jllen

I, too, believe that the 144,000 are Jews, according to Rev. 7 heading, KJV. Those in the white robes are Gentiles, Rev. 7:9-17 KJV. My understanding is that the 144,000 Jews have the 'seal of protection by the Holy Spirit' during the first 3 1/2 years of the trib. and are on earth ministering to the lost. Souls will be won through their testimony during this time. Are these the same martyrs in white robes when the Fifth Seal was opened (Rev. 6:9-11)? Jan

I see around the world that Christians in all countries are being persecuted for believing in the true and living God. I livein the United States, but this is not a free nation. Better than most, but not free. I am a retired public school teacher and I see in the schools how God has been kicked out, and children are not even allowed to have a Bible, speak about Jesus or God, or pray before eating lunch! The persecution for believing in our Lord begins with the children in public schools, and is rampant in all facets of business and government in the USA! I spent several years in Jakarta, Indonesia as a missionary, which is a Muslim country, and we do not know persecution like those precious people do. There is persecution of Christians in most all Asian countries and the Middle East. Back in the late 90's, there were over 2000 Christians slaughtered in the Maluku Islands, Indonesia. To this day Christians are in hiding, churches are being burned, and people are being beheaded for their belief. Our comfort as Christians comes in the Word, the promises, and the knowledge that one day it will all be over; that what awaits us is more wonderful than words can express, to spend eternity with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Wow! Let us pray for the Christians around the world that they will persevere to the end of this age as we know it. Jan Lenhart, Texas