Is It True That Only 144000 People Are Going To Heaven (Revelation 7 ...

Sylvia;

No, it definitely is not true that only 144,000 people will go to heaven, despite the fact that the Jehovah’s Witness has famously interpreted the passage that way. First of all, you should know that most of the book of Revelation is in what is known as apocalyptic language. This is a type of literature common among the Hebrew writers at the time of the writing of the New Testament. Other apocalyptic writings in the Bible include Zechariah, parts of Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, etc.. With most types of writing, the reader is to take statements literally unless the context demands a symbolic interpretation. In apocalyptic writing, the reader is to take things fuguratively unless the context demands a literal interpretation. Therefore, in Revelation, we see Jesus as a lamb and so forth. If we were to take Revelation 7:4-8 literally, then only male virgins from the twelve tribes of Israel would be in heaven. No one believes this, which makes taking the 144,000 who were sealed literally to be completely inconsistent.

In Jewish writings, the number 12 is consistently used as the number of God’s people. There were twelve tribes and twelve apostles. Also, in Jewish writings, the number 1000 represents a great number. Therefore 12 x 12 x 1000 means the full number of God’s people. That is who will be sealed, as symbolized by Revelation 7:4. There is another reason to not take this verse literally. Notice Revelation 7:9. It states quite clearly that there are “great multitudes that no one could count from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.” These people are wearing white robes. Based on this, we know with absolute certainty that there are going to be much more than 144,000 in heaven. Praise God for that!

John Oakes

what is Revelations 7:4 talking about? ;Is it true that only 144,000 people are going to heaven?

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