| Are only the 144000 firstfruits the bride?[1] | ||||
| View1: Yes, only they are the bride | View2: No | |||
| Rev.21:9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, "Come here. I will show you the wife, the Lamb's bride." Rev.21:10 He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, Rev.21:11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal; Rev.21:12 having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. Rev.21:13 On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. Rev.21:14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. Rev.7:4 I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel: Rev.7:5 Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, Rev.7:6 Of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, Rev.7:7 Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, Rev.7:8 Of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. |
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| The bride is new Jerusalem. The wall of new Jerusalem city is established on the 12 foundation stones.[2] The 12 foundation stones represent the 12 tribes of Israel, that is, the 12 sealed tribes. Therefore, only the sealed firstfruits who are redeemed from among men, the sealed 12 tribes, are the new Jerusalem, the wife of the Lamb.[3] | The church does not mean the 144000 firstfruits who are redeemed from among men only. The reason why the new Jerusalem, the bride, is compared to the 12 tribes is because the reality of the 12 tribes, the church of the old testament age[4], is the church. However, not all members of the church are the bride. Only the firstfruits of the church, the martyr witnesses, are the bride. There are several church members, but compared to the firstfruits who laid down their lives for the LORD Jesus, their status is clearly different. The bride is the body of Christ who is the head. The bride, the body of Christ, is the new Jerusalem, the most holy place. Only those who see God in the most holy place, can be called the bride. In other words, anyone who sees God in the most holy place, can become the bride, not just the 144000. To see God in the most holy place does not mean to actually see the LORD Jesus who is seated on the true throne now[5], but it means to live a life worthy of entering new Jerusalem after the 1000-year kingdom is established.[6] |
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| Heb.11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Heb.11:14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking after a country of their own. Heb.11:15 If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. Heb.11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. |
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| The city that is prepared for the martyr witnesses who died according to their faith, is new Jerusalem. The bride is new Jerusalem.[7] Martyr witnesses will gather in new Jerusalem. The martyr witnesses are the bride. Therefore, the bride is martyr witnesses who have kept their faith throughout the ages. The bride is the royal priests who will participate in the 1st resurrection and rule the 1000-year kingdom under the LORD Jesus in new Jerusalem.[8] The 144000 will be included in the bride, of course, but it may not be that only the 144000 will be able to enter new Jerusalem. Because it will not be that only the 144000 will be martyred. | ||||
| Rev.19:7 Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give the glory to him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready." Rev.19:8 It was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Rev.19:9 He said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" He said to me, "These are true words of God." |
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| The judgment for the wedding feast begins only after the bride is prepared. As we see that the judgment begins after the 144000 firstfruits who are redeemed from among men are produced[9], only the 144000 may be the bride. Therefore, other than the 144000, those who overcame the beast or other martyr witnesses may all be guests invited to the wedding feast. The fine linen worn by the bride is the righteous acts of the saints. Only the firstfruits who are redeemed from among men will meet the standard of righteous acts to become the bride.[10] Therefore, only the 144000 firstfruits who are redeemed from among men may be the bride. |
The meaning that the bride has been prepared, means that the appointed number of martyr witnesses is completed[11], and it does not specifically refer to the producing of the 144000 firstfruits, the last firstfruits. Of course, since the 144000 will be produced around the 70th week, the appointed number of martyr witnesses will be almost completed by the time the 144000 are produced. But it is not that the wedding feast will take place only after the 144000 are produced because only the 144000 are the bride. Even if the 144000 firstfruits who are redeemed from among men are produced, the wedding feast will not be held because the number of martyr witnesses cannot be completed without the bride in front, without the martyr witnesses of the previous ages. All martyr witnesses, including the 144000, are the bride. ① All the martyr witnesses will be invited to the wedding feast as the bride. The robes worn by those who are invited can symbolize the fine linen, that is, the body of resurrection. If so, being invited would mean being invited as the bride.[12] Or ② like the criminal on the cross, there may be an opinion that those who do not pass the verification of faith because they died immediately after making a covenant with the LORD Jesus, will also be invited. It is the view that they will be called to paradise[13] and will go through the verification. Even so, the robes worn by them cannot be the spiritual body of resurrection. This is because the robes are proof that they have passed the verification. If they are resurrected, they will be resurrected in a soulish body that will die again. ③ Perhaps there is an opinion that there are people who cannot be recognized as the bride even though they have resurrected or transformed.[14] It is the view that there will be some who will participate in the wedding feast as guests among the saints who have been resurrected or transformed. However, since only martyr witnesses[15] will wear the spiritual body and participate in the better resurrection[16], I believe that there cannot be any saints who are not recognized as the bride among those who have been resurrected or transformed. |
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| 2Cor.11:2 For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. | ||||
| I don't know if the apostle Paul might have known that the appointed number of martyr witnesses who would be resurrected or transformed would have to be completed in order for the LORD Jesus to come again[17], and that the firstfruits who are redeemed from among men would not be produced until the time of the 70th week is near.[18] However, Paul knew the secret of the bride[19], and regarded the age in which he lived as the last days[20], and it seems that he thought that the bride would come out in his own age. It seems that he used the expression of 'presenting as a pure virgin' because he knew that the LORD Jesus would come again only when the bride was prepared[21], and he believed that soon the bride would be ready. | If only the 144000 are the bride, the apostle Paul was trying to instill a vain dream of the bride in those who could not become the bride. It can't be. All the martyr witnesses of the true church that have Christ the Bridegroom as their head are the bride.[22] Whether Paul knew the firstfruits who are redeemed from among men or not, it is God who gives the truth. If there was never going to come out the bride among the saints in Paul's day, God would not have used the word 'harmodzo:espouse' through Paul. |
