Is the number "144,000" mentioned in Revelation 14 a literal number or a prophetic number?

Question

Is the number "144,000" mentioned in Revelation 14:1-5 a literal number or a prophetic number representing a bigger multitude?

¹ Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. ² And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. ³ And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. ⁴ These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. ⁵ No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. (NIV)

Answer 1

The other mention of 144,000 occurs in Chapter 7 (4-8), which refers specifically to members of each of the 12 tribes of Israel (12,000 per tribe):

Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, ...

This is definitely not what is referred to here, since - as you quote - the multitude listed were virgins (v.4). This was explained in the earliest complete commentary ever written on Revelation, by Andrew of Caesarea (563-637):

We believe that these, after the aforementioned twenty-four elders, are superior to the rest on account of both virginity [v.4] and blamelessness in tongue and hand [v.5], after the appearance of Christ possessing splendor in virtues through which they are taught the new song, the song which is unknown to the many, not only in the present life but also in the future age.¹

The passage you quote may be an allusion to 2 Esdras 2:42-48:

I, Ezra, saw on Mount Zion a great multitude, which I could not number, and they all were praising the Lord with songs. In their midst was a young man of great stature, taller than any of the others, and on the head of each of them he placed a crown, but he was more exalted than they. And I was held spellbound. Then I asked an angel, “Who are these, my lord?” He answered and said to me, “These are they who have put off mortal clothing and have put on the immortal, and they have confessed the name of God; now they are being crowned, and receive palms.” Then I said to the angel, “Who is that young man who places crowns on them and puts palms in their hands?” He answered and said to me, “He is the Son of God, whom they confessed in the world.” So I began to praise those who had stood valiantly for the name of the Lord. Then the angel said to me, “Go, tell my people how great and many are the wonders of the Lord God which you have seen.”²

The number is almost certainly symbolic, though the precise meaning is not spelled out here as it is in 7:4. Regarding the meaning of the numbers, commentator Lawrence Farley writes:

As is usual in apocalyptic literature, the numbers here have symbolic significance. One thousand is the number of vast plurality. To say that God owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” (Ps. 50:10 [LXX]) is to say that He owns the cattle on all the hills. Further, twelve is the number that denotes completeness— such as in the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve apostles.³

That the virgins follow the Lamb wherever he goes suggests that the passage refers to members of the Church:

1 Peter 2:21

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

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<sup>1. Translated from the Greek in E. Constantinou, Andrew of Caesarea and the Apocalypse in the Ancient Church of the East (Ph.D. thesis, Université Laval, 2008).
2. RSV
3. The Apocalypse of Saint John: A Revelation of Love and Power</sup>

Answer 2

"Literal or prophetic?"

Surely it must be seen as prophetic, for the passage moves from one imagery to another - one aspect to another of the same thing; but seen in a different way.

Thus the passage itself would answer the question, for the 144,000 are the same as a multitude which no man can number.

But 144,000 can be numbered.

Thus it must be a number with a significant meaning and it must represent, in a way of instructive imagery, something about that numberless number.

Answer 3

The number is literal.

Contrast -Definite with Indefinite.

1/ We have at 7:4 a definite number in contrast with an indifined number at 7:9 If taken symbolically the contrast would be meaningless and lost, and John would have to rewrite his verse. Also if taken symbolically, then all numbers in the book of Revelation will have to be taken as symbolic.

Admittedly the book of Revelation has many symbolic numbers,however for example" the thousand years" in Revelation 20:3-7 is taken literally. So whether the number is taken symbolically or literally is determined by the context in the verses.

7:4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the people of Israel: (NRSV)

7:9 After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. (NRSV)

Little flock.

2/ In view of Jesus words at Luke 12:32 "little flock" (NRSV) that God will give them a Kingdom to rule him , indicates that the number is small, definite, unlike the great multitude where the number is not numbered.

Luke 12:32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (NRSV)

Israel of God.

3/ Natural Israel had twelve tribes ( and was rejected by God ) so does the "Israel of God" (Galatians 6:15-16), in Revelation 7:4 and 14:1-4 we read that 144.00 were redeemed from the earth.

