The 144,000s
12/16 Reading Portions: 2 Chronicles 18; Revelation 7; Zechariah 3; John 6
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
12/16 Reading Portions: 2 Chronicles 18; Revelation 7; Zechariah 3; John 6
Revelation 7:4
And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
SEALED
Two days ago, we’ve considered that this sealed scroll is the gospel of Christ. Yesterday, we pondered the truth of the seals themselves in their historical revelation, as well as its more important present application, especially as Christ Jesus is the Hope for every disciple of Christ, as reflected in Jesus opening the fifth seal (Rev 6:9), and that, in the midst of judgment, as reflected in the Lord opening the sixth seal (Rev 6:12-17). While the earth is judged and condemned already (John 3:18-20), by opening the sixth seal, Jesus has sealed His beloved saints, from Adam until the last confessing believer before His return. How is this so, when so many have taught that this is a specific number of sealed saints during a certain period of time close to the Lord’s return. Well, the Greek word translated “thousand” (KJV) is the plural form χιλιάδες (chi-li-AD-es), which literally means “thousands.” The Greek scholar, A. T. Robertson, correctly states:
“…a hundred and forty-four thousands (chiliades, Rev 5:11).” A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, 1930.
Even J. N. Young correctly translates this verse:
And I heard the number of those sealed, (one hundred and forty four thousands were sealed out of all the tribes of the sons of Israel): Young’s Literal Translation
Sadly, Mr. Young did not continue correctly translating the word, because for all the tribes accounted as “12,000” (Rev 7:5-8, ESV), Young translated these as “twelve thousand.” And guess what? Yes, you guessed it! The exact Greek plural form, χιλιάδες is in the original for all twelve tribes. What does this mean? Let me ask you this: how much is 144,000s? How much is 12,000s. Well, it’s a lot. It’s innumerable. Yet with a number defining each (12,000s) and totaling all (144,000s), it is not an infinite number. There is a limit. Are all people on earth saved? No. Will all people on earth be saved? Of course not. Will many be saved? Yes, and amen! Is it a small number? Absolutely not. The rest of the chapter indicates such (Rev 7:9-17). Israel, even Israel of old, always represented the people of God. Why? Because Israel as a nation, as a people, and as a group of individuals connected by blood, could never fulfill the law. Israel itself was a foreshadow of the true Israel of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Anyone who is in Christ, by faith in Him, is Israel by virtue of being attached to Him. That’s you and me. Hallelujah! What a Savior!