144,000

God Wins: The Message of the Book of Revelation
A Series by Ray Jewell

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,

from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,

from the tribe of Gad 12,000,

from the tribe of Asher 12,000,

from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,

from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,

from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,

from the tribe of Levi 12,000,

from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,

from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,

from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,

from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

– Revelation 7:1-8

This number, 144,000, has been abused specifically by one of the “Christian” cults, the Jehovah Witnesses. Their belief is that this is referring to how many people will actually be “in heaven,’ no more, no less. This is another danger of taking the Apocalypse literally. The message here is that God has instructed His angels to hold off from the final judgment until more people have the opportunity to respond to the gospel.

I will look at the next verses tomorrow, but look at what verse 9 says, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” No literal 144,000 but a great multitude that no one could count. From every nation, tribe, people and language, not just Israel (which seems to be the implication of the 144,000). Who will spend eternity with God is countless, so don’t even try to count them all.

This kind of use of numbers is common in the Bible. When Jesus told Peter to forgive people who sin against him 7 x 70, He wasn’t suggesting that Peter keep a running total of how many times to forgive. Same thing here. It would be a waste of time to try to count the number.

The message here is the grace and patience of God who is holding back judgment so more people can have the opportunity to come to salvation through Jesus Christ. Peter writes about this in his second letter, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9).

God has eternity in His hands. The final judgment is still in the future. This is a call for those who believe in and are committed to the Lamb to get busy and share the good news, in word and in deed.

Lord, immobilize me/us that we will share the good news with those who so desperately need to hear it. Thank You for Your patience motivated by Your love for Your image bearers. In Your holy name, Amen.

Until next time,

TO THE GLORY OF GOD!