The myth of the 144,000 – Who are the chosen ones?

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A myth is created out of the “famous” 144,000, even though the Bible actually clearly explains which people these are. They are those who have overcome the world and sin. No matter what origin they are.

144,000 – A symbolic number

Before the final storms hit the earth, the faithful of God will be sealed. The “famous” 144,000, described in Revelation, chapter 7. 12,000 people from each of the 12 tribes of Israel are listed. It is actually obvious that exactly 144,000 (12,000×12) is a symbolic number. Because if it were actually this exact number of people, i.e. no one more and no one less, then this would indicate an arbitrary setting of limits and people would be excluded who had fully turned to Jesus Christ, but “too late”. come. These were then lost despite their conversion. However, that would not be God letting people make their own free decisions.

However, what emerges from this size is the small quantity. A small excerpt compared to the number of people in the entire world. With 8.5 billion people, that’s just 1 in around 59,000. So just a single resident of an already medium-sized city. A similar set of scissors that have diverged widely can be found in the Old Testament. The people of northern Israel at the time of King Ahab numbered over 1 million inhabitants. But God left only 7,000 because they had not bowed the knee to Baal.

In addition, Revelation 7 lists the 12 tribes of Israel. Anyone who takes this literally, i.e. includes a line of descent, must automatically exclude all non-Israelites.

Who are these 144,000?

However, less attention is paid to the naming of the 144,000 by another passage in the Bible that describes the characteristics of the chosen ones in more detail. This can be found in Revelation 14:3-5:
“And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”

“These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.” Here the women represent other religions, false gods and also idolatry. Another description concerns following the Lamb. The Lamb is Jesus Christ. The elect followed Him wherever Jesus Christ went. At this point there is a particular “sticking point”. For the majority of Christians still remain on the cross on which Jesus Christ made His own sacrifice. Another part sees Jesus Christ sitting at the right hand of God after he ascended into heaven.

Jesus Christ the High Priest in the Sanctuary

It is also widely recognized that Jesus Christ is our advocate. However, only very few people connect this with the heavenly sanctuary, because Jesus Christ is the High Priest of us all. And he always performs his service in the sanctuary. A reflection of this sanctuary was the earthly priesthood according to Aaron in the temple or tabernacle. The priest was the mediator. However, the priest of the tribe of Levi was an imperfect priest. He himself needed an atonement for himself. However, Jesus Christ does not need that. He is without spot or wrinkle, therefore completely sinless. Nor does He bring the blood of sacrificial animals into the sanctuary, but His own.

The 144,000 followed Jesus Christ into the sanctuary and even into the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant and the 2 tablets of the law were located in the earthly tabernacle (or temple). Now the objection might arise that no one can go into the Holy of Holies except the high priest and only once a year on Yom Kipphur. How then are people supposed to follow Jesus Christ into the Holy of Holies? That’s true, but only for the earthly sanctuary as a replica of the heavenly sanctuary (Info).

Sinful people have a problem

Basically, people who are still afflicted with sin cannot approach God. This was also the reason why the earthly high priest had to prepare thoroughly before cleaning up the sanctuary. He himself needed forgiveness of sins, he needed to humble himself, show remorse and repent. Cleansed of his sins, he was able to enter the Holy of Holies and survive.

It is clearly explained in the letter to the Hebrews. Hebrews 10:19-22:
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.“

Conversely, this means nothing other than that following Jesus Christ right into the sanctuary must be linked to overcoming sin. The forgiveness of sins always took place in the outer courtyard of the earthly sanctuary, where the altar of burnt offering was located (Info).

A negligent mistake

The majority of Christians assume that everything is “done” with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All may be forgiven and forgotten. In addition, there is the erroneous assumption that the 10 Commandments were also repealed along with the ceremonial laws. So it’s basically a free pass for sins that are automatically forgiven. What a mistake. However, anyone who has recognized the sin and repeatedly repents of it does not go beyond the outer court and always remains near the altar of burnt offering. However, the believer must follow Jesus Christ wherever He goes. But Jesus Christ has long been IN the sanctuary, even in the Holy of Holies.

Revelation 11 shows what will happen when the judgment is completed. The court will be given over to the Gentiles (Revelation 11:2) and with it all who are still milling about in the court instead of ever entering the sanctuary. So follow Jesus Christ. They remained standing in the courtyard, continuing to sin, perhaps repenting regularly, but never overcoming the sin. Such a person would never be able to follow Jesus Christ into the Holy of Holies and survive this. As Revelation 14:5 shows, sin must be overcome:
“And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.“

Wanton sinning

The letter to the Hebrews gives another urgent warning in this regard to all those who believe that they can ever be among the 144,000 without overcoming sin. Hebrews 10:26-27:
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.“

The 144,000 will only include those who have not only truly repented of their previous sins, but have also overcome sin and the world. Only those without spot and without wrinkle can come before God.

The point here is not that man could fall again, but should also get up again and with God’s help will get up again (Psalm 37:24). It’s about the fact that the previous sinful path of life is simply continued, against our better judgment. Either out of ignorance or through negligent error. There is no such thing as a blanket forgiveness of sins. This is a fairy tale!

This is partly why the sanctuary doctrine is so attacked and denied. Instead, it is preached that baptizing once and saying “sorry” once was enough to be saved. In the mistaken hope, however, those who declared God’s laws to be abolished and thus rejected them and therefore had no ambition at all to overcome sin will hear a terrible sentence from Jesus Christ:

Bible verses from King James Version (1611)