144,000 (2) number 12

1. 144,000 (2)number 12 Yoshinobu Namihira, MD,FACG 3000 halls ferry road Vicksburg, MS 39180 Phone 601 638 9800 ; fax 601 638 9808 E mail: namihira@earthlink.net www.betterlivingclinic.com www.namihira.org

2. The sermon detail • Opening hymn:507 moment by moment • Offering : • Prayer : • Scripture : Revelation 21:12-14 • Special music : the namihira’s • Sermon: 144,000 (2) the number 12 • Closing hymn: 632 until then

4. The Lamb and the 144,000 • Revelation 14 • New King James Version (NKJV) • The Lamb and the 144,000 • 14 Then I looked, and behold, a[a] Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having[b] His Father’s name written on their foreheads. • 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.  • 3They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. • 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed[c]from among men, beingfirstfruits to God and to the Lamb.  • 5And in their mouth was found no deceit,[d] for they are without fault before the throne of God.[e]

5. Exodus 39:14 says, “There were twelve stones according to the names of the sons of Israel: according to their names, engraved like a signet, each one with its own name according to the twelve tribes.” These stones also appear identical to the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem, as described in Revelation 21:12,14: “Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

8. Navy seal- a special force unit

9. God’s Special Forces • The 12 Apostles were a type of Special Forces during the time of Jesus’ first coming. After three-and-a-half years of intensive personal training with Jesus, the Lord was able to use them to achieve great victories. They penetrated Satan’s dominion to spearhead a great revival and expansion of the Christian faith.

10. But the book of Revelation tells us of another Special Forces unit, a vast “army” of 144,000. They have a special relationship with the Lamb, and they are sealed with a special name. They also sing a special song. Why are the 144,000 so important? It’s because they are commissioned with the greatest missions in the last days: to prepare the world for Jesus’ return. Yet many are bewildered by obvious questions; who exactly is this holy army and who will fill its ranks before the end?

11. Exactly How Many? • Now we can address the next big question: Is the figure 144,000 a literal number?Perhaps I should answer that question with another question: • Are the other numbers in Revelation literal or just spiritual? For instance, • will there be 12 gates and 12 foundations? • Are there really 12 different kinds of fruit on the tree of life? • Yes, of course! There are many prophetic time periods given in Revelation, but • the numbersare not just nebulas numerical symbols—they are precise measures of time. • The numbers would be useless for reckoning if they were merely symbolic. • All of our understandings about the dimensions of the New Jerusalem are based on the assumption that these numbers have real literal value

12. Definition of number • (1): a member of a sequence or collection designated by especially consecutive numbers (as an issue of a periodical) • (2): a position in a numbered sequence • 3): a group of one kind <not of their number> • 4) one singled out from a group :individual:

13. Definition • Number • Disambiguation • Not ambiguous ! • Exactly • Precisely

14. Number=disambiguation 7 8 1 3 9 10 2 4 5 6

15. 6:7

16. 1 – represents absolute singleness and unity (Ephesians 4:4–6; John 17:21, 22.) (We presume readers need no more than these two citations, as most of the biblical information regarding unity and singleness is common knowledge.) • 2 – represents the truth of God’s Word; for example, the law and prophets (John 1:45), two or three witnesses (2 Corinthians 13:1), and a sword with two edges (Hebrews 4:12). See Mark 6:7 and Revelation 11:3. It is also used 21 times in the books of Daniel and Revelation. • 3 – represents the Godhead / Trinity. The angels cry “Holy” three times to the triune God (Isaiah 6:3). See also Matthew 28:19 and 1 John 5:7, 8. • 4 – represents universal truth, as in the four directions (north, south, east, west) and the four winds (Matthew 24:31; Revelation 7:1; Revelation 20:8). In acts 10:11, a sheet with four corners symbolizes the gospel going to all the gentiles. • 5 – represents teaching. First, there are the five books of Moses. Second, Jesus taught about the five wise virgins and used five barley loaves used to feed the 5,000. • 6 – represents the worship of man, and is the number of man, signifying his rebellion, imperfection, works, and disobedience. It is used 273 times in the Bible, including its derivatives (e.g, sixth) and another 91 times as “threescore” or “60.” Man was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26, 31). See also Exodus 31:15 and Daniel 3:1. • The number is especially significant in the book Revelation, as “666” identifies the beast. “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (Revelation 13:18).

