Overview
In Revelation 7, an angel brings the Seal of God to earth. 144,000 were sealed, 12000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Not Literal
This cannot be literal because:
1) The twelve tribes of ancient Israel no longer exist literally. The ten northern tribes disappeared 700 years before Christ.
2) The list in Revelation 7 is not a valid list of tribes because it excludes Dan and Ephraim but includes Levi and Joseph, who were not listed as tribes in the Old Testament.
3) 12000 from each tribe is too exact to be literal.
4) Literally interpreted, the 144,000 are all men and they never sinned (Rev 14:4-5).
The 144,000 “sons of Israel” are a symbol because Revelation is a book of symbols, and all numbers in it are symbols. This symbol consists of two parts: the “sons of Israel” and the number 144,000:
The Sons of Israel
The “sons of Israel” are God’s New Testament people because:
1) Revelation frequently uses literal things from the Old Testament as symbols. For example, Jerusalem becomes “the New Jerusalem.”
2) Revelation merges the Church into Israel. For example, the New Jerusalem has written on it the names of both the 12 apostles and the 12 tribes of Israel.
3) Paul illustrated this principle by describing Israel as an olive tree from which unbelieving Jews were removed and believing Gentiles have been added.
The number 144,000
This number is based on the number 12, which symbolizes God’s people in both the Old and New Testaments. For example, Israel had 12 tribes, and Jesus chose exactly 12 disciples, not 11 or 13.
In Israel, “a thousand” was a military unit. Therefore, 144,000 is military language, meaning 12 military units from each tribe. The 144,000 describe God’s end-time army.
The repetition of the number 12 (12×12=144) and the implication that the 144,000 are selected from a much larger group symbolize the perfection of God’s end-time army.
Purpose
In Revelation 7, an angel brings the Seal of the living God to earth. He commands the angels holding back the four winds of disaster to continue until all of God’s bond-servants are sealed on their foreheads” (Rev 7:1-3). John heard that 144,000 were to be “sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel” (Rev 7:4).
This article discusses who the 144,000 “sons of Israel” are. It shows that it cannot be interpreted literally but symbolizes the perfections of God’s end-time army.
Not Literal
For the following reasons, the 144,000 “sons of Israel” cannot be literal:
| 1) The twelve tribes of ancient Israel no longer exist literally. |
Ten tribes broke away from the rest, were assimilated into the peoples of the Middle East, and disappeared from history. Show More
| There are Jews today who can trace their descent back to Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, but the ten northern tribes have disappeared. These ten tribes broke away from the rest after the death of Solomon and formed the independent kingdom of Israel, with Jeroboam as the first king. In 723-722 BC, they were later taken into captivity by the Assyrians (2 Kings 17:5-23), were assimilated into the peoples of the Middle East (2 Kings 17:34), and essentially disappeared from history.
Furthermore, many Jews today do not come from the 12 tribes but descended from converts over the centuries.
Therefore, it is impossible to identify 12,000 people from each of the twelve tribes in any literal sense. |
| 2) The list in Revelation 7 is not a valid list of tribes. |
It excludes Dan and Ephraim, probably because of their idol worship. The list includes Levi, who was not included in the lists in the Old Testament because, being reserved for the priesthood, he did not receive a portion of the land. The list also includes Joseph, who was not one of the 12 tribes in the Old Testament because his two sons were counted as tribes. So, the list includes both Joseph and his son Manasseh, which is effectively a double count. Show More
| In the original sense, the “sons of Israel” (Rev 7:4) were the twelve sons of Jacob. God later changed Jacob’s name to Israel” (Gen 32:27-28).
The original list of the twelve tribes, based on the sons of Jacob, were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Joseph, and Benjamin. In Genesis 49, Jacob blesses his twelve sons, but after he has already given special attention to the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen 48:8-22). So, Joseph’s two sons also became ancestors of recognized tribes, taking the place of Joseph. Therefore, right from the beginning, the tribes actually numbered 13, not 12.
The number returned to 12 after Levi was withdrawn for the priesthood and given no distinct territorial inheritance (Joshua 13:14; 14:3-4; 18:7; Num 18:20-24). Consequently, in Numbers and Joshua, the tribes were listed consistently as Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Issachar, Zebulon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh. (Both Joseph and Levi were left out).
The Tribes in Revelation 7
The list of tribes in Revelation 7:5-8 excludes Dan and Ephraim, probably because of their idol worship:
Dan was the first tribe to fall into idolatry. Jeroboam placed one of his two golden calves in Dan (1 Kings 12:29-30). These calves served as substitutes for the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem (cf. Gen 49:17; Judges 18:27-31).
“Ephraim is joined to idols; Let him alone” (Hosea 4:17; cf. 8:11).