Revelation 14:3 " And they sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the one hundred forty-four thousand who have been redeemed from the earth."(NRSV)

Conclusion;

We have the contrast of definite against indefinite number ,the number redeemed from the earth is 144.000 and Jesus words: Matthew 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. In context of the book of Revelation and elsewhere in the Bible the number must be taken literally.

Answer 4

It is a symbolic number. It represents the twelve apostles, 1 each for the tribes of Israel x the 1,000 symbol for fullness / completeness. 12x12 = 144 x 1,000 = 144,000 that were sealed for God.

Rev. 14:1,

"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads." (KJV)

The Lamb = Christ. The 144,000 were the believers who were sealed for God in Rev. 7:4, the new Jewish converts to the gospel of Christ, the remnant of old Israel.

Excerpt from the Benson Commentary on Rev. 14:1,

"The same select number that was mentioned Revelation 7:4, the genuine followers of the twelve apostles, apostolically multiplied, and therefore the number of the church, as six hundred and sixty-six is the number of the beast; and as the followers of the beast have the name of the beast, so these have the name of God, and, as some copies add, of Christ, written in their foreheads — As being the redeemed of God and of the Lamb, his now unalienable property, and as having been, when on earth, his professed servants, and the same as the witnesses." Source: here

Those that were sealed in Chap. 7:4 were to be kept from harm.

Answer 5

Not sure why it would matter other than the fact that god does everything by number,weight and measure. They are the remnant chosen from the tribes of Israel who are judged worthy of ruling and reigning as 'priests' with Christ during his priesthood (he had 3 offices to fulfill before the end came) judging the tribes of Israel. They were martyrs for the faith, kept the commandments as Paul said, 'Some did not sin as Adam did.' Since reconciliation came in 70 AD and medaitors, priests, and third parties are not needed then we can safely say it occured before 70 AD destruction of the elements of the old covenant ceremonial worship and kingdom with it's temple and priesthood. There are no other TEACHERS needed since God and mankind were reconciled, making US the temple where God tabernacles. All these things pertaining to covenant eschatology occured in the old covenant timetable. If all prophesy wasnt fulfilled by 70 AD then by God's Word which identifies a false prophet, they were false prophets. Religion has lied to maintain their power and authority which Jesus forbid 2000 years ago. Matt 23:8-10. We have no TEACHER but JESUS, who is the spirit. 2 Cor 3:17. We can all learn from each other but there is no elevation of one over the other in the new creation, spiritual kingdom. There are 41,000 'sects' in Christianity which have caused division, elevation and confusion/babel. God is not the author of confusion. The 'church' is the same word used for the congragation/assembly of Israelites in the wilderness. They are god's people from all nations, all walks of life, all having the same access to the father without the need of middle men, 3rd parties, mediators, Teachers. 'Prove all things. Let God be true and every man a liar.'

Answer 6

The number 144,000 occurs in Rev 7. Here is a counter-image: for in Judgment 6 the judicial action of God sets in, and afterwards the question arises, what happens to the people who confess to the Lamb? The eschatological people of God will escape the judicial action of God, they will be sealed. The supporters of the animal also carry a sign (another contrast image) - the bad guys and the good guys are showing signs. The good ones carry a sign of ownership that identifies them as the property of God, which also means that they are under the protection of God. It can also be seen as an Old Testament image (see Ez 9), which has mingled with contemporary influences. There are no foreign images used, but those that are known. If you want to communicate, you have to speak the language of your time. Without a doubt: this group will be spared in the final court and will not burn in the lake of fire.

Answer 7

Re The question asked "Is the number 144000 mentioned in REVELATION 14:1 a literal number or a prophetic number. Answer "And I looked, and ,lo, a LAMB (this lamb represents Jesus) stood on the mount Sion (Zion).Note that Mount Zion speaks of the place of the government of our Lord, ( worth a "bo peep" MICAH chapter 4 verses 1-4) Note the verse 2 re "Zion" and the 144000 signifies in Bible Numerics perfect government - 12 x 12 x 1000.A super government under the leadership of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This 144000 (a symbolic number) represents the overcomers,the saints who will eventually return with the Lord.Note: These have the Father's name written in their foreheads. That is they have the Father's approval as they have been faithful to the TRUE FAITH.John 14 verses 21 and 23. This portion of scripture is virtually preview of the destiny of the overcomers.

