Expert: Patricia Burns - 7/26/2008

Question
What is the truth about the 144,000 people going to heaven?  Are only 144,000 people going to heaven?  Why does Revelation say that?

Answer
The 144,000 are the remnant of Israel (Zph.3:13) who we see giving glory to God (Re.11:13) in the city where also are Lord was crucified (Re.11:8) just before the Seventh, and final, TRUMPET sounds.

The 144,000 are those who are "alive and remain" to be caught up with "the dead in Christ" (1Thess.4:16-17).

The 144,000 are 12,000 of each of the twelve tribes of Israel (Jacob – Gen.49:28).

The seven thousand of men slain in the earthquake, wherein the tenth part of the city falls in the earthquake (Re.11:13), are Gentiles (Re.11:2, 1 Thess.4:5, Eph.2:12).

At this point in time, the two prophets have already been killed (Re.11:8-12).  The only remaining alive of the church (1 Cor.10:32) at the time of that earthquake (just prior to their ascension) are the 144,000.

The 144,000 are Jews in Christ recognizing Jesus Christ as the Lamb, the Savior (Re.14:1).  At Revelation chapter 14 we are seeing the 144,000 on heavenly mount Sion with the Lamb directly after the Seventh Trumpet.

The 144,000 are virgins (Re.14:4 below), because the entire church of God are a chaste virgin to Christ (2 Cor.11:2).  The 144,000 are without fault (Re.14:5 below) because the entire church of God are without fault (Rom.8:1).  The 144,000 are the firstfruits unto God AND to the Lamb (the Savior) because the 144,000 were the first "chosen" of the church before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Christ in love (Eph.1:4).

The entire body of Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, will be in heaven at the Seventh Trumpet (1 Thess.4:16-17); this includes the 144,000 in Christ Jesus, the remnant of Israel (Zeph.3:13, Re.11:3), those who are alive and remain (1 Thess.4:17).


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