17. 7 – represents perfection, and is the sign of God, divine worship, completions, obedience, and rest. The “prince” of Bible numbers, it is used 562 times, including its derivatives (e.g., seventh, sevens). (See Genesis 2:1–4, Psalm 119:164, and Exodus 20:8–11 for just a few of the examples.) • The number seven is also the most common in biblical prophecy, occurring 42 times in Daniel and Revelation alone. In Revelation there are seven churches, seven spirits, seven golden candlesticks, seven stars, seven lamps, seven seals, seven horns, seven eyes, seven angels, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven thousand slain in a great earthquake, seven heads, seven crowns, seven last plagues, seven golden vials, seven mountains, and seven kings. • 10 – represents law and restoration. Of course, this includes the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20. See also Matthew 25:1 (ten virgins); Luke 17:17 (ten lepers); Luke 15:8 (healing, ten silver coins). • 12 – represents the church and God’s authority. Jesus had 12 disciples, and there were 12 tribes of Israel. In Revelation 12:1, the 24 elders and 144,000 are multiples of 12. The New Jerusalem city has12 foundations, 12 gates 12 thousand furlongs, a tree with 12 kinds of fruit 12 times a year eaten by 12 times 12,000 or the 144,000. (See Revelation 21.) • 40 – represents a generation and times of testing. It rained for 40 days during the flood. Moses spent 40 years in the desert, as did the children of Israel. Jesus fasted for 40 days. • 50 – represents power and celebration. The Jubilee came after the 49th year (Leviticus 25:10), and Pentecost occurred 50 days after Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2). • 70 – represents human leadership and judgment. Moses appointed 70 elders (Exodus 24:1); The Sanhedrin was made up of 70 men. Jesus chose 70 disciples (Luke 10:1). Jesus told Peter to forgive 70 times 7.

18. Number (disambiguation). • A number is a mathematical object used to count, label, and measure. In mathematics, the definition of number has been extended over the years to include such numbers as zero, negative numbers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and complex numbers. • Mathematical operations are certain procedures that take one or more numbers as input and produce a number as output. • Unary operations take a single input number and produce a single output number. For example, the successor operation adds one to an integer, thus the successor of 4 is 5. • Binary operations take two input numbers and produce a single output number. Examples of binary operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and exponentiation. • The study of numerical operations is called arithmetic. • A notational symbol that represents a number is called a numeral. • In addition to their use in counting and measuring, numerals are often used for labels (telephone numbers), for ordering (serial numbers), and for codes (e.g., ISBNs). • In common usage, the word number can mean the abstract object, the symbol, or the word for the number

20. Now you might be thinking, “How can you say that the names are symbolic and the number is literal?” Simple, Jesus did. • It doesn’t seem to matter to the Lord what tribes the 12 Apostles sprang from, but it did matter that • there were 12 of them. Also remember that while most of the numbers in Revelation depict a real value, all the proper names in Revelation are symbols • (e.g., The Lamb, • The Dragon, • the Lion, • Balaam, • Jezebel, etc.).

21. Symbols in the bible and • meaning

22. Tree = Cross; People / Nation Deut. 21:22-23, Psalm 92:12, 37:35 • Seed = Descendents / Jesus Romans 9:8, Galatians 3:16 • Fruit = Works / Actions Galatians 5:22 • Fig Tree = A Nation that should bear fruit Luke 13:6-9 • Vineyard = Church that should bear fruit Luke 20:9-16 • Field = World Matthew 13:38, John 4:35 • Harvest = End of World Matthew 13:39 • Reapers = Angels Matthew 13:39 • Thorns / Thorny Ground = Cares of this life Mark 4:18-19 • Stars = Angels/messengers = Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9; Job 38:7 • Jordan = death Romans 6:4, Deuteronomy 4:22 • Mountains = Political or religio-political powers Isaiah 2:2, 3; Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24, 25; Ezekiel 17:22, 23; Daniel 2:35, 44, 45 • Rock = Jesus/truth 1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:13, 14; Romans 9:33; Matthew 7:24 • Sun = Jesus/the gospel Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 17:2; John 8:12; 9:5 • Winds = Strife/commotion/"winds of war"Jeremiah 25:31-33; 49:36, 37; 4:11-13; Zechariah 7:14

