CHAPTER XXVII
THE SEAL OF GOD IN THEIR FOREHEADS
REVELATION, THE FOURTEENTH CHAPTER, DEPICTS THE RAPTURED
CHURCH ON MT. ZION UNDER THE SYMBOLIC FIGURE, THE 144,000 THOUSAND "REDEEMED
FROM AMONG MEN". THEY ARE SEALED WITH THE NAME OF GOD IN THEIR FOREHEAD.
THE BIBLE AND EARLY CHURCH WRITINGS REVEAL THIS SEAL AS THE WATER BAPTISM
IN JESUS NAME.
WHO ARE THE MYSTERIOUS 144,000 OF REV. 14?
ARE THEY THE SAME AS THOSE IN REV 7?
WHAT IS THE SECRET OF THEIR "SEAL "?
CONFUSION ON MT. ZION // IDENTIFYING
THE 144,000 // THE RAPTURED CHURCH //
SPIRITUAL NUMBER // THE
NAME OF THE FATHER IN THEIR FOREHEADS // BAPTISM
IN JESUS NAME -- THE SEAL OF GOD // CATHOLIC CATECHISM
ADMITS BAPTISMAL FORMULA WAS CHANGED // EARLY
CHURCH HISTORY AND THE SEAL OF GOD // "SHEPHERD
OF HERMAS" AND THE SEAL // SEAL
OF BAPTISM IN JESUS NAME CHANGED // THE
SEAL OF JESUS NAME BAPTISM -- THE BRAND OF CHRIST! // THE
JESUS NAME BAPTISMAL SEAL IN THE FOREHEAD // KEPT
FROM THE HOUR -- THROUGH JESUS NAME // JESUS
NAME BAPTISM AND THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE //
CONFUSION ON MT. ZION
No group mentioned in the Bible is as controversial as to identity
as the 144,000 John envisioned on Mt. Zion in the 14th Chapter of Revelation.
Everyone claims to be that mysterious host. Jehovah Witnesses say the 144,000
are "Christ's Theocratic Co-Rulers" (who are currently operating out of
the Watchtower factory in Brooklyn!) Seventh-day Adventists insist the
144,000 are the "spiritual remnant" of their own Judaizing sect, who abstain
from eating swine's flesh and mice! Herbert Armstrong was prepared to lead
his 144,000 to the great Australian "outback!" On and on it goes ceaselessly.
The common evangelical explanation is that the 144,000 will be a select
group of Jewish "super-evangelists" who will lead revival meetings during
the Great Tribulation.
Everyone of the above mentioned notions is false exegetical attempts
at cramming a foot into a shoe it was never meant to wear. The Bible makes
the real identity of the 144,000 abundantly clear.
IDENTIFYING THE 144,000
The very first thing one must do to discover the true identity of
this fascinating group is to "distinguish things that differ." It is clear
from the text that the 144,000 mentioned in Chapter Fourteen of Revelation
are a completely different group from the 144,000 mentioned in Chapter
Seven. This is the key to unlocking the mystery. Once this is realized,
all will fall in place. The 144,000 of Chapter seven are Jews, sealed "from
all the tribes of the Children of Israel" (Rev. 7:4). In contrast, the
144,000 of Chapter Fourteen are "redeemed from the earth" and are selected
from "among men." This is a clear reference to the church (Rev. 5:9-10)
and not Israel! The church is always said to be redeemed from among men
- every kindred, tongue and nation. Moreover, the 144,000 of Revelation
seven are sealed at the beginning of the Tribulation (Rev. 7:3) in order
to immunize them against the Tribulation plagues through which they must
pass (Rev. 9:4). They are clearly on earth during the Tribulation. However,
the 144,000 of Chapter Fourteen are found in heaven, before the throne
of God (Rev. 14:1, Heb. 12:22), while the Tribulation is raging on earth
below and God's wrath is being poured out (Rev. 14:6-10). They undoubtedly
escaped the tribulation.
THE RAPTURED CHURCH
The 144,000 of Revelation 14 are without question the raptured Church
of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are the Christian dead who were resurrected
and the living who were translated (I Thess. 4:15-17). They are safe on
Mt. Sion, the heavenly meeting place.
They are said to be "standing" before the Son of Man:
And I looked, and lo a Lamb stood on the Mt.
Sion, and with him a 144,000... (Rev. 14:1).
This fulfills Christ's promise to the church concerning the Rapture.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye
may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass,
and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36).
Christ said they would "escape" and "stand before the Son of Man," and
that's exactly what John saw them doing on Mt. Sion!
