The 144 Thousand in Daniel's Prophecy
In Daniel’s first vision recorded in
chapter seven, the saints are mentioned seven times throughout the length of
this initial and extremely vital record of the course of human history. In
(v.1-7) the four beasts are seen and then in (v.8) the Antichrist is introduced
as ‘the little horn’.
The Ancient of Days on His throne in
heaven is introduced in (v.9, 10) with the Antichrist consequently being
destroyed in (v.11, 12). Then the Lord Jesus Christ enters as the Son of Man
before the Ancient of Days and He gives the Lord Jesus the dominion, glory and
a kingdom that all might serve Him with the kingdom being eternal and never
destroyed (v.13, 14)
With these first fourteen verses providing
a complete course of human history Daniel’s response to this magnificent vision
is given in (v.15). Then during the interpretation given in the following
verses the saints are brought into view as the Antichrist and his persecution
of the saints is the emphasis.
The angel gives Daniel a brief summary
interpretation of the vision in (v.16-18). Then Daniel asks for more detail
especially concerning the fourth beast and the ten horns and when he ‘kept
looking’ he saw that the ‘horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them’
(v.21) which parallels the account given in Revelation 13:7.
But, the tables are turned in (v.22)
‘Until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints
of the Highest One and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the
kingdom.’ Then in (v.23-28) more details and facts are described of this same
period with the saints shown to be ‘given into his [the Antichrist’s] hand for
3-1/2 years (v.25).
The final verse of the angel’s
interpretation provides the last mention of the saints in this vision: ‘Then
the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the
whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One.’
(v.27)
This vision covers the entire course of
history from Daniel’s day to the end of this present age, including the
Seventieth Week of Daniel when the Antichrist will rule and ‘make war with the
saints and overcome them’ for 3-1/2 years.
Among these saints mentioned here in this
chapter are the 144 Thousand who are the sealed, bond-servants of God, sons of
Israel and the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb as recorded in Revelation
7:1-8, 14:1-5. They will be alive and ‘Following
the Lamb wherever He goes’ during Daniel’s Seventieth Week, through the Day
of the Lord eventually entering the Millennium while they continue to follow
the Lamb the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Daniel 11 and 12 they appear again with
a more detailed description of their end of the age ministry:
‘And
such as do wickedly shall he corrupt by flatteries; but the people that do know
their God shall be strong and do exploits. And they that understand among the
people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by
captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be
helped with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And
some of them understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make
them white, even to the time of the end; because it is yet for a time
appointed.’ (Daniel 11:32-35)
During this
period of time following the ‘Abomination
of desolation’ (Daniel 11:31) there will be this group of faithful Jews who will perform ministry to
those Jews who have not yet believed in their Messiah the Lord Jesus Christ. However, they
will suffer great persecution with many of them giving their lives for the
cause of Christ. Many will be martyred (Revelation 6:5, 6) but, those who
survive this time of unparalleled persecution (Matthew 24:21, 22) will become
strong in the faith.
The Lord will
intervene when the number of faithful Jews reaches His pre-destined number of
144,000. Then He will rapture the saints leaving behind this group of Jews who
have been purged and made white to continue on earth representing the Lord
Jesus Christ performing their Redemption Ministry as priests unto God, praying,
witnessing and winning souls for Jesus during the Day of the Lord (Revelation
9:4) as described in the following verses:
‘And
they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament: and they that
turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever…Many shall be
purified and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none
of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”
(Daniel
12:3, 10)
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