The Mark of the Beast

In this study, let us go to the Bible and find out who are the 144,000.

Revelation 14:1-5, "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, [being] the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

1. Who are the 144,000?
This group is so special because “they came out of the great tribulation,” (Rev 7:13-14). They neither worship the Beast and his Image nor receive the Mark of the Beast during the great tribulation period when Sunday law is enforced by America (Rev 13:11-17) till the second coming of Christ.

It is a Biblical fact that it is theywhohave come out of the great tribulation; they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation, Daniel 12:1. They are the "righteous" saints of God who are sealed at the time when probation closes where no one can hurt them, and they never taste death. And they will be "translated" among the living at the time when Christ returns. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Here, we can see two classes: the sleeping saints and those whoare alive after the time of trouble such as never when Jesus comes back. These two groups are the 144,000, whoare alive at the end, whodon't taste death and then the great multitude (Revelation 7:9 - After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;) who are sleeping in the dust of the earth right now. This countless number will also be made up by those in the last days who will die for the Lord in the tribulation (time of trouble) when the death decree goes forward to kill all saints who will not worship the Pope and receive his "MARK" - Sunday worship. See our MARK OF THE BEAST PAGE.

2. Is the 144,000 a literal number or a symbolic number?
Not everything in the book of Revelation is symbolic. In Revelation Chapter 20,1,000 years is literal. The 144,000 saints whowill not taste death in the last days is a literal number. The great multitude in the book of Revelation 7:9 cannot be numbered, but the 144,000 saints is literally numbered. The 144,000 saints in the last days are seen as standing in front of the throne of God in heaven where they are singing a new song. Only the 144,000 out of those redeemed from the earth, the Bible says, they are the only ones who will know how to sing that new song, Rev 14:3. Now the rest of the saved, which is “the great multitude” (Rev 7:9), they do not know the new song. Those who will receive eternal life are a very great multitude of saints, which is far muchgreater than the 144,000,but the 144,000 is a special group for the Father as a first-fruit offering to Him presented by Jesus. These, having been translated, from the earth, from among the living in the last days who made it through the time of trouble, Rev 15:2,3; 14:1-5.
The 144,000 is a group selected by Jesus to be “translated” like Enoch and Elijah when Christ returns. They will never have to die. They are the righteous people of God who contended like none other among the living when Christ returns.

3. The 144,000 Are Sealed at the Close of Probation Among the LIVING
When probation closes on the world, among those who are “living” in the last days, the righteous remain righteous, and the unrighteous evil ones who chose not to repent remain in their wicked state, Revelation22:11. The “righteous” children of God who contended for the faith and endured till the end and overcame by the blood of the Lamb, it is they who will be sealed among the living as the 144,000 at the time when probation closes. They will be the exact number given in the Bible — the "144,000" in number. Many false preachers claim this is symbolic, but their work is revealed to the saints a confusion! Thus, God knows the future and He has foretold us of that special number who will go through the "time of Jacob’s trouble" and will be translated (taken alive) from among the “living” in the last days when Christ comes back the second to rapture His righteous saints to heaven. Furthermore, in the Bible, God had foretold of the number that will be saved from Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham, Genesis 18:26-33. God could have told Noah that only eight people will be saved in the ARK before he preached for 120 years because He knows the future. On the night of the Passover, Jesus Christ foretold about Judas’ plan to sell Him out, John 13. The Lord also foretold the works of Peter where he would deny the Lord three times, John 18. So, the Godhead knows the future, Isaiah 46:9-10.

4. Why are the 144,000 sealed as God’s Children at the Close of Probation?
The 144,000 saints of God will be sealed by Him among the living when probation is closed, all because of their Christ-like character that they were able to attain to for learning to be like their Master through the offered power He offers to all. Everything is a choice. We can cling to Jesus and be like Him more every day, growing in His grace, changing into His perfect loving image, or not. And so, they, the 144,000 living saints in the last days love God supremely and by faith, kept all His Commandments, Rev 12:17; 14:12; 22:14. They will not have the Mark of the Beast and his image that the antichrist was able to stamp the rest of the world with, which is the mark of sin. They walked in the Spirit and not after the lust of the flesh. The fulfilled the law of God as Christ did on earth. They walked as He walked,1 Peter 2:21-22. The seal of God will only be placed on those who bear a likeness ofChrist in character which is a lifetime of work and can be accomplished as seen in those who love God. Many in the world profess to love God, but the Bible says clearly, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me," Matthew 15:8.

