3/6/08

Dear Mr. Berryman,
   Your studies are fascinating and have merit in many, many ways.  The 1-4-7 is really intriguing.  Hopefully you are correct about the timing and the nearness of our Lord.  The only thing that really bothers me is your assessment of the 144,000 in Rev.5:9-10 being the bride.  When I read the previous verses the “they” that is spoken of in vs.9 is the four beasts and the 24 elders, and then the following vs.11 speaks of ten thousands of ten thousands of ANGELS, not saints.  The mention of kindreds, tongues, peoples and nations is a description the 24 elders give of whom the Lamb has redeemed (including themselves), not who is present at the moment.  It is quite disturbing to ponder that we who are waiting and have given our lives to the worship of Jesus as Lord, and have confessed our sin to Him and are living our lives in as much obedience as is possible for sinners saved by grace, might find ourselves unworthy to be counted as the blessed bride of Christ.  Further, Paul’s description of the race he was in was speaking of living right before God and man in order to glorify Jesus not to pay for his salvation or keep it or even to compete for something other than only prize a sinner can win in this life, salvation by grace.  After much pondering and crying out to the Lord I found myself thinking that what you suggest as worthiness could lead believers very close to legalism in their attempt to be worthy to be part of the first rapture.  True born again believers know that living a holy, spirit filled life is the path of the righteous, so after giving our lives to Jesus and prayerfully waiting upon guidance by the Holy Spirit in our daily lives what more can we do????  Are you suggesting that now we must somehow perform in order to receive/maintain bride status???  Further in my understanding of Rev.14:1-5 it is descriptive of the 144,000 that represent the 12 tribes.  It is a real stretch in my humble opinion to think there are two such groups, granted I am no bible scholar by any means but the rule to “keep it simple” applies here.  I agree with a lot of what your studies have brought to light but the thought that Jesus’ blood is not enough to make me worthy to be counted as His bride is something I cannot fathom.  If that were true then no one could be His bride because we are all unworthy, all of us, there is none good, not one.
   I am sure you are convinced of the truth in your studies but I suggest you rethink this aspect of what you suggest and see where it leads.  Unless I totally misunderstood what you said and if so I await your correction.  Be well, be blessed in every way and keep looking up.
YSIC
Sheila Baker