Isn't it interesting that the 144,000 seem to show up *before* the rest do? In other words, the 144,000 are there long before Christians. It's as if they were redeemed before Jesus was crucified.
I would say they were marked to be saved before Jesus was crucified.
Are the 144,000 sealed *before* Jesus sent the Holy Ghost?
I believe when man is sealed with the Spirit of God, they both know of and have entered the spiritual Kingdom of God in heaven. Before Christ sent His Spirit to dwell permanently in believers, He was with the faithful of Old, but until He dwelt in them, they did not spiritually have a way into the Kingdom of God in heaven. In death their body of flesh returned to dust of the earth, but their spirit, not yet being sealed with the Holy Spirit had to wait in that place of the dead reserved for faithful saints of Old. In the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, the spirit of faithful Lazarus was carried by the angels into the place of Old called Abraham's bosom. While the rich man simply went into hell (grave) to wait for the day of judgment.
John 14:17-18 (KJV) Even the
Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for
he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
I believe Christ emptied that part of the grave (hell) called Abraham's bosom when He resurrected. Before ascending to heaven, as Spirit He first descended into hell to set those Old Covenant faithful captives free. This I believe is a picture of the souls/sons of all the tribes of Israel in Rev 6 & 7 being sealed as they were clothed in white robes which represents having the righteousness of Christ covering them.
Ephesians 4:8-10 (KJV) Wherefore he saith,
When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (
Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
After being sealed by the Spirit (four winds of heaven Rev 7) the same 144,000 (remnant) of Old Covenant faithful saints, John speaks of them once more in Rev 14 where they are seen with the Lamb on Mount Sion having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
None could go spiritually into the Kingdom of God in heaven until Christ came first to give His life for sin, and defeat death.
It sounds like you see the 144,000 as being past and not future, correct?
They were future to the advent of Christ. Now that Christ has come to redeem them, they are the firstfruits of the Spirit of Christ to ascend to the Kingdom of God in heaven a spiritual body there (living souls).
Revelation 14:4 (KJV) These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.
These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
1 Corinthians 15:23 (KJV) But
every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1 Corinthians 15:36 (KJV) Thou fool,
that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
1 Corinthians 15:38 (KJV) But
God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
1 Corinthians 15:44 (KJV) It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV) We are confident,
I say, and willing rather
to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Philippians 1:20-21 (KJV) According to my earnest expectation and
my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but
that with all boldness, as always,
so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:23-24 (KJV) For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
1 Corinthians 15:47-50 (KJV) The first man
is of the earth, earthy: the second man
is the Lord from heaven.
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
When the seventh/last trumpet sounds that Christ has come again, our body of flesh will be resurrected to immortal life through our living spirit/soul that shall come with Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 (KJV) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive
and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (KJV) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but
we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