Again the 144,000 are said to have been "redeemed from the earth"
and "redeemed from among men" (Rev. 14:3,4). This is another direct reference
to the Rapture. Christ referred to the Rapture as our "redemption" and
it was to occur at the beginning, not the end, of the Tribulation:
And when these things begin to come to pass,
then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh
(Luke 21:28).
The 144,000 of Revelation 14 are called "Virgins" (Rev. 14:4) This
means they are spiritually clean and undefiled from false doctrine and
worldliness. The church is referred to in Scripture as a virgin (II Cor.
11:2); Israel is never so designated in the New Testament. This is also
indicative of the rapture, for in the Parable of the Wedding Feast, when
the Bridegroom comes at midnight the five wise virgins are admitted to
the Wedding Feast, and the door is then shut (Matt. 25:6-10). That this
is a reference to the Rapture is made clear by Christ's subsequent addendum:
watch therefore, for you know neither the day
nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh (Matt. 25:13).
The 144,000 of Revelation 14 are said to "follow the Lamb withersoever
he goeth" (Rev. 14:4). Jesus said of the Church: "My sheep hear my voice...
and they follow me" (John 10:27). Christ was translated to heaven (Luke
24:51), and his sheep follow him there (I Cor. 15:51-52).
The final proof that we are looking at the Raptured Church in
Revelation as they are called "The Firstfruits unto God and to The Lamb"
(Rev. 14:4). The church, as the body of Christ, is part of the "Firstfruit"
resurrection (I Cor. 15:20). This resurrection occurs "before" the tribulation
and not "afterward" when he comes again at Armageddon (I Cor. 15:23; Heb.
9:28).
SPIRITUAL NUMBER
By now we can infer that the 144,000 of Revelation 7 are Jews who
are sealed by God after the Rapture of the Church, which is depicted by
the other group of 144,000 on Mt. Sion in Revelation 14. The Jews of Revelation
7 replace the raptured church as God's living witness on the earth. God
is never without a witness on the earth. It is also quite evident that
the number 144,000 is a symbolic or spiritual number. It is not a literal
tally. 12 raised to the second power (12 X 12) yields 144. This symbolizes
perfection and completion. The Jews of Revelation 7 are the completion
and perfection of Israel. Blindness was to come upon Israel in part, but
only until the "Fullness of the Gentiles be come in" (Rom. 11:25-26). Revelation
7 represents the conversion of "all Israel" mentioned by Paul. Likewise
the 144,000 of Revelation 14 speak to us of the completed and perfected
church standing with Christ in heavenly glory. Even their future home,
complete and perfect, is said to be "an hundred and forty-four cubits"
(Rev. 21:17).
THE NAME OF THE FATHER IN
THEIR FOREHEADS
The identity of the true church and its qualifying characteristic,
necessary for Rapture participation, is revealed in Rev. 14:1:
And I looked and lo a Lamb stood on the Mt. Sion,
and with him an hundred and forty four thousand, having his Father's name
written in their foreheads.
The true church scheduled for translation at the appearing of Christ,
must have "his Father's name in their foreheads."
Before we learn how this name is affixed, let us determine what
the name is. The Bible tells us the name of the Son of God is Jesus (Matt.
1:21). But the Bible also says that He inherited that name (Heb. 1:4).
From whom did he inherit that name? Jesus does not leave us in the dark
concerning the origin of his name. He tells us that it is his Father's
name... (John 5:43). So the name Jesus, which means Jehovah-Savior in Greek,
is also the Father's name; the name He gave to His Son. So to have the
Father's name in ones forehead is to have Jesus name there. Jesus is the
Father's name. This is abundantly proven by the fact that the Apostles
were told to baptize "in the name of the Father and of the Son" (Matt.
28:19). They fulfilled this by baptizing exclusively in Jesus name (Acts
2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5, 22:16). This proves that Jesus is the "name of
the Father and of the Son!" That is why Rev. 22:3-4 plainly states that
"God and the Lamb" have but one throne, one face, and one name! The name
of Jesus is the one name of "God (Father) and the Lamb (Son)!" And this
name must be fixed in the forehead of each and every person who desires
to stand on Mr. Sion in raptured glory. The next thing to determine is
how one receives the name "in the forehead."
