Preparing a People to Stand
These study notes correspond with Study #8 of the Jesus on Prophecy series. Click here for the YouTube link.
Check back in a bit if you would like to download a pdf of this study. It will become available here.
The Question of the Ages & the Answer!
• The grand question to be determined at the coming of Christ is “WHO SHALL BE ABLE TO STAND?” Notice, the ones asking the question are afraid of the Lamb. Does the Lamb bite? No. He is “this same Jesus” as promised by the angel (Acts 1:11). By our rejection or acceptance of Jesus, TODAY, you and I are determining our relationship and perspective of that Lamb at His 2nd coming...Rev. 16:12-14
• Note that while the wicked fear the Lamb and question who shall be able to stand, there is another group of people alive at His coming. The Bible calls them the 144,000. These are the living redeemed at His coming. Beloved, if it is your desire to live and see Him come, then this is the group that you should pray and strive to be among. Notice that THEY STAND WITH THE LAMB!! The very same Lamb that the wicked fear, they have come to know as a close, intimate and personal Friend! Who shall be able to stand? The only Scriptural answer is they THAT STAND WITH THE LAMB—the 144,000...Rev. 14:1-5
• A few quick facts regarding this very special group: 1) The 144,000 are NOT the only people that are saved and going to heaven. They are the only LIVING saved people that are going to heaven when Jesus comes. Every other saved saint will be resurrected at that time. 2) These follow the Lamb at every step of the Christian experience, from dying Lamb to Living Priest. Jesus was that dying Lamb and today Jesus is that living Priest(John 1:29 & Heb. 8:1-2). 3)The 144,000 have the Father’s name written in their foreheads (a clear distinction from those who have the mark of the Beast in their foreheads). God’s “name” is His character (Ex. 33:18-19 & 34:5-7). His law is a reflection of that character—who He is! Therefore, the 144,000 have His law written in their foreheads and that is the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise (Jer. 31:33). 4) The 144,000 have His law written in their foreheads/minds. This mind that they have is not their own but the very mind of Christ! His mind has the law in it, receiving it they live as He lived (Pr. 23:7, Heb. 10:16, Ps. 40:8, Phil. 2:5). Yes! The 144,000 are the fruit, the harvest produced by the mind of Christ! How can we have it? The Bible invites us to “LET” it be so!
What Does it Mean to Stand?
• Our standing with Christ, is not because of our own effort but because He is able to make us stand. We must surrender to His power and He will do in us what we are powerless to do for ourselves...1 Cor. 10:12, Jude 24
If we choose to abide in sin rather than in Christ, then we will remain sinners and as such we will not stand in the congregation of the righteous. We can either be separated from God by sin (Is. 59:1-2) or we can be separated from sin by Christ (John 1:29). It is my hope that we all would rather have Jesus...Ps. 1:1-6
• It is the congregation of the righteous—it is they that stand. What is righteousness exactly? At the most fundamental level, it is right doing, it is the keeping of God’s commandments...Ps. 119:172
• It is important to realize that true right doing, true commandment keeping, is the natural fruit of a relationship, fellowship with Jesus...John 14:15, 1 Cor. 1:30-31
The Hour of His Judgment Is Come:
• Remember, that 1st angel’s gospel was given in the context of God’s judgment. Those who believe his gospel message preach, not merely a coming judgment but of a judgment that “IS COME”...Rev. 14:6-7
• According to the Bible, when does the judgment come?
