Firstly here is the passage of scripture we are examining:

(Rev 7:3-8 NIV) {3} "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." {4} Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. {5} From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, {6} from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, {7} from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, {8} from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

One of the problems is most people take an "either or stance", but I think this is a false dichotomy. It is quite possible that John is alluding here to both the Old and new testament people of God. In some other descriptions of the people of God like the woman of chapter 12 and the New Jerusalem (twelve apostles, twelve tribes), both groups are indicated. However the fact that the 144,000 are being sealed prior to the seven trumpets, does indicate that he has the NT saints in mind.

Introduction:

At first glance a literal reading of this passage would indicate that the 144,000 are Jewish converts. However there are peculiarities with this list which indicate that things are not so straightforward.

1. Of the twelve tribes the two tribes of Dan and Ephraim are missing, to be replaced by Joseph and Levi. In most of the OT lists Joseph is replaced by his sons Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen 48:5, Josh 14:3-4). Since both Joseph and Manasseh are listed then you could say that Manasseh is listed twice. Levi is excluded from most lists because he should not be included in a census (Num 1:49). In the lists of the inheritance of land Levi is missing because the priestly tribe of Levi did not have its own inheritance of Land (Deu 10:9), but was kept by means of the tithes of the other tribes (Deu 18:1). Instead the Lord was their inheritance (Deu 10:9). The fact that two out of the twelve tribes are missing is a major problem for those who take this list literally.
2. Judah rather than the literal firstborn Reuben is listed first. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. The right of the firstborn were given to Joseph (1 Chr 5:1).
3. The round numbers 12,000 for each of the twelve tribes would indicate that this is symbolic rather than literal. It also indicates not just a list but a census. The idea being that this is complete and perfect Israel.
4. The use of the number 144 and 12,000 in the passage concerning the New Jerusalem in which both OT and NT saints are clearly represented as the twelve tribes and twelve apostles would also indicate a spiritual meaning. The 144,000 being the elect of God from both OT and NT.
5. It is clear NT teaching that the true Israel consists of those who believe in Jesus (Gal 3:7; 3:29; 4:28).

The reason that Dan and Ephraim are missing is because both tribes went off into idolatry (Judg 18:30, Hosea 4:17, 13:12), and there will be no idolaters in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:8, 22:15). Joseph is included instead because he is a type of Christ; Joseph was unjustly sold for a sum of money, he was unjustly charged with rape, he was imprisoned but later raised to glory. Levi is included because it is the priestly tribe and the church is a kingdom of priests Rev 1:6. Judah is listed first because Jesus is from the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5) who is the firstborn from the dead (Col 1;18, Rev 1:5) and the firstborn of many brothers (Rom 8:29). Furthermore this list is also a census and in the OT those included in the census had to pay a ransom (Ex 30:12), so the 144,000 are ransomed. In Rev 7:4 he hears their number 144,000 and in Rev 7:9 he sees a great multitude that no one could count, it is likely that these two groups are one and the same. Finally Israel means one who overcomes (Gen 32:28) cf. Rev 2:7.

We should note that in the last list in the OT in Ezekiel 48:29-35 the twelve tribes are listed as:

Reuben, Judah, Levi

Joseph, Benjamin, Dan

Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun

Gad, Asher, Naphtali.

In this list Joseph is listed instead of Ephraim and Manasseh. Levi is included but so is Dan. This serves to highlight the distinctive nature of the census in Rev 7.

(Ezek 48:29-35 NIV) "This is the land you are to allot as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel, and these will be their portions," declares the Sovereign LORD. {30} "These will be the exits of the city: Beginning on the north side, which is 4,500 cubits long, {31} the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. The three gates on the north side will be the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah and the gate of Levi. {32} "On the east side, which is 4,500 cubits long, will be three gates: the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin and the gate of Dan. {33} "On the south side, which measures 4,500 cubits, will be three gates: the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar and the gate of Zebulun. {34} "On the west side, which is 4,500 cubits long, will be three gates: the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher and the gate of Naphtali. {35} "The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. "And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE."

The 144,000 are found in two passages in Revelation.

The 144,000 are referred to in two passages in Revelation. The first passage is the most commonly known (7:1), but the second is also required in order to get the full meaning of this group of people (14:1).

