Dr. Couch, you say the 144,000 Jews were probably martyred. Is it
possible they will be "raptured" as the church will be? The 144,000 are
mentioned being before the heavenly throne in 14:3. What is the
difference between the saints around the throne of heaven in Revelation
5:11 and those before the throne in 7:15?
It is clear that the saints from "every tribe and tongue and people and
nation" in 5:9-11 would be the raptured church believers. They are seen
in glory just before chapter 6 where the tribulation begins. In 7:1-8
the 144,000 Jewish saints from every tribe of Israel are sealed and
protected during the tribulation to be the Lord’s special witnesses.
The saints, the "great multitude" of 7:9-17, are
clearly stated to be those who came out of the "great tribulation" that
was taking place on earth. The whole tone of this passage implies that
they suffered on earth for the sake of the Lord.
While some may disagree with me, I think what is
said of the 144,000 finally arriving in heaven in 14:1-5 implies that
they were martyred while testifying down on earth. Twice it mentions
"they were purchased from the earth" (vv. 3-4). They are described as
having a special relationship with the Lord. They are seen "standing
with the Lord" on the heavenly Mount Zion (v. 1), having the heavenly
Father’s name written on their foreheads (v. 1), singing loudly with
harps (v. 2), singing an exclusively new song not shared with others (v.
3), they were morally blameless (vv. 3-4) and they were a special first
fruit to the Lord (v. 4).
The word "purchased" (vv. 3-4) is the Greek word agorazo.
It is a word related to the "agora" or the marketplace. Thayer points
out that the word is not used in the sense of being redeemed. But it is
used in the context of Revelation 14 as being bought, as fruit out of
the marketplace. Thayer adds that the idea of the word in Revelation 14
is "that they are withdrawn from the earth (and its miseries) and from
(wicked) men."
I personally do not think this is referring to a
form of the rapture. The rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4-5 is a removal
from the earth before the wrath of God falls on the earth. The 144,000
are already witnessing in the wrath, in the tribulation! They are not
church saints but tribulation saints!
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
