I've heard a number of variant interpretations about the 144,000, resting primarily in the arena of them being the greatest evangelists this earth has ever seen, which is true in one sense of that thought, but not so much in another.
On the one hand, the 144,000 have the advantage of ministering in a world where billions are dying, and the remaining people are more desperate for answers and hope for eternity that is not so apparent, on the other hand, to those in modern times living in relative peace and health, with no immanent danger from billions dying all around the world.
So, in chapter seven of Revelation, we are introduced to them, and immediately following that introduction, the curtain is opened (so to speak) to reveal the uncountable host of martyrs who were murdered or died during the Tribulation events and wrath. This leaves us only with the conclusion that the purpose for the 144,000 was the witness for the revelation of Christ Jesus.
Then, in chapter 14, we see this:
Revelation 14:1-5
1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred [and] forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred [and] forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from [among] men, [being] firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
There is SO much to be observed here.
First, we see the 144,000 standing with Christ on Mt. Zion on this earth. Then we are told that among the created, only THEY can learn the new song that no other creature could learn. Now, if it's the 144,000who actually sang that sing, and doing so before the Throne, how could they be on earth and in Heaven at the same time? I've seen people selectively allegorize one or the other locations in order to try and make this seeming contradiction disappear. Well, the scriptures don't ened for us to allegorize anything if only we read the text for what it says.
The harpists were indeed playing, and without the focus shifting back to the 144,000, the flow of thought moves immediately from the harpists playing to them singing that song that ONLY the 144,000 could learn. That sing is especially for them, and nobody else. It's unique to them and their ability to learn. So what about the seeming contradiction? Well, let's delve into the Greek concerning that pesky word "redeemed" in verse three:
"He is also said to have bought them for God ἐν τῷ αἵματι αὐτοῦ, by shedding his blood, Revelation 5:9; they, too, are spoken of as purchased ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, Revelation 14:3"
It isn't until verse four that "redeemed" then grammatically shifts over to this:
"and ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, Revelation 14:4, so that they are withdrawn from the earth (and its miseries) and from (wicked) men. But ἀγοράζω does not mean redeem (ἐξαγοράζω) — as is commonly said.
[Compare: ἐξαγοράζω.]" [Both are from Thayer's Greek Lexicon]
The Greek makes a glaring distinction between the two meanings, and so it's unfortunate that our English translations so easily mislead people into believing something other than what is actually stated in the Greek manuscripts. Yes, they do eventually all die, or are taken miraculously by rapture, but they do exist on this earth, and then are taken up into Haven.
The qualities for those 144,000 is absolutely clear and unambiguous, contrary to the corrupted pollutions of what groups like the IUIC wants to promote. See verse four and five above for the specific requirements that set them apart from most all other men.
MM
On the one hand, the 144,000 have the advantage of ministering in a world where billions are dying, and the remaining people are more desperate for answers and hope for eternity that is not so apparent, on the other hand, to those in modern times living in relative peace and health, with no immanent danger from billions dying all around the world.
So, in chapter seven of Revelation, we are introduced to them, and immediately following that introduction, the curtain is opened (so to speak) to reveal the uncountable host of martyrs who were murdered or died during the Tribulation events and wrath. This leaves us only with the conclusion that the purpose for the 144,000 was the witness for the revelation of Christ Jesus.
Then, in chapter 14, we see this:
Revelation 14:1-5
1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred [and] forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred [and] forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from [among] men, [being] firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
There is SO much to be observed here.
First, we see the 144,000 standing with Christ on Mt. Zion on this earth. Then we are told that among the created, only THEY can learn the new song that no other creature could learn. Now, if it's the 144,000who actually sang that sing, and doing so before the Throne, how could they be on earth and in Heaven at the same time? I've seen people selectively allegorize one or the other locations in order to try and make this seeming contradiction disappear. Well, the scriptures don't ened for us to allegorize anything if only we read the text for what it says.
The harpists were indeed playing, and without the focus shifting back to the 144,000, the flow of thought moves immediately from the harpists playing to them singing that song that ONLY the 144,000 could learn. That sing is especially for them, and nobody else. It's unique to them and their ability to learn. So what about the seeming contradiction? Well, let's delve into the Greek concerning that pesky word "redeemed" in verse three:
"He is also said to have bought them for God ἐν τῷ αἵματι αὐτοῦ, by shedding his blood, Revelation 5:9; they, too, are spoken of as purchased ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, Revelation 14:3"
It isn't until verse four that "redeemed" then grammatically shifts over to this:
"and ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, Revelation 14:4, so that they are withdrawn from the earth (and its miseries) and from (wicked) men. But ἀγοράζω does not mean redeem (ἐξαγοράζω) — as is commonly said.
[Compare: ἐξαγοράζω.]" [Both are from Thayer's Greek Lexicon]
The Greek makes a glaring distinction between the two meanings, and so it's unfortunate that our English translations so easily mislead people into believing something other than what is actually stated in the Greek manuscripts. Yes, they do eventually all die, or are taken miraculously by rapture, but they do exist on this earth, and then are taken up into Haven.
The qualities for those 144,000 is absolutely clear and unambiguous, contrary to the corrupted pollutions of what groups like the IUIC wants to promote. See verse four and five above for the specific requirements that set them apart from most all other men.
MM
