Who Are The 144,000 Witnesses of Revelation?
Helena Lehman
August 28, 2008
When it comes to deciphering who the 12 X 12,000 Israelites who become the 144,000 Witnesses are, there is not much in the way of detailed studies that would clarify their origin and ministry. As a result, we have to determine the truth about the 144,000 by actually reading and analyzing the Scriptures concerning them in Revelation Chapter 7 and 14, doing word studies of some of the Greek words that refer to the 144,000 who are chosen out of Israel, and praying to God for guidance from His Holy Spirit to help us understand His Word in the Bible.
Upon doing this, most note that Revelation 7:4 clearly indicates that the 144,000 are taken from the Twelve Tribes of Israel. However, this does not mean that the 144,000 are strictly modern Jews. Indeed, there are the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel to consider. These Ten Tribes are spiritual Israelites adopted into the Kingdom of God through acceptance of Christ´s sacrifice on the Cross for their sins. In addition, they can allegorically be associated with several Middle-Eastern, European and British nations that absorbed three waves of fleeing Israelites and Jews. These waves occurred successively after the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah fell, and later when Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. The remaining Two Tribes represent the majority of ethnic Jews today, who are purportedly descended mostly from the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin (or Levi, depending on which source you go to).
Revelation 14:4 also tells us that the 144,000 are Firstfruits and virgins who have not "defiled" themselves with women. Now, the term "Firstfruits" is referring to the First Resurrection, which started when Yahshua rose from the dead, bringing many righteous saints from their tombs along with Him (Mat. 27:52). This Firstfruits action of resurrection into immortal life occurs again in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, possibly again in the middle of the Tribulation, and still again at the end of the seven-year Tribulation period. In contrast, the Second Resurrection occurs only once. This is at the end of the world - just before the New Heaven and Earth are created (Rev. 20:5, 11-12).
As Firstfruits, the 144,000 are part of the Firstfruits of the Resurrection, meaning that they are immortal saints that have been chosen at the Rapture that occurs before the last dreadful half of the Great Tribulation. Also interesting to note here is the fact that neither Revelation Chapter 7 nor 14 calls these set-apart saints "witnesses," so that term for them originated out of association. Indeed, since these saints follow and serve only Yahshua the Lamb and His Father, they are very godly and Spirit-filled. From this, we can infer that they are also great witnesses of God´s righteousness, and that they truly reflect God´s character to a lost and dying world.
In addition to these things, Scripture tells us that the 144.000 are "sealed" (Rev. 7:4). Later in Revelation, we are told that this seal is on the forehead, and is called the Seal of God (Rev. 9:4). This is reminiscent of the "tau" or cross-shaped mark that an unknown Scribe allegorically put on redeemed Jews´ foreheads just before Jerusalem fell to Nebuchadnezzar (Ezekiel 9:2-4,11). By the way, this Scribe mentioned by Ezekiel may actually be Enoch, who is called the Scribe of Righteousness in the Book of 1 Enoch (1 Enoch 12:4, 15:2).
Rather than receiving a visible mark, these 144,000 saints may simply be marked by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit within them, which serves as an indelible and invisible seal on their foreheads. In fact, the seal of the Holy Spirit guarantees the salvation of all who are truly redeemed in Christ (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30). Before Christ, this invisible seal of the Spirit was still given to devout Israelites just as Ezekiel attested to, but they had to earn the right to receive it. In other words, they could not simply repent, believe and then be covered in the blood of Christ to sanctify themselves as humble Christians and Messianics mercifully may do today.
Next, we have to determine what the writer means by "virgin" and "women." Rather than meaning that the 144,000 are all men who never slept with a woman, could the writer be suggesting that these saints were never loyal to any particular church, synagogue, and/or political party? For example, the "Woman clothed with the Sun" in Revelation 12:1 represents the righteous Jewish/Israelite bloodline that Yahshua was descended from. As an extension of that righteous bloodline, Yahshua made us into His Church and His Body by His shed innocent blood.
Meanwhile, the "Woman sitting on a Scarlet Beast" represents the apostate church of the Tribulation that is "married to" or in league with corrupt bankers and dishonest politicians (Rev. 17:3). This religious, political and economic group promotes the idea that all paths lead to God or that man is a god, denies the reality of sin, and does not see a need for repentance. Therefore, in referring to the "virgins not defiled by women," Revelation 14:1 could be referring to saints that are not political or religious activists. In fact, this description suggests that the 144,000 are godly saints who live quiet and pious lives apart from worldly activities and riches.
If they are truly set-apart, saints who love God give themselves exclusively to Him. As a result, they no longer serve the world or any institutions that are of the world. In other words, these saints live more like hermits who are detached from the world rather than being active in church or politics, and they are definitely not social butterflies. In fact, they serve exclusively as God´s witnesses to their immediate families, friends, and acquaintances, and perhaps only reach the rest of the world through their own writings or books about their understanding of God and His desire for mankind.
