Expert: Messianic Rabbi Yochanan Levine - 3/28/2008

Question
Hello sir,

I had a question about the number of people going into heaven. I have heard that a specific number, 144,000, will be allowed in heaven.

Is this true? Does all except this number go to hell? Is this number reserved for only higher religious figures (pastors, rabbis, popes, etc.)

Thank you very much for your help and may God always watch after you!

Answer
Hi Meghann,

There are a handful of the new denominations/sects, that teach this odd doctrine, the main group is the Jehovah's Witnesses. This however is not what the Bible teaches.

The Bible is clear on this. During the last seven years before Messiah comes there will 144,000 Jewish preachers who will condemn the then world leader known as Antichrist and who will proclaim the soon coming of the Messiah. Here is the section of scriptures that talks about this:

Revelation 7
1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2 And 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 given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
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;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

Note that it refers to these people as the children of Israel and as Jews from the 12 tribes of Israel. These are Jewish preachers. Their work occurs on the earth, not in heaven.

The great multitude that no one can number are the saved ones.

Nowhere does the Bible place such limits on who will be saved, go to heaven etc.

~Hope this helps,
~John of AllFaith