Everyone by faith obeys God’s commandments, just like all the other saints that had come before us and when we all do, we will reach the condition of being sinless in which Adam lived before his transgression against God in the garden. We can attain this if we love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves, Luke 10:27.

Those who are living upon the earth in the last days contending for the faith to gain a crown of victory over the beast and his image, striving for the character of God every day, when the intercession of our High Priest in heaven (Christ) shall cease in the sanctuary above, then they are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless before the Creator, and their characters must be purified through the refiner’s fire from all sin.

The exact obedience that is required by God for us to fulfill, and those who say that it is not possible to live a perfect and sinless life, they call God a liar. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," Philippians 4:13. Anyone who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that we can keep ourselves from sinning against God, they have not the faith that is required to make it to heaven. Faith and works must be a fruit abiding in the person’s life. He must be a living fruit-bearing tree full of good works and not just lip service. We must have corresponding works with who we profess to be.

He (Jesus of the KJV Bible) had kept His Father’s commandments just as we are called to do, and there was no sin in Him (1 Peter 2:21-22) that Satan could use to his advantage to overcome the Son of God. This is the condition in which those must be found in who shall stand in the time of trouble. See the following passage...
1 John 2:6 - He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

So, everyone who by faith obeys God’s commandments, they will reach the condition of being sinless in which Adam lived before his transgression when he sinned against God in the garden.

The 144,000 are the remnant of God during the great tribulation period from the close of probation to the second coming of Christ because of their Christ-like character they attained through the power of God. The Christ-like character is the character of God’s children who lived beginning from Adam to the time of Christ’s return. Adam, Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Elijah, Daniel, Joseph, and many others lived a Christ-like character in their new life in Christ. All those who lived a Christ-like character will be either resurrected in the first resurrection or become part of the 144,000 to be translated if they are still alive at Christ’s coming.

5. What about those who do not receive the Mark of the Beast; those who lived a Christ-like character when Sunday law was enforced but died as a martyr before the close of Probation?Will they not be a part of the 144,000?
The great tribulation will begin when Sunday law is enforced in America, and it stretches out to the rest of the world and passes the close of probation time (Rev. 22:11) till the second coming of Christ (Rev. 22:12). Many of God’s faithful people will become martyrs during the Sunday law that is to be enforced before the close of probation that will test everyone to see who they truly worship,and should they die in the LORD before probation closes, that is a good thing too.These faithful ones who do not receive the Mark of the Beast will be resurrected from the grave when Christ returns the second time,1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. And so, anyone who died in Christ before the close of probation will not make up the special 144,000 group, though they will receive eternal life. These martyrs will become a part of the great multitude in heaven that is recorded in the book of Revelation 7:9.

6. Will any of the 144,000 people die during the time of Jacob’s trouble which is between the close of probation and the second coming of Jesus Christ?
Absolutely not! It is those who are sealed by God among the “living” at the time when probation closes (Rev 22:11); they will make up the 144,000 in perfect number. This group (144,000) will never experience the first death during the time of Jacob’s trouble. They will be called to endure through the MOST trying time ever and they will suffer through such great mental anguish and will be persecuted severely. Many will even face the death penalty, but they will not die like the apostle John when Rome tried to kill him in a pot of boiling oil, or like Daniel's three friends in the fire, or like Daniel in the lion’s den, The book of Daniel.

And so, after probation is closed, God will not allow anyone from the 144,000 to taste death, because the death of the righteous at this time will not bring about a witness to the wicked to cause him or her to repent and be saved. It is clear that if the blood of Christ's faithful witnesses on the earth at this time were to be shed, there would be no living witnesses.It would also not, like the blood of the martyrs before them, be as seed sown to yield a harvest for God. Their fidelity would not be a testimony to convince others of the truth,for the wicked heart has beaten back the loving mercy of the Lord. If the righteous saints of God were now left to fall prey to their enemies, it would be a triumph for the prince of darkness and the prophecies of God would be a lie, which will never happen. God will fulfill all that He has said. God cannot lie! So, the 144,000 will be preserved by Elohim throughout “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” and they will be taken alive at Christ’s second coming.

7. Will the 144,000 people suffer for lack of food during the time of Jacob’s trouble?
No one will suffer for lack of food during this time, "bread shall be given him; his waters [shall be] sure," Isaiah 33:16. God will provide for all their needs. Just remember and keep in mind that none of them will die! See these next passages of comfort...