When translated correctly (as in the NIV Bible instead of the KJV or NKJ), Revelation 14:1 says that the 144,000 have Christ´s name and His Father´s name written on their foreheads (instead of just the Father´s name as in other translations). This means that these saints have Yahweh´s and Yahshua´s True Names always in their hearts and minds, and have put themselves into subjection to both God the Father and God the Son, and follow their righteous Laws. This means that the 144,000 cannot be unsaved but genetically pure Jews, but must be either Spirit-filled Messianic Jews or devout Christians who keep the Jewish Feasts and are adopted into Israel by their active faith in and relationship with God and His Son.
As for the purpose of the 144,000 on Earth during the Great Tribulation, it is never actually stated in Scripture, so there is an undeniable air of mystery concerning them. Nonetheless, it seems logical to assume that - due to their being chosen at the beginning of the Tribulation period - these saints are meant to serve God by leading others to Christ during the Great Tribulation. As an example of this, we need look no further than the Two Witnesses, who are called to witness for God by preaching the Gospel, performing terrifying supernatural miracles, and then by being resurrected from the dead and ascending into heaven as the whole world watches (Rev. 11:3-12).
As a final note, one thing that few seem to have noted about the 144,000 is that they appear with Christ on Mount Zion in Revelation, Chapter 14, and Zion may be a name for the Great Pyramid, which represents a star in the constellation Orion´s belt stars, and may signify an invisible location in the Third Heaven where God dwells. In fact, Revelation 14:3 says that these 144,000 saints are taken up to Heaven before the end of the Great Tribulation so that they may sing a special worship song that only they can learn to sing. They do this before God´s magnificent throne that is surrounded by the four Cherubim or Living Creatures and the Twenty-four Elders representing twelve godly Patriarchs and the Twelve Apostles.
Could God´s throne be located in another dimension in the location of Orion? It is possible, since scientists have long speculated that the center of the Universe may be near to the Pleiades star cluster in Taurus, and Orion is a decan of Taurus. At this point, however, only one thing is certain: the 144,000 Witnesses are very special believers in God´s Kingdom, and they are given a unique position and a great purpose during the Great Tribulation that only Yahweh God understands fully at this time.
**************************************************************
Bible Scholar Helena Lehman is the author or four books, including "The Language of God in Prophecy," part of a four book series that emphasizes understanding the allegorical language of God to understand both our past spiritual and temporal history and current events. Utilizing prophetic language found in the Bible, the Psalms, the Book of 1 Enoch, the Great Pyramid, and Sacred Astronomy, Helena Lehman expertly shows that we are definitely living in the End Times. The world we know is about to change in terrifying ways, and unless you know who and what to put your allegiance in, your chances of survival are slim. "The Language of God" Book Series is a road map for your survival. Get the entire series today by visiting the Pillar of Enoch Ministry Web Site.
Upon doing this, most note that Revelation 7:4 clearly indicates that the 144,000 are taken from the Twelve Tribes of Israel. However, this does not mean that the 144,000 are strictly modern Jews. Indeed, there are the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel to consider. These Ten Tribes are spiritual Israelites adopted into the Kingdom of God through acceptance of Christ´s sacrifice on the Cross for their sins. In addition, they can allegorically be associated with several Middle-Eastern, European and British nations that absorbed three waves of fleeing Israelites and Jews. These waves occurred successively after the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah fell, and later when Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. The remaining Two Tribes represent the majority of ethnic Jews today, who are purportedly descended mostly from the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin (or Levi, depending on which source you go to).
Revelation 14:4 also tells us that the 144,000 are Firstfruits and virgins who have not "defiled" themselves with women. Now, the term "Firstfruits" is referring to the First Resurrection, which started when Yahshua rose from the dead, bringing many righteous saints from their tombs along with Him (Mat. 27:52). This Firstfruits action of resurrection into immortal life occurs again in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, possibly again in the middle of the Tribulation, and still again at the end of the seven-year Tribulation period. In contrast, the Second Resurrection occurs only once. This is at the end of the world - just before the New Heaven and Earth are created (Rev. 20:5, 11-12).
As Firstfruits, the 144,000 are part of the Firstfruits of the Resurrection, meaning that they are immortal saints that have been chosen at the Rapture that occurs before the last dreadful half of the Great Tribulation. Also interesting to note here is the fact that neither Revelation Chapter 7 nor 14 calls these set-apart saints "witnesses," so that term for them originated out of association. Indeed, since these saints follow and serve only Yahshua the Lamb and His Father, they are very godly and Spirit-filled. From this, we can infer that they are also great witnesses of God´s righteousness, and that they truly reflect God´s character to a lost and dying world.
In addition to these things, Scripture tells us that the 144.000 are "sealed" (Rev. 7:4). Later in Revelation, we are told that this seal is on the forehead, and is called the Seal of God (Rev. 9:4). This is reminiscent of the "tau" or cross-shaped mark that an unknown Scribe allegorically put on redeemed Jews´ foreheads just before Jerusalem fell to Nebuchadnezzar (Ezekiel 9:2-4,11). By the way, this Scribe mentioned by Ezekiel may actually be Enoch, who is called the Scribe of Righteousness in the Book of 1 Enoch (1 Enoch 12:4, 15:2).