BAPTISM IN JESUS NAME
- THE SEAL OF GOD
The only way the Bible reveals that the name of Jesus is applied
to an individual is through water baptism in Jesus Name. This is brought
out clearly in Acts 15. There we are told that God's purpose is to actually
"take out" from the Gentiles a people for his name (Acts 15:14). This "taking
out" will occur at the Rapture when "one shall be taken, and the other
shall be left" (Luke 17:34-36). After this mostly Gentile bride is taken
in Rapture, then God will turn his attention to Israel and "build again
the tabernacle of David" (Acts 15:16). The Apostle James unmistakably reveals
to us how this name is affixed to the people that God is "taking out" from
among the Gentiles:
That the residue of men might seek after the
Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord
who doeth all these things (Acts 15:17).
This is accomplished every time the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is "called
upon" someone in the baptismal ceremony. A person may call upon the name
of the Lord anytime. But the only time the name of the Lord is called "upon
them" is in the water baptism in Jesus name! When the administrant says:
"I baptize you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" he has called the
name of the Lord "upon" the immersed candidate. That person then and there
has the "Father's name" written in his forehead, is sealed by God for translation,
and will be "taken out" from among the Gentiles as a people "for his name"
at the time of the Rapture. There is no other act, ceremony, or spiritual
exercise described anywhere in the New Testament in which the name of the
Lord is so invoked upon a person. This, and this alone, constitutes the
sealing of the Father's true name in the forehead. Substituting the titles
"Father, Son, and Holy Ghost" will never qualify as the baptismal seal.
Their usage in the baptismal ceremony represents a departure from apostolic
interpretation and usage and renders the entire act utterly null and completely
void. These titles are not the divine name and never will be. The titles
were not used in Christian Baptism until the fourth century.
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IN THIS CATHOLIC CATECHISM, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DECLARES THAT
THE BAPTISMAL FORMULA WAS CHANGED FROM JESUS NAME TO THE TRINITARIAN TITLES
IN THE FOURTH CENTURY. EVERYBODY IN THE BIBLE THAT WAS BAPTIZED, FROM THE
DAY OF PENTECOST TO THE EPHESIAN DISCIPLES (THE LAST RECORDED BAPTISM IN
THE BOOK OF ACTS), WAS BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. NOW THERE
IS EVIDENCE THAT NOT ONLY THESE BUT EVERY CHRISTIAN FOR THE FIRST THREE
HUNDRED YEARS WAS BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS !!!
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This startling quote from an officially approved Catholic work
entitled Bible Catechism, abundantly proves the point:
"There is no doubt that a signifying word belonged to the rite of Baptism
(bath-immersion-infusion). There were so many baptisms: The baptism of
the proselytes (no. 2), baptism as initiation to sects (no. 5), the baptism
of John (no. 5). Somehow it should be expressed with whom one was united
by Baptism.
"Into Christ. The Bible tells us that Christians were baptized into
Christ (no. 6). They belong to Christ. The Acts of the Apostles (2:38;
8:16; 10:48; 19:5) tells us of baptizing "in the name (person) of Jesus."
-- a better translation would be "into the name (person) of Jesus." Only
in the 4th Century did the formula "In the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit" become customary.
"Although the Church of the Apostolic era did not know the trinitarian
baptismal "word" (in the name of the Father...) but only the Christological
one (into the name of Jesus Christ), this does not exclude the fact that
every Christian Baptism is actually a Baptism into communion with the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit. ( Bible Catechism, Rev. John C Kersten,
S.V.D., Catholic Book Publishing Co., N.Y., N.Y.; l973, p. 164).
This book, written by a Catholic scholar and sanctioned by the Roman
Catholic Church, is yet another 'confession' coming out of Rome that they
changed the baptismal formula, eliminated the true name of God, and for
Centuries brought to a halt the sealing work of God. Since 1914 however,
the truth has been revealed and God is gathering a spiritual remnant who
are standing for his name and have re-instituted the original apostolic
practice of invoking the seal of God's true name in the baptismal rite.
Much opposition is heaped upon this great work, thus fulfilling the words
of James, "Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called"
(James 2:7), and also the prophecy of Christ, "and ye shall be hated of
all nations for my name's sake" (Matt. 24:9). In spite of all opposition,
however, Oneness Pentecostal ministers the wide world over are daily pressing
forward this great work of sealing a people "for his name" by baptizing
countless thousands of obedient believers in the name of Jesus Christ.
EARLY CHURCH HISTORY
AND THE SEAL OF GOD
The doctrine that water Baptism in Jesus name is the "seal of God"
in the forehead is not the esoteric interpretation of some 20th Century
sect. It was part and parcel of the early Christians' understanding of
the baptismal rite. Church history clearly testifies to this.