To restore the number 12, the list in Revelation 7 adds Joseph and Levi. In doing so, it includes both Joseph and his son Manasseh, which is a double count. Also, by including Levi, it deviates from the Old Testament lists.
The order in which the tribes were listed in the Old Testament was never fixed. The order of the tribes in Revelation, with Judah first and Reuben second, is not unusual. Judah was Jacob’s fourth son (Gen 29:35). In Revelation 7, he is in the pre-eminent (first) place because he is the ancestor of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is “from the tribe of Judah” (Rev 5:5). For that reason, Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob, is no longer listed as first. |
| 3) 12000 from each of the 12 tribes (Rev 7:4) is too exact to be literal. |
To say that God will select exactly 12,000 from each of the 12 literal tribes does not make any Biblical sense and is inconsistent with the freedom in God’s kingdom.
| 4) Literally interpreted, the 144,000 are all men who never sinned. |
If the 144,000 Israelites are interpreted literally, then their description in Revelation 14 must also be literal. There, it says 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 who never had sex and never sinned, but all people are sinners (Rom 3:23) and that God’s people include women.
Symbolic
For the following reasons, the 144,000 “sons of Israel” are a symbol:
| 1) Revelation is a book of symbols. |
It has been given in the form of signs (signified – Rev 1:1), filled with obvious symbols, such as a beast with seven heads (Rev 13:1). Show More
| Firstly, Revelation 1:1 tells us that Jesus Christ “signified” (Literal Standard Version) the revelation and handed it to John. Strong defines the word “signified” (sémainó) as “to give a sign.” In other words, this revelation has been received in the form of signs (symbols).
Consequently, this book is filled with obvious symbols, such as the four horsemen of the apocalypse (Rev 6:1-8). Revelation, therefore, is a book of symbols.
While the normal way to read any work is to assume straightforward language unless it becomes evident that a symbol is intended, in Revelation, it is advisable to take everything as symbolic unless it is compelling that the author intended something to be taken literally. For a further discussion. (Read Article) |
| 2) All numbers in Revelation are symbols. |
For example, 2 symbolizes God’s Word, 4 means the whole world, and 7 means “all time.” (See here) Show More
| The number 2 as a symbol for the word of God is based on the Old Testament principle that at least two witnesses are required to confirm evidence (e.g., 2 Cor 13:1; 1 Tim 5:19). In Revelation, it often appears in a hidden form, for example:
“(1) the word of God and to
(2) the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev 1:2; cf. Rev 1:9; 6:9; 12:17; 14:12; 20:4).
The number 4 signifies the whole world (e.g., Rev 7:1). It is also often hidden in phrases that use four synonyms to describe ALL the world’s people. For example:
“You must prophesy again concerning
many peoples and nations and tongues and kings”
(Rev 10:11; cf. 7:9; 11:9; 14:6; 17:15).
Seven is the most prominent number in Revelation (e.g., seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls, seven heads of the beast, etc.). It is derived from the seven days of the week. Similar to the days of the week, the number seven in Revelation implies a chronological sequence: the second follows after the first, the third after the second, and so forth, with the seventh being the last or the end. The same cannot be said of the other important numbers in Revelation, such as 4, 10, and 12.
The number seven, therefore, has to do with time and should be understood as the completion or perfection of time—ALL TIME. For example, God has seven Spirits (Rev 4:5; 5:6), but God does not literally have seven Spirits. It should be understood symbolically that His Spirit is ALWAYS with us. Similarly, the seven heads of the beast are the seven phases of the beast, covering all time. |
Sons of Israel
Therefore, the 144,000 “sons of Israel” are a symbol consisting of two parts. This section discusses one part of the symbol, namely, the phrase “sons of Israel” (Rev 7:4). The next section discusses the number 144,000.
| 1) Revelation frequently uses literal things from the Old Testament as symbols. |
For example:
1) Israel’s capital Jerusalem becomes “the New Jerusalem,” a symbol for God’s New Testament people (Rev 21:2, 9-10; cf. Heb 12:22).
2) Babylon – the main enemy of God’s people in the Old Testament – becomes “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots,” a symbol for the enemies of God’s New Testament people (Rev 17:5).
Many other examples can be listed. So, if the things of Israel in Revelation become symbols of New Testament realities, then the “sons of Israel” are also a symbol. Show More
| More examples:
3) The Euphrates – the river that flowed through ancient Babylon – becomes a symbol for “peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues” who support Babylon and who are controlled by her (Rev 17:15).
