The issue of the 144,000 has puzzled some of us for years, and others are perturbed at the prospect that only this group will be translated to heaven without seeing death. Then again, there is the question of how many will be saved when Jesus comes, and the great multitude which, John could not number only seems to add to the mystery. Others claim that the number must be figurative, while others believe it must be literal.
Whatever the conclusion drawn we must remember that God is not the author of confusion, for Jesus is the One who instructed us that our sayings be yea, yea, or nay, nay. Therefore, according to Jesus’ own instruction against confusion, we should not end up with two or three schools of thought on the matter.
Neither is it the will of God’s that several different renditions or interpretations on the matter exist, because, wherever multiple schools of thought are to be found, there we will be certain to have private interpretations. This is just as the devil would have it for multiple interpretations are one of his primary weapons in getting folks confused. That is the reason why so many different versions of the Bible exist, and it is the very same reason why hundreds of Christian denominations exist.
Thus, as the remnant people of God, we should try to avoid harboring differing strands of beliefs, and different methods of interpretation, for this cannot and will never be the will of God. In order for us to present a united front to the world, it’s necessary for us to follow the wise instruction given by Paul to the newly minted Christian church, which suffered the baleful effects of different schools of thought on so many matters. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
13 Is Christ divided?
1st Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Therefore, several pertinent issues about the group of 144,000 will be clarified, and the preparation that is to take place will be observed, for we should not study the word of God for mere contention, or for information, but to do God’s will. God has already made the issue quite simple, so that there is no need for us to stumble or walk in darkness on this point. Thus, we will study the issue point by point, question by question, and answer by answer.
Point # [1] The seal of God is His stamp of approval, placed upon those who sincerely keep all the laws of God, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The reason why no one will see the seal is because it isn’t possible for us to see The Holy Spirit. It’s also of critical importance for us to understand that the mere keeping of the Sabbath, in and of itself, never makes one eligible for the seal of God, because the Sabbath, or any other day for that matter, has never saved anyone. Never has, never will.
In fact, many Sabbath-keepers will be lost, for the day is not a Savior. Only those who have submitted themselves to Christ, and in whom The Spirit of God has taken up permanent residence, will be sealed. Church membership, Sabbath days, vegan diets, and the whole nine yards are important, but they do not save anyone, they never have, and they never will. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, who gives us His Holy Spirit to empower us to obey His every word. That’s the gospel in precis form.
Point # [2] The 144,000 is a literal number. John saw two groups, one he could count, and the other he could not count. The scriptures must be studied line upon line, precept upon precept, therefore, as the days of Noah were, so also shall it be when The Son of Man cometh. During the period that had elapsed between Adam’s sin and the flood, many faithful souls, beginning with Abel were laid to sleep, for they never lived to see the fulfilment of Noah’s preaching. Yet they will be saved.
Then, according to current estimates, there were living at the time of the flood, approximately 7 to 8 billion people, but only eight were kept alive without seeing death, during the deluge. In the last generation, there are approximately 7 plus billion people alive, so if 144,000 escape alive, we will be doing pretty well. The rest of saints will be put to sleep just before the ordeal, yet they will be saved in God’s kingdom. Let’s read:
[The Great Controversy pp 648>649] 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.” [Revelation 15:2.]
[Early Writings pp 141] ] heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus’ coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spoke the time, He poured upon 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.
[The Great controversy pp 648] 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 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 of great 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. But they have been delivered, for they have “washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Point # [3] When the servant of the Lord says that the Sabbath is the seal of God, she is referring to the consummation of the work in the heart by The Spirit of God, who writes His entire law into our consciences, including the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. A professed Sabbath-keeper who continues to bear false witness, or commit adultery, will not receive the seal of God, for the Sabbath cannot save anyone.
He who offends in one point is guilty of all, thus, the Sabbath commandment, which contains God’s name, His office, and the territory over which He rules, will be one out of ten commands which the faithful are to keep. It has to do with an intelligent understanding of God’s laws, they being kept with a willing heart and mind, not as an obligatory yoke just to be saved. Let’s read:
[Maranatha pp 200] Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads—it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved—just as soon as God's people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come.
Point # [4] Being sealed does not necessarily mean one will not die, for even though John mentions the 144,000 as being sealed, we should understand that he is doing this for emphasis in the context of what he is seeing in vision, but that does not mean that only 144,000 will be sealed. In fact, anyone who will enter into God’s kingdom must be sealed, and thus, those who die before the time of trouble will also be sealed.
This is not rocket science, because, as was stated before, being sealed does not necessarily prevent a person from dying. Jesus was sealed and He died, so were all the apostles, and millions of other faithful Christians, who all passed through the portals of the tomb. Indeed, anyone who will be saved, must first be sealed, period. Let’s read:
John 6:27 Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
2nd Corinthians 1:21 Now he which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
22 Who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Point # [5] All the righteous, from Adam down to the very last saint who dies just before the time of trouble, will be alive to see Jesus in His glory. The first resurrection will take place just before the Son of man is revealed, and therefore, the concern that only 144,000 will be alive when He comes, can be safely laid to rest. 144,000 will be translated, the rest will be resurrected, but all will be alive to see the great event for themselves. Let’s read:
1st Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
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.
1st Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold.
[Last Day Events pp 222>223] I saw that she [Mrs. Hastings] 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.—Selected Messages 2:263 (1850). There are living upon our earth men who have passed the age of fourscore and ten.
The natural results of old age are seen in their feebleness. But they believe God, and God loves them. The seal of God is upon them, and they will be among the number of whom the Lord has said, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord”.
But there is a much deeper problem that lies under the surface, and needs to be addressed, for if it isn’t understood, when the shaking comes, it will blow away millions of us, like dry leaves on the summer threshing floor. There is way too much questioning, bickering, and hesitation before we believe and obey God. We require detailed explanations, that must conform to logical modes of thought, and our personal opinions.
There is also a tendency to consult conventional wisdom, before we accept a plain thus saith The Lord. This attitude is not going to cut it for the time of trouble ahead, because according to the prophet Joel, the 144,000 is a battalion of well-trained and disciplined soldiers, and as such, they obey first and ask questions later, if they have any questions.
There is a form of irreverent quibbling pertaining to revelations God has given His servants, and even some of the young have taken it upon themselves to question the wisdom of God in sending us many instructions through His servants. Those who were to continue on this route will have to be put to rest before the time of trouble, for it is a living faith and commensurate action that will be needed in those perilous times.
The Lord Jesus was greatly impressed by the faith manifested by the centurion, prompting Him to exclaim that He had not found so great faith in Israel. It was the centurion’s understanding of how authority works, and his willingness to accept that format, which caused his faith to shine forth in so distinct and radiant a manner. Let’s read:
Matthew 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
[Early Writings pp 271] Said the angel, “Look ye!” My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying in agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers.
Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude and holy, sacred joy. I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power.
It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.”
Therefore, in preparation for the cataclysmic events before us, it is necessary for us to cultivate a heart and mind that is ready and willing to obey God’s every word. Peter obeyed the word of Christ when called to walk upon the water, yet Peter didn’t stop to reason, or question, and consult with science, or physics, and the myriad of man-made systems and modes of thought which often inhibit the exercise of faith. He obeyed, and the rest is history.
The same is true for us who are living in the last days; a willing heart, and a ready mind, together with a humble heart and a teachable spirit, is what is most needed. In other words, if God says it, we believe it, and that settles it, period. Therefore, in closing, we are reminded that the primary purpose in God giving us His Holy Spirit, is to facilitate, and enable obedience to His every word. Let’s read:
Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
God Bless!