From the First to the Last — Those Who Belong to YHWH (יהוה)
Throughout our studies, we've examined those who hear the Shepherd's voice, those prepared before the door closes, and those who remain faithful when the things around them are shaken.
We have also followed the distinction between Christ as the First, the preparation of his spiritual body, his appearing as the Last with the Bride, and the gathering that follows.
Now we come to another question.
Who are those whom YHWH (יהוה) knows as His own, and what does Scripture reveal about those who are marked, sealed, and preserved?
Revelation introduces the 144,000, but this is not the first time Scripture describes a particular group distinguished before judgment.
The prophets speak of a remnant. Ezekiel describes a mark placed upon those grieving over abominations. Joel speaks of survivors whom YHWH (יהוה) calls. Paul speaks of a remnant according to Grace.
These accounts deserve to be examined together, while preserving the differences between the groups, their appointed experiences, and the work that follows.
Ezekiel 9 — A Mark Before Judgment
Ezekiel 9 records a vision involving the city and the judgment approaching it.
Before the destruction begins, a man clothed in linen, carrying a writing case, is instructed to pass through Jerusalem and place a mark upon the foreheads of those sighing and groaning over the abominations committed within it. Read Ezekiel 9:1–11.
Notice what distinguishes those receiving the mark.
They are not identified by their position, wealth, religious title, or outward appearance. They are grieving over what has been done.
This connects with our earlier study of the desolated sanctuary, the departure of Glory, and those who refuse to accept what is corrupt merely because it has become familiar.
The distinction is significant.
Those who are marked are not described as approving the abominations. They are distressed by them.
And the marking takes place before the destructive action proceeds.
Now remember Noah entering the ark before the waters arrived, and the blood placed upon the Israelites' doorposts before the judgment passed through Egypt.
The circumstances differ, yet the relationship deserves attention: recognition, distinction, and preservation before judgment.
Does belonging to YHWH (יהוה) begin with an outward declaration, or is there something taking place within the heart that He already sees?
Revelation 7 — The Servants Are Sealed
Revelation 7 opens with four angels holding back the winds of the earth.
Another angel ascends from the rising of the sun with the seal of the living God, calling for the earth, sea, and trees not to be harmed until the servants of God have been sealed upon their foreheads. Read Revelation 7:1–8.
The number given is 144,000, described in relation to the tribes of the sons of Israel.
Notice the timing within the vision.
The winds are restrained while the sealing takes place.
We have repeatedly encountered this relationship between restraint and preparation. Noah receives instruction before the flood, the prepared enter before the door closes, and Isaiah describes those concealed while indignation passes.
Now Revelation presents the servants of God being sealed before the winds are released.
Preparation and protection belong to the appointed work of YHWH (יהוה), not to human declarations concerning who has His approval.
But the chapter continues, and another group appears.
The Great Crowd — A Distinct Description
After the numbered servants, John sees a great multitude that no one can number, from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue.
They stand before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes and holding palm branches. Read Revelation 7:9–17.
One of the elders asks about their identity and origin.
They are described as coming out of the great tribulation, having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
They serve before God's throne, receive shelter, and are shepherded by the Lamb toward fountains of living waters.
We've examined this account previously, particularly its relationship to the later restoration and the living waters of Revelation 21–22.
But one distinction must remain clear.
The 144,000 are numbered and described as sealed servants. The great crowd is presented as innumerable, with its own description of coming out of great tribulation.
We should not merge the two merely because they appear within the same chapter.
Nor should we assume that describing both groups in relation to God's salvation means they experienced identical preparation, testing, or appointed timing.
The great crowd still receives shepherding toward the waters of life, a detail that connects with our continuing study of restoration.
Revelation 14 — The Lamb and the 144,000
Revelation 14 returns to the 144,000.
John sees the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with those bearing his name and the name of his Father upon their foreheads. They are described as purchased from the earth and as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. Read Revelation 14:1–5.
The description brings another important word into view: firstfruits.
We have examined Christ as the Firstfruits of those who sleep and the order of resurrection that follows.
Now Revelation applies firstfruits language to this group.
Could that relationship help us examine the place of the sealed servants within the larger work, before those subsequently gathered and restored?
The connection is worth preserving because firstfruits points toward an order involving what comes first and what follows.
Yet we should also remember what we've established concerning the singular Bride and the two witnesses.
The presence of firstfruits language does not require us to collapse every first-associated group into one identity.
The individual roles, actions, and descriptions must continue to guide the comparison.
The Remnant — Preserved According to Grace
Paul speaks directly about the remnant in Romans 9–11.
He recalls the prophetic words concerning Israel's children being as numerous as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant being saved. Read Romans 9:27–29.
In Romans 11, Paul recalls Elijah's complaint that he alone remained, followed by God's answer concerning seven thousand who had not bowed to Baal.
Paul then speaks of a remnant according to the election of Grace. Read Romans 11:1–7.
