The 144,000 and More

From the day God called Abraham back in Genesis, there has always been a remnant of people who are true to God. In the Great Tribulation, God will have a remnant of Israel who will be saved and who will witness of Christ, though just a small number. God tells us 144,000 Jews will be saved (see Matthew 24:14).

How will these people be saved? Just as we are today, by accepting the death of Christ as payment of their sins. God has always had one way to save people, by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (see1Corinthians15:1-4). The Holy Spirit will seal these Tribulation saints with a special mark, guaranteeing they make it through. If it weren’t for this mark of protection, they wouldn’t make it.

This company of 144,000 doesn’t exist today, nor does it refer to the church. They will be saved “of all the tribes of the children of Israel” (v. 4). Twelve thousand will be sealed out of each tribe. God has long promised Israel, throughout the Old Testament, that He would come and establish His Kingdom. It will be first a thousand-year kingdom, a time of testing, and then right into eternity. Some say God is through with Israel, but that’s not true. Revelation is like a great union station or an airport where trains or planes come in from everywhere: All the major themes of prophecy come in to Revelation. Therefore, you’d expect Israel to be here in Revelation—and, lo and behold, there they are.

God doesn’t give Israel up.

We witness now through John’s eyes a fabulous, fantastic worship scene in heaven. A countless multitude gathers from every nation and peoples, and tongues standing before the throne and before the Lamb. This great company has come out of the Great Tribulation and are rejoicing in their salvation. The gospel of the Kingdom will be preached through the world, and the144,000 witnesses will do in seven years what the church hasn’t done in over 2,000 years.

The greatest days of God’s salvation are in the future.

Most of this company were martyred during the Great Tribulation Period, but they were faithful to the end. Their white robes speak of the righteousness of Christ in which they are clothed in the shed blood of Christ. They wave palm branches as the sign of victory in Christ.

This fabulous, fantastic scene of universal worship of God is by His creatures. The church is here, the Old Testament saints are here, the Tribulation saints are here, and the angels join in. One of the 24 elders now comes over to John with a question.

“Who are the believers dressed in white robes?” And John said, “I have no idea—but you must know.” And the elder said, “These come from the Great Tribulation. They’ve washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb. That’s why they’re standing before God’s throne” (see vv. 14-15).

Just imagine what joy is in this scene. In this company of believers most laid down their lives for Christ. Now God provides for them what they have suffered without. They’re not going to hunger or thirst—as they apparently did. They will be sheltered from the burning heat of the sun. They have been thirsty for spiritual things they didn’t have. And they wept, but now God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. They made it through because of the blood of the Lamb. What a wonderful, comforting scene we get to glimpse here.

It’s a good reminder that the Lord Jesus has other sheep. He told His disciples this, but they couldn’t understand (see John 10:16). He could say the same thing to the church today, “I have other sheep that you don’t know anything about.” This company of Gentiles are some of the other sheep who will be redeemed but who aren’t part of the church.

There are plenty of seats at the Lord’s table.

Next: What will it sound like when terror breaks loose on the earth? A bomb? No—worse.