Revelation 7:4

4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:

A. The number of people who are sealed Isaiah 144,000. They are out of all the tribes of Israel.

B. 12 tribes times 12,000 = 144,000. Also see this number used in 14:1. 12 tribes = all the people faithful to God. Multiply times 12,000 from each tribe.

C. Ths number represents the complete, sum total of all the obedient to God. NOTE: The 144,000 are given the holy city, which has a wall of 144 cubits. (21:17). This wall represents the law of God which man must obey. The wall measures 144 cubits, and all the people who are inside this wall, the 144,000, are the saved of all ages. Those who obey must pass through the 144-cubit wall and become part of the 144,000.

D. Some believe this number accounts for the saved in Israel ONLY, not including any Gentiles. Some teach that only Israel will be in heaven. The saved among the Gentiles will be in a Paradise on Earth (a newly refurbished earth). I reject this idea because:

1. The list is NOT the list of the 12 tribes that became the nation of Israel.

2. The tribes of Dan and Ephraim are omitted.

3. The tribes of Joseph and Levi are added.

4. This is done to show, we are not dealing with the literal 12 tribes.

5. They represent all of God’s chosen people.

6. Also, Judah is listed first. In most Old Testament listings, Ruben is first, because he is the firstborn.

7. All of these things point to the spiritual rather than a literal Israel. The 144,000 represents the sum total of all people of all ages, who have obeyed God in faith and are part of the redeemed.