Hi Arlene,
I read most of the article http://www.danielrevelationbiblestudies.com/The_Rest_of_The_Story.htm that you referenced about the 2 witnesses and the 144,000. Please read the following carefully.
I don't believe the 2 are connected. The 2 witnesses are taken to heaven from the streets of Jerusalem after 3 and one half days lieing dead in the streets. The wording of revelations chapter 11 clearly shows that the temple, alter, and the court, and the Holy city are mentioned right before the 2 witnesses are introduced to us in verse 3. These witnesses are obviously in Israel. That means that they are giving testimony to the Jews, the house of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi. They are going to require a SPECIAL WITNESSING and I think the 2 witnesses are special people reserved by our Lord to accomplish this feat. The WHOLE thing will be televised and spread via mass media, surely, especially seeing how irritated the whole world will be with them, Satan is going to do his best to belittle them, before killing them.
I found a false statement in the article. It says that Jesus presented himself to the father on Sunday morning. This is not accurate. He rose on the Sabbath....Saturday, and went to heaven 40 days later! Read Mark 16:1.....And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Sa-lo'me, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. Then read Acts 1:3........To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. The sabbath is on Saturday, the first day of the week is Sunday, and he did not present himself to the Father until 40 days later.
The article:
If this scenario is possible, the timing becomes interesting because first fruits were always presented to the Lord on a Sunday in ancient times. Jesus Himself, the first fruits of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20), presented Himself to the Father on Sunday morning! (John 20: 1,17) Since the 144,000 will be the first fruits of a numberless multitude who will come out of the Great Tribulation, is it coincidental that they should be presented to God on Sunday. “These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.” (Revelation 14:4, italics mine)
At Acts 1-10, it clearly shows that Jesus was with the desciples, here on earth for 40 days and then they watched him go to heaven in verse 10. He also instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until he had gone to the Father so that they would be BAPTIZED with the Holy Ghost. The 144,000 are ALSO BAPTIZED with the Holy Ghost, showing a different baptism than with the water by John.....read verse 5. This could NOT be accomplished until after Jesus had gone to the Father and then could send the Holy Ghost to mankind.
Some of the article was interesting. But the 144,000 are Definately the firstfruits and are Baptized with the Holy Ghost, I believe, now, that this is a major sign to those ones.
Revelations 14:4 clearly states..........These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. 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.
Arlene, I believe that the 144,000 are a corporal part of the man child mentioned in Revelations 12. They are caught up unto God and his throne.....verse 5. They are in communion with our Lord and it makes since that they would be part of the Barley rapture, which I feel happens at Revelations 12: 5. They are definately the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. This would include all who belong to the first fruits.This would explain verse 11 where it says they loved not their lives unto the death. After they are caught up unto God, the 144,000 reappear at Revelations 14:1 on mount Sion with the Lamb. This is our Lords sign of authority and government.
After the firstfruits are taken in revelations 12, Satan is cast out of heaven and goes after the woman. I feel that this is the church. Read Revelations 12: 17.......And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
He goes after the remnant of the church which KEEP the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (I suspect the foolish virgins). The others will take the mark of the beast or continue to stay in the system of Babylon instead of coming out of her. I believe that it is a remnant because, for the most part, the entire world has been deceived and put to sleep and don't care or pay attention....or whatever. The wheat harvest happens at revelations 14: 15.
Anyway, that is the way I see it.
YBIC
Michael P