This brings us to an important distinction.
The remnant is not presented as a group whose identity is established through institutional approval or human appointment.
God knows those who are His.
And the reference to Elijah reminds us that even someone faithfully serving YHWH (יהוה) may not know the full extent of those whom He has preserved.
Elijah thought he stood alone, yet YHWH (יהוה) had reserved others.
What human beings can see is not the measure of everyone YHWH (יהוה) knows.
This should also affect how we treat others.
We may recognize deception, examine practices, and expose what Scripture identifies as wrong. But we are not authorized to declare that every person who has been misled is therefore rejected by God.
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood. Read Ephesians 6:12.
Joel — The Spirit and Those Who Are Called
Joel 2 speaks of the Spirit being poured out upon all flesh.
Sons and daughters prophesy. Old men dream dreams, and young men see visions. The Spirit is poured out upon male and female servants.
The account continues with signs involving blood, fire, smoke, the darkened sun, and the moon turned to blood before the great and terrible day of YHWH (יהוה).
Then Joel speaks of deliverance for those calling upon the name of YHWH (יהוה), and of survivors whom He calls. Read Joel 2:28–32.
Notice how the passage places the wider pouring out of the Spirit alongside a particular description of those called and delivered.
This brings us back to our earlier examination of the remnant and the broader invitation that follows.
We should not assume that every person receives the same understanding or fulfills the same responsibility simply because the Spirit is at work.
Paul describes different members, different gifts, and different functions within the one spiritual body. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4–27.
And Jesus speaks of other sheep who must also hear his voice.
The larger household does not eliminate the distinctions among its members.
Known by YHWH (יהוה) — Not Appointed by Men
Second Timothy 2:19 speaks of God's firm foundation standing and bearing a seal, declaring that the Lord knows those who are His.
It also calls those naming the Lord to depart from unrighteousness. Read 2 Timothy 2:19–21.
This returns us to the importance of both belonging and response.
We have already examined the wedding garment, the clean outside of the cup, and the difference between professing love and demonstrating it.
A seal is not a substitute for faithfulness. Nor does an outward claim establish that someone belongs to YHWH (יהוה).
Jesus warns that some will call him Lord while failing to do the will of his Father. Read Matthew 7:21–23.
And John calls believers to demonstrate love in actions and truth.
The people whom YHWH (יהוה) knows are not identified merely through religious vocabulary, visible recognition, or the approval of a human organization.
The One who knows the heart is not dependent upon men to tell Him whom He has chosen.
This should encourage humility in anyone claiming to understand the identity of God's people.
Philadelphia — Protection from the Hour of Trial
In Revelation 3:7–13, Philadelphia receives a message from the One who has the key of David, who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.
He knows their works. He sets before them an opened door and speaks of their faithfulness despite having little strength.
He promises to keep them from the hour of trial that is coming upon the whole inhabited earth. Read Revelation 3:7–13.
We have already examined Philadelphia alongside the protected woman, the prepared place, and the chamber entered before indignation passes.
Within our established study, the Bride's protection is associated with Philadelphia.
The passage also includes the promise of becoming a pillar in the temple of God.
That returns us to the dwelling we have followed through Ezekiel, John 2, and Ephesians.
And remember the difference between the Head and the members being brought toward the fullness of the spiritual body.
The temple is not merely a physical building. Our studies have followed the spiritual dwelling and the work accomplished through Christ.
Smyrna — The Trial and the Crown of Life
Smyrna receives a different message.
Jesus identifies himself as the First and the Last, the one who became dead and lived again.
He acknowledges the congregation's tribulation and poverty, while describing it as rich. He warns of imprisonment, testing, and tribulation for ten days, and calls for faithfulness even to death. Read Revelation 2:8–11.
The promise includes the crown of life and the assurance that the conqueror will not be harmed by the second death.
Notice the distinction from Philadelphia.
One message emphasizes preservation from the hour of trial. The other prepares its recipients for an appointed period of suffering.
Within our earlier study, we have associated the later gathering of the elect with Smyrna's trial.
We have also examined the ten days alongside the appointed observances in Tishri, without requiring those measurements to represent an identical literal period.
These different descriptions should not be flattened into one experience.
Protection and faithful endurance are both found in Scripture, but they are not described identically in every account.
The Book — Those Whose Names Are Written
Daniel 12:1 describes Michael arising during an unparalleled time of trouble.
Those of Daniel's people found written in the book are delivered.
The following verse describes many sleeping in the dust awakening, with different outcomes. Read Daniel 12:1–3.
We recently brought this passage alongside 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 and Revelation 11.
Paul describes the Lord descending with a commanding shout, an archangel's voice, and God's trumpet, followed by the dead in Christ rising first.
Revelation 11 describes the Spirit of life entering the two witnesses, their standing upon their feet, and their ascension before the seventh trumpet.
Within our two-witnesses study, we have connected their rising with those who rise first in Christ.
