Rev 14:1-5 144,000?

Rev 14:1-5 NIV
I cannot wait to meet these 144,000 who have never lied; who have remained virgins; who are completely blameless. Well, actually verse five says no lie was found in their mouths. In fact, all who believe in the life giving sacrifice of Jesus have had our sins washed away by the blood of the lamb. They no longer exist.

But, I am not sure if this 144,000 refers to all who have been saved by the sacrifice of Jesus or if this vision of 144,000 refers specifically to a sub-group of God's people.

Years ago, I studied with a group who believed that only 144,000 would enter into God's kingdom. The rest of us believers were going to get to live awesomely perfect and eternal lives here on earth. I couldn't quite get that picture into my head. You see, they already knew that the 144,000 slots had been filled and I was informed that I would not get to go to heaven. There was no room left for me. If I joined their church I would get to live here on earth with my family. That was a bit confusing as I am not sure who my family would be. Would that be my children and their children and all their spouses? Would it be my parents and siblings and their multitudes of spouses? How about my husband's family? Would we all be living under the same roof? I have to tell you just as I told them that I want to be with Jesus. I want to be with my Father in heaven. I do not want to live on a new earth no matter how perfect anyone suggests it might be. Eventually, I got shunned by this group of people for insisting living in God's presence would be much more desirable than living eternally in a new house, in a new world, here on earth.

144,000 or so many more than can even be counted, I believe that all who believe that Jesus is Lord will inherit their places in the Kingdom of God for that is what Jesus promised. There will be more than a few of us, who have been washed by the blood of the lamb, singing a new song.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 25 - Unprepared Virgins

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps." (Matt 25:1-4 NIV) 

I have occasionally been accused of worrying too much. What they should understand about me is that all my busyness is not due to worry; it is what I consider being prepared. If I am going to a meeting, I like to have everything that I might need, copied and organized, ready to go and in my bag, at least the night before. Trips to town actually include a plan in my head on where I need to go, in which order, and what I need to bring with me to accomplish the most in the least amount of time. I contact family members in town, just to check if there is anything they need or want from out here or from any of the places I will stop before I see them. That is to avoid having to go back to the same shop on errands for someone else. I do get a little flustered when I finish my errands and I get a text asking me to take care of something at a place that I just left. I really like organization. It's not worry. It is preparation. I just don't like missing opportunities (doors that might be open) to live life. Can you imagine missing out on the opportunity to live and enjoy life in His Kingdom, in His presence? I'd rather not entertain that possibility and so it behooves me to try to do all that I can to be prepared; not suffering my light to go out; but, allowing the light to shine in and through me.

Five of the virgins were wise and prepared for the bridegroom to come and take them to the wedding feast. Five were not. They did not take enough oil with them, in the case that the bridegroom would be delayed. They had to go and purchase oil at the eleventh hour. When they returned they found that the bridegroom had come for those who had been prepared. They tried to gain admittance to the wedding banquet; but, it was too late. The door was shut.

Are you prepared? Are you ready for the Lord to come and take you to be with Him at the great wedding feast? We can never know all that the Lord has in store for us. Therefore, be prepared for all the glorious possibilities and "...keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." (Matt 25:13)

God's Peace - Pr. J