One Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand

One of the most mysterious numbers described in the Bible is the number 144,000. We encounter it several times in the book of Revelation. It denotes a unique group of people who received God's seal, who were entrusted with a special God's message of three angels, and who, having overcome the beast and his image, sing a song of victory.

Studying the symbols from the parable of the ten virgins, we came to the conclusion that the wise virgins are believers who will be alive to meet Jesus with burning lamps and oil reserves. And it's not hard to guess that they are the ones included in the number 144,000.

In Revelation 7:2-4 we read: "Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, 'Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.' 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."

These were wise virgins who bought oil and made reserves in their vessels. Their lamps did not go out, and they knew how and to whom to shine. These virgins knew the voice of the Bridegroom and were waiting for Him. God specially marked their faithfulness and devotion to Him. From the prophecy, we see that these are the people on whose consciousness God's seal was placed.

Then we read the history of the struggle of God's people, which leads us to the final events, where the whole world is divided into two groups: those who accept the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name, and those who receive God's seal and come under the protection of the Most High.

In Revelation 14:1 we read: "Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads."

The seal or name on the foreheads is a symbol of a heart dedicated and belonging to God. This is the consciousness of a person who has consciously dedicated himself to serving Christ, accepted all His commandments, allowed the Creator to inscribe His law in his heart and thoughts; who said "Yes" to Jesus to His proposal to become His bride.

I would like to note that the sealed people stand on the mountain with the Lamb. We find a similar description in Mark. Please compare these verses. We read Mark 3:13-14: "And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach."

The Lord chose whom He Himself desired to be with Him. I cannot choose myself into the number of 144,000 and I cannot put God's seal on myself. But I can do everything that God advises, and wait for what He will offer me next. And He offers His hand and heart. 3:18 is His engagement ring for me. Will I accept His offer? And will I have communion with Him further? Everything is in my hands.

Jesus chooses all wise virgins from all nations and leads them up the mountain, dedicating them to a special mission.

Then follows a description of the character of this group of God's people. I think they are filled with love for each other, very happy and friendly. They have gone through God's school of love and sing a song of victory that no one could sing except the 144,000 redeemed from the earth.

And further we read that these people are given a special message for the world, which they knew and carried all their lives, but at the very end it will sound with special power.

Then some events are described in which God's children will be victorious and will sing the song of victors. In Revelation 15:2 we read: "And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: 'Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.'"

I would like to especially note that the number 144,000 does not change to a smaller one. Those who receive God's seal also gain unique protection for the last time. And although they will be sentenced to death by the world and given to perdition, not one of these people will perish after sealing. If earlier the blood of holy martyrs was seed and good watering for a great harvest, then in the last time each person will make a final choice and accept what he has chosen. The sowing will end, the harvest will ripen and be gathered, the seed will no longer be sown.

There will be nothing to grow and water. And for Satan, it would be a great pleasure to deprive God's children of life, but he will not receive this power, and none of those sealed by God will perish.

The Lord gives this hope to faithful children. Although it will be a very small group of believers scattered throughout the world and in exile from all places, for Heaven it is an army of victors who learned love from God and entrusted their lives to Him so much that they would agree to die sooner than sin, and would rather go to death than accept the mark or image of the beast. And the world will declare death to these people, but will not be able to carry out its sentence.

The very description of the group of 144,000 redeemed and the mention of this number indicates that it will remain whole, that no one will perish and will not be lost, no one will fall away due to unbelief. God's Seal and His Name on the foreheads of these people will give them special authority and power that all the forces of evil and the sinful world will not be able to resist. Nothing will be able to shake the faith of these redeemed children of God. They are victors, and they will continue to overcome the enemy, because they have already embarked on this path and have already tasted the taste of love's victory.

At present, we are at war, in which we learn to win. And if now we can fall or surrender a position, it is only to then stand firmly and overcome the enemy. And the essence of this victory comes down to a simple answer of my will to Satan's attacks: "I believe, I love, I am happy, I am God's."

There will be great tribulation, and it will affect everyone, but having love, friendliness and happiness in your lamp, you can very easily endure all these trials and be a light in dark times.

Do you want to be among the 144,000? I cannot enroll myself in this group, but if I do everything that God commands and advises me to fulfill, and at the same time have a genuine interest in holy things and a passionate attraction to Jesus, then I think I will have every chance to become the bride of Christ and be with those whom He decides to choose in this mysterious group. And if the Lord wishes to calm me down so that I do not participate in the last events, then may God's will be done in everything.

The worst thing that can happen is to be ignorant, rejecting God's advice and ignoring His invitations and calls. Salvation is near, and why reject it? It's wonderful to desire salvation, but it's necessary to accomplish it in stubbornness, fear and trembling. And the Lord will lend His hand and help to go through this path, and will teach many victories, as He Himself will go ahead and overthrow my enemies.

Love is strong in any battle, and it knows no defeats. It has overcome sin, and will become my victory during tribulation and trials. Soon everything will begin, to quickly end with the victory of love.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Revelation 7:1-10; 14:1-5; 15:1-4; Ezekiel 9:1-4; 1 Corinthians 2:9-15; Philippians 2:12; Matthew 5:48; 7:24-27; 25:1-12; Revelation 3:18 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you understand the number 144,000 as a literal number of people or as a symbolic name for a group?

4. Will God have any other group of believing people that is specially described in the Bible?

5. Do you see a connection between the 144,000 and the wise virgins?

6. Do you think the 144,000 are among those who bought goods in the Laodicean store?

7. Do you want to belong to this mysterious group?

8. Do you understand that just before the Second Coming it is very important to be absolutely pure?

9. What relation does love have to the 144 thousand?

10. Is what we are studying clear to you?

11. Why can't a person determine themselves to be in the number 144,000?

12. Is it worth paying attention to understanding these symbols from the book of Revelation?

13. What will happen to those who believe that the book of Revelation is closed and should not be investigated?

14. Is what we study in our School important in preparing for the Second Coming?

15. Do you think Jesus will come soon, or will it be an event of the next century?