Personal Thoughts on the 144,000

144,000 – THE CHOSEN, SEALED, and REDEEMED OF ALL AGES

יהוה

There are so many varying views, regarding the 144,000 group or company, that it can make your head spin. Personally, I’ve found that the truth is so simple that it makes you wonder why so many have difficulty sorting it all out. This website was created so that this simple truth can be seen by all. Below I will list some of the varying views regarding the 144,000 and then you can decide for yourself, which one makes the most sense. I am currently a Seventh-day Advent Christian, so I freely use the Holy Scriptures and the Spirit of Prophecy writings of Ellen G. White in my studies. I make no apologies for this, and I invite you to learn more about Mrs. Ellen G. White [1827-1915], if you don’t know about her already. She was a truly remarkable woman, one who loved Jesus with all her heart, one chosen to be God’s end-time messenger. She was a prolific, inspired Christian writer. You can read some of her books here: Connecting With Jesus.

1. The 144000 are composed of those who live through the great time of trouble at the very end and who are translated to heaven without seeing death. Some see this as a literal number and others see it as symbolic.
2. The 144000 are only those special ones who will get to live in heaven for eternity, while the great multitude of the redeemed live on the new earth. The number is seen by some as literal and others as symbolic.
3. The 144000 are composed of church leaders and special elite Christians who will convert the great multitude. The great multitude will die before the close of probation and later be resurrected; the 144000 will live through the time of great tribulation and be translated without seeing death when Jesus returns. Some see this as a literal number and others see it as symbolic.
4. The 144000 are literal Jews who preach the truth at the end of time. The number is seen as literal.
5. The 144000 are composed of those who are chosen, sealed, and redeemed, of all ages, throughout history, who have trusted in the righteousness of Christ alone for salvation. The number is seen as symbolic and represents the fullness or completeness of God’s people (from various dispensations: law, prophets, & gospel) who are redeemed from the earth, from Adam to the last saint sealed, at the second coming of Jesus. The 144,000 sealed on earth are the Great Multitude who were seen by John in heaven.

So, which view do you currently hold? Are you sure it is defendable against all arguments? Do you even have a view? After completing an exhaustive study of this very interesting topic personally, I have come to the conclusion that the last option is the only valid one.

The 144000 are composed of those who are chosen, sealed, and redeemed, of all ages, throughout history, who have trusted in the righteousness of Christ alone for salvation. The number is seen as symbolic and represents the fullness or completeness of God’s people (from various dispensations: law, prophets, & gospel) who are redeemed from the earth, from Adam to the last saint sealed, at the second coming of Jesus. The 144,000 sealed on earth are the Great Multitude who were seen by John in heaven. Therefore, all those redeemed from the earth, “the 144,000,” will sing the song of Moses and the Lamb; a song that only the 144,000 can learn and all the redeemed will sing.

Below are some of my reasons for taking this position regarding the 144000. If you disagree, that is fine. The Holy Spirit (the omnipresence of the Spirit of Christ) is the only One who can bring us together to see “eye to eye” in all things and only if we are humble and willing to be learners at the feet of Jesus, as little children. Thank you for taking the time to humbly pray for God’s guidance and to study deeply and sincerely, for God’s glory alone. There are many rich gems of knowledge and wisdom waiting for those who dig deep into the mine of truth.

MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

In Revelation 7:1-8 the prophet John “heard” [verse 4] the “number” of those that are “sealed” from “every tribe of the sons of Israel.” 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes. Immediately afterwards, in Revelation 7:9-10, John says, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, [10] and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”” As a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, I love the writings of Mrs. Ellen G. White (EGW). They were inspired by the holy Spirit of Christ and help to lead people to a better understanding of God, Jesus, and the gospel message. Her writings uphold and honor the Scriptures and the moral law of God. She teaches “righteousness by faith” and the necessity of “obedience to the moral law” and she was taught these things in visions and dreams from God, over the long period of her lifetime. She honors God the Father and uplifts Jesus in her writings. When you see book codes at the end of statements they are references to her books and writings. You can find out what the codes are by visiting this webpage: EGW Book Codes. While reading the book, Heaven, which is a compilation of statements by Ellen White, regarding heaven and the new earth, I came across what seemed, to me, to be a contradiction. In Chapter 19, The Music of Heaven, the quote from TM433 (Testimonies to Ministers), on pages 177-178, talks about an innumerable company of the redeemed host who all sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Then, on page 179, there is a quote from GC648-649 (The Great Controversy), which mentions that only the 144,000 can learn the song of Moses and the Lamb. Adventists generally teach that the 144,000 are an end-time group and that they live through the great time of trouble and are translated, without seeing death, when Jesus comes the second time to take His people home. Some think the number is literal and others believe it is symbolic. The two Ellen White statements are listed below, for your reference, along with the Scripture text, Revelation 14:1-5.

SCRIPTURE: 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. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”

THE GREAT CONTROVERSY: “Upon the crystal sea before the throne, that sea of glass as it were mingled with fire—so resplendent is it with the glory of God—are gathered the company that have “gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name.” With the Lamb upon Mount Zion, “having the harps of God,” they stand, the hundred and forty and four thousand that were redeemed from among men; and there is heard, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder, “the voice of harpers harping with their harps.” And they sing “a new song” before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb—a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience—an experience such as no other company have ever had. “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.” These, having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as “the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.” Revelation 15:2, 3; 14:1-5.” – Great Controversy, p. 648, 649

HEAVEN or TM433: “There is a day just about to burst upon us when God’s mysteries will be seen, and all His ways vindicated; when justice, mercy, and love will be the attributes of His throne. When the earthly warfare is accomplished, and the saints are all gathered home, our first theme will be the song of Moses, the servant of God. The second theme will be the song of the Lamb, the song of grace and redemption. This song will be louder, loftier, and in sublimer strains, echoing and re-echoing through the heavenly courts. Thus the song of God’s providence is sung, connecting the varying dispensations; for all is now seen without a veil between the legal, the prophetical, and the gospel. The church history upon the earth and the church redeemed in heaven all center around the cross of Calvary. This is the theme, this is the song,–Christ all and in all,–in anthems of praise resounding through heaven from thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand and an innumerable company of the redeemed host. All unite in this song of Moses and of the Lamb. It is a new song, for it was never before sung in heaven.” – Testimonies to Ministers, p. 433.1 or Heaven, p. 177-178

Rev. 3:12 “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.“

Rev. 7:15 “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.”

VISION BY ELLEN WHITE: “Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies. And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly to the top of the mountains, and pluck the never-fading flowers. There were all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place; the box, the pine, the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig-tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figs,–these made the place all over glorious. And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice and said, “Only the 144,000 enter this place,”and we shouted, “Alleluia.” This temple was supported by seven pillars, all of transparent gold, set with pearls most glorious. The wonderful things I there saw, I cannot describe. Oh, that I could talk in the language of Canaan, then could I tell a little of the glory of the better world. I saw there tables of stone in which the names of the 144,000 were engraved in letters of gold. After we beheld the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus left us, and went to the city. Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying: “Come, My people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will; suffered for Me; come in to supper, for I will gird Myself, and serve you.” We shouted, “Alleluia! glory!” and entered into the city.” – Christian Experience & Teachings, p. 63-64 – EGW

**Personal Note: I’m wondering if the “tables of stone” could represent, in some way, the Lamb’s Book of Life, since the names of the 144000 are written there in “letters of gold” … or maybe it refers to the gates of the city, where the names of the twelve tribes are written, and the twelve foundations, where the names of the apostles are written. It is all highly symbolic. Why would a city in heaven require a gate? Not for protection. And how high are the gates? Very high. Some scholars actually teach that the “New Jerusalem” is the “Most Holy Place” where God the Father and Jesus Christ reign on the throne of the universe. The place is a perfect square: width, length and height, just like in the most holy place on earth. The ark of the covenant, in the earthly temple, represented the throne and presence of Yehovah. I’m sure the reality will be far beyond our highest imagination in glory and majesty.

