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Read time: 14 minutes.  5 video clips. 4 images.

The BOOK of  REVELATION
Its Astounding Relevance for the 20th and 21st Centuries.

The SEVEN SEALS

Section Three of this Commentary

The SIXTH SEAL

The “hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of ISRAEL” IDENTIFIED

Revelation 7:1-8. Revelation 14:1-5

Document 2

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Revelation 14:1-5. “And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on 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 the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers harping

with their harps: 3 and they sing as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders: and no man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand, even they that had been purchased out of the earth. 4 These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes. These were purchased from among men, to be the first-fruits unto God and unto the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no lie: they are without blemish.”

The “Question and Answer” format of Document 1 is continued in this Document 2.

9. Do the 144,000 appear in other Bible text other than in Revelation 7:1-8 and Revelation 14:1-5?

Answer: In none other.

10. What is the name of the mountain upon which the “LAMB”—whom the apostle John sees in the second revelation concerning the 144,000—is standing?

Answer: It is called “Mount Zion.” Revelation 14:1

a) Where on planet Earth is the mountain by this name located? In Jerusalem.

"ZION. A Jebusite stronghold conquered by David (2 Samuel 5:7), situated on the southeastern hill of old Jerusalem and also known as the City of David. Throughout most of the early Christian era, the name Zion was applied to the southwestern hill of Jerusalem. It is believed  

that the name originated because the house where the disciples gathered on the day of Pentecost was located there. According to tradition, this was the site of the Upper Room, where the Last Supper took place, and the place where Mary passed away. In the 4th century, a basilica was built there.” iLumina Illustrated Dictionary

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b) Was the Lamb literally standing on this earthly mountain? No. Provide reasons.

(1) Christ was not standing alone on the mountain; rather, “with him a hundred and forty

and four thousand.” Revelation 14:1. Now, these 144,000 were not, in any sense, on the earthly Mount Zion, but rather in HEAVEN, in the presence of God. Evidence for this is found in the following fact: “…they sing as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders.” Revelation 14:3

We have already learned that the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders are in HEAVEN, having been redeemed from among human beings on earth. The “throne” is also found in HEAVEN. “Behold, there was a throne set in HEAVEN.” Revelation 4:2. Therefore, since the 144,000 sing their “new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders,” they absolutely are not singing it on the physical Mount Zion on planet earth. Consequently, in this vision, Christ is not standing on that material Mount Zion on earth either, for he is where the 144,000 are.

(2) An inescapable conclusion: Any interpretation of this passage that places Christ on the physical Mount Zion in Jerusalem is completely mistaken; Therefore, any prophet, commentator, preacher, teacher, or writer who supports such an interpretation would be, in this context, untrustworthy, in light of these facts and explanations.

c) Does the earthly Mount Zion have any symbolic meaning in the gospel of Christ?

Answer. Yes, it does. Hebrews 12:22 is evidence. “…but ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels…” The “Mount Zion” mentioned in this magnificent, encouraging text is located within “the city of the living God.” This “CITY” is not the earthly Jerusalem, but rather “the HEAVENLY Jerusalem,” where the “innumerable host of angels” resides—angels who do not inhabit the physical planet Earth, but rather God’s heavenly realms. Just as the earthly Jerusalem serves as a type of the heavenly Jerusalem, so does the earthly Mount Zion in Israel serve as a type of the heavenly Zion.

d) In the gospel of Christ, the earthly Mount Zion is contrasted with Mount Sinai.

(1) Where on planet Earth is Mount Sinai located? It is in the Sinai Desert, on the peninsula of the same name—at the tip of a triangular landmass situated between Egypt to the west and Arabia to the east.

(2) What momentous event took place on Mount Sinai?

Answer. About 1,500 years before the birth of Christ, Jehovah God entered into a covenant with the people of Israel, giving them not only the Ten Commandments but also the other commandments and statutes that make up the “Old Covenant” made exclusively with the people of Israel. The proclamation of that “Old Covenant” took place, specifically, at Mount Sinai. The account of this event—of enormous significance both for the Israelites and, eventually, for all other nations of the earth—is recorded in Exodus 19 and the following chapters, as well as in Deuteronomy 5.

(3) In the New Testament of Christ, what symbolism centered on Mount Sinai is developed?

Answer. The symbolism that teaches the total abrogation of the “first covenant” (Hebrews 9:1-8; 8:6-13)—that is, the “Old Covenant” received by Moses at Sinai. 2 Corinthians 3:14-16. This symbolism is highlighted by the analogy between Sarah and Hagar presented in Galatians 4:21-31.

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“Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman, and one by the free woman. 23 But the son by a slave woman is born after the flesh, while the son by the free woman is born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted ALLEGORICALLY: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia;[e] she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written, ‘Rejoice, oh barren one that does not bear; Break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.’ 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? ‘Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.’ 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.”      

In the “ALLEGORY” of Galatians 4:21–31, Hagar, Abraham’s slave, personifies “Mount Sinai in Arabia” and represents the “Old Covenant”—which was nailed to the cross of Christ and, during the Common Era, can only produce “children for slavery.” In contrast, Sarah, Abraham’s wife, is presented in the “allegory” as “the free woman,” with TRUE Christians, who are governed only by the “NEW COVENANT,” being “children… of the freewoman”—that is, children of the New Testament (Hebrews 8:1-13), rather than of the ancient law of Moses. Galatians 4:28-31; 2 Corinthians 3:4-18

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According to this inspired analogy, two women, Hagar and Sarah, symbolize “TWO COVENANTS.” “One is from Mount Sinai.” What covenant originates from Sinai? It is the entire covenant given to Moses on 

that mountain—for Jehovah God gave Moses not only the Ten Commandments but also ALL the “statutes and judgments” (Exodus 20:21 et seq.; Deuteronomy 4:13–14) that constituted that “first covenant.” Now, it is explained to us that the “first covenant” "bears children for slavery”—that is, children who are spiritually enslaved. Enslaved to what? To the “old law,” which was abolished on the “cross of Christ.” Galatians 3:23-29. Galatians 6:12; Colossians 3:11-15

By effecting a “change of law” (Hebrews 7:12) himself through His Son, God the Father introduced a “NEW COVENANT” to the world—a “BETTER COVENANT, established on better promises.” Hebrews 8:6 and 13. This covenant came into effect when its testator, Jesus Christ himself, died—as clearly and unmistakably explained in Hebrews 9:15–17:

15 “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.”

With this “new covenant” validated, the “first covenant” is deemed “OLD.” “And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:13

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