Martyrs Raised

Living Gentile Christians plus 144,000 Jews sealed by God

Rev 7:4
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

The angel does not tell us how many Gentiles were sealed but tells us the number of Christian Jews that were sealed - 144,000 (12,000 from every tribe). Remember all Jews worldwide are back in the land of Israel as a result of the mass return (timeframe 2 - see charts above) and the Ark of the Covenant in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (timeframe 3 - see charts above). The number 12000 is a divine number multiplied by another divine number 12 to get 144,000. This number could be taken literally as 144,000 or just a large number but having divine interpretaion as many of the other numbers in Revelation. For clarity we will take the number literally as it does not change anything.
The 3 1/2 year Christian tribulation period is over (see charts above and timeframe 4). The Church Age is now officially about to end with the resurrection of tribulation martyrs (see charts above and documentation on bottom of page). Gentile Christians worldwide that endured (not killed) unto the end of the church age (Matt 24:7-14 see timeframe 4 page 3 for a full study of these verses), and 144,000 Christian Jews in Israel are sealed by God for protection against the plagues of the terrible 7 year Day of the Lord (timeframe 5 see charts above).

Matt 24:7-14
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Rev 7:1-8 (heaven's view)and Rev 14:1-5 (earth's view) as shown in Revelations chart above tells us 144,000 Jews are called firstfruits. This is because they are the firstfruits of the nation of Israel that are saved at the beginning of the 7 years God is now going to deal with Israel using Antichrst. At the end of the 7 years all Israel will be saved. God's dealing with Israel for 7 years is called called Daniel's 70th week and is the same 7 years as the Day of the Lord (timeframe 5) that God is dealing the Gentile nations. Rev 14 also identifies the 144,000 as one in Spirit with the raptured saints in heaven. These 144,000 will be waiting on Mount Zion for Christ's appearance when He returns at the end of the 7 years (see Kingdom). When Christ returns at the end of Daniel's 70th week all Israel gets saved (Zechariah 12, 13)
Rev 7:1-8 (heavens view - see Rev chart) 1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.	Rev 14:1-5 (earth's view - see Rev chart) 1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4 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. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Zec 12:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. 11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. 12 And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; 13 The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; 14 All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.	Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

During the 3 1/2 years of the great Christian tribulation (timeframe 4 also Matt 13:9, Dan 7:25, 8:24, Rev 12:13, Rev 13:7,15) Christians are afflicted and killed because they refused to receive the mark of the beast or worship him so they could buy or sell.

Matt 24:9
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

Daniel 7:25
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Daniel 8:24
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

Rev 12:13, 17
And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Rev 13:7,15
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints , and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

When the 5th seal was opened (Rev 6:9-11) we see the souls of tribulation martyrs arriving in heaven and they were told to rest for a little season until the full number of tribulation saints to be killed had been accomplished. In the meantime they were given white robes to comfort them. This comforted them because the see the raptured saints in their resurrected bodies wearing their garments and now they await the resurrection of their body .

Rev 6:9-11
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Rev 7:9-15 now records the full number of tribulation martyrs wearing their white robes because they have been resurrected at the end of the 3 1/2 year Christian tribulation which Rev 6 covered (see 6 seals opened timeframe 4 page 3) but before the terrible 7 year Day of the Lord which begins in Rev 8 with the opening of the 7th seal (see charts above).

Rev 7:9-15
9 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;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 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.

Rev 20:4-6 confirms the resurrection of the tribulation martyrs as part of the first resurrection. This means the first resurrection is a process. Began with Christ's own resurrection then many rose from their graves and walked into Jerusalem (Matt 27:52,53).

Mt 27:52
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Rev 20:4-6
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment 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 worshipped 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.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign

Than those that are resurrected at the rapture then the resurrection of the tribulation martyrs above at the end of the 3 1/2 Christian tribulation period (timeframe 4). The church is now complete in heaven; the church age ends; the church - the bride of Christ is now completed in heaven, Blessed are those that take part in the first resurrection (Rev 20:6).

First resurrection completed - Church age ends

Rev 20:4-6
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment 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 worshipped 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.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign

In Rev 20:4 we are told that the souls of them that were beheaded for their witness of Jesus, and did not worship the beast or his image, and received not his mark in their hands or forehead that they lived and reigned with Christ a 1000 years. Notice the word 'lived' and 'reigned' meaning they were resurrected. This is confirmed in Rev 20:5,6 where we are told that they who are part of the first resurrection are blessed for they shall rule and reign with Christ during Christ's 1000 year reign. The 1000 year reign begins when Christ returns at the battle of Armageddon where Christ destroys Antichrst and his armies, and the long awaited visible kingdom of God is established on earth (see Kingdom). The Kingdom is forever but the 1000 years is how long it takes to perfect the kingdom on earth. The question remains - when will be the tribulation martyrs be resurrected?. We read earlier in Rev 6:9-11 that the Lord told those who were being killed during the tribulation to be patient until the tribulation ends. We know the tribulation ends after the sixth seal of Revelations is opened but before the seventh seal (see chart above). The most logical place for the resurrection of the tribulation saints then would be after the sixth seal but before the seventh. We are not disappointed. The six seals are covered in Rev 6 and the 7th seal is opened in Rev 8. Rev 7:9-17 records the resurrection of the tribulation martyrs and guess what - they are wearing their white robes.

Rev 7:9-15
9 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;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 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.

It is clear then who this great company of saints are from every tongue, tribe and nation. They are those who turned to Christ after the rapture. They are the seed of the sun clothed woman that was left behind after the rapture and now kept the commandments of Jesus Christ and testified of Him (see Rev 12, timeframe 4 page 1). Many of these are the foolish virgins that missed the rapture but in the face of persecution and death by Antichrst many now give their life to Christ. These are the many that heard the preaching of the raptured saints that preached the gospel from heaven during the tribulation period (tribulation period - the 1st seal) and believed. They are now resurrected as part of the first resurrection. The first resurrection began with Jesus being resurrected followed by a number of saints shortly after. We read in Matt 27:50-53

Matthew 27:50-53

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out The graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

At the rapture the dead in Christ shall rise first and then those Christians that are alive at that time they also will be changed and all caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess 4:16). John in Rev 4 records this event .Those resurrected as part of the rapture are part of the first resurrection. Finally, we studied above in Rev 7:9-17 the resurrection of the tribulation martyrs takes place after the tribulation period (timeframe 4 Rev 6 -six seals) but before the terrible Day of the Lord (see chart above). The resurrection of the tribulation saints completes the church in heaven and the bride of Christ is now complete and ready for the marriage recorded in Rev 19. The resurrection of the tribulation saints also ends the church age. Many teach the church age ends at the rapture but it really ends when the first resurrection is complete. The rapture is a separation within the church in which the saved in the church are caught up to meet the Lord in the air and the unsaved part of the church is judged by being left behind to go through the tribulation. God deals with the tribulation church for 3 1/2 years and out of her comes the tribulation saints who are rewarded by resurrection and completing the church in heaven (Rev 12, timeframe 4 page 1). The church age now ends and the terrible Day of the Lord begins. The Day of the Lord is a time of pure wrath and judgment whereas the tribulation period is a time of judgment mixed with grace. The prophet Habakkuk saw the tribulation period as a time of wrath and mercy (Hab 3:2)

Habakkuk 3:2
2 O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.