Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
My study on the Israel of God part 2
Colossians 3:8-11 (ASV) 8but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth:9lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings,10and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:11where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.12Put on therefore, as God`s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; Paul is emphasizing the importance of the new creation i.e. put on the new man. This is in reference to walking in holiness and not in the sins of the flesh. Paul is saying that as new creations in Messiah we are being renewed unto knowledge after the image of God (verse 10). Paul is not calling the believers to focus on being Jewish but rather to be focused on being renewed in the image of Jehovah God the creator. This is the emphasis of the new covenant i.e. being a new creation which Paul then states: "where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all." Paul makes it crystal clear that the Jewish-Gentile distinction is over with in the new covenant. He actually says it is not even possible to have such a distinction "where there cannot be". The teaching among many today, that there is still a Jewish-Gentile distinction in the new covenant, are going directly against the words of Paul not to mention Jehoshua Himself. Paul says that our focus whether we are a Jew or a Gentile is to be recreated after the image of God the Father. Paul tells us how we can be renewed in the likeness of the Father's image: Colossians 3 12Put on therefore, as God`s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;13forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:14and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. This is continuing from verses 8-11. Notice that Paul doesn't identify the Jews of the flesh as the elect of God but rather those who have put on the new man where there cannot be Jew and Greek or any such distinction. Paul then gives us a list of things that make us qaulify as the elect of God. The overriding theme is to put on love which makes one perfect just as the Father in heaven is perfect. Many today, rather than focusing on these things that Paul mentions, are focusing on putting on Jewish customs as if that somehow makes them holy and has any regenerative qualities. Many of these Jewish customs are traditions of man rather than biblical principles. While there are blessings in returning to many of the holy days and new moons those do not make us new creations in the image of the creator God. What makes us a new creation is putting on compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving each other. It is by doing this that we become perfect not by trying to be more Jewish. At the end of verse 11 of Colossians Paul says: "Messiah is all and in all" The Spirit of Jehoshua lives just as much in the Gentile believer as He does in the Jewish believer with absolutely no distinction or favoritism: "where there cannot be Greek and Jew" Paul obviously has no regard for any type of Jewish-Gentile distinction in the Church. He obviously isn't promoting two ways of salvation or two different segments of the Church. To Paul, the doctrine of dispensationalism whatever sort it is, doesn't exist and would be foreign to him. Actually Paul says that the new covenant truth of the Messiah dwelling in the Gentiles was the mystery of the Church which hath been hid in the old covenant times to the nation of Israel. Colossians 1:26-27 (ASV) 26even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints,27to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: The content of the mystery of the gospel that is now fully revealed is described in verse 27, namely, that the Gentiles enjoy full participation among the people of Jehovah God. All those trusting in Messiah enjoy His covenantal presence, namely, Messiah in you. This again alludes to a disappearing of Jewish-Gentile distinctions in the Church i.e. Israel. Ephesians chapter further highlights the removal of ethnic distinctions in the new covenant Israel. Ephesians 2:11-22 11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Verse 11, Paul is addressing the Ephesians noting that at one time they were "Gentiles in the flesh" being called the uncircumcision by the circumcision in the flesh made by hands. Paul is making it clear that mere externals are not true religion in his reference to circumcision. Paul also is making a point to the Ephesians that there identification as Gentiles is something of the past. Verse 12, the Ephesians were considered Gentiles when they were without Messiah and thereby because of that, aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel. This means they were strangers to everything given to Israel by God. Notice what Paul is saying, which is that the determination of whether one is part of the Commonwealth of Israel has nothing to do with ethnicity but rather whether one has a relationship with the Messiah Jehoshua. This means that ethnic Jews who don't have a relationship with Jehoshua are aliens to the Commonwealth of Israel and strangers to their covenants most notably the new covenant. We see now more clearly how the ethnic distinction of Jew-Gentile in terms of