Bible Studies

One Hundred Forty Four Thousand

by Teresa Wiltz
04/14/19
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There have been various people asking me about the meaning of the one hundred forty-four thousand in the Book of Revelation; so I decided to immerse myself in the infallible Holy Book of Life to explore its true meaning prophesied hoping to accurately share it with others to ease countless concerns and questions.  Most people are confused and think that a small number will encompass the whole of God’s chosen people to eternally reside with Him in Heaven.  I can most assuredly say all those who have this misconception should understand this belief is simply not the case at all. Think about it, if only one hundred forty-four thousand believers will be chosen to live harmoniously with Christ in Heaven there would not have been any reason for Him to be sacrificed on the Cross for the redemption of all of our sins.  According to Scripture the one hundred forty-four thousand saints were sealed from the beginning and will return to earth with Jesus Christ to preach during the tribulation period as indicated in the Book of Revelation 14:1-4:

 “Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.  And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.  They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.  These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being first-fruits to God and to the Lamb.”

It was God Himself who breathed and inspired the written Word by anointing forty authors to carry forth His prophecy from the very beginning of time (Genesis) to the final days on earth (Revelation) and it is through these Holy Words that assures us how we can be saved and achieve the ultimate goal of living with Him in everlasting paradise.  Christ spoke to His disciples when He walked the earth preaching how God already prepared many mansions for all of His faithful children (John 14:2). Even though these present days are pretty much unrecognizable from generations past; God’s Word never changes and that’s why it’s imperative that we all prayerfully abide in His Word (John 15:7) and profess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord,  with a faithful heart believing God raised Him from the dead to be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

Deuteronomy 33:6–25 gives an account of how twelve thousand were chosen from each of the twelve tribes of Israel who were sealed by God.  This number of twelve thousand multiplied by twelve tribes equates to the one hundred forty-four thousand.

Another account of the one hundred forty-four thousand is found in Revelation 7:3-4. They are believers who will appear on earth commissioned by God to preach the gospel and they will sing a song that is only known to them (Revelation 14:3). They will return to earth during a time of judgment and calamity (the great tribulation) after the rapture of God’s earthly saints (true believers) and the forty-four thousand will focus on giving one more chance at salvation to the lost. The following Scriptures gives an in depth account naming all of the twelve tribes. (Revelation 7:1-10):

“After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.  Then 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 granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.’ And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:  of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;  of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;  of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.”

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”

There will be great multitudes finally accepting the truth by choosing Jesus Christ as their Savior as a result of the testimony given by the one hundred and forty-four thousand. 

Even though there will be more than one hundred forty-four thousand saved by the grace of Christ a gift that cannot be earned because salvation is free for all who accept Christ and believe in Him.  However, do not be fooled in thinking you can live according to your own will by choosing to remain in unrepentant sin rather than living according to the perfect Will of God and still enter the pearly gates of Heaven; because according to the Book of Matthew 7:19-23; and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 there will be a rude awakening for people and false prophets everywhere claiming to believe but in their hearts are self-deceived. God judges the heart of man and such people will be exposed through their sinful actions and deceptive chatter:

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.  ^‘Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.’  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

I pray that whoever chooses to read this message will do so with a discerning spirit and to share with others if led to do so. May our Heavenly Father bless you all.