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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: I know that is a common teaching. And I am not saying I know whether it is or isn't the correct application. But using common sense and a fair a logical approach to the text, context, and additional references of these 144,000 I am leaning more toward symbolism everyday. I used to think that the scorpion tailed beasts from the bottomless pit were creatures that go around stinging men, but I am beginning to see something in the OT on where the symbolism came from in which case I see an application that is fits a larger stream of truth than that of hellish animals let loose among men. We say let scripture interpret itself and so we apply many OT passages to the book of Revelation and find understanding. But when it comes to the 144000 we seem to quit trying that approach. We use Daniel and apply it to the beast of Rev 13 and we recieve understanding, but when the scorpion tailed creature show up for some reason few prophecy teachers try to find the OT passage that sheds light on these. It is true that it takes diligent study to understand it but I think the Lord actually wrote it that way. Only the diligent will see the underlying truths here. |