The 144,000
The 144,000 are Identified as the Servants of God
The 144,000 are identified as the servants of God. (Rev 7:2-4)
The servants of God are all those who will live with Him in Heaven. (Rev 22:3,4)
The 144,000 Receive the Seal of God.
The 144,000 receive the seal of God. (Rev 7:4)
The seal of God is the Holy Spirit. (Jn 6:27 compare Lk 3:22, 2Co 1:22, Eph 1:13,14, Eph 4:30)
Through the Holy Spirit, God's law is in the forehead of every true believer. (Heb 10:15,16)
A seal specifies a name, title, and dominion.
Example: Abraham Lincoln, President, United States of America
In this sense, the fourth commandment is a seal of God. (Ex 20:8-11)
Name - The Lord God
Title - Creator
Dominion - Heaven and Earth
The fourth commandment as a seal of God is in harmony with the seal and the law being in the forehead. (compare Isa 8:16)
God proclaims that the Sabbath is a special sign of His people. (Ex 31:16,17, Eze 20:12,20)
The 144,000 and the 12 Tribes of Israel
The 12 tribes of ancient Israel
Sons of Israel (formerly known as Jacob) (Ge 35:9-11,22-26):
Reuben (1), Simeon (2), Levi (3), Judah (4), Issachar (5), Zebulun (6), Joseph (7), Benjamin (8), Dan (9), Naphtali (10), Gad (11), and Asher (12)
Tribes of the patriarchs (Nu 1:5-17):
Reuben (1), Simeon (2), Judah (4), Issachar (5), Zebulun (6), Joseph (7), Benjamin (8), Dan (9), Asher (12), Gad (11), and Naphtali (10)
In this context, the tribe of Levi (3) is represented by Moses and Aaron.
Joseph is composed of 2 special half-tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh). (Nu 1:10, Dt 3:13, Ge 48:5, Eze 47:13)
Visionary tribes (Eze 48:31-34):
Reuben (1), Judah (4), Levi (3), Joseph (7), Benjamin (8), Dan (9), Simeon (2), Issachar (5), Zebulun (6), Gad (11), Asher (12), and Naphtali (10)
The 12 tribes of the end-times 144,000 (Rev 7:5-8):
Judah (4) (the lineage of Christ), Reuben (1), Gad (11), Aser (12), Nepthalim (10), Manasses (7), Simeon (2), Levi (3), Issachar (5), Zabulon (6), Joseph (7), and Benjamin (8)
Spelling differences are due to differences in Hebrew and Greek transliterations.
Dan is replaced by Manasses because in this context Dan represents wickedness and idolatry (Ge 49:17, Jdg 18:30)
This replacement is analogous to the 12 apostles, when Judas was replaced by Matthias. (Ac 1:15-26)
Manasses was the least of Joseph's sons. (Ge 48:13,14 compare Jer 31:9)
Joshua was an Ephraimite (Nu 13:8,16 compare Nu 14:6), Gideon was a Manassite (Jdg 6:15)
Since Manasses is listed, Joseph represents Ephraim.
The names of the 12 tribes of Israel will be written on the gates of new Jerusalem. (Rev 21:10-12)
Name represents character. (Ex 3:13,14, Ex 34:5-7, Jn 17:6,26, Rev 3:12, Rev 22:3,4)
12,000 from each tribe cannot be interpreted literally.
If this were literal, this would imply predestination/election without free will.
If this were literal, only ethnic Jews would be saved.
The 12 tribes represent spiritual Israel - All those who accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord. (Ro 2:28,29, Ro 9:6-8, Ro 10:12,13, Gal 3:7-9,14,26-29, Gal 6:14-16, Eph 2:11-13,19,20)
12,000 from each tribe illustrates that salvation is offered equally to all who will accept it. (Rev 22:17)
The absense of Dan illustrates the fate of those who turn away from God. (Rev 22:14,15)
The 144,000 are God's True Church
The 144,000 are revealed to be a great multitude that no man can number. (Rev 7:9)
Note that John first heard the number sealed, and now sees those who were sealed.
The 144,000 are from every nation and language (not just Jews). (Rev 7:9)
The 144,000 are clothed with the sacrifice and righteousness of Christ. (Rev 7:9,13,14)
The 144,000 will live in Heaven. (Rev 7:15-17 compare Rev 21:3,4 and Rev 22:5)
The 144,000 stand with Jesus on Mount Zion. (Rev 14:1)
Mount Zion represents the church. (Heb 12:22,23)
The 144,000 have God's name written in their foreheads. (Rev 14:1, Rev 22:3,4)
Name represents character. (See above.)
The 144,000 are described as having been redeemed from the earth. (Rev 14:3)
The 144,000 are virgins who did not defile themselves with women. (Rev 14:4)
A fornicating woman is symbolic of a false church. (Rev 17:1-6))
Notes on the number 144,000
144,000 = 12 x 12 x 1,000 (12 patriarchs, 12 apostles, a multitude) (compare Mt 19:28, Rev 4:4, Rev 21:12)
144,000 is represented in the measurements of New Jerusalem. (Rev 21:16,17)
The army of the nation of Israel consisted of 12 courses of 24,000 men each. (1Ch 27:1-15)
12 x 24,000 = 288,000 = 2 x 144,000 soldiers (compare 2Ti 2:3 and Phm 1:2)
The temple singers of the nation of Israel consisted of 24 wards of 12 men each. (1Ch 25:7-31)
24 x 12 = 288 = 2 x 144 singers (compare Col 3:16 and Rev 15:2,3)
In conclusion, 144,000 is a symbolic number referring to God's true church (Spiritual Israel).
The 144,000 are those who will Stand
The 144,000 are those who will stand in the great day of God's wrath. (Rev 6:17 question followed by the Rev 7:1-17 answer)
All the dead in Christ will stand at this time. (1Th 4:16)
Note that Daniel is included with those who will stand at this time. (Da 12:13)
Note that Jesus instructed His disciples to watch and pray that they be able to stand when He returns. (Lk 21:36)
The remnant living ("which are alive and remain") will also stand with Christ at this time. (1Th 4:17)
Those who will stand will do so because of their faith in Jesus. (Ro 11:20)