Revelation 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.“

Revelation 7:9-10  “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; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

“Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square. Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared [heavy] with stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns. And they were all clothed with a glorious white mantle from their shoulders to their feet.Angels were all about us as we marched over the sea of glass to the gate of the City.” – Day Star – DS, January 24, 1846 par. 1

“Before entering the city of God, the Saviour bestows upon his followers the emblems of victory, and invests them with the insignia of their royal state. The glittering ranks are drawn up, in the form of a hollow square, about their King, whose form rises in majesty high above saint and angel, whose countenance beams upon them full of benignant love. Throughout the unnumbered host of the redeemed, every glance is fixed upon him, every eye beholds His glory whose “visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.” Upon the heads of the overcomers, Jesus with his own right hand places the crown of glory. For each there is a crown, bearing his own “new name,” [Revelation 2:17.] and the inscription, “Holiness to the Lord.” In every hand are placed the victor’s palm and the shining harp. Then, as the commanding angels strike the note, every hand sweeps the harp strings with skillful touch, awaking sweet music in rich, melodious strains. Rapture unutterable thrills every heart, and each voice is raised in grateful praise: “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.” [Revelation 1:5, 6.]” – Great Controversy 1888, p. 645.3

“Before entering the city, the saints are arranged in a hollow square, with Jesus in the midst. In height he surpasses both the saints and the angels. His majestic form and lovely countenance can be seen by all in the square. Upon the heads of the overcomers the Saviour, with his own right hand, places the crowns of glory. For every saint there is a crown, bearing his new name, and the inscription, “Holiness to the Lord.” In every hand is placed the victor’s palm and the shining harp. The commanding angels strike the note, and every voice is raised in grateful praise, every hand sweeps the harp-strings with skillful touch, awaking sweet music in rich, melodious strains.” – 4SP 464.3

“Then the angel said, “You [Ellen] must go back, and if you are faithful, you, with the 144,000, shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handiwork of God.”” – Adventist Home, p. 543.2

“All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God’s redeemed. Unfettered by mortality, they wing their tireless flight to worlds afar–worlds that thrilled with sorrow at the spectacle of human woe and rang with songs of gladness at the tidings of a ransomed soul. With unutterable delight the children of earth enter into the joy and the wisdom of unfallen beings. They share the treasures of knowledge and understanding gained through the ages upon ages in contemplation of God’s handiwork. With undimmed vision they gaze upon the glory of creation– suns and stars and systems, all in their appointed order circling the throne of Deity. Upon all things, from the least to the greatest, the Creator’s name is written, and in all are the riches of His power displayed.” – Adventist Home, p. 548.1

“I saw that she [a wife and mother who died] was sealed and would come up at the voice of God and stand upon the earth, and would be with the 144,000. I saw we need not mourn for her; she would rest in the time of trouble, and all that we could mourn for was our loss in being deprived of her company. I saw her death would result in good.” – The Faith I Live By, p. 173.3

• The living saints are represented as 144,000 – in number, after they have been sealed. This is not saying how many there are, but who they are in symbolic number. From 1844 to the close of probation is the sealing time of the 144,000 or those who will be redeemed when Jesus returns. The sealing time of the dead and then the living. When the last person is sealed they are all known as the 144,000. Until the righteous, sealed ones are raised from the grave there are only those who, without seeing death, have lived through the time of Jacob’s trouble and possibly those raised in the special resurrection. Notice below that what is written on the foreheads of the 144,000 is identical to those who overcome in Rev. 3:12. The last quote below shows that God is not looking for a certain number to be made up before probation closes.