Answer 8

Since both groups are 144,000 in number and have something written on their foreheads, the 144,000 in Revelation 14 are the same as the 144,000 “sons of Israel” in Revelation 7 (Rev 7:1-4; 14:1-5).

I see some argue that these two groups cannot be the same because those in Revelation 14 have not been “defiled with women” (Rev 14:4). However, as I argue in another post, “defiled with women” has nothing to do with sex. It is a symbol and means to participate in false religions.

So, on the assumption that the 144,000 in Revelation 14 are the same as the 144,000 "sons of Israel," selected 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel (Rev 7:4), I argue as follows that the number 144,000 is not literal:

1. The twelve tribes of ancient Israel no longer exist in any literal sense. For one reason, the ten northern tribes broke away from the rest after the death of Solomon - thousands of years ago, were assimilated into the peoples of the Middle East, and essentially disappeared from history.

2. The list in Revelation 7 is not a valid list of tribes. It excludes the tribes of Dan and Ephraim. On the other hand, it includes both Joseph and his son Manasseh; which is effectively a double count.

3. 12000 from each of the 12 tribes (Rev 7:4) is too exact to be literal. It simply does not make any Biblical sense.

4. It is said of the 144,000 "sons of Israel" that they “have not been defiled with women” and “no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless” (Rev 14:4-5). Literally interpreted, this means that they are all men and never sinned, which is impossible (cf. Rom 3:23).

In addition to these points, for the following reasons, the 144,000 "sons of Israel" are a symbol:

1. Revelation is a book of symbols. One indication of this is that the book has been received in “signified” form (Rev 1:1 - Literal Standard Version). The Greek word means to give in the form of signs. Another indication is that this book is filled with obvious symbols, such as the four horsemen of the apocalypse (Rev 6:1-8) and a beast with seven heads (Rev 13:1).

2. All numbers in Revelation are symbols. For example:

• The number 4 signifies THE WHOLE WORLD (e.g., Rev 7:1). It is often hidden in phrases that use four synonyms to describe ALL the people of the world (e.g., Rev 10:11; cf. 7:9; 11:9; 14:6; 17:15).
• The number 7 is derived from the seven days of the week and often indicates a sequence of events (e.g., seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls, etc.). It, therefore, has to do with time and should be understood as THE WHOLE TIME. For example, God’s seven Spirits (Rev 4:5; 5:6) mean that He will ALWAYS be with us.
• The number 12 appears more than a hundred times in Scripture and consistently represents THE PEOPLE OF GOD. For example: (a) The lists of the tribes in the Old Testament differ, but there are always 12 in the list. (b) Jesus chose exactly 12 disciples; not 11 or 13. (c) Judas fell away, leaving only 11 disciples, but Revelation still refers to “the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Rev 21:14).

Revelation also uses the number 12 to symbolize God’s people:

• The pure woman (Rev 12:1), representing God’s people both before and after Christ, has a crown of “twelve stars” (Rev 12:1).
• The New Jerusalem, the future home of “the bride, the wife of the Lamb” (Rev 21:9-10), has 12 gates with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel written on them (Rev 21:12) as well as 12 foundations with the names of the 12 apostles written on them (Rev 21:14).

Since the number 12 symbolizes God’s people, and since the number 144,000 is derived from the number 12 (144,000 = 12 x 12 x 1000), the number 144,000 symbolizes something about God’s people. For a further discussion, see Who are the 144,000 "sons of Israel" in the Book of Revelation?

Answer 9

In the genesis account God made heaven and earth in 6 days which total 144 hours but this is but one thing showing that God himself is a many membered body of 144 persons in which the electrons revolve around the nucleus of atoms in the flesh at 1000 times per second or 1000 electron years while they are in temporal reality thus they shall rule and reign with christ for a thousand years. New Jerusalem's walls (salvation) is measured (experienced) to be 144 cubit [lively] stones paved with gold [gold represents divinity].