being part of the Commonwealth of Israel has no more bearing in the new covenant age. Verse 13, Paul then tells the Ephesians that although in the past they were foreigners to the nation of Israel they now, by being in relationship with Jehoshua, are brought into the Commonwealth (made nigh) by the blood of the Son of God. Do you see the inference Paul is making? He is saying that the requirement to be part of the Commonwealth of Israel is to have the blood of Messiah as your citizenship card. There is no other criteria that grants one entrance into the Kingdom of Israel whether it's ethnicity, nationality, race, family heritage etc. We see very clearly that the doctrine of dispensationalism falls apart when one reads the simple statements of scripture. Verse 14 of Ephesians 2, Jehoshua came to break down the barrier between Jew and Gentile making both ethnic groups One in Him. This was one of the express purposes of His ministry, let's look at John chapter 10 for Jehoshua's own teaching on this: 14I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me,15even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. Jehoshua is the good shepherd, He is the Bishop of the Church. He knows those who are His and they know their shepherd's voice. In verse 16, Jehoshua references "other sheep" who are not of the Commonwealth of Israel (this fold) which are the Gentiles. Jehoshua said that He must bring these other sheep (Gentiles) into this fold i.e. the Commonwealth of Israel. Notice what He says: "They shall become one flock, one shepherd" Jehoshua knows nothing of dispensationalism where there is a distinction between Israel and the Church but to the contrary says that there will only be one single flock made up of both Jews (this fold) and Gentiles (not of this fold). Both these groups will constitute the one flock that the Messiah of Israel shepherds. This teaching by Jehoshua Messiah is the foundation from which Paul the apostle works off of, in clearly teaching that there is absolutely no distinction in the new covenant between Jew and Gentile. This clearly goes against the false teachings of any type of dispensationalism. Back now to verse 14 of Ephesians 2: "For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition," This verse fits perfectly with John 10:15-16 as Jehoshua's expressed desire in John was fulfilled at the cross when He shed His blood instituting the new covenant. His death broke down the wall of partition between Jew and Gentile making us one flock eliminating any type of separation. The reference to the wall of partition refers to the diving wall in Herod's temple that excluded Gentiles from the inner courts. In Messiah it has come down. Gentiles are to be accepted in the Commonwealth of Israel as full partners with their Jewish brothers and sisters. This false teaching that believing Gentiles are not apart of Israel and thereby cannot rightly identify as Israelites is from the devil. These false teachers are doing the enemies work in trying to undo what Messiah's purpose was in dying on the cross, which was to remove any Jewish-Gentile separation. These dispensationalists heretics are trying to erect that dividing wall up again that Messiah explicitly tore down once and for all, as that was His primary objective during His earthly ministry. Verse 15 of Ephesians 2 "having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace" These laws and commandments contained in ordinances are in context related to the temple worship system "wall of partition".The book of Hebrews clearly outlines what these ordinances were. In Hebrews they are called "carnal" meaning "temporal" ordinances and they are in respect to the Levitical priesthood system and the animal sacrifices along with meat, drink and burnt offerings. This understanding fits perfectly with the context when it refers to the middle wall of partition in Herod's temple that kept the Gentiles from the inner courts. Only the Jews had access to the inner courts of the Temple and had access to participate more fully in the old covenant worship system. The 10 commandments are not dependent on an erected temple or tabernacle or Levitical priesthood as they could be kept anywhere in the world. This does however mean that the whole system of OT law, insofar as it was used to separate Jews from Gentiles, has come to an end. "One new man" Jehoshua's death forever removed Jewish-Gentile distinction in terms of what constitutes the Church. Messiah's work on the cross creates one new man out of the contrasting parts of the human race - Jews and Gentiles - in His Church which is the Commonwealth of Israel. This principle extends today to all tribes, nations, ethnic groups, and social classes. Verse 16 of Ephesians 2: "and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby" Messiah reconciled (atoned for) both Jew and Gentile to God the Father to constitute one body i.e. one Church. Again, it must be stated that Paul knows nothing of a distinction between Israel and the Church as both Jews and Gentiles who are in Messiah are one singular body which is identified as the Israel of God or the Commonwealth of Israel. In order to bring both ethnic groups into one body i.e. temple He had to kill the enmity that existed between the two groups. This