We are learning that the 144,000 are without sin, without fault, and undefiled. This is how they are described in Revelation. They are like that, not because they began that way, not because they were always like that, but that they were purified by going through some very tough times. This is vividly illustrated by the tribe of Levi. And remarkably the purification process of the tribe of Levi is expressed in the book of Malachi:
Malachi 3:3 – “ And He shall sit as a refine...
Issachar gives us an example of a good early influence despite his odd beginnings. Among the negative influences we inherit, there are also some that work for our good. Observe the very strange beginning of Issachar. The Lord came to the help of Leah. She had stopped giving birth, but then along came Issachar.
Read Genesis 30:14-16
Leah actually hired her husband that evening, in exchange for giving Rachel her mandrakes. The competitiveness between the two sisters was bitter and real.&n...
Genesis 30:19
What effect did this family feud have upon Zebulun? Rachel was Jacob’s favourite wife, and obviously he must have spent more time with her than with Leah. It was Rachel who gave to Leah the right to sleep with her husband as a trade-off, as we saw in the story of Issachar. Then Leah again conceived and bare Jacob the sixth son, and she now thought, Surely Jacob will dwell with me. Obviously, he mustn’t have been dwelling with her very much. They were in different t...
Read Psalm 105:16-19
Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, who took his place in the original twelve tribes. But because Ephraim resisted the appeals of the Holy Spirit and clung to his idols, his name does not appear among the 144,000. Joseph was installed in his place.
Revelation 7:8 – “Of the tribe of Joseph [were] sealed twelve thousand”.
As we contemplate further the purification of God’s people, we see that the people of God who are to...
Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 33:12 [And] of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; [and the LORD] shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.
To be among the 144,000 is the end-result of a purification process.
Perfection
James 1:2 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, t...