4) The Old Testament sacrificial ritual, in which the blood of animals was “poured out” at the base of the altar, becomes a symbol for the martyrdom of God’s people (Rev 6:9). See – Are the souls under the altar alive?
|
| 2) Revelation merges the Church into Israel. |
In the view of many Christians, the nation of Israel has a distinct role during the end-time events. However, Revelation does not distinguish Israel from the Church; instead, it merges the Church into Israel. For example:
(a) The entire book of Revelation was written to the seven churches (Rev 22:16). Therefore, these seven churches represent the whole Church. But Revelation uses one of the things from the Jewish temple, namely, the seven-fold lampstands, to symbolize the seven churches (Rev 1:20). Show More
| Furthermore, in chapters 2 and 3, the seven churches are promised the things that previously belonged to Israel, such as manna (Rev 2:17), the temple (Rev 3:11), and Jerusalem (Rev 3:12). |
(b) Before Christ, the woman of Revelation 12 represents Israel, but after Christ, she represents the Church. Show More
| The woman represents Israel while she expects Christ, but after Christ ascended to heaven, she remains on earth and represents the Church (cf. Rev 12:1, 5, 17). In other words, Revelation uses the same symbol for both Israel and the Church. She has a crown of 12 stars (Rev 12:1). In her Old Testament existence, the 12 stars represent the 12 tribes. After Christ, the 12 stars represent the 12 apostles. Parallel to this, Jesus declared the 12 apostles to be the new leaders of the 12 tribes (Matt 19:28). (Read Article) |
(c) “The New Jerusalem” – a symbol of God’s people (Rev 21:9-10) – has written on it the names of both the 12 apostles and the 12 tribes of Israel (Rev 21:12, 14). Show More
| The eternal home of “the bride, the wife of the Lamb” is “the holy city, Jerusalem” (Rev 21:9-10); also called the “New Jerusalem” (Rev 21:2; 3:12). Just as the first Israel had its capital in ancient Jerusalem, so God’s New Testament people are promised the New Jerusalem.
As already stated, the names of the 12 apostles are written on the foundations of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:14). This implies that it is built on their message. But “the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel” are written on its gates (Rev 21:12). In other words, only Israelites are allowed into the New Jerusalem. This, by itself, should be sufficient proof that Revelation regards Israel and the Church to be a single entity. |
(d) “Those who had been victorious over the beast … sang the song” of both Moses and the Lamb (Rev 15:3). This combines the two main people from the Old and New Testaments into a single song.
Therefore, the many references in the Book of Revelation to the things of Israel must be understood as referring to the Church.
| 3) The entire NT merges the Church into Israel. |
This is a vast study. Whole books have been written on this subject, and I will not attempt to do justice to this topic here. The following are a few examples:
(A) My study of Romans 9 and 11 (see here) – two key chapters for this purpose – concluded that God elected a remnant from Israel to inherit Israel’s promises and covenants, but included believing Gentiles into this chosen remnant. We should take this definition of “Israel” to the study of the Book of Revelation. Show More
| This article concludes further:
God did not annul His word. Israel’s promises and covenants remain but now belong to this chosen remnant. Believing Gentiles, therefore, now also share in Israel’s promises and covenants (cf. Gal 3:29).
The NT did not replace the OT but is built on the foundation of the OT. Everything in the OT remains valid, except where the NT announces specific changes. The chosen remnant is a continuation of the chosen nation of the Old Testament, not a new entity with new founding principles.
|
(B) Paul illustrated this principle by saying that Israel is an olive tree from which unbelieving Jews were removed and believing Gentiles have been added (Rom 11:17). The critical point is that the root of the tree, symbolizing the things God gave to Israel (Rom 3:2; 9:4-5), now belongs to Christianity. Show More
| In Romans 11:17-21, Israel is described as an “olive tree” from which branches were broken off (the unbelieving Jews). Branches from “the wild olive” (the Gentile world) were grafted into Israel’s olive tree. Paul concluded:
“A partial hardening has happened to Israel
(Some branches of the olive tree were broken off)
until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;
(branches from the wild olive were grafted in
and so all Israel will be saved
(All believers from both Israel and non-Israel)”
(Rom 11:25-26).
Paul warns the Gentiles not to be arrogant:
“Remember that it is not you who supports the root,
but the root supports you” (Rom 11:18).
The root refers to the covenants, the Law, the temple service, the promises, and the fathers (Rom 9:4-5). Is that not clear evidence that Israel and the church cannot be separated? |
(C) Several New Testament verses can be listed to support this. For example, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise” (Gal 3:29). Show More
|
“He is not a Jew who is one outwardly,
nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
But he is a Jew who is one inwardly;
and circumcision is that which is of the heart,
by the Spirit, not by the letter” (Rom 2:28-29).
“They are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; …
it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God,
but the children of the promise
are regarded as descendants” (Rom 9:6-8).
“If you belong to Christ,
then you are Abraham’s descendants,
heirs according to promise” (Gal 3:29).
“Neither is circumcision anything,
nor uncircumcision,
but a new creation.
