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:
There is a lot of speculation and confusion over this 144,000. Most of it comes from the Jehovah’s Witness (JW). So, who are these 144,000?
One common view is that they are a symbol, like so many other descriptions in Revelation. They symbolize the totality of the church. These are all who believe, the whole people of God.
The literal view is that these are directly from the Israelites as they are “of all the tribes of the children of Israel”.
The JW believe that these are those who will reign in heaven with Christ. There will be a class system or hierarchy in heaven and these 144,000 will be over the rest. Everyone else will only live in the hope of heaven … or something like that. Count me as not a fan of that interpretation. I suppose that if a JW is walking in my neighborhood that he is trying to win his seat as one of these by doing works. I find that concept to oppose the entire purpose of Christ.
I don’t see how these 144,000 can be anything other than from church of Israel. They are Jewish believers who have survived the opening of the first six seals.
5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
While it is easy to gloss over this list of 12,000 from the different tribes, we need to look at it because it is peculiar. I find it especially odd that John who was undoubtedly schooled in knowing all the tribes of Israel and the orders of their listing would list them this way and the names of them as he did. He had to be specifically writing what he saw or he would have listed them differently.
One common view is that they are a symbol, like so many other descriptions in Revelation. They symbolize the totality of the church. These are all who believe, the whole people of God.
The literal view is that these are directly from the Israelites as they are “of all the tribes of the children of Israel”.
The JW believe that these are those who will reign in heaven with Christ. There will be a class system or hierarchy in heaven and these 144,000 will be over the rest. Everyone else will only live in the hope of heaven … or something like that. Count me as not a fan of that interpretation. I suppose that if a JW is walking in my neighborhood that he is trying to win his seat as one of these by doing works. I find that concept to oppose the entire purpose of Christ.
I don’t see how these 144,000 can be anything other than from church of Israel. They are Jewish believers who have survived the opening of the first six seals.
5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
While it is easy to gloss over this list of 12,000 from the different tribes, we need to look at it because it is peculiar. I find it especially odd that John who was undoubtedly schooled in knowing all the tribes of Israel and the orders of their listing would list them this way and the names of them as he did. He had to be specifically writing what he saw or he would have listed them differently.
- There are 19 different arrangements of the tribes of Israel and this one is different than all of them.
- Judah is listed first. Most assume it is because Jesus comes from the tribe of Judah (Lion of Judah). Rueben was the first born, so he would have otherwise been listed first.
- Levi is included.
- Ephraim is not included, but Joseph is included. Possibly because Ephraim’s history of idolatry and allying with enemies of Judah. However, one could say that Joseph also includes Ephraim since he is Joseph’s son.
- Dan is omitted. Genesis 49:17 says, “Dan shall be a serpent by the way, a viper by the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider shall fall backward.” Many speculate that the anti-christ will come from Dan.
- Manasseh is in the place of Dan. Manasseh was Joseph’s other son.
We must take careful consideration to not overlook a wonderful event this is. God has placed his possession and protection on His faithful servants. “As unfaithful as Israel has been, and as unfaithful as we have been, our God, on the other hand, is completely and utterly faithful. Having sealed us with the Holy Spirit, He maintains His covenant promises to His people. We find ourselves saved, safe, and secure.” (p 156-157. Christ-Centered Exposition, Exalting Jesus in Revelation – Daniel L. Akin. B& H Publishing Group, 2016.)
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