“The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spake the time, he poured on us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God as Moses did when he came down from Mount Sinai, (Exodus 34:30-34).” “By this time the 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God,New Jerusalem, and a glorious Star containing Jesus’ new name.” – Broadside1, April 6, 1846 par. 2-3

Revelation 3:12, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”

“Another question upon which we had some conversation was in regard to the elect of God—that the Lord would have a certain number, and when that number was made up then probation would cease. These are questions you or I have no right to talk about. The Lord Jesus will receive all who come unto Him. He died for the ungodly and every man who will come, may come. Certain conditions are to be complied with on the part of man, and if he refuses to comply with the conditions, he cannot become the elect of God.If he will comply, he is a child of God, and Christ says if he will continue in faithfulness, steadfast and immovable in his obedience, He will not blot out his name out of the book of life but will confess his name before His Father and before His angels. God would have us think and talk and present to others those truths which are plainly revealed, and all have naught to do with these subjects of speculation, for they have no special reference to the salvation of our souls.–Manuscript 26, 1885.” – 3SM 315.3-4

In the paragraphs below, Ellen White gives a sweeping overview of the 144,000–the Redeemed of all ages, who stand before the throne of God, starting with those who went through the time of Jacob’s trouble, back through time, to the early saints on earth. She is describing the company who have been redeemed, those who overcame sin and trusted in Christ alone for salvation. Most compilations stop after paragraph one, but keep reading, because it all goes together as a whole.

