That is a scary thought!  Like most other Doves, I am very fascinated by Steve Barryman's insights.  I can tell that he has accomplished very advanced studies of the Bible. Due to the depth of his research, and the obvious guidance and enlightenment he has received from the Holy Spirit, I am quite compelled to believe he is correct in what he is telling us. 

I also feel that Marilyn Agee is also gifted in this area.  They do disagree on certain points, and I hope that their points of disagreement will be addressed and the truth will come out. 

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.  There HAS to be more than 144,000 people that have been truly saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit between Pentecost and the Rapture.  And it makes absolutely no sense to say that some people who are truly saved will not be resurrected, and other living Christians will be left behind.  It has to be the case that every TRUE Christian from Pentecost to the Rapture will be raptured!  And like I said, there surely are more than 144,000 members of the Body of Christ.

The number 144,000 I believe is a literal number, and is only applied to one specific group of people.....Jews--12,000 from each tribe.  I believe only 144,000 Jews will make it through the Tribulation and enter the Millenial Kingdom.  And the 144,000 mentioned in Rev. 14: 1-5 are not the Bride, but the sealed Jews.  Notice that John sees Jesus standing on Mount Zion with the 144,000.  Mount Zion is the Promised Land for the Jews here on Earth.  Mount Zion is not Heaven.  And notice in Rev. 14:1 that they have Jesus' Father's name written on their foreheads.  Then notice in 7:3 that the 144,000 are to receive the seal of God on their forehead.  Same 144,000, same seal.

True, the number 12 may well have to do with governing....and 12 X 12,000= 144,000.  So the 144,000 sealed Jews (12,000 from each tribe) will be governing with Christ during the Millenial Kingdom.  The Bride, however, is not a governing body.  The bride of a King is his wife, and we will be ruling with Him in a sort of complimentary fashion, living in the New Jerusalem.  The important thing is that we are his Bride, not his governors.  And therefore the number 12 has nothing to do with us. 

Also, the 144,000 Jews are here on Earth throughout the entire Tribulation.  They survive it (through being sealed), and enter into the Kingdom and their Promised Land....Mount Zion.  And in the same way as they are sealed by God (on the forehead) and destined for the Promised Land, the Antichrist has his seal, the "Mark," and those who have it on their forehead are sealed and destined for the Lake of Fire.

Steve, like I said, you are showing me/us things that are very enlightening, and even awesomely so!!  You have convinced me that the Rapture will be this Spring.  And I find your explanation of how the Rapture will take place over a period of several days very provocative.  The only thing I definitely disagree with you on is that the number 144,000 has anything to do with the Bride.  Other than that, I find your presentations very scholarly and acceptable. 

 

Oh, and about the number "4" having the sign of the cross......did the very first ancient symbol for the number 4 have the sign of the cross?