Morning Nairalanders. Happy Sunday and auspicious week. Its right about time to grace His sanctuary once again, right? I hope you enjoy an enthralling service in your respective denominational churches. I however beseech all christians on this forum to help clarify the significance of the "144,000" as underscored in the book of Revelations. Does it connote that only 144,000 people, races or generations would eventually make it to Heaven @ Armaggedon? Please help lay bare your perceptions!

In John 10:14 , Jesus said he knows his sheep. In John 10:16, he siad he had other sheep which are not of this fold (John 10;16)

Jesus with these statements made us aware of two sets of Christians

The first are the 144,000 you mentioned(Revelations 14:1). They can also be referred to as the little flock (Luke 12:32). These will be Jesus co-rulers in heaven (Revelation 5:10). They are to rule over the earth.

They are the bride of the Lamb. (1 Corinthians 11:3). They are chaste virgins (James 4:4)(Revelations 14:4-5),

These are the ones referred to as the anointed or saints.

They are the born again Christians. They have been adopted as sons of God and have witness borne to them (Romans 8:14-16). Their citizenship is in the heavens (1 Peter 1:3-4)

Just like you did not determine when to be born, likewise you can not determine to be born again. It is God that adopts you as his son to rule with Jesus as a co-ruler.

What about the other sheep that Jesus mentioned?

Isaiah 65:17 and 2 Peter 3:13 talk about a new heaven and a new earth.

The new heavens comprise Jesus and his bride- the 144,000

Its the new earth the other sheep will be on.

Revelations says that the 144,000 will rule over (Revelations 5:10). It is the great crowd that was witnessed after those of the 144,000 (Revelations 7:9,10). They survived the Great Tribulation. These ones will be on the righteous new earth. (Psalms 37:29,Psalms 115:16,Isaiah 45:18,

The 144,000 is a specific number and they are from all tribes and races. The tribes mentioned in Rev 7:5-8 are symbolic or spiritual as it omits some of the literal tribes of Israel.

All first century Christians were anointed. They displayed traits of the baptism.

You have only a remnant left today on Earth. These ones have to keep their integrity to the end to be count worthy of ruling with the Christ.

The Great Crowd on the other hand are not specific. They are innumerable. That should not be surprising as subjects are always far more numerous than their rulers.

The rule by the 144,000 will not be oppressive (Matthew 11:29-30, Matthew 20:25-28, Acts 24:31)

If you read the Matthew 25, it speaks of the separation of the goats and the sheep. When Jesus said the sheep took care of his brothers, who do you think he was referring to?

effervescent:
Morning Nairalanders. Happy Sunday and auspicious week. Its right about time to grace His sanctuary once again, right? I hope you enjoy an enthralling service in your respective denominational churches. I however beseech all christians on this forum to help clarify the significance of the "144,000" as underscored in the book of Revelations. Does it connote that only 144,000 people, races or generations would eventually make it to Heaven @ Armaggedon? Please help lay bare your perceptions!

Do you have any questions based on my reply above? I am waiting