The 144 000 – Revelation 7 Christian Hjortland

Characteristics of the 144 000 Revelation 14:1-5, 12:17 The ones who are “able to stand” through the terrible last conflict. Having the “seal of the living God” Being with the Lamb on mount Sion (Rev 14:1) Sing a song that “no man could learn”. (Rev 14:3) They are the first fruits unto God and unto the Lamb (Rev 14:4) They are without fault before God (Rev 14:5)

Literal or Symbolic Israel? Romans 2:28-28, Galatians 3:29, James 1:1 Variations of the list of tribes CT 532 – From every nation… Jesus’ use of the term Israelite – Joh 1:47,49, 8:31-44 Names

Meaning of the Names 1. Judah “I will praise the Lord” (Gen 29:32-35) 2. Ruben “He has looked on me”(Gen 29:32-35) 3. Gad “Given good fortune” (Gen 30:11) 4. Asher “Happy am I” (Gen 30:13) 5. Naphtali “My wrestling” (Gen 30:8) 6. Manasseh “Making me to forget” (Gen 41:51) 7. Simeon “God hears me” (Gen 29:32-35) 8. Levi “Joined to me” (Gen 29:32-35) 9. Issachar “Purchased Me” (Gen 30:18, “recompense"…) 10. Zebulun “Dwelling” (Gen 30:20) 11. Joseph “(Jehova) Will add to me” (Gen 30:23-24) 12. Benjamin “Son of His right hand” (Gen 35:18)

Meaning of the Names – Put together “I will praise the Lord for he has looked on me and granted good fortune. I am happy because my wrestling, God is making me to forget. God hears me and is joined to me. He has purchased me a dwelling and will add to me, the Son of His right hand.” (Words in italic are added)

Hearing vs. seeing Revelation 7:1-8: John “hears” Revelation 7:9-17: John “sees” “I heard” (verse 4) 
 “I looked” (verse 9) 
 “the number” (verse 4) 
 “no man could number” (verse 9) “one hundred and forty four thousand” (verse 4) 
 “a great multitude” (verse 9) 
 “of the sons of Israel” (verse 4) 
 “from every nation (verse 9) 
 “from all tribes and peoples and tongues” (verse 9) “out of every tribe” (verse 4) 
 “sealed” (verse 4) 
  

Ellen White on the 144 000 “Upon the crystal sea before the throne, that sea of glass as it weremingled with fire,--so resplendent is it with the glory of God,--are gathered the company that have "gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name." [Revelation 15:2] With the Lamb upon Mount Zion [Revelation 14:1], "having the harps of God," [Revelation 15:2] they stand, the hundred and forty and four thousand that were redeemed from among men [Revelation 14:4]; and there is heard, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder, "the voice of harpers harping with their harps." [Revelation 14:2]…

Ellen White on the 144 000 …And they sing "a new song" before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand [Revelation 14:3]. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb--a song of deliverance [Revelation 15:3]. None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song [Revelation 14:3]; for it is the song of their experience--an experience such as no other company have ever had. "These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." [Revelation 14:1] These, having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as "the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb." [Revelation 14:4] …

Ellen White on the 144 000 "These are they which came out of great tribulation;" [Revelation 7:14] they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation [Daniel 12:1]; they have endured the anguish of the time of Jacob's trouble; they have stood without an intercessor [after the close of probation] through the final outpouring of God's judgments [the seven last plagues]. But they have been delivered, for they have "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." [Revelation 7:14] "In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault” [Revelation 14:5] before God…

Ellen White on the 144 000 "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them." [Revelation 7:15] They have seen the earth wasted with famine and pestilence, the sun having power to scorch men with great heat [Revelation 16:8, 9], and they themselves have endured suffering, hunger, and thirst. But "they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." [Revelation 7:16, 17]. - The Great Controversy, pp. 648, 649

Ellen White on the Great Multitude “John beholds an innumerable company, precious, refined, purified, around the throne of the Majesty of Heaven. The angel inquires of John, "What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they?" and John answers, "Sir, thou knowest." Then the angel declares: "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” - Signs of the Times, December 22, 1887

“Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. And let us do all that we can to help others to gain heaven. We are to have an intense interest in Christ Jesus; for he is our Saviour. He came to this world to be tempted in all points as we are, to prove to the universe that in this world of sin human beings can live lives that God will approve. {RH, March 9, 1905 par. 4}