23. Lamp = Word of God Psalm 119:105 • Oil = Holy Spirit Zechariah 4:2-6; Revelation 4:5 • Sword = Word of God Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12 • Bread = Word of God John 6:35, 51, 52, 63 • Wine = blood/covenant/doctrines Luke 5:37 • Honey = happy life Ezekiel 20:6, Deuteronomy 8:8-9 • Clothing = Character Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 59:6 • Crown = A Glorious Ruler or RulershipProverbs 16:31, Isaiah 28:5, Isaiah 62:3 • Ring = Authority Genesis 41:42-43, Esther 3:10-11 • Angel = Messenger Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26; Hebrews 1:14 • Babylon = apostasy/confusion/rebellion Gen. 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Rev. 18:2, 3; 17:1-5 • Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval Ezekiel 9:4; Romans 4:11; Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11; 7:2, 3 • Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3 • White Robes = Victory/righteousness Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14 • Jar / Vessel = Person Jermiah 18:1-4, 2 Corinthians 4:7 • Time = 360 Day Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; Daniel 11:13 margin • Times = 720 Days Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:6,14, 13:5 • Day = Literal year Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34 • Trumpet = loud warning of God's approach Exodus 19:16-17, Joshua 6:4-5

24. Actions, Activities, and Physical States • Healing= Salvation Luke 5:23-24 • Leprosy / Sickness = Sin Luke 5:23-24 • Famine = Dearth of Truth Amos 8:11

25. People and Body Parts • Woman, Pure = True Church Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27 • Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church Ezk. 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hos. 2:5; 3:1; Rev. 14:4 • Thief = Suddenness of Jesus' coming 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10 • Hand = Deeds / Works / Actions Ecclesiastes 9:10, Isaiah 59:6 • Forehead = Mind Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Romans 7:25; Ezekiel 3:8, 9 • Feet = Your Walk / Direction Genesis 19:2, Psalm 119:105 • Eyes = Spiritual Discernment Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11 • Skin = Christ's righteousness Exodus 12:5, 1 Peter 1:19, Isaiah 1:4-6 • Harlot = Apostate church/religion Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3; 6-9 • Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments Revelation 17:3, 9, 10

37. The Number 12 • In fact, the secret key to unlocking the mystery behind the 144,000 might be in the number itself. You mathematicians are going to love this section! Twelve is a perfect number for building, because it is one of the most versatile numbers. It can be evenly divided by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and of course 12.

38. 12/1=12 • 12/2=6 • 12/3=4 • 12/4=3 • 12/6=2 • 12/12=1

39. An Amazing Fact • The reason there are 12 inches in the standard foot measurement is because the foot used to be based on the length of the English king’s physical foot, and that • measurement constantly changed through various kings. • This is also why a 12-inch measuring stick was called a “ruler.”

41. 12 inch measuring stick = a ruler

42. The background of 1 foot=12 ‘’ • The English king • The length of physical foot ,from the front to the back • One foot = 12 inches • Different kings = different length of foot • A big problem ! • A bright solution ! • one foot =12 inches = a measuring stick (standard) • A measuring stick = “ ruler “ • The English king = a ruler of the kingdom (UK)

43. Number 12 in the bible • The number 12 in the Bible almost always represents leadership of the church. • There were 12 patriarchs from Shem to Jacob. In addition, • 12 spies led the way to the Promised Land, and • there are 12 judges from Joshua to Samuel. In Scripture, • the number 12 is also often associated with God’s church, which is typically symbolized by a woman.

44. Mark 5:25-42 • There is also an interesting story in the Gospels concerning the number 12. • In just one hour, Jesus healed two females with miracles associated with the number 12. First, • He healed a woman who had been bleeding 12 years. From that event, • He went directly to resurrect a 12-year-old girl. • The first woman represented the Old Testament church with a continual flow of sacrificial blood. • The young girl symbolized the New Testament church that came to life after a resurrection. • They both touched Jesus that day and • were made whole (Mark 5:25-42).

45. A woman with bleeding for12years

46. A young woman of12 years old

47. Two (2) women and 12 A woman with bleeding for 12 years A young woman of12 years old

48. The miracles by Jesus & 2 women ,12

49. 12 stars • In Revelation 12:1, we read, “Now a great sign appeared in heaven: • a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.” • God’s church pictured here has 12 stars above the head; • these stars are a symbol of • the inspired leadership of the church (1 Corinthians 11:10).

50. 12 stars