John 10:28, 29 - And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand.

Furthermore, the people of God will not be free from suffering though, but while they are being persecuted and distressed by attacks, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food,they will not be left to die. While the wicked are dying from hunger and pestilence and the blood-like waters are given to themto drink (Rev. 16), angels will shield the righteous saints of God and supply all their wants. Philippians 4:19 - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

8. Will God reveal the day and hour of Jesus Christ’s coming to the 144,000?
The Bible says, "But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only," Matthew 24:36. However, when the Father reveals it to His Son (Christ), which will be the hour probation closes on the world (Rev. 22:11), then God will reveal it at His appointed time to His saints. "There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets...," Daniel 2:28. But to the wicked, that day and hour will be as a "thief in the night," 1 Thessalonians 5:2.

When we look at the prophecy timeline where God is already speaking to us, we are already given clues. We can understand that once the day and hour is revealed to Christ, then God will reveal it to the saints at His appointed time. See, once probation closes (Rev. 22:11) on the world and when all cases would have already been decided for eternal life or eternal destruction, then at that time, the time of trouble will begin.The seven last plagues fall upon the wicked; Christ at that time will take off His priestly robe where He will stand no more as a Mediator between God the Father and man andwill then put on His robe of vengeance to come to earth to execute His justice and take His saints. Just like any loving Father would do when He is coming to save His Son from trouble, He will give a shout like a thundering voice He has (Revelation 10). He will shout out to His children and reveal His secret, but the wicked will not understand. They will think it is thundering and an earthquake (Rev. 14:2). Christ's tender mercy on the 144,000 living saints even now can take comfort in knowing His return is quickly. "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be," Revelation 22:12.

Conclusion:
Since the sealing of God’s people is based on Christ-like character and not on any other reason, therefore, the rest of the billions of souls living on the planet at that time of the end on when probation has closed, none of the wicked, none of the professed disobedient people who called Jesus Lord, none of them will be sealed because of their ungodly character and their continual transgression of the law of God. They have the Mark of the Beast and the Antichrist Pope's rebellious and sinful image that caused the earth and them to worship him over God through the commandments of men. See this next passage...

Matthew 15:9 - But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.

God is gracious, but His grace will come to an end at the close of probation, which He will destroy all the commandment breakers who are of the lawless one that was cast out of heaven for dishonoring God and His government that rests on the ten commandments. They have rejected the salvation of Christ and turned aside His righteous law. As it was in the time of Noah, so shall it be with those who live at the end,Matthew 24.

We should strive to live a Christ-like character and life. We have got to obey God over man and walk as Christ walked in the law. We should do this every day. Let us strive unto the perfecting of the 144,000 and endure till the end. Only those whoendure till the end shall be saved. And those who die before the close of probation, it is perfectly fine to die before the close of probation because it does not matter so long as you contended for the faith and had fought unto the death to overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb; those that do, they will make it to heaven. They will be found in God’s kingdom even though they may not be alive to make into the special 144,000 group in number. The 144,000 are not the only ones to receive eternal life. Those who will be resurrected at the first resurrection when Christ returns will make up the great multitude in heaven, Rev 7:9. Amen!

The characteristics of the 144,000
A. No guile
Christ: 1 Peter 2:21-22 - For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
144,000: Revelation 14:5 - And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

B. Obedient
Revelation 14:4 - These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.
John 10:27 - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

C. Not connected to any apostate church
Revelation 14:4 - These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.

D. They came out of the great tribulation
Revelation 7:14 - And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

They have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation!
Daniel 12:1 - And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
They have endured the anguish of the time of Jacob's trouble, Genesis 32:22-32.

E. They have stood without intercessor
They have stood like true commandment-keeping saints without an intercessor during this trying hour; through the final outpouring of God's judgments upon the wicked.

F. They have stood for the Word, received opposition
Why were the 144,000 so specially singled out for the last days? Because they had to stand with a wonderful truth right before the whole rebellious world and receive their opposition as true warriors of God, and while receiving this opposition from their enemies, they were to remember that they were the sons and daughters of God who had not loved their lives to the end, that they must have Christ formed within them, which is the hope of glory that will been seen on their faces like when Moses came down from Mount Sinai. These special ones were ever keeping in view the great and blessed hope that is before them in Christ Jesus. It is an eternal weight of glory. Nothing could surpass it.
Privileges of the 144,000:

They will know the hour of Jesus' coming.

