Why does the Bible say only 144,000 will be saved?
Revelation 1:1 - 20
NKJV - 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants - things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John. 2 Who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
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Paula Fether
It doesn't. The 144,000 are only mentioned in 2 places in Revelation: chapters 7 and 14. They are clearly the remnant of Israel with all 12 tribes represented. Notice there is also mention of an uncountable crowd from all the nations right after the 144,000 (Rev. 7:1-7 and then 9-17), and this is seen in heaven.
Brother Paul
I agree with the replies above, I believe the 144,000 mentioned will be Jews and will be priests. Taking the following from Marks post... If Revelation 7:9 is indeed a group of Jews and not Gentiles, why the language of Gentiles? Why are Jews said to be “of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues…?” I believe they will be from the Messianic Jews, those who have accepted,Yeshua ha Mashiach, has thier promised Messiah. Messianic Jews began in the 1960-1970’s followed by, Jews for Jesus being launched, I believe there are around 400,000 members worldwide and their numbers are ever increasing. PTL, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, I believe the 144,000 Jewish priests will come from this fast growing group. To God be the Glory, Yeshus is Lord. Shalom
Mark Vestal
This following is from Shawn Brasseaux at forwhatsaiththescriptures.org (modified for space): These are 144,000 male Jewish preachers (verses 1-8), John then sees a crowd of people in Heaven. These individuals are standing before the throne of God and the Lamb (Jesus Christ). Revelation 7:9 continues: “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,….” The words “nations,” “kindreds,” “people,” and “tongues” certainly sound like Gentiles. However, notice the rest of the context on verse 15. “The “great multitude” of verse 9 serves God “in his temple.” In other words, they are “priests.” Moreover, the Bible says, “These are they which came out of great tribulation” (verse 14). They experienced the final half of Daniel’s 70th Week, the last 42 months of the seven-year Tribulation (yet future from us). Who are “priests” who also endure the Tribulation? Gentiles? Nay! They are Jews! Isaiah 61:6 says to Israel: “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.” And Revelation 1:5-6, “[5] And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, [6] And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Next, Revelation 5:9-10 (notice how verse 9 here parallels Revelation 7:9): “[9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; [10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Finally, 1 Peter 2:9: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;….” The “priests” in Scripture are Jews, especially in end-times. This all goes back to Exodus 19:5-6, the LORD God speaking to the nation Israel through Moses: “[5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: [6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” Israel is to be a “kingdom of priests,” in perfect agreement with the verses we examined earlier. If Revelation 7:9 is indeed a group of Jews and not Gentiles, why the language of Gentiles? Why are Jews said to be “of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues…?” Acts chapter 2:5-11 is an interesting parallel. Beginning with the Assyrian captivity (circa 722 B.C.) and the Babylonian captivity (circa 606 B.C.), the Jews in Canaan were deported and scattered all around the then-known world. At the time of Acts chapter 2, coming to worship in Jerusalem for Pentecost, they had been living in “every nation under heaven” and had adopted new languages. Verse 5 says they are “Jews” rather than Gentiles. This is exactly how we are to view Revelation 7:9: “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;…."
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