“Upon the crystal sea before the throne, that sea of glass as it were mingled with fire,–so resplendent is it with the glory of God,–are gathered the company that have “gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name.” With the Lamb upon Mount Zion, “having the harps of God,” they stand, the hundred and forty and four thousand that were redeemed from among men; and there is heard, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder, “the voice of harpers harping with their harps.” And they sing “a new song“ before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb–a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience–an experience such as no other company have ever had. “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.” These, having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as “the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.” Revelation 15:2, 3; 14:1-5. “These are they which came out ofgreat tribulation;” they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation; they have endured the anguish of the time of Jacob’s trouble; they have stood without an intercessor through the final outpouring of God’s judgments. [NOTE: the “Great Multitude” Scripture References start here in the middle of the paragraph … she is now describing the 144000 with the “great multitude” scriptures.] But they have been delivered, for they have “washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” “In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault” before God. “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.” They have seen the earth wasted with famine and pestilence, the sun having power to scorch men with great heat, and they themselves have endured suffering, hunger, and thirst. But “they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:14-17. In all ages the Saviour’s chosen have been educated and disciplined in the school of trial. They walked in narrow paths on earth; they were purified in the furnace of affliction. For Jesus’ sake they endured opposition, hatred, calumny. They followed Him through conflicts sore; they endured self-denial and experienced bitter disappointments. By their own painful experience they learned the evil of sin, its power, its guilt, its woe; and they look upon it with abhorrence. A sense of the infinite sacrifice made for its cure humbles them in their own sight and fills their hearts with gratitude and praise which those who have never fallen cannot appreciate. They love much because they have been forgiven much. Having been partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they are fitted to be partakers with Him of His glory. The heirs of God have come from garrets, from hovels, from dungeons, from scaffolds, from mountains, from deserts, from the caves of the earth, from the caverns of the sea. On earth they were “destitute, afflicted, tormented.” Millions went down to the grave loaded with infamy because they steadfastly refused to yield to the deceptive claims of Satan. By human tribunals they were adjudged the vilest of criminals. But now “God is judge Himself.” Psalm 50:6. Now the decisions of earth are reversed. “The rebuke of His peopleshall He take away.” Isaiah 25:8. “They shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord.” He hath appointed “to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Isaiah 62:12; 61:3. They are no longer feeble, afflicted, scattered, and oppressed. Henceforth they are to be ever with the Lord. They stand before the throne clad in richer robes than the most honored of the earth have ever worn. They are crowned with diadems more glorious than were ever placed upon the brow of earthly monarchs. The days of pain and weeping are forever ended. The King of glory has wiped the tears from all faces; every cause of grief has been removed. Amid the waving of palm branches they pour forth a song of praise, clear, sweet, and harmonious; every voice takes up the strain, until the anthem swells through the vaults of heaven: “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” And all the inhabitants of heaven respond in the ascription: “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever.” Revelation 7:10, 12. In this life we can only begin to understand the wonderful theme of redemption. With our finite comprehension we may consider most earnestly the shame and the glory, the life and the death, the justice and the mercy, that meet in the cross; yet with the utmost stretch of our mental powers we fail to grasp its full significance. The length and the breadth, the depth and the height, of redeeming love are but dimly comprehended. The plan of redemption will not be fully understood, even when the ransomed see as they are seen and know as they are known; but through the eternal ages new truth will continually unfold to the wondering and delighted mind. Though the griefs and pains and temptations of earth are ended and the cause removed, the people of God will ever have a distinct, intelligent knowledge of what their salvation has cost. The cross of Christ will be the science and the song of the redeemed through all eternity. In Christ glorified they will behold Christ crucified. Never will it be forgotten that He whose power created and upheld the unnumbered worlds through the vast realms of space, the Beloved of God, the Majesty of heaven, He whom cherub and shining seraph delighted to adore–humbled Himself to uplift fallen man; that He bore the guilt and shame of sin, and the hiding of His Father’s face, till the woes of a lost world broke His heart and crushed out His life on Calvary’s cross. That the Maker of all worlds, the Arbiter of all destinies, should lay aside His glory and humiliate Himself from love to man will ever excite the wonder and adoration of the universe. As the nations of the saved look upon their Redeemer and behold the eternal glory of the Father shining in His countenance; as they behold His throne, which is from everlasting to everlasting, and know that His kingdom is to have no end, they break forth in rapturous song: “Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His own most precious blood!” The mystery of the cross explains all other mysteries. In the light that streams from Calvary the attributes of God which had filled us with fear and awe appear beautiful and attractive. Mercy, tenderness, and parental love are seen to blend with holiness, justice, and power. While we behold the majesty of His throne, high and lifted up, we see His character in its gracious manifestations, and comprehend, as never before, the significance of that endearing title, “Our Father.” It will be seen that He who is infinite in wisdom could devise no plan for our salvation except the sacrifice of His Son. The compensation for this sacrifice is the joy of peopling the earth with ransomed beings, holy, happy, and immortal. The result of the Saviour’s conflict with the powers of darkness is joy to the redeemed, redounding to the glory of God throughout eternity. And such is the value of the soul that the Father is satisfied with the price paid; and Christ Himself, beholding the fruits of His great sacrifice, is satisfied.” – Great Controversy, p. 648-652

• “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.” These, having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as “the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.” Revelation 15:2, 3; 14:1-5.

Please notice what is found in Isaiah regarding the phrase “among the living.” I personally believe this refers to theBook of Life and those who are saved will be “written among the living” in the New Jerusalem. This statement has no reference to “without seeing death” as so many assume. All the redeemed are translated from earth to heaven. All the redeemed are “written among the living” or are “among the living” and have their names in the book of LIFE. God considers anyone connected with Christ to be alive while those not connected with Christ are considered dead. Isaiah. 4:3, “And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:” Matthew 22:32, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”  Mark 12:27, “He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.” Luke 20:38, “For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.” Matthew 8:22, “But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” Luke 9:60, “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” Notice also that “first fruits” refers to quality, completion or perfection of the fruit. The fully ripened or perfected fruit which is God’s. That preiminent fruit which is set apart for God. 536. ἀπαρχή aparche, ap-ar-khay´; from a compound of 575 and 756; a beginning of sacrifice, i.e. the (Jewish) first-fruit (figuratively): — first-fruits.