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| Heb.11:35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Heb.11:36 Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. Heb.11:37 They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated Heb.11:38 (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth. Heb.11:39 These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, didn't receive the promise, Heb.11:40 God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Heb.12:1 Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, |
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| Then why are only the 144000 the bride and only the 144000 receiving special treatment? This is as if something better was prepared for the saints after the Son came than for the saints before the Son came. The saints at the time of the Son's 2nd coming will also receive better things than the saints at the time of the Son's 1st coming. The last remaining wine is the best.[23] The reason is that the last wine is the final strategic decisive weapon to achieve perfection even to the saints before it. Before the martyr witnesses are resurrected or transformed, the saints must go through the tribulation that has not existed since the foundation of the world[24], that is, the great tribulation. To get through this great tribulation, saints must drink the best wine.[25] The best wine is God the Holy Spirit[26], who comes even as the latter rain to the saints who have received God the Holy Spirit who has come as the early rain. Only when we receive God the Holy Spirit who comes even as the latter rain, can we smash the armies of the beast.[27] The time when God the Holy Spirit will come to the 144000 even as the latter rain, is the last time just before the Son's 2nd coming. Therefore, the bride will also come out from those who receive God the Holy Spirit who comes even as the best wine. But God will ask much from them who have given much. |
All of the witnesses of faith are those who will enter the city of new Jerusalem, the bride. In other words, all of the martyr witnesses are the 'bride' who will form the new Jerusalem. If the martyr witnesses who chose to be tortured in order to receive the better resurrection, cannot be called the bride, then who can be called the bride? What did the faith of those who loved the LORD Jesus without sparing their lives, lack than the faith of the 144000 firstfruits? The 'God the Holy Spirit' who comes even as the latter rain is great, but the saints who receive God the Holy Spirit cannot be great. Whether it was the 144000 firstfruits who received God the Holy Spirit who came even as the latter rain[28], or the saints who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, who received God the Holy Spirit who came as the early rain[29], it was only through God the Holy Spirit that they could reach martyrdom. It is true that the 144000 firstfruits who are redeemed from among men, will do greater works than the saints who have the firstfruits of the Spirit. However, those works are done by God the Holy Spirit, not by the saints who only received God the Holy Spirit.[30] It is only God the Holy Spirit who must be glorified. They equally loved the LORD Jesus and were martyred in the same way, but would only they be the bride because God the Holy Spirit showed His power through them more greatly? |
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| I agree with this view | ||||
[1] Rev.14:3 They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb.
[2] Rev.21:19 The foundations of the city's wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;
[3] Rev.21:9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, "Come here. I will show you the wife, the Lamb's bride."
[4] Acts7:38 This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us,
[5] Acts2:34 For David didn't ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit by my right hand, Until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet."'
[6] Rev.11:1 A reed like a rod was given to me. Someone said, "Rise, and measure God's temple, and the altar, and those who worship in it.
[7] Rev.21:9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, "Come here. I will show you the wife, the Lamb's bride." He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
[8] Rev.20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over these, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him one thousand years.
[9] Rev.7:3 saying, "Don't harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!" I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel:
[10] Rev.14:4 These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. In their mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless.
[11] Rev.6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had. They cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, Master, the holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" A long white robe was given them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, completed their course.
[12] Matt.22:11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn't have on wedding clothing, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here not having wedding clothing?' He was speechless.
[13] Luke23:42 He said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus said to him, "Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
[14] Matt.25:1 "Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.
[15] Rev.20:4 I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn't worship the beast nor his image, and didn't receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived, and reigned with Christ for the thousand years. The rest of the dead didn't live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
[16] Heb.11:35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated
[17] Rev.6:11 A long white robe was given them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, completed their course.
[18] Rev.7:4 I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel:
[19] Eph.5:30 because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. "For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh." This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly.
[20] 1Cor.10:11 Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.
[21] Rev.19:7 Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give the glory to him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready."
[22] Matt.9:15 Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
[23] John2:9 When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn't know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom, and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!"
[24] Matt.24:21 for then will be great oppression, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the elect's sake, those days will be shortened.
[25] Luke22:20 He took the cup in like manner after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, that which is poured out for you.
[26] John7:37 Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water." But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn't yet glorified.
[27] Rev.11:3 I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, standing before the Lord of the earth. If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way. These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
[28] Rev.11:7 When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.
[29] Acts7:59 They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit!" He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them!" When he had said this, he fell asleep.
[30] Acts1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth."https://youtu.be/AupisuARmgQ?feature=shared