Wars and other global events in our contemporary world can create considerable anxiety that hijacks our emotions. News from social media, television and the internet can crowd into our minds and cause us vicarious, second-hand worry because of what is happening around the world. That anxiety about can also lead to unconstructive behaviours such as escapism. But God has called us to be in the world while not of it. We need boldness and courage to bring God’s kingdom life wherever we are and believe He can do greater things.
Hope for a World in Crisis: Revelation Six and Seven. The Early Church. The early Christian church faced similar fears at the time when John most likely wrote the book Revelation. The new Emperor Domitian was expanded military activity across the Roman Empire. He was also a catalyst for intense persecution of Christians. But John was inspired by God to write down the prophecies and visions in Revelation and encourage the early church with fresh vision for the future.
Understanding Revelation. Understood correctly, the book of Revelation is a message of hope for the future and an encouragement to believe that God can do greater things in the present Capturing that sense of hope and courage in Revelation requires some work to understand the strange symbolism and visions of this remarkable letter. In this study, we look at Revelation chapter seven and the mysterious number 144,000. But let’s begin in chapter six,
War and Calamity. Revelation six describes an apocalyptic scene in which horses are going out into the world to bring war, famine, and judgement. These calamities were a present reality for John and the world of the early church. And through-out history there have been seasons of profound violence and loss in societies across the world.
The 144,000. However, in Revelation 7:2-4 we discover at least a little good news. 144,000 servants of God from the tribes of Israel are to be protected from harm as these disasters happen. This passage reflects a Jewish prophetic tradition that a small remnant of God’s people would survive the disasters befalling the nation. But who is this remnant of 144,000 people?
A Great Multitude. It is important to read these passages carefully and in context. John goes on in Revelation 7:9, to describe a great multitude worshiping before Gods’ throne. So that raises a second set of questions. Who are the great multitude? Is it a different group to the 144,000?
Hearing and Seeing. The interpretive clue to notice is the difference between what John hears and what he sees. In Revelation 7:4 he hears the number of those who were sealed: 144,000. But then in Revelation 7:9 he sees “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb”
A Greater Reality. John sees a reality that is much greater and more encouraging than a small remnant. Many Bible commentators now agree that the 144,000 are the same as the vast multitude. 144.000 is a symbol of a greater reality. The reality is a multitude worshipping Christ from every nation tribe and tongue. And that means, if you believe in Jesus, then you are part of the multitude and symbolically also part of the 144,000. Therefore Revelation 7 is a promise of protection from harm similar to Psalm 91. During tribulation we can experience being sheltered in God’s presence. And he will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
144,000: A Symbol of God’s Perfect Reign of JusticeA Mathematically Exact Symbol: 144,000 should then be understood as a symbolic number. We can see this even more clearly when we recognize it has the mathematical quality of being a perfect square (12x12) multiplied by a perfect cube (10x10x10). The exactness of the numbering and its mathematical symmetry strongly suggests symbolism rather than something real.
Interpreting the Symbol. To understand the symbol, we need to ask how would first century Christians, familiar with the scriptures, interpret it? Here is one interpretation that aligns well with the stories and symbols of the ancient people of Israel.
• Twelve clearly refers to the twelve tribes of Israel and their governmental organisation.
• Ten reminds us of the ten commandments and the ten plagues on Egypt, suggesting a picture of law and judgement.
• Multiplying a number reminds us of God’s command in Genesis to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. It is also the literary device used by Jesus when he said forgive someone seventy times seven (Mt 18:22). That does not mean do not forgive the 491st time, but fully and completely forgive.
God’s Coming Kingdom. Thus for ancient Christians, 144,000 or twelve squared times ten cubed would suggest multiplication fruitfulness, perfection and completeness in law, judgement, and government. It points to the full restoration of God’s rule and reign on earth. It reminds us to seek his kingdom of justice, peace, and joy multiplying throughout the earth. You could say, it is a symbol of Gods kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven.
A Promise of Kingdom Life TodayGod Promises of Greater Things. Revelation seven is then a prophetic picture of God doing something far greater than initial expectations. That promise of greater things can be seen in other places in John’s writings.
• At the beginning of the gospel of John, Jesus says to Nathaniel “You believe because I saw you under a fig tree. You will see greater things than that” (Jn 1:51).
• Later in the gospel of John, Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)
Present and Future Fulfillment: John’s prophecy and Jesus’ promise of greater things applies both now and in the future. Biblical prophecy is like mountains which seem like one range from a distance but are actually many ranges which we pass through on our journey. Similarly, prophecies in Revelation can have multiple fulfilments before they come to full completion.
Jesus First and Second Coming. The most prominent example of this in scripture is the prophecies of a Messiah who saves the people of God and ushers in God’s reign on earth. Jesus came the first time to fulfil that prophecy, and he will come again to bring it to completion.
The Kingdom of God Revealed, As a result, we know that God’s kingdom is already being revealed as we can bring His kingdom life wherever we are. Yet it has not been fully revealed. Every time we experience joy in the Holy Spirit, salvation and the freedom that brings, the presence of God in our lives, or peace that exceeds all our understanding, we are experiencing the greater things that Jesus promised. But there are still times of trial and tribulation we go through.
A Promise to Wipe Every Tear from Our Eyes. So Revelation seven is not just a promise far off. It is also an encouragement for today and a mandate to bring God’s kingdom life wherever we are.
“Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”” Revelation 9:16-17. Our Kingdom Life Vision. Our vision this year is for “each person to bring God’s kingdom life wherever we are.” Already this year, we are seeing God’s kingdom revealed in greater ways across our congregations. He is bringing justice by providing food for the hungry and shelter for the homeless. He is restoring community, and bringing freedom as he wipes the tears from our eyes.
Practical Steps Towards Greater ThingsHere then are three practical initiatives each of us can take this year to be part of entering into God’s promise of greater things and to bring God’s kingdom life wherever we are:
• We can
Take another step in Discipleship, by joining a Life Group or exploring other steps on our next steps pathway on our website. That includes taking one of our LifeTracks training courses as preparation for kingdom impact.
• We can
Take another step for the Kingdom by joining a short-term team or a community outreach initiative or organising an outreach event as a Life Group.
• We can
Tell our Story. Already this year we have heard 285 stores from across our congregations about what God is doing in and through the people of CityLife Church. You too can share your Kingdom story via the website.
As we share Kingdom Stories, we express gratitude to God for all he has done, and we also encourage each other that God is doing greater things in our lives. Let’s not be a people who retreat into our bunkers because of the fear and anxiety in our world. Rather let’s trust God that He is bringing his Kingdom Life wherever we are. We are an advance sign of the greater things God is doing as he reveals his Kingdom through us and because of Jesus.
Discussion Questions1. How does the concept of second-hand worry relate to our current global situation, and what can we do to counteract its effects?
2. What parallels can be drawn between the fears faced by the early Christian church and those we encounter today?
3. How does the symbolism of the 144,000 in Revelation speak to the idea of God's protection and promise?
4. What does the great multitude represent, and how does it inform our understanding of God's plan and purposes in the world?
5. How can we apply the promise of God's kingdom life in our present-day context?
6. What practical steps can we take within our community to manifest God's kingdom life?
7. Share some stories of Kingdom Life to encourage each other.
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