Rather than receiving a visible mark, these 144,000 saints may simply be marked by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit within them, which serves as an indelible and invisible seal on their foreheads. In fact, the seal of the Holy Spirit guarantees the salvation of all who are truly redeemed in Christ (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30). Before Christ, this invisible seal of the Spirit was still given to devout Israelites just as Ezekiel attested to, but they had to earn the right to receive it. In other words, they could not simply repent, believe and then be covered in the blood of Christ to sanctify themselves as humble Christians and Messianics mercifully may do today.
Next, we have to determine what the writer means by "virgin" and "women." Rather than meaning that the 144,000 are all men who never slept with a woman, could the writer be suggesting that these saints were never loyal to any particular church, synagogue, and/or political party? For example, the "Woman clothed with the Sun" in Revelation 12:1 represents the righteous Jewish/Israelite bloodline that Yahshua was descended from. As an extension of that righteous bloodline, Yahshua made us into His Church and His Body by His shed innocent blood.
Meanwhile, the "Woman sitting on a Scarlet Beast" represents the apostate church of the Tribulation that is "married to" or in league with corrupt bankers and dishonest politicians (Rev. 17:3). This religious, political and economic group promotes the idea that all paths lead to God or that man is a god, denies the reality of sin, and does not see a need for repentance. Therefore, in referring to the "virgins not defiled by women," Revelation 14:1 could be referring to saints that are not political or religious activists. In fact, this description suggests that the 144,000 are godly saints who live quiet and pious lives apart from worldly activities and riches.
If they are truly set-apart, saints who love God give themselves exclusively to Him. As a result, they no longer serve the world or any institutions that are of the world. In other words, these saints live more like hermits who are detached from the world rather than being active in church or politics, and they are definitely not social butterflies. In fact, they serve exclusively as God´s witnesses to their immediate families, friends, and acquaintances, and perhaps only reach the rest of the world through their own writings or books about their understanding of God and His desire for mankind.
When translated correctly (as in the NIV Bible instead of the KJV or NKJ), Revelation 14:1 says that the 144,000 have Christ´s name and His Father´s name written on their foreheads (instead of just the Father´s name as in other translations). This means that these saints have Yahweh´s and Yahshua´s True Names always in their hearts and minds, and have put themselves into subjection to both God the Father and God the Son, and follow their righteous Laws. This means that the 144,000 cannot be unsaved but genetically pure Jews, but must be either Spirit-filled Messianic Jews or devout Christians who keep the Jewish Feasts and are adopted into Israel by their active faith in and relationship with God and His Son.
As for the purpose of the 144,000 on Earth during the Great Tribulation, it is never actually stated in Scripture, so there is an undeniable air of mystery concerning them. Nonetheless, it seems logical to assume that - due to their being chosen at the beginning of the Tribulation period - these saints are meant to serve God by leading others to Christ during the Great Tribulation. As an example of this, we need look no further than the Two Witnesses, who are called to witness for God by preaching the Gospel, performing terrifying supernatural miracles, and then by being resurrected from the dead and ascending into heaven as the whole world watches (Rev. 11:3-12).
As a final note, one thing that few seem to have noted about the 144,000 is that they appear with Christ on Mount Zion in Revelation, Chapter 14, and Zion may be a name for the Great Pyramid, which represents a star in the constellation Orion´s belt stars, and may signify an invisible location in the Third Heaven where God dwells. In fact, Revelation 14:3 says that these 144,000 saints are taken up to Heaven before the end of the Great Tribulation so that they may sing a special worship song that only they can learn to sing. They do this before God´s magnificent throne that is surrounded by the four Cherubim or Living Creatures and the Twenty-four Elders representing twelve godly Patriarchs and the Twelve Apostles.
Could God´s throne be located in another dimension in the location of Orion? It is possible, since scientists have long speculated that the center of the Universe may be near to the Pleiades star cluster in Taurus, and Orion is a decan of Taurus. At this point, however, only one thing is certain: the 144,000 Witnesses are very special believers in God´s Kingdom, and they are given a unique position and a great purpose during the Great Tribulation that only Yahweh God understands fully at this time.
**************************************************************
Bible Scholar Helena Lehman is the author or four books, including "The Language of God in Prophecy," part of a four book series that emphasizes understanding the allegorical language of God to understand both our past spiritual and temporal history and current events. Utilizing prophetic language found in the Bible, the Psalms, the Book of 1 Enoch, the Great Pyramid, and Sacred Astronomy, Helena Lehman expertly shows that we are definitely living in the End Times. The world we know is about to change in terrifying ways, and unless you know who and what to put your allegiance in, your chances of survival are slim. "The Language of God" Book Series is a road map for your survival. Get the entire series today by visiting the Pillar of Enoch Ministry Web Site.
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