From the New testament what does verse REV 7:4 mean to you?

Question

"7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel."

I know every Christian denomination seems to interpret this differently, I was just wondering what exactly they are. For example, I've heard Jehovah Witnesses interpret this as only 144,000 go to heaven but what would that mean for the rest of everybody else. Also are only direct descendents of Israel going to heaven?

Or does this passage have nothing to with heaven at all?

While I appreciate and welcome the Athiest viewpoint, phrases like "It means absolutely nothing to me" are not helpful, (though I know it's unavoidable for some people to type it)

Thank you in advance

Also, what's your take on the following:
REV 14:3-14:4
The 144,000, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.

Answer 1

Discerning readers of the Bible recognize that the Scriptures are not always speaking in strictly literal terms; nor are they always to be understood as being symbolic and allegorical. The unreasonable mind, however, insists that if the 144,000 are literal, than all the prophecy of Revelation must be taken literally too.

However, it is foolish to approach the Bible in such a manner. It is not a matter of switching interpretations. It is a matter of intelligently deciphering God's Word, which Jehovah's Witnesses have done, in this instance.

The 144,000 are the spiritual organization that is built upon the 12 apostles. Are the 12 apostles symbolic? How about the 12 tribes that descended from the 12 sons of Israel?

The millions of churchgoers who have been indoctrinated with the idea that it is their birthright to go to heaven have very little comprehension what the kingdom of God actually is.

According to Revelation, the 144,000 are Christians who are bought from all tribes and nationalities and they are to be kings and priests and rule with Christ for the 1,000 years.

That is what the kingdom of God is.

In Revelation 14:1-4, the 144,000 described as standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion are said to have been "bought from the earth. These are the ones that did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins." These are shown as having a more intimate relationship with the Lamb than any others do, being the only ones to master the "new song." (Re 14:1-4)

This would indicate that they make up the "bride" of the Lamb. (Re 21:9) They are spiritual persons, as revealed by the fact that they stand on the heavenly Mount Zion with the Lamb. Therefore their 'not defiling themselves with women' and their being "virgins" would not mean that none of these 144,000 persons had ever been married, for the Scriptures do not forbid persons on earth who are to be joint heirs with Christ to marry. (1Ti 3:2; 4:1, 3)

Neither would it imply that all the 144,000 were men, for "there is neither male nor female" as far as the spiritual relationship of Christ's joint heirs is concerned. (Ga 3:28)

The "women" therefore must be symbolic women, doubtless religious organizations such as Babylon the Great and her 'daughters,' false religious organizations, the joining of and participation in which would prevent one from being spotless. (Re 17:5)

This symbolic description harmonizes with the requirement in the Law that the high priest of Israel take only a virgin for his wife, for Jesus Christ is Jehovah's great High Priest.-Le 21:10, 14; 2Co 11:2; Heb 7:26.

The Bible states that only a limited number of faithful Christians-namely, 144,000 of them-are raised as spirit creatures to live in heaven. Why are they given this wonderful reward?

Because they make up the group that John saw in a vision who "came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for a thousand years." (Revelation 14:1, 3; 20:4-6) Compared with the billions on earth, the 144,000 truly are a "little flock." (Luke 12:32)

Moreover, having experienced the problems common to humankind, like Jesus they will be able to "sympathize with our weaknesses" as they supervise the rehabilitation of mankind and of the earth.-Hebrews 4:15.

Answer 2

Rev. 7:4, 12,000 from each Tribe;These are the Firstfruits of Israel which are included in the First Resurrection, with all of Israel coming to Christ at the Second Coming.
All born again believers in Jesus Christ will go in the First Resurrection weather that believer is a Jew or Gentile.
Rev. 14:3,4 This song is for the 144,000 only, the new song mentioned her is not so much that the song itself is new, but that what it says can only be carried out by those represented by the 144,000, which is Redeemed Israel. They were Redeemed by trusting Christ and what He did at the Cross, which is the only way anyone can be Redeemed.
4 Refers to the 144,000 who did not corrupt themselves with idolatry. Faith in anything other than Christ and the Cross constitutes spiritual adultery, which is idolatry. In fact, millions in the modern Church are guilty of this sin, due to not understanding the Cross.

Answer 3

The 144,000 are a special group of people set aside by God for this particular time in history. There will be 1200 representatives from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. They will be undefiled and used by God to persuade the world to repent

Answer 4

A missionary group of redeemed Jews that will be key in the salvation of many Jews and Gentiles during the Tribulation. They will be the first people of a new redeemed Israel, And Israel will finally become the witness nation that it refused to be in the OT. By God's sovereign election He will seal 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes and protect them while they complete their mission. Nothing to do with the JW's or any other cult.

Answer 5

In Revelation, numbers have special, symbolic meanings. 12 seems to be a special religious number. 1000 seems to indicate a fullness of power. So 12,000 from 12 tribes seems to be a symbol of the fullness of power of God's kingdom, so powerful that nothing man can devise can destroy it.

It is interesting to note that the tribes of Ephraim and Dan are not listed, although Manasseh and Joseph are. Some think that Ephraim isn't listed because Jeroboam I, who led Israel into idolatry (1 Kings 12.25-33), was an Ephraimite (1 Kings 11.26). The tribe of Dan moved north to Laish and practiced idolotry (Judges 18). This causes some to believe that this list should not be taken literally, but symbolically.
.

Answer 6

One hundred and forty-four thousand: the square of twelve (the number of Israel's tribes) multiplied by a thousand, symbolic of the new Israel (cf Rev 14:1-5; Gal 6:16; James 1:1) that embraces people from every nation, race, people, and tongue (Rev 7:9).

Answer 7

THE HEAVENLY REV.14:1-7; FOR THE NEW HEAVENS:

John 6:39,40,44; 14:3; Mark 13:27; 1Thes.4:15-17; Rev.20:1-6,12,13; No Satan 1000 years, the heavenly are with Jesus at his second coming to resurrect the earthly for the new earth 2Pet.3:13; Isa.65:17; 66:1,22,23; Psm.104:29,30; Isa.26:19; John 5:26-29; Acts 17:31; 24:15; Dan.12:2; Rom.14:9-12; Heb.9:27; 2Cor.5:10; Philip.2:5,9-12; 1Cor.15:22-28,51-53 [ both ]; Rev.5:10[ to rule on earth ]; Rev.7:4 [All is earthly & heavenly ];
Rev.3:12 [ coming down out of heaven from God Rev.21:1-5; ];

ALL AND JEWS AND GENTILES ALIKE:

Eze.37:12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD;
Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up
out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 37:13 And ye
shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my
people, and brought you up out of your graves, 37:14 And shall put my
spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land:
then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it,
saith the LORD.

Matt.19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye
which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall
sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Answer 8

I tend to think this represents Jews who will be saved during the tribulation. As to there only being 144,000 in Heaven what about the following verse? It looks to me like there is an innumerable multitude at the throne in Heaven.

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;
Rev 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

Answer 9

I believe the 144,000 represents 12,000 men (unmarried, no family responsibilities) from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. These are divinely called servants of God who will be fully devoted to their calling and they will be among the first ones saved at the start of the Tribulation. They will preach the gospel and bring many more people to Christ.
Concerning who goes to heaven, only the Father in heaven knows who they are, but they come from every tongue tribe and nation---all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Blessings.

Answer 10

These are the 144,000 of the Jews who will come to belief in Christ and are sealed as the witnesses to the remaining folks in the world during the 7 years of the tribulation. But as you read in other parts of revelation there will be myriads upon myriads of folks in heaven stand on the crystal sea so that in and of itself disproves that claim that only 144,000 will in heaven for eternity.