So who are the 144,000?
Most descendants of Israel reject Jesus as the Messiah, but 144,000 will be
included in the redemption process when Jesus returns.
"And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand."Revelation 7: 2-8
"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 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 first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God."Revelation 14: 1-5
Notice that those who are sealed have the Fathers name, in that the 144,000 are individuals who have not been defiled by false
religion, though rejecting Jesus, have held to the Jewish religion.
The 144,000 will be those who have developed and maintained godly character and integrity
during their lifetime.
When speaking of not defiled by women, it is in reference to having not
participated in pagan worship. The Church is prophetically referred to as a
woman, and false religions are referred to as whores, so to be virgins is to say
they have not worshipped false gods. These first fruits are offered to the Lord,
just as the first born in every home was to be offered to the Lord.
Revelation 20:2-5 "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection."
Each person must show conviction and determination to live according to God's
way of life before He seals them. It is clear that few will be chosen to be a
part of this first resurrection. He reiterated this truth in the parable of the
wedding feast.
Notice that Deuteronomy 4:27 says that the Israelites would be scattered
among the nations and a few would remain "And the LORD shall scatter you
among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither
the LORD shall lead you.". Could this be the 144,000?
It is clear that few will be chosen to be a part of this first
resurrection. He reiterated this truth in the parable of the wedding feast.
Matthew 22:14 " For many are called, but few are chosen"
To be a true Christian, one must
do more than simply profess it, they must live
according to God's requirements.
1John 2:3-4 "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
Heritage has absolutely nothing to do with the 144,000, they are the ones grafted into the tree of God’s people,
adopted.
Romans 9:6-8 "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed."
The 144,000 are counted as the seed, Spiritual Israelites.
Spiritual Israelites are not simply those who have genes linking them to
Abraham.
Galatians 3:29 "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Romans 2:28-29 "For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God"
Matthew 12:50 "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
Christ made it
clear that his true family is comprised of those who seek to live according to
the will of the Father.
The Bible reveals that God’s family reflects God’s will.
2 Corinthians 1:22 "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."
The heart actually refers to the mind.
But why only 144,000?
Matthew 20:16 "For many are called, but few chosen."
Because most Christians today have been deceived into false religion.
Matthew 7:21-23 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Not all Christians do, or keep God's will. Keeping his commandments / laws
indicate whether you walk with God, or
not (Exodus. 16:4-26). They must be corrected, which involves turning their
robes white, going through the tribulation.
So the individuals comprising the 144,000 will be those who have been sealed in their mind by the Holy Spirit. Upon receiving it, they become begotten children of God. Whenever God gives His Spirit to an individual, they come under His divine protection.
1 Peter 2:9-10 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."
Physical Israel can no longer exclusively claim the title of God’s people,
instead, God has chosen individuals from every walk of life.
And they will reign with Christ as kings and priests during the thousand years on
earth, and not only sit with him on his throne, but will become a spiritual part
of the new Jerusalem.
Ephesians 2:19-22 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
Revelation 3:21 "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
A Great Multitude from Every Nation
But there will yet be a great multitude that are saved, only they will have
to go through the tribulation.
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Revelation 7:9-17)
For information on the great multitude read the article The Great Multitude.