Witnesses Or Servants?
Q. My dad is a faithful believer who has end stage bone cancer. He has always held to a mid-tribulation rapture theology, but lately that view has become a source of torment, as he contemplates leaving his loved ones behind to the cruel persecution of believers that he forsees. I have tried to comfort him with your articles teaching about a pre-tribulation “apo” rapture. He’s actually come close to seeing your point of view a few times but he’s hung up on the 144,000. He doesn’t believe people will be getting saved by grace after the rapture, so why would the 144,000 be “witnesses”? He says he has searched the bible for any proof that these people are “witnesses” and can find none. He can’t accept the scholarship of any teacher who insists they are witnesses, because it’s not supported in scripture. This is no big deal to me, but I’d sure like an answer for my dad. Why do we call them witnesses anyway?
A. He’s right in the sense that the 144,000 are not called witnesses. They’re called “Servants of God.” The Greek word is actually translated bond servant, denoting someone who has willingly given his life in service to another. Paul used this same word in describing his role in the Kingdom. According to the Strong’s concordance the metaphorical use of this word refers to “those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men.” I believe this qualifies them as witnesses.
By his real problem is the opinion that no one gets saved by grace after the Rapture. The only way any man has ever been saved is by the Grace of God. This was true before the church was born and will be true after the Church is gone. No one has ever qualified for salvation based on merit. One of the most eloquent descriptions of salvation by Grace comes from the Old Testament.
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:18-19)
