Looking back on fulfilled prophecy is simply reporting historical documentation. Jesus said...and now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe...John 14:29. Prophecy of scripture is meant to be understood in its fulfillment, so that we will believe God has plans and purposes for mankind, proven by speaking His will in advance. When His prophecies come to pass we will understand that He is who the Bible claims He is. Prophecy of scripture is not for private interpretation...II Peter 1:20-21.
Regarding the books of Daniel and Revelation, Sir Isaac Newton said, "The folly of Interpreters has been, to foretell times and things, by this Prophecy, as if God designed to make them Prophets. By this rashness they have not only exposed themselves, but brought the Prophecy also into contempt. He gave the Prophecies, not to gratify men's curiosities by enabling them to foreknow things, but that after they were fulfilled they might be interpreted by the event and His own providence, not the Interpreters - the event predicted many ages before, will then be a convincing argument that the world is governed by Providence." 12/10/1692
As we continue in our study of the biblical meaning of the 144,000, today is #6 in this series which looks back on the fulfillment of this prophecy. Defining the symbolism of 144 gives us better understanding of the building materials for the heavenly New Jerusalem. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb...Rev. 21:14.
While preaching that the spiritual kingdom of Heaven has come to the earth through His new and better covenant, Jesus Christ was simultaneously laying the foundation for the New Jerusalem in the heavenly realm. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ sealed the new covenant, by fulfilling and replacing the old covenant with promise...Heb. 8:7-13.
Jesus Christ called 12 men to follow Him, who represented the earthly government of the old covenant, yet they also represented the divine government of His new covenant. These representatives would follow Him for three and a half years as witnesses, attesting to His words and His works - signs and wonders.
They fulfilled their commission to build on the foundation of salvation laid by Jesus Christ, so they were honored with their names placed in the 12 foundations of the heavenly New Jerusalem. What was already done in Heaven - the plans and purposes of God - was now manifested on the earth. The foundation of the New Jerusalem, the invisible city of God was begun by the apostles of Jesus Christ.
We have found out in this study that the 144,000 are the firstfruits of salvation, whom Jesus took with Him to present to His Father the day He was resurrected - opening Heaven to those who will believe on Him. The 12 tribes of Israel became the gates to the New Jerusalem. The apostles became the foundation of the New Jerusalem.
Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel...Rev. 21:17. Now we will find out about the materials that make up the wall of the New Jerusalem - 144 cubits the measure of a man. We learned in the last blog that the 144 is calculated by multiplying 12 tribes of Israel by 12 apostles - symbolizing the governing body of the spiritual kingdom of Heaven and the multiple believers who will make up the walls of the New Jerusalem. Believers in the Messiah are the materials for the wall.
The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst...Rev. 21:19-20. We will turn to the Old Testament to see what these precious stones symbolize.
And they set in it four rows of stones; a row with a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald was the first row...the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and diamond...the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst...the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in settings of gold in their mountings...there were twelve stones according to their names, engraved like a signet, each one with its own name according to the twelve tribes...Exodus 39:10-14.
When Moses met with God on Mount Sinai, God gave him instructions on how to lead the children of Israel to the Promised Land. Part of that instruction was to teach His people how to worship Him, which would lead them into the fulfillment of His plans and purposes for them. They had been slaves for centuries, so needed to be taught how to live as free people under the care and provision of God, through the leadership of Moses.
Our Exodus text describes the breastplate portion of the priestly garments that would be worn by Aaron, the High Priest, when he ministered to the Lord in the Tabernacle - Holy of Holies. What is the connection of the stones in the breastplate with the precious stones that comprise the foundation of the wall of the New Jerusalem? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...
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