From: Marilyn AgeeTo: Rick HendrikRe: Only 144,000 raptured?Hi:> > One thing that Steve addressed that bothers me is his claim that the number 144,000 has anything to do with the Church. And Furthermore, that its possible that only 144,000 Christians will be Raptured as the Bride.I don't believe that, either. The 144,000 are Israelites that are raptured in the Pre-Wrath Rapture on the Day of God's Wrath at the end of the shortened Tribulation.Rev 6:17 says, "For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"Then Rev 7:14-17 says, "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."The 7 trumpet judgments do not start to happen until Rev. 8.Rev 14:3-5 also mentions the 144,000. They seem to be added to the Bride group, a little late, but probably given this extra time because Israel has been partially blinded that the Gentiles may come in. It says, "And they sung as it were a NEW SONG (like the Bride saints sang in Rev. 5:9) 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 (symbol of false religion); for THEY ARE VIRGINS (i.e., they join the Bride group that was caught up in the Pre-Trib Rapture). 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."