Revelation 7 - Who Are the 144,000 Who Were Sealed in Revelation?

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144,000 Sealed

7 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. 2 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: 3 “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.” 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, 6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, 7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, 8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

We left Revelation 6 with the prediction that God's wrath was coming. Four angels were called to God's  bidding by holding back the wind from blowing anywhere on the earth. Another angel, who presumably had authority over the other four angels, called out in a loud voice to prevent the ensuing natural disasters to harm God's servants. Then, the angel instructed them to put seal on the servants of God. The number of people sealed were 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. Verses 5 through 8 break down each of the twelve tribes who had 12,000 sealed in their tribe. 

"We are not told what exactly their service is, but the 144,000 are sealed for a specific and unique purpose. However, the general idea of being sealed is not limited to them." - Guzik

In the Jewish faith certain numbers had certain meanings. For instance both the number seven and the number 12 symbolized completeness. So 12,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel could equate to the "complete" number of God's servants. Or, it could just be the literal number 144,000. 

The sealing of the Holy Spirit is meant to be both a comfort and a challenge to us. We are comforted in that it assures us that we belong to Him. We are challenged by it to depart from all evil and identify ourselves with the One we belong to: Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30) - Guzik

Over the years there has been much debate over who the 144,000 represents. Did it mean the servants of God which were spared the wrath of God? If it was, did this represent the totality of believers at that time, or the specific vision God gave John. What about the other believers? Would they be the ones who had to withstand the tribulation? 

 Many different groups have claimed to be the 144,000. For example, the Jehovah’s Witnesses once said their entire group was, until they surpassed 144,000 in number. Now they say that the 144,000 are only a select group of Witnesses who go to heaven. Most Bible scholars either regard the 144,000 as the church or as converted Jews, who are still identified as Israelites in some manner. It is an important issue. If they are a symbol of the church, then the church is definitely in the Great Tribulation, but sealed for survival through the Great Tribulation. - Guzik

It is best to see the 144,000 as specifically chosen Jewish people who come to faith in Jesus, protectively sealed throughout the tribulation as a sign. They are the beginning harvest of the salvation of Israel (Romans 11:1, Romans 11:26, Matthew 23:37-39). - Guzik

The Great Multitude in White Robes

9 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. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Whereas the 144,000 was a very specific number, in these next verses we see the great magnitude of all the believers who are worshipping Jesus before the throne. They were wearing white robes symbolizing the purity that comes from Christ alone. And, they were waving plan branches as a sign of victory. They give the credit for their salvation (means deliverance or healing) to God on the throne and His Son, Jesus (the Lamb). 

Notice to the diversity in heaven. This seems to be a reference to the Great Commission where Jesus called the disciples to make disciples of all nations. (ie. all ethnic groups). The beautiful thing was that this number was too great to count. These are the multitudes of believers who have been reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The diversity here is evidence that the Great Commission will be fulfilled before the end, even as Jesus promised (Matthew 24:14). Because John knew they came from different nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, we know that there will be differences among people in heaven, just as there is on earth. We will not all be the same. We will be individuals. - Guzik

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

We see again the theme of worship, as the angels surround the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces and worshipped God. The last two verses could have been the words to a praise song, or part of the liturgy of the early church. 

As the great multitude worships God, the others in heaven are compelled to join their voices in praise. All created beings around the throne join in. - Guzik

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Interestingly one of the elders asks John who those in the white robes represent. John replied respectfully, "Sir you know." The elder proceeds to tell him that these saints have made it through the tribulation and their robes have been made white through the blood of the Lamb. This would mean that though their sins were as scarlet, by Jesus' death he had made them white as snow. It is a beautiful image of the cleansing work Jesus did for us on the cross. 

These saints worshipped and served God day and night in his temple, which was described earlier. These believers would be provided for and protected in every way by their Shepherd Jesus, who is at the center of the throne. The Good Shepherd would lead them to springs of living water and wipe away every tear from their eyes. 

I have used this last verse many times in funerals. One day all of the tears, which represent our sadness, loss, and hurt, will be wiped away. For those who suffer with much sadness over the loss of loved ones or other things that have grieved them over long periods of time, this promise gives great hope of a future deliverance from this suffering and pain. 

This vast multitude, from every tribe and tongue and nation, are those rescued for God’s kingdom in the period of the great tribulation.  - Guzik

In heaven, the redeemed enjoy the immediate presence of God. They can come right into the throne room and be with God. There are no barriers, no waiting lists.

Jesus does shepherd us now, and He is close to us and cares for us now. Yes, but in heaven it will be so much more. “The true Christian life, when we live near to God, is the rough draft of the life of full communion above. We have seen the artist make with his pencil, or with his charcoal, a bare outline of his picture. It is nothing more, but still one could guess what the finished picture will be from the sketch before you.” (Spurgeon)

We also understand from this that every tear will only be wiped away in heaven. On this earth, we have our share of pain and tears to endure and bring to God. He shows His love now with sweet consolation and strength for our tears; but one day – in heaven, not now – He will wipe them away forever.

How does John's view of heaven square with the view of heaven you have held up to this point? What about John's vision is most appealing to you?