Bible Question: please explain the 144,000 who received the mark in Revelations |
Bible Answer: Hi Dyke, Welcome to the Forum. This is a highly controversial subject and you will receive many answers. You will notice that it does not say that John saw the 144,000, who were sealed, he only heard 'the number of them'. Thus the number was important. In my view the 12 x 12 x 1000 represents the whole people of God, 12 for the 12 tribes of Israel, and 12 for the 12 Apostles. Compare for this Rev 21 where the city of God which is the bride of Christ (the church of the Messiah) has 12 gates representing Israel and 12 foundations representing the Apostles. In the New Testament the true Israel are those who believe in the Messiah (whether ex-Jew or ex-Gentile). See Rom 11.16-24; Gal 3.29; 6.16; Ephe 2.11-22; 1 Peter 2.9; James 1.1; John 15.1-6; Matt. 21 43. Furthermore those whom Scripture shows to be sealed by God are the whole church of Jesus Christ (Eph 1.13). Having heard the numbering John then saw those who were numbered. They were a multititude which no man could number (only God could number them). In Rev 6 the whole of history has been outlined in terms of Matt 24; Mark 13. False Messiahs, war, famine; earthquake and pestilence, the persecuted saints, Christ's coming. So now John is demonstrating that through all this God's people are sealed and are safe. Notice how the same description is given of the multitude as was given of the dead saints awaiting resurrection in Rev 6.11. Through history God's people have experienced great tribulation, and are still doing so. But their final security is guaranteed by the seal of God. Best wishes |