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NASB | Revelation 7:4 ¶ And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Revelation 7:4 ¶ And I heard how many were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand; [twelve thousand] sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: |
Subject: Who are the 144000? Is it literal |
Bible Note: If the 144000 are literal, then the seal on their fourhead must also be literal. I mean if you take the numbering of them to signify that they are literal then the sealing of the forehead which is in the very same sentence of the number must also be literal. If the 144000 is literal, what is the meaning? Does then God only choose men for these 144000? Why would he leave out women? If it is literal does it signify that marriaige or having sex relations with a wife defiles a man? If you spiritualize the idea of the reference to being virgins and not having defiled themselves with women then have you not just flip flopped from a literal application to a spiritual application on a whim with no reference to "like as"? Revelation 7:9 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; DO you see any connection to this mutlitude and the 144000? Such as both being different representations of the redeemed people. Revelation 7:10-12 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. I want you to notice that the 24 elders are here. In Rev 4-5 we see that the 24 elders are not 24 special men. They are not just 12 apostles and 12 patriarchs, Because they sing a song and they say they are redeemed from every tribe tongue people and nation, so therefore we know they are not just Jews, and we know that there are more than 24 tribes tongues peoples and nations and therefore we conclude God is trying to present to us a vision of a bigger picture, namely that of the priesthood of the believer. So all those ready at his coming are promised to be part of this 24 elder (judges) partaking with Christ in the adminstration of judgement upon the earth. Though that is another topic. Here we see the elders who are spiritual representations of all tongue peoples and nations. This is beyond dispute because that is who they say they are and we cannot argue with them they know who they are..Revelation 5:8-10 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. So I know that it is not yet made manifest that the 144000 in this chapter Rev 7 are spiritual, but we see the 24 elders here and we know that they are. But this is not the only reference to the 144000 Revelation 14:1-5 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. Continued.... |