Now Daniel adds the book, the time of trouble, and the awakening.
These relationships are significant because they bring together God's knowledge of His own, the appointed time of distress, and the raising that follows.
And the distinction between the first resurrection and subsequent resurrection remains important.
The First Resurrection — The Second Death Has No Authority
Revelation 20:4–6 describes those who participate in the first resurrection.
They are called blessed and holy, and the second death has no authority over them.
They reign with Christ during the thousand years. Read Revelation 20:4–6.
This brings us back to our examination of firstfruits, the sealed servants, and the resurrection order.
But remember that Revelation also describes the great crowd being shepherded toward living waters, and later describes the wider judgment and restoration.
Not every group is described through identical promises.
The first resurrection has a particular assurance concerning the second death.
That distinction matters when examining those who may receive life through subsequent stages of the restoration.
And it returns us to Christ as the First and the Last, the Head of the spiritual body being brought toward its appointed fullness.
The work has an order. Its beginning and completion should not be confused.
The Seal and the Heart — What Does YHWH (יהוה) See?
Return once more to Ezekiel 9.
Those who receive the mark are grieving over the abominations committed within the city.
Now compare the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:4, concerning those who mourn being comforted.
And consider Ezekiel 36:25–27, where YHWH (יהוה) speaks of cleansing, a new heart, a new spirit, and His Spirit being placed within His people. Read Ezekiel 36:25–27.
These passages bring us to the inward condition.
Our earlier comparison of the outwardly clean cup and its inward corruption reminded us that appearance alone cannot establish righteousness.
A person may have little recognition among men and yet be known to YHWH (יהוה).
Another may possess authority, wealth, or religious standing while failing to demonstrate love and justice.
What YHWH (יהוה) sees cannot be replaced by what men choose to recognize.
And this is why we must avoid turning the sealing accounts into another human system of determining who belongs to God.
The mark, the seal, the book, and the promise of life call us to examine faithfulness, rather than assume that outward membership guarantees divine approval.
Where the Word Leads
We began with Ezekiel's mark upon those grieving over abominations and followed Revelation's sealing of the 144,000.
We then distinguished the innumerable great crowd, considered the firstfruits standing with the Lamb, and returned to Paul's description of a remnant preserved according to Grace.
Joel brought us to the Spirit poured out and those whom YHWH (יהוה) calls. Philadelphia and Smyrna revealed different promises concerning protection and trial. Daniel described those written in the book, while Revelation 20 distinguished those participating in the first resurrection.
Throughout these accounts, one truth continues to emerge.
YHWH (יהוה) knows those who belong to Him.
Their identity is not established by human institutions, outward appearances, or declarations of personal importance.
And their appointed experiences are not necessarily identical.
Some are described as protected. Others endure trial. Some rise first, while the wider work of gathering and restoration continues.
For now, I leave this question:
Are we seeking the approval of men, or are we living in a manner that reflects faithfulness to YHWH (יהוה), who already knows the hearts of those who belong to Him?
Perhaps the greater lesson of the sealed remnant is that what has been hidden from human recognition has never been hidden from God.
Threads to Follow
- The mark before judgment: Ezekiel 9:1–11; Genesis 7:1–16; Exodus 12:21–23.
- The sealed servants: Revelation 7:1–8; 14:1–5.
- The great crowd and living waters: Revelation 7:9–17; Revelation 21–22.
- The remnant preserved by Grace: Romans 9:27–29; 11:1–7.
- Joel's Spirit and the called survivors: Joel 2:28–32; Acts 2:16–21.
- The foundation and God's knowledge of His own: 2 Timothy 2:19–21; Matthew 7:21–23.
- Philadelphia and the opened door: Revelation 3:7–13; Isaiah 26:19–21.
- Smyrna and the appointed trial: Revelation 2:8–11; Matthew 24:21–31.
- Those written in the book and the awakening: Daniel 12:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17; Revelation 11:8–15.
- The first resurrection: Revelation 20:4–6; 1 Corinthians 15:20–28.
- The heart and the Spirit: Ezekiel 36:25–27; Matthew 5:4; 1 Corinthians 12:4–27.
Connected studies in this series
- Post Six — The Bride: One Woman, Not the Multitude: The singular Bride and her distinction from those who follow.
- Post Seven — The Woman in the Wilderness: Tribulation, Cleansing, and Protection: The woman protected and the remaining seed persecuted.
- Post Nine — The Two Witnesses: Heaven and Earth, Male and Female: The witnesses' testimony and their rising before the seventh trumpet.
- Post Thirteen — The Door and the Voice: Hearing, Entering, and Remaining: Philadelphia, the appointed door, and hearing the Shepherd.
- Post Fifteen — Faith: Believing Without Seeing: Faithfulness expressed through trust, action, and endurance.
The books were opened…
🌿 Studies by Maria Emilia ~ 🗺️ Continue exploring: Visit Bible Books to find studies organized by book of the Bible, along with related studies and links.
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