Soon, we heard the voice of God like many waters (Rev. 14; 16), which gave us the day and hour of Jesus' coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice of God, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake as in time past. When God will speak of the time, He will pourupon the 144,000 the Holy Ghost, and our faces will begin to light up and shine with the glory of God, just as Moses did when he came down from Mount Sinai.

No human weapons can hurt them.

Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD.

The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united as Christ and the Father are "ONE in unity". And on their foreheads was written, "God, New Jerusalem," and a glorious star containing Jesus' new name. See this next passage...

Revelation 3:12 - Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.

Furthermore, at our happy and holy state, the wicked were enraged and would rush violently up to lay hands on us all and to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth our hands in the name of our Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground like straw.

1 Chronicles 16:22 - [Saying], Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash another's feet, and salute the brethren with a holy kiss in perfect love and in victory, and they worshiped at our feet as our faces were glowing with the glory of God.

They sing a special song.

Revelation 14:3 - And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

In closing...
1 John 3:1 - Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Additional study...
There are many false revelations on this subject so to try and deceive others who may have a chance to partake in this number. In the book of Revelation chapter 7, we see the 12 tribes of Israel that will make up the 144,000 in character. They are overcomers and have repented from all that is not of God. They become perfect in the Lord. Where did the name Israel come from? Genesis 32:24-28, “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”

Our Heavenly Creator gave the name Israel. He offers the name to be given to those who would prevail with God. Are we overcomers, fighters for God’s truth, are we warriors for God so to be fit for a spot into the 144,000?What does it take to make it into the 144,000? Revelation 14:12, "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

Take note: The Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20. We are to perfect the law of God. If we perfect the law of God,, we will have perfect love. Just think about this for a moment in how the last six commandments teach us how to love our neighbor. The law says to not steal, kill, commit adultery, lie, covet your neighbor’s belongings and we are to honor our parents. If we would only fulfill the law as Christ did, we would become Christlike. Think about this for a moment, is it really that difficult to honor your parents, not lie, kill or (hate) others, not to cheat on your spouse, and not to desire your neighbor’s belongings? Is it really that difficult to not do those things? If it is too difficult for you to fulfill the law of love, the Ten Commandments, then what does that say about who you are? Evil is not of God. We must die daily to Christ and overcome the wicked evil angels who tempt us every single day, night and in our dreams. Really, why is it so difficult to be holy as God calls us to be? Many claim that it is too hard to do that which is good. The Protestants teach that we can remain in evil, break the law and still make it into heaven which is a lie. It may be too hard for some to do good but that does not excuse us from trying to fulfill the law as Christ is our walking example, 1 Peter 2:21. If you hate your neighbor, talk evil against them, gossip about them, curse them, etc., then they are not led by God but by the ruler of the flesh Satan. They have allowed evil to make a home with them and have placed God out of their lives. It is that simple. How about for God? Do you love God? Don't you know that the first four commandments teach us how to love our Creator? The Word of God says in Exodus 20:1-11, "And God spake all these words, saying, I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates: For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."

If you love God, then obey Him?John 14:15, "If you love me keep my commandments." Is it too difficult to not place the pope over God or your nice-looking sports car, Mary, other saintsand such? Is it too difficult to not worship them by kissing their feet or hand or worshipping your car? Is it too difficult to not take the name of the Lord in vain? Or is it too difficult to keep the Seventh Day Sabbath that He blessed? Keeping the law is true love for the Creator and your neighbor which God calls us to reflect Him in this way.

The 144,000 perfect living saints will be those who have proven themselves fit to stand in the time of trouble when the plagues fall on the unrepentant sinners. The 144,000 will be those who can stand in the last days for God's Word while the Holy Ghost removes Himself off of the face of the earth. The wicked will grow cold and colder each and every movement the Holy Ghost moves away. The 144,000 will grow more in Christ as they learn to strive and reflect Him perfectly. None of us are perfect right now, but as long as you practice, walk in the law through the power of Elohim, you can overcome and be overcomers in the Lord. We must strive and do the Fathers will in obeying. Be obedient to His law and we should all do well.

This page will continue to grow as time goes by. This is a very important subject. If you have any questions, please feel free to write to us. Just remember, the most important thing in all this is to reflect Christ in the best way that you can, doing good to your neighbor and loving your Creator by keeping His law. Strive to be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48) and Christ will help you reflect Him to the world, this way they may see Him through your love and fruits, Matthew 7:16.

