Who are the 144,000?

Question

If we take that number literally, and the whole verse literally, then only 144,000 MALE VIRGINS are in this group. If we don't take it literally,then why take the number literally?

Answer 1

I'm no. 143,999

Answer 2

Is the number 144,000 mentioned in the Bible book of Revelation merely symbolic? The answer is indicated by the fact that, after mention of the definite number 144,000, Revelation 7:9 refers to “a great crowd, which no man was able to number.” If the number 144,000 were not literal it would lack meaning as a contrast to the “great crowd.” Viewing the number as literal agrees with Jesus’ statement at Matthew 22:14 regarding the Kingdom of the heavens: “There are many invited, but few chosen.”

What will those who go to heaven do there? Rev. 20:6: “They will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years.” (Also Daniel 7:27) 1 Cor. 6:2: “Do you not know that the holy ones will judge the world?” Rev. 5:10: “You made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over [“on,” RS, KJ, Dy; “over,” AT, Da, Kx, CC] the earth.” (The same Greek word and grammatical structure is found at Revelation 11:6. There RS, KJ, Dy, etc., all render it “over.”)

Answer 3

144,000 is a symbolic number that has to do with the number 12. (12 x 12 = 144) In the Bible, the number 12 occurs a few very important times. There are 12 tribes of Israel and 12 Apostles. The number 12 can stand for Israel or for the Church.

So we have 144 x 1000, and 1000 is used symbolically for large amounts in other places in Revelation. So we have a large amount of male Jews/Christians who are virgins and who have a special role in heaven.

Answer 4

It's talking about the 144,000 who will reign with Christ. Heaven is separated into glories. My thinking is that 144,000 will be the number of people in the highest glory...the Celestial Kingdom. Will have to check on that. Jehovah's Witnesses say that the 144,000 are those who will reign with Christ on Earth after Judgment Day when all peace is restored to the new Earth. I'm not absolutely 100% sure, though. If I find anything else out, I will let you know.

Answer 5

They will be the first fruits, not the only ones saved. This verse is talking about those who are celibate for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

"They were singing (what seemed to be) a new hymn before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been ransomed from the earth.

These are they who were not defiled with women; they are virgins and these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been ransomed as the firstfruits of the human race for God and the Lamb." -Revelation 14:3-4

By the way, tell the Mormons or JW's to read this in the bible:

"After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands." -Revelation 7:9

Answer 6

144,000 are male Jewish virgins not defiled. they are witnesses to the lamb, not the only ones allowed into heaven, the bible says they are the first fruits. Jewish tradition before the harvest you take the first fruits or a first best sample of what the rest of the harvest will be like, this first fruit is Given to God. These are Gods chosen as Representatives of the things to come. Just as Christ was the first to be raised from the dead in His glorified body and was the first fruits of the brethren to be raised .

Answer 7

In Revelation 7:4 it talks about the 144,000. It is referring to the number that were sealed from the tribes of Israel. They are the high priests ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel. They are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom power is given over the nations of the earth to bring as many as will come to the church of the Jesus.

Answer 8

The one hundred forty four thousand in the Bible are twelve thousand Elders from each of twelve tribes of Israel, making the 144,000. I think probably this is where the Jehovah's Witness come up with their number.

Answer 9

Well this is were you have to compare scripture with scripture. Its not literal, its just a reference for alot of people. And Jehovah's witness will tell you differntly.
If you look fuerhr into the text, Rev7: 9-17, it is said that no human can number them.

Answer 10

The nation of Israel rejected Jesus therefore God opened salvation up for the gentiles! In the last days many Jews will accept Jesus and this verse in talking about these Jews who will be saved out of the original twelve tribes of Israel!

Answer 11

(Revelation 7:4) 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel:
(Revelation 7:9-10) 9 After these things I saw, and, look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands. 10 And they keep on crying with a loud voice, saying: “Salvation [we owe] to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

the latter verse references alot of people not the first.