"SHEPHERD OF HERMAS" AND
THE SEAL
The early Christian writing entitled "Shepherd of Hermas" was written
in Rome around 140 AD or probably earlier. It may be the most ancient writing
we have from the post-apostolic period. It was read in many churches of
the time and considered as scripture. Paul may have referred to Hermas
in Romans 16:14, thus placing him under apostolic approval. Here is what
Hermas has to say:
"Before a man has borne the name of the Son of God he is dead; but
when he has received the seal he layeth aside his deadness and resumeth
life. The seal then is the water; so they go down into the water dead and
they come up alive. Thus, to them also this seal was preached, and they
availed themselves of it that they might enter into the kingdom of God"
(Similitude 9:16.)
Baptism in water in the name of Jesus, the Son of God, is the life-giving
seal that admits to the Kingdom of God according to Hermas.
SEAL OF BAPTISM IN
JESUS NAME CHANGED
That the early church considered Baptism in Jesus name the true seal
of God is also attested by many scholars. That this was changed by the
apostatizing church is also freely admitted! J.E.L. Oulton writes:
"I submit that the use of the term 'seal' as applied to Holy Baptism
underwent a change towards the end of the second century and in the early
years of the third, and that its application as in 'Hippolytus' and as
a rule of Clement of Alexandria, to the laying on of hands or chrism or
sign of the Cross as distinct from immersion in water, is not the earliest
use, according to which it meant the baptism in water or the baptismal
rite as a whole" (Second Century Teaching on Holy Baptism, Theology,
1947, p. 88).
THE SEAL OF
JESUS NAME BAPTISM -- THE BRAND OF CHRIST!
Dr. Beasley-Murray beautifully sums up the conclusion of scholarship
on this subject of Jesus Name Baptism as the seal of God. Referring to
the previously quoted citation from Shepherd of Hermas concerning Baptism
in Jesus Name as the seal, he writes:
"The impression gained from this statement is that the seal properly
speaking, is the name stamped on the baptized in his baptism, and that
the term has become extended to cover the baptismal act that bestows the
seal. Heitmuller believed that this was part at least of the real significance
of the uttering of the name of Jesus over the baptized and that it reveals
the origin of the conception of baptism as a seal: by setting of the name
of Jesus on the baptized it stamped him as his property - put his brand
or trademark upon him! - and set him under his protection" (Beasley-Murray,
p. 174).
Dr. Beasley-Murray also has some very significant things to say concerning
the "seal of the Spirit" mentioned by Paul in Eph. 1:13 and 4:30. He writes:
"Thus the 'seal of the Spirit' is neither baptism in water, nor a baptism
of the Spirit divorced from the rite of baptism; it is the 'baptism of
the Spirit' in association with the laying of the Name of Jesus on a believer
in the rite of baptism. This has some interesting consequences. The association
of the 'seal' with the name in baptism, and the parallel teaching in I
Cor. 6:11, 12:13, renders untenable the plea of Dix that the seal is given
in confirmation. The seal is given when a man is washed, sanctified, justified
in the name of the Lord Jesus and in the Spirit of our God, even as he
is baptized to the one body in the one Spirit" (Beasley-Murray, 174).
THE JESUS NAME
BAPTISMAL SEAL IN THE FOREHEAD
The Baptism in Jesus Name is the seal of God in the forehead of
true believers. A comparison with the "sealing work" of Ezekiel, chapter
nine, will show many striking similarities. Ezekiel saw great destruction
looming over Jerusalem. But before any of it was unleashed, God "sealed"
his righteous servants in the forehead for deliverance. We read:
And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst
of Jerusalem and set a mark upon the foreheads of fee men that sigh and
that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof
(Ezk. 9:4).
The purpose of the sealing was for divine escape from God's wrath:
Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little
children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark...
(Ezk. 9:6).
Dr. Beasley-Murray draws this comparison:
"Having considered the probability that the 'seal of the Spirit' is
a synonym for the possession of the Spirit secured in baptism, it may be
of value to enquire what connotation this symbolism had for the early church.
That it signified above all the idea of ownership by the one whose seal
is stamped has already been noticed; to be sealed with the Spirit is to
be 'branded' as Christ's! But the really characteristic application of
the figure is eschatological, that of applying the brand mark of Christ
in view of the tribulation and Kingdom of the End. The background of this
concept is to be sought in the vision of Ezekiel, chapter nine. Six executioners
advance on Jerusalem with weapons of slaughter and with them a man with
a writing case at his side; the latter is bidden to set a mark on the foreheads
of the men who sighed over the abominations committed in the city and the
executioners are commanded to slay all in the city...'but touch no one
upon whom is the mark'" (Beasley-Murray, p. 175-176).