Rev 7:1-8

(Rev 7:1-8 NIV) After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. {2} Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: {3} "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." {4} Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. {5} From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, {6} from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, {7} from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, {8} from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

1. They are firstly 'servants of our God' (7:3)
2. They are sealed (7:4) see also 14:1.
3. They are from all the tribes of Israel (7:4). However two tribes are missing Dan and Ephraim, to be replaced by Joseph and Levi who are not normally listed.
4. We should also note that there are exactly 12,000 members of each of the twelve tribes. Therefore the number is likely to be symbolic. In a similar way the numbers describing the New Jerusalem are also symbolic.
5. This is not just a list it is also a census (Exo 30:12, Num 1:2-49). Note that Levi was not included in the census (Num 1:49), also Manasseh and Ephraim are included instead of Joseph, making a total of twelve tribes in the census. However in Revelation Levi is included along with Joseph and one of his sons Manasseh.
6. This also a military role call (Chilton). It is the army of God (Num 31:14, Rev 19:19).
7. We should that Judah is listed first rather than Reuben who is the firstborn. The tribe of Judah has already been mentioned in 5:5 in connection with the Lamb i.e. Jesus. Jesus is called the firstborn from the dead in 1:5. In Rom 8:29 Jesus is the firstborn among many brothers.
8. The purpose of the seal is to protect the 144,000 from the locusts of the fifth trumpet (9:4)

(Rev 5:5 NIV) Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

(Rom 8:29 NIV) For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

(Rev 9:1-4 NIV) The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. {2} When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. {3} And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. {4} They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

Then we should ask what does Israel mean, Jacob was named Israel because he had struggled with God and men and overcome (Gen 32:28). Who is the one that overcomes - Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:5) cf Rev 2:7.

(Gen 32:28 NIV) Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

(1 John 5:4-5 NIV) for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. {5} Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Rev 14:1-5

(Rev 14:1-5 NIV) Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. {2} And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. {3} And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. {4} These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. {5} No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

1. They have the name of the Lamb and of the Father on their foreheads (14:1)
2. They stand on Mt Zion with the Lamb (14:1)
3. They are redeemed. (14:3)
4. They are pure (14:4), they are (spiritual not literal) virgins which would be expected of the bride of Christ. They should be contrasted with the prostitute who seduces men away from God (17:1).
5. They follow the lamb (14:4)
6. They are purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits (14:4). In the harvest at the end of the age the saints are harvested first (14:15) the second harvest of the unrighteous occurs in 14:18.
7. They do not lie and they are blameless (14:5).

Compare Rev 14:1- 5 with Heb 12:22-24 (cf. Rev 21:10).

(Heb 12:22-24 NIV) But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, {23} to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, {24} to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

(Rev 21:10 NIV) And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.

The significance of 144,000 in Revelation.

The Woman of Rev 12.

We should note the symbolism of the numbers i.e. 12 * 12,000. They occurs elsewhere i.e. the twelve stars of 12:1

(Rev 12:1 NIV) A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.

Here the woman represents OT Israel (the twelve stars recalling Joseph's dream, Gen 37:9) who gives birth to the Messiah. The rest of her offspring (12:17) are the church.

(Gen 37:9 NIV) Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."

The New Jerusalem.

The numbers twelve, 144 and 12,000 also occur in the description of the New Jerusalem. We should note that in the old and new testaments God established his people using twelve tribes and twelve apostles.

(Rev 21:12-21 NIV) It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. {13} There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. {14} The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. {15} The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. {16} The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. {17} He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man's measurement, which the angel was using. {18} The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. {19} The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, {20} the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. {21} The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

1. The city has twelve gates on which were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.
2. The wall of the city had twelve foundations and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Cf. Eph 2:20.
3. The dimensions of the cubic city were 12,000 stadia. C.f. 1 kings 6:19-20
4. The walls thickness was 144 cubits.
5. The twelve gates were twelve pearls

The cubic symmetry of the New Jerusalem should remind us of the inner sanctuary of Solomon's temple which is also cubic. The New Jerusalem is also a temple of the Lord (Eph 2:21).

(1 Ki 6:19-20 NIV) He prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant of the LORD there. {20} The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty wide and twenty high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar.

(Eph 2:19-22 NIV) {19} Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, {20} built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. {21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. {22} And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

The Jews in Revelation and the NT.

They can certainly be contrasted with the Jews of John's time and the NT time in general. In Revelation the Jews are depicted as a synagogue of Satan.

Rev 2:9 I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

(Rev 3:9 NIV) I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.

The history of the early church as recorded in Acts is of persecution of Christians by the Jews who refused to believe the gospel. The Jews refused to believe and therefore Paul went to the gentiles instead.

(Acts 18:6 NIV) But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

In the gospels the Jewish high priests had Jesus crucified and pledged their allegiance to the emperor.

(John 19:15 NIV) But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.