Jehoshua did at the cross by shedding His blood providing the reconciliation ministry or atonement. What was the enmity that existed between the two groups? We read in verse 15 that it was the middle wall of partition in the temple that denied Gentiles access to the inner courts. This middle wall also represented the Levitical priesthood system with the animal sacrifices along with meat, drink and burnt offerings. Basically it was the old covenant temple worship system that helped foster this separation and denied access to the inner courts of the Temple to non Jews. Jehoshua abolished this system of worship making it outdated and removing the ethnic barriers within the temple. This means that Jehoshua destroyed the dividing wall and gave full access to the Gentiles, who believe in Him, to the inner courts of the Temple even the most holy place which no one but the high priest of Israel had. This temple that the Gentiles now have full access to is not the old earthly temple in Jerusalem but the heavenly temple in New Jerusalem. Hebrews 12:22 (ASV) 22but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels, The above verse written to the Hebraic Messianic's also pertains to the grafted in Messianic's who were formerly Gentiles. It is the heavenly Zion and heavenly Jerusalem that we approach to. It is the holy of holies in the heavenly sanctuary that we now have full access to as the one body of believers whether Jew or Gentile. Paul is making it clear that Jehoshua put to death any type of separation of the two people groups. Yet many today in the Church are trying to erect that middle wall of partition again basically trying to undo the very thing that Messiah came to do. Versed 17 and 18 of Ephesians 2 17and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh:18for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father. Jehoshua preached during His ministry to those that were near i.e. the Israelites of the flesh and through His Spirit after the resurrection to the Gentiles of the flesh. Those of both groups who believed in His name were made into one singular body called the Church. Both Jew and Gentile through the Son of God have access to God the Father by one Spirit. Verse 18 shows the absolute oneness of the Church which is made up of those who were near (Israelites of the flesh) and those who were far (Gentiles of the flesh). There is only one Holy Spirit that leads God's Church and God is not the author of confusion. The dispensational teaching that God has two different plans and salvation programs, one for the Church and one for Israel is unbiblical and contrary to the fact that God is not a God of confusion. The Spirit brings unity not division and dispensationalism of any sort promotes a spirit of division in the Church. Verse 19 of Ephesians 2 19 So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, Paul is writing to the Ephesians who were once Gentiles in the flesh. He categorically tells them that although they were once foreigners and strangers to the Commonwealth of Israel, that they are now fellow citizens of the Commonwealth. The Ephesians by way of their faith in the blood of Jehoshua, are now fellow citizens with the saints of Israel in the same Commonwealth i.e. the nation of Israel. They are part of the household of Jehovah God which is equated with the Commonwealth of Israel in verse 19. The next verse will prove that the Israel of God is no longer a Geo-political nation but rather a spiritual one. The saints are those who believe in Messiah and their country in which they are citizens is called the Commonwealth of Israel which is Jehovah God's house i.e. His set apart nation. Gentiles in the flesh who put their faith in the Son of God cease being strangers and sojourners to the Commonwealth and then become citizens along with the other saints. These once upon a time Gentiles are now bonafide Israelites having their citizenship papers signed by the blood of Jehoshua Messiah. The household of Jehovah God at one time being an earthly temple and Geo-political nation is now a spiritual temple i.e. the Church and a heavenly nation centered in New Jerusalem. Let's look at verses 20-22 of Ephesians chapter 2: 20being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;21in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord;22in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. The household of Jehovah God is built upon a spiritual foundation especially in the new covenant. This foundation is the prophets, the 12 apostles and the only begotten Son Jehoshua as the chief cornerstone. The denial of God's Son prohibits one from being part of this household. Even the denial of the apostles prohibits one from being part of this house. Even the great city New Jerusalem has the 12 apostles of the Lamb as part of it's foundation showing that New Jerusalem is the true House/Temple of Jehovah God not earthly Jerusalem. "Each several building" is a reference to the individual believer who is a lively stone and is part of the of the structure of God's house which is the Church. The building is fitly framed together as one unified structure. There is no room for a second Israel as the Commonwealth of Israel is God's fitly framed house/Temple. The Commonwealth includes those Gentiles