Revelation 7:4-8 – How many of God’s servants were sealed? —12,000 of every tribe of the
children of Israel for a total of 144,000.
Note the symbolism: 12 represented “God’s organized religion on earth” (12 apostles, 12 thrones; 12 gates to the city of Jerusalem, etc.). The number 1,000 symbolized “all” of anything, and indeed it was sort of an “x” factor as the number could change (rise or fall).
“All the beasts of the forest are mine. . . and the cattle on a thousand hills,” Psa 50:10.
The number of cattle would surely change, but the l,000 meant all or complete or total. So here we have 12 times 1,000 or 12,000 for each tribe of “every tribe of Israel.” The 12 tribes times 12,000 would be 144,000—or all there is of God’s people on earth. Remember, multiplying a number magnifies the symbol.
Now, the tribes of Israel represented God’s people on earth. The Old Testament discusses how God protected His people, Israel. The church today, being called the Israel of God, is also protected (Galatians 6:16 and 1:2; Romans 9:6. See also Hebrews 12:22-29).
GOD’S SERVANTS SEALED (THE ISRAEL OF GOD—the Church on Earth).
To call the persecuted church in the first century “Israel” in symbol is perfectly understandable. Then, 12,000 of “EVERY” tribe of Israel is NOT CORRECT IF TAKEN LITERALLY.
Where are the tribes of DAN and EPHRAIM? (See Num. 1:33 & 39; Rev 7:4-8) They are NOT
INCLUDED. So, it is not a literal sealing, but a symbolic one. The 144,000 is symbolic of all the
Christians (servants) on earth at any one time or “the church militant on earth,” Rev. 7:3.
That’s what it means. Away with all the wild speculation and literal application of such a symbolic passage.
THE INNUMERABLE MULTITUDE—Saved in Heaven
Note the location of the great multitude—before the Throne (Rev. 7:9). Where was the Throne? IN HEAVEN (Rev. 4:2 and 8:3). Remember, the 144,000 (the church) were on earth, protected and sealed so the winds or forces on earth could not harm them spiritually.
—Ivy Conner