The 144,000: Literal or Symbolic? The Bible Explains

#144000 #revelation

This is a segment of another video studying the 144,000 in more detail.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2 : 15

[anyaitsally-ycqg]

The death of Jesus Christ was for our own good. The Holy Spirit is now teaching us deeper truth, and is truly comforting !

[itsnotachip]

Yeah, good topic. Because if the 144, 000 were say literal, then what happens to all the other Christians still alive at the end.

To understand the calling of the 144, 000, we must examine how God creates a group with a specific mission.

Take this for example (12 spies):

_And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel. And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori. Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph. Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun. Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu. Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi. Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi. Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli. Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael. Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi. Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. - Numbers 13:1-16 (KJV)_

That structure is very similar to Revelation 7.

Here's another example (12, 000 for war):

_Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war. So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war. - Numbers 31:4-5 (KJV)_

If you're saying that 144, 000 is symbolic, then 12, 000 must be symbolic too, and that to me is very confusing.

Anyway, in Revelation 7 I would say that the great multitude is everyone, and that the 144, 000 is just a small part of that, and it is that group that John wants to learn more about.

_Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion. Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when the Christian world declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their faith. And beyond is the "great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, " "before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." [Revelation 7:9.] Their warfare is ended, their victory won. They have run the race and reached the prize. The palm branch in their hands is a symbol of their triumph, the white robe an emblem of the spotless righteousness of Christ which now is theirs. - Ellen White, The Great Controversy, p. 665_

Different categories in one big group?!

What do I believe? I believe that when God needs a group of people, He gets an equal number from each tribe. I don't see how the 144, 000 is symbolic for some other number.

Sadly that then means most other Christians will be martyred/persecuted, and if you look closely how awful the seven last plagues are, that might actually be a blessing?!? It's just hard to imagine, that's all.

Please don't get me wrong, the symbolic interpretation sounds wonderful, but I just don't think it's correct.

God bless

[deborahrunnells]

We are all living in these days, watching history unfold..