who were once far off from being citizens of Israel and those Israelites were near the Commonwealth. Again, there is no room for a second Israel or separation between something called "the Church" and something called "Israel". The requirement for citizenship is to believe in the name of the only begotten Son Jehoshua. Jehovah God has a new Israel in the new covenant and this Israel isn't about the ethnic identity of the flesh but rather it is those who are Spiritually begotten as sons and daughters of God being added to the structure through the blood of the Son of God. Verse 22 of Ephesians 2, we as the temple of Jehovah God are where He dwells. Jehovah God no longer dwells in brick and mortar structures insofar as He once did during the1st and 2nd temple period. The Father now dwells in His called out nation which is called by Paul "the Commonwealth of Israel" which is made up of Gentiles and Jews who are fellow citizens where there is no distinction made between them concerning their ethnic identity. God through His Spirit dwells in the fitly framed building known as the Church i.e. the New Jerusalem. 1 Peter 2:9-11 (ASV) 9But ye are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God`s] own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:10who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Peter applies titles used of Israel to Christians (Exodus 19:5-6; Deut 4:20; 7:6; Isaiah 43:20-21). "Chosen generation". Connects them with Messiah (v. 4,6). "Pecuilar people". A treasured people. "Were not a people of God, but are now the people of God." Alludes back to Hosea 1:6, 9-10; 2:23. Peter uses exilic language to refer to God electing His people. James the Lord Jehoshua's brother also uses titles used of Israel to apply to Christians: James 1:1-3 1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are of the Dispersion, greeting.2Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations;3Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. James was the Lord Jehoshua's brother and leader of the Jerusalem Church. He sends a greeting out to the 12 tribes of Israel scattered throughout the world. By this point in time, 10 of the 12 tribes had been lost so James here is obviously using this Israelite title and applying it to the Church which at the this time still had a large Hebrew contingent. Paul in Ephesians 2 solidifies that the 12 the tribe of Israel designation applies also to Gentiles as he says they now have been given full citizenship in the Commonwealth of Israel by way of the shed blood of Jehoshua Messiah (Eph 2:11-22). James is directing this letter to what He consideres His brethren which is an obvious reference to anyone in Messiah. Remember, according to Paul there are no more Jewish/Gentile distinctions in the Commonwealth of Israel i.e. the Church. The only requirement is that you have faith in the Son of God. This further proves James greeting isn't to literal tribes of Israel, 10 of which are lost, but rather to the Israel of God who walk by the rule of faith in Messiah Jehoshua (Gal 6:14-16). Just as Peter did, James applies Israelite titles to Christians. Paul categorically states that the Jewish-Gentile distinction is over in the new covenant and infact incorporates Gentile believers into the nation of Israel as full fellow citizens. They all taught this because the Messiah Himself taught the bringing in of the Gentiles into the sheepfold of Israel and the merger of both Jew and Gentile into one new man (Ephesians 2). John 10:16 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. The other sheep are the converts from the Gentile world. These sheep will hear the voice of the Son of God through the preaching of the gospel which is the Word of God. "One fold" Jehoshua will not build two Churches, one for Jews and one for Gentiles (Eph 2:14-15), respectively, but unites saved sinners from all nations into one Church ruled by the Son of God who is the King of Israel. This teaching by Jehoshua Messiah that there will be one fold which will consist of the lost sheep of the house of Israel and the other sheep who are the Gentiles destroys the dispensational doctrine that teaches there is a distinction between Israel and the Church. It also refutes the heresy that there are two different salvation plans, one for Jews and one for Gentiles. Both groups must heed the voice of the Good Shepherd Jehoshua into order to be brought into the one sheepfold. There is no separate way of salvation for one group and one for the other. Keeping the commandments of the Son of God is the requirement to be in the Church i.e. the sheepfold (John 14:15). Ephesians 4:4-6 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;5one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. Paul makes it exceedingly clear that there is only one body not two. He says there is only one faith not two. He says there is only one baptism. His teaching that there is only one body fits perfectly with Jehoshua saying that there is only one sheepfold. Lets now go to the book of Revelation and the passage that speaks of the 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel: Revelation 7 1And 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.2And 