They invoked a curse against themselves and their children:

(Mat 27:25 NIV) All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"

Jesus commented as he was to crucified:

(Luke 23:28-31 NIV) Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. {29} For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' {30} Then "'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' {31} For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

This was fulfilled in AD70 when Jerusalem was destroyed.

Some would argue that Jesus asked his Father to forgive those who crucified him.

(Luke 23:34 NIV) Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

But we should note that the fall of Jerusalem came not on those who crucified Jesus but on their children.

Jesus warned the high priest and Pharisees that the kingdom would be taken from them:

(Mat 21:42-44 NIV) Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone ; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? {43} "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. {44} He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."

The current generation would be held responsible for all of the blood of prophets. This was fulfilled in AD 70.

(Mat 23:29-39 NIV) "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. {30} And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' {31} So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. {32} Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers! {33} "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? {34} Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. {35} And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. {36} I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation. {37} "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. {38} Look, your house is left to you desolate. {39} For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

(Luke 11:47-51 NIV) "Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your forefathers who killed them. {48} So you testify that you approve of what your forefathers did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. {49} Because of this, God in his wisdom said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.' {50} Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, {51} from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.

Now whoever the 144,000 are, they are certainly not the Jews of the NT or even now. They could still however be converted Jews. But who are converted Jews, they are called Christians.

The NT and Israel:

The NT makes a distinction between the physical descendents of Israel and the true Israel.

(Rom 2:28-29 NIV) A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. {29} No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

It is not the natural children who God's children but children of promise.

(Rom 9:6-8 NIV) It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. {7} Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." {8} In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.

In Galatians Pauls tells them that they (who believe) are children of the promise (Gal 4:28 see also 3:7).

Gal 4:28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.

(Rom 11:25-31 NIV) I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. {26} And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. {27} And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins." {28} As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, {29} for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. {30} Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, {31} so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you.

(Gal 3:7 NIV) Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.

The great doctrine of adoption also comes in because becoming a son also gives us full rights as an heir.

(Gal 4:4-7 NIV) But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, {5} to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. {6} Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." {7} So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

(Gal 3:26-29 NIV) You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, {27} for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. {28} There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. {29} If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Gal 4:28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.

It is in the context of the whole argument of Galatians that Paul can finish his letter by referring to the Israel of God, that is those who are a new creation.

(Gal 6:15-16 NIV) Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. {16} Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

In Eph 2:11-22 Paul is contrasting the former status of Gentiles 'separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world' (2:12) with their current status as described in 2:19 they are now fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, . So that if they were formerly excluded from citizenship in Israel they are now included as citizens of Israel.

(Eph 2:11-22 NIV) Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- {12} remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. {13} But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. {14} For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, {15} by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, {16} and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. {17} He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. {18} For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. {19} Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, {20} built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. {21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. {22} And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

We should note in connection with Eph 2:20 that the foundations of the New Jerusalem were named after the twelve apostles

(Rev 21:14 NIV) The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

A better understanding of these passages should make the Gentiles appreciate more their spiritual inheritance. As well as to pray that the hardening of heart of those who call themselves Jews be lifted.

Final note:

It is all too easy for the mostly Gentile church to be arrogant and to dismiss those of Jewish origin. However the Gentiles are only included in Israel because of the disobedience of the descendents of Abraham.

(Rom 11:17-26 NIV) If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, {18} do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. {19} You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." {20} Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. {21} For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. {22} Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. {23} And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. {24} After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! {25} I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. {26} And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

The 'therefore' of Rom 12:1 is because of Gods mercy shown to the Gentiles. This is based on the arguments of the three previous chapters in which the Gentiles enter the kingdom of God because of the hardening of heart of Israel.

We should note that God is able to graft the unbelieving Jews back in again if they do not persist in unbelief (Rom 11:23).

Although their minds are dull there is still hope because:

2 Cor 3:16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Furthermore the scriptures do indicate that the descendents of Abraham will turn to the Lord.

(Mat 23:39 NIV) For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

(Luke 13:35 NIV) Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

(Luke 21:24 NIV) They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

(Zec 12:10 NIV) "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Today, these scriptures are being fulfilled.

(Rom 11:15 NIV) For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

The fact that uncircumcised heathen enter the kingdom of God before them should make the Jews jealous. If they turn to Jesus and recognize him as the Messiah then they can take their rightful place at the banquet of God.

(Luke 13:28 NIV) "There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.

(Mat 8:11-12 NIV) I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. {12} But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Final thought: to whom is the book of Revelation written.

(Rev 22:16 NIV) "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

(Rev 1:1 NIV) The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

(Rev 1:4 NIV) John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,

comments or feedback email: rossuk12@hotmail.com

Commentary on Revelation