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READ THE BIBLE TEXT (Revelation 7:4-8, 14:1-5)


144,000 Witnesses of God's Love

The 144,000 witnesses are mentioned twice in the Revelation, first in the parenthetical section between the sixth and the seventh seal judgments (Rev. 7:4-8), and second, in the interlude between the trumpet judgments and the bowl judgments (Rev. 14:1-5). (Dictionary of Premillenial Theology, pg 424 )

Why 144,000?

The number 144,000 is the sum of twelve thousand sealed servants out of the twelve tribes of Israel, namely: Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. The name of Joseph stands for the tribe of Ephraim, a son to Joseph and a brother to Manasseh. The tribal name of Dan is absent. Irenaeus, a second-century church father, mentioned a tradition that the Antichrist would come from the tribe of Dan (see Gen. 49:16-18). The tribe of Dan, however, will have a presence and an inheritance in the millennial kingdom (Ezek. 48:1, 32). For some unknown reason, Dan will not contribute any to this special service during the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Dan. 9:24-27). (Dictionary of Premillenial Theology, pg 424 )

Servants of God

The 144,000 are designated as the servants of God (7:3). The nature of their service is not given. There is some speculation that they will serve by preaching the Gospel of the kingdom on earth during the first three and a half years of the seven-year period [Tribulation] that precedes the coming of Jesus Christ to the earth (Matt. 24:14). To accomplish their service, they will be sealed by holy angels for protection from natural disasters and satanic attacks. The nature of the seal is not mentioned. It could be either visible or invisible to the human eye (Ezek. 9:4-11; Eph. 4:30). The seal on their foreheads may be seen in contrast to the mark of the Antichrist upon the foreheads of his followers. (Dictionary of Premillenial Theology, pg 424 )

The 144,000 are Literally Jews?

The 144,000 thus comprise literal, ethnic Jews. They reveal the presence, salvation, and service of ethnic Israelites in the future Day of the Lord. Just as Jesus Christ was literally a Jew out of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5), so these servants are literally Jews out of their resprective tribes. Although modern Israel does not have a system of tribal division, that system will be in place in that future day. (Dictionary of Premillenial Theology, pg 424 )

New International Version

Revelation 7:4-8
4
Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
5
from the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000
6
from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000
7
from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000
8
from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000. BACK to top
Revelation 14:1-5
1
Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.
2
And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.
3
And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
4
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.
5
No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. BACK to top

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