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,3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.4And 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.5Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.6Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.7Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.8Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.9After 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;10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.11And 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,12Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.13And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?14And 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.15Therefore 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.16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. The listing of 12,000 from each of the Israelite tribes has caused many to take this literally in that these saints are fleshly descendants of the 12 tribes of Israel. There are many problems with this view, one is that 10 of the tribes are lost and untraceable as they have been integrated with the nations thay they were dispersed among. Also, the new testament clearly teaches that the Jewish-Gentile distinction is abolished in the new covenant. Let's go to Romans 2:29: "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." Being a true Jew has nothing to do with outward forms and ethnic identity but rather being begotten from above by the Spirit of Jehovah i.e a new creation and having the law written on your heart. Here Paul identifies who true Jews are which is the born again Christian/Messianic regardless of ethnicity. So being a Jew according to Paul has nothing to do with the flesh but rather the Spirit. This destroys the teaching that these 12 tribes in Revelation 7 have to be ethnic Israelites. Romans 11 also says that Gentiles who believe in the Messiah are grafted into the olive tree which is the Commonwealth of Israel: 16For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree. Paul says the same thing in Ephesians 2 in that believing Gentiles are grafted into the Commonwealth of Israel making them fellow citizens with the believing Jews and partaking of the covenants of promise. As believing Gentiles we are not second class citizens but partakers of the fatness (covenants of promise) of the olive tree i.e. the Commonwealth of Israel. Paul later echoes this exact sentiment in Ephesians 2 which already covered. I believe we have already established enough truth about the Israel of God that we can read Revelation 7 with new covenant eyes. Let's go back to Revelation 7 and break this down: The first three verses are key in understanding the symbolic nature of who comprise the 144,000. 1And 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.2And 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,3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. These verses depict the protection of God's saints from His wrath. The angels seal the saints with the name of the living God in their foreheads so that they would be not hurt by the plagues that come down from heaven. While many say that this is strictly about the period of time right before the Messiah's second advent and that these 144,000 are end times ethnic Israelites, we must interpret scripture with scripture. Remember that the bible identifies the last days as beginning with the ascension of the Messiah into heaven. Also, we have already established that there is no longer a distinction between Jew and Gentile as it has been abolished in the new covenant. The verses that follow the sealing of Jehovah's saints identify the 144,000 as the ones who are sealed who escape His (Jehovah's) wrath. Remember also, what Revelation 1 says that the prophecy of the book of Revelation is signified meaning codified in symbols which we can see all over the book of Revelation. The number 144,000 could very well be a symbolic number representing the fullness of God's people of all time (12x 12 x 10 x 10 x 10 = 144,000). The numbers 12 and 10 have symbolic meanings denoting fullness and completeness. The 12 apostles, 12 tribes, the dimensions of the great city New Jerusalem that has 12 gates and 12 foundations. Revelation 21:15-17 (KJV) 15And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.16And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.17And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. The symbolic measurements of New Jerusalem continue to repeat the number representing God's people, multiplied in their fullness (12,000 or 12 x 10 x 10 x 10, and 144 or 12 x 12). The wall of New Jerusalem is 144 cubits. The city of New Jerusalem is12,000 furlongs in measurement. 12,000 is the number from each of the 12 tribes of Israel listed in Revelation 7. The wall of city is 144 cubits which is the number of the totality of the 12 tribes in the thousands i.e. 144,000. The Church is called New Jerusalem showing us that the 12,000 from each tribe comprising 144,000 in Revelation 7 is likely symbolic of the Church which is the New Jerusalem which is measured 12,000 furlongs which has a wall that is 144 cubits. The similarity in the numbers are a huge clue to the symbolic nature of the 144,000.
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