called to
change, however—to grow and overcome their weaknesses.
God is not trying to convert the whole world now. He will
accomplish this at a future time. Right now God is working with the first
fruits—the 144,000. After the six thousand years, the time of decision will come
for all the rest of mankind, who will make up the immense, great multitude.
An Incredible End to the Story
Those whom God has called to be in the first resurrection are
called to a wonderful and fulfilling responsibility. They are prophesied to help
Christ save humanity. Finally, there will be absolutely unspeakable joy as the
great multitude also attains salvation. All who did not know Christ in this life
are not lost.
The anguish, so many have experienced over the centuries,
will be healed. Their pain and suffering will be eliminated. Loved ones once
lost will be regained. The great and talented artists, writers, sculptors and
composers will live again to create magnificent work designed to glorify the
Almighty God and created for the rest of the family of God to enjoy.
All that is physical is in the process of decay. The entire
universe is only temporary. The earth and the many suns and galaxies in the
great expanse of space will one day be burned up. It will be replaced with a
universe more wonderful and glorious than man could ever possibly imagine.
The Apostle Peter understood, and wrote to those called to be
part of the 144,000. He said to those then, and to us now:
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, where in the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless (II Peter 3:11-14).
For those whom God is working with now, these words must have a profound impact. Our destiny is to be a part of the 144,000, and to achieve this destiny, we must work to be blameless and without spot. The sacrifice is well worth it.