Therefore, the conclusion that Baptism in Jesus Name was the seal
or brand of Christ, necessary for deliverance from the Great Tribulation
and into the Kingdom of God, was a common Christian understanding in the
early years of Christianity. This is attested to by a host of Biblical
scholars not any of whom are connected with the United Pentecostal Church
International or the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. They are just
unbiased and honest researchers who are not afraid to let the facts, both
historical and biblical, speak for themselves.
Why, in all his convoluted discussion of what "in the name of
Jesus" could mean, did Dr. Boyd decide to ignore this significant contribution
by well respected scholars, especially Dr. Beasley-Murray? Dr. Boyd cannot
claim "ignorance" here, for he cites Dr. Beasley-Murray's book, Baptism
in the New Testament, in his footnotes for chapter 6 (Boyd, p. 231). In
fact, Dr. Boyd uses Beasley-Murray's book to argue against the significance
of the singular name in Matt. 28:19. But he completely fails to mention
to his readers that Beasley-Murray did not believe that Matt. 28:19 originally
contained the expression "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," and more astonishingly,
he utterly neglects to inform his readers that Beasley-Murray was convinced
that the original baptismal formula was "in Jesus Name," and that much
of Dr. Beasley-Murray's book was devoted to establishing that very point!
Perhaps like Paul, Dr. Boyd's "revelation" also contains "unspeakable words,
which it is not lawful for a man to utter," especially if they disprove
the very premise he seeks to establish!
KEPT FROM THE HOUR--THROUGH
JESUS NAME
Most evangelical Bible scholars are agreed that the seven churches
referred to in Revelation two and three also represent seven historical
periods in church history. It is likewise conceded that the Church of Philadelphia
stands for the true body of believers in the last days just prior to the
rapture. They are promised an escape from the Great Tribulation or "hour
of temptation" with these words:
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,
I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon
all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold I come quickly...
(Rev. 3:10-11).
The church to which this promise is made is characterized by its
particular and distinctive stand for the name of Jesus:
For thou hast a little strength, and hast kept
my work, and hast not denied my name (Rev 3:8).
While other Protestant (and Pentecostal) churches freely go along
with Romish apostasy in baptizing in the titles, effectively denying the
name of Jesus, The Oneness Pentecostal movements refuses to do this. Nothing
will move them from this great work of sealing the Bride of Christ through
water baptism in Jesus name, in preparation for that great day of translation
from this dying world to the lofty heights of the heavenly Sion No wonder
all her rewards are name related:
I will write upon him the name of my God, and
the name of the city of my God... and I will write upon him my new name
(Rev. 3:12).
JESUS NAME
BAPTISM AND THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
Jesus Name Oneness believers are accused of being "obsessed" with
the name! "That's all they ever talk about," our enemies decry. How they
mock us for our fascination with this theme. But this very characteristic,
for which they deride us, will mark us as the Lord's raptured jewels. Listen
to Malachi:
They that feared the Lord spake often one to
another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it... (Malachi 3:16).
What were they talking about when the Lord "eavesdropped?" Malachi reveals
it,
And a book of remembrance was written before
him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name (Malachi
3:16).
When you think long enough and hard enough upon the name of the Lord,
you will reach the same conclusion that Peter reached:
Neither is there salvation in any other; for
there is none other name, under heaven, given among men, whereby we must
be saved (Acts 4:12).
When you realize that, you will also be baptized in Jesus Name for "sealing"
and remission of sins! Then your name will be recorded in the book of Remembrance
and the rest of Malachi's prophecy will be fulfilled in you:
And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts,
in the day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth
his own son that serveth him (Malachi 3:17).
The same pattern, over and over again; sealed through baptism in Jesus
Name, spared the wrath of God!
At that great day when Christ appears to the "sealed ones" who
are "looking for him" (Heb. 9:28), will also be fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy:
Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out
for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear
to your joy, and they shall be ashamed (Isa. 66:5).
From the hill country of Ethiopia, to the steppes of Russia; from
the paradisic islands of the South Pacific, to the urban dynamos of New
York, London, and Rio, thousands upon thousands are now once again hearing
the true Gospel being preached, and the real Jesus being revealed. Not
the milk sop platitudes of the "easy believers" and their "ABC" plans of
salvation, nor the reduced Christ of the "persons" peddlers of Nicea! Rather
these fearless preachers of Oneness are offering to every nation, real
Bible salvation. A salvation that includes the apostolic rite of water
baptism in Jesus Name which affixes the Name of God in the forehead and
effectively seals them "unto the day of redemption." No wonder Paul said,
"though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you...let
him be accursed!" (Gal. 1:8).