Peace...
Below is another study and response to an email asking who are the 144,000. It's a brief rundown on what's shared below in 4 audio clips.
This is speaking of the people whowill be standing in the "Time of Jacob's trouble" after the plagues start. The Bible calls them the 144,000. You may have heard me call them the "Gideon band" on occasion. They are trusted by God to be able to stand during the plagues perfectly, wherein the other Christians whowere too weak to stand in such a trying time, but are still worthy of Heaven, they will have to die a martyr’s death. Reason being is, they are not strong enough to handle the way the people of the world will treat them or their loved ones during the plagues. They would fall into sin for a multitude of reasons we as Christians cannot comprehend clearly enough to comment on. But the Lord does know exactly what will happen. He loves them so much. He actually allows them to die before that day comes so they will not be destroyed by Satan. They will resurrect when Jesus returns to gain their eternal reward. Many of these dear souls die via the guillotines of course.

Revelation 20:4, "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."

By the way, there are already 30,000 guillotines on U.S. soil right now! When the plagues start, judgment is DONE. This is why Jesus says at that exact time in Heaven just before He returns to earth, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still," (Revelation 22:11). In other words, those whoare without Christ and wicked (unjust/filthy) will remain that way when Jesus speaks these final words. However, those who are true Christians and capable of proving to the Universe that God can and has created a people whowill trust in Him even in intense times, (the 144,000) these will remain holy and without sin from this day forward (righteous/holy). Satan will not be able to tempt them anymore. They proved themselves worthy in their loves leading up to this day. Therefore, their faith is blessed to allow them to stand during the plagues when God's wrath falls upon mankind. If I am called to stand during these days, it will be at this time that I stop preaching to try and get people to find Jesus. Once the plagues start, no one will be able to be saved anymore and no one whois saved will be lost. Whoever is unjust remains that way, and whoever is holy remains that way. Reason being, judgment ended on that day and now the "reward" for their sins is upon the wicked in the way of plagues, and finally death. Our reward will be at the end of the plagues when Jesus gives us new bodies and eternal life.

It is now that we can strive to be sinless. But only in the way we trust Christ for our righteousness. When we sin, we must confess and then repent of the sin. The Word says in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and tocleanse us from all unrighteousness." In other words, when He forgives us, He removes all the sins we committed as if we never did them. We are then made totally clean as we were the day we accepted Him as our Saviour. Like Joshua of old where God took off his filthy robes and put on white ones. The basic truth is, Joshua didn't deserve it. But Joshua did have faith to receive it.

Zechariah 3:3-4, "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment."

Robes, raiment, or clothing in prophecy = your walk. That's what it means when it says we are cleansed from all unrighteousness in 1 John 1:9. In fact, He forgives us so perfectly that He even forgets what we sinned. It says in Micah 7:19, "He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."

This still begs the question, "what if I keep committing the same sin over and over again after I confessed it?" The Lord understands how weak the flesh is, in fact, Jesus said in Matthew 26:41, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." In other words, we need to be watchful not to fall for Satan's temptations. Reading the Bible daily helps increase the faith needed to do this. Without an understanding of the Word of God, Satan can easily trick us in areas he knows we are weak. So, stay in your Bible daily. For it is written in Romans 10:17, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

If you know you're weak in a certain area, try your best to avoid walking towards that area in life. Yes, on occasion you may be lured there and fall into sin again. Will the Lord forgive you again after you already confessed? If you're TRULY honest about being sorry, YES. It says in Matthew 18:21-22, "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." In other words, He will never stop forgiving us, BUT He cannot forgive us unless we actually ask and are honest about trying our best. This is one of the fruits of God's children. They are honestly sorry for making His Spirit grieve. If we do this, then one of two things will eventually happen. The child of God will grow a bit stronger so that if an occasion arises wherein they are tempted to sin in the same area, the Holy Spirit will grieve in them more-so and they will be even stronger to avoid the sin. However, if they ignore the grieving of His Holy Spirit to the point it gets easier and easier to commit the same sin where guilt and grieving is gone, they eventually become lost and if that person dies during this careless state, they will not gain Heaven. After all, it is written in Genesis 6:3, "And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man..." So, we need to do our part, so that He will do His.

One amazing thing about the Gideon band is thatthey will not experience the Armageddon violence against them UNTIL they have a perfect faith. If you are one who trusts the Spirit of prophecy, here is what it says about that day and that number...