And those who will walk by this rule,
peace and mercy be upon them,
and upon the Israel of God.” (Gal 6:15-16)
James described the church as the twelve tribes:
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (James 1:1, NIV).
|
(D) Israel (previously called Jacob) had twelve sons. By choosing twelve disciples and not eleven or thirteen, Jesus signaled His intention to reshape Israel. Show More
| Jesus chose twelve disciples (Matt 10:1-5, Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13, John 6:70-71, etc.). They became the twelve apostles—the first church fathers. This is clear from what He said to them:
“At the renewal of all things,
when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne,
you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matt 19:28, NIV).
In other words, Jesus appointed the twelve apostles as the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. So, since the first leaders of the Church were all Jews and the Church leaders will judge Israel, it is not feasible to distinguish between Israel and the Church. The true followers of Jesus have become a new Israel. |
Conclusion
Revelation is a Christian book. All references to Israel and Israel’s things now refer to Christianity. The “sons of Israel” (Rev 7:4) and “Jews” (Rev 2:9; 3:9), therefore, are Christians from all nations. Show More
| In the seven letters, we read of people “who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (Rev 2:9; 3:9). A claim to be a literal Jew does not make any sense. In the context of a Christian church at the end of the first century, after Jerusalem had been destroyed more than two decades earlier, what benefit would a person derive from claiming to be a literal Jew? But, to claim to be a Jew, in the context of Paul writing that “he is a Jew who is one inwardly” (Rom 2:29) does make sense. It would mean to be a true believer. |
What makes this difficult to understand for us today is the fact that Christianity has become essentially a non-Jew organisation. But when Paul wrote and when Revelation was received, most Christians were Jews. We need to interpret Revelation in that context. See Early Church History.
144,000
As stated, the 144,000 “sons of Israel” (Rev 7:4) are a symbol consisting of two parts, the number 144,000 and the “sons of Israel.” The previous section discusses the phrase “sons of Israel” (Rev 7:4). The current section discusses the meaning of the number 144,000. As argued above, all numbers in Revelation are symbols. So, what does it mean that they are said to be 144,000 in number?
| 144,000 means that it is God’s people because it is based on the number 12, which symbolizes God’s people. |
The number 144,000 is derived from the number 12 because it equals 12 x 12 x 1000. The number 12 appears more than a hundred times in Scripture and consistently represents God’s people. For example:
Israel consisted of twelve tribes (Gen 35:22; 49:28). The lists of the tribes in the Old Testament differ, but there are always 12 tribes in these lists. Show More
Consequently, the number 12 was regarded as important. There were:
-
- Twelve spies of Israel (Deut 1:23),
- Twelve stones of the Jordan River (Josh 4:2-9),
- Twelve cities of the Levites (Josh 21:40),
- Twelve governors for Solomon (1 Kings 4:7),
- Twelve bronze oxen held up the bronze sea in Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 7:44; 2 Chr 4:2-4; Jer 52:20),
- Twelve lions in front of Solomon’s throne (1 Kings 10:18-20; 2 Chr 9:17-19),
- Elijah’s twelve stones (1 Kings 18:31), and the
- Twenty-four courses of priests, each with twelve trained musicians (1 Chr 25:1-31).
|
The importance of the number continued in the New Testament. Jesus chose exactly 12 disciples, not 11 or 13. 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. For example, the pure woman has a crown of twelve stars, and the New Jerusalem has 12 gates and 12 foundations. Show More
| The pure woman (Rev 12:1), representing God’s people both before and after Christ (see here), 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), meaning that only Israelites may enter. But it also has 12 foundations with the names of the 12 apostles written on them (Rev 21:14).
There are also 24 elders in Revelation (e.g., Rev 4:4), and 24 equals 12 + 12. |
| 144,000 means it is God’s army, for a 1000 is a military unit. |
In Israel, “a thousand” was a military unit, equivalent to what we today may call a regiment or a platoon. The Hebrew word for “thousand” (eleph) can also mean a military unit. In preparation for the war to invade the promised land, Israel selected an army of exactly 1,000 elite warriors from each tribe (Num 31:3-4), giving exactly 12,000 in total (Num 31:5). Show More
| Numbers 31 describes Israel’s preparation for the invasion of the promised land. Moses commanded the people to send against Midian “a thousand from each tribe, twelve thousand armed for war” (Num 31:5, cf. 3-4). “The thousands of Israel” in this verse refers to Israel’s entire army, as counted in Numbers 1. |
The number 144 is also used in the description of the wall of the New Jerusalem, which “was 144 cubits thick” (Rev 21:17; NIV or YLT). In ancient times, the wall of a city was the most important defense for the people of that city. Therefore, like the 144,000 sons of Israel, this huge wall is military language symbolizing strength.
Therefore, the 144,000 is God’s end-time army for the final war before Christ returns and God’s people enter the eternal promised land (See – Seal of God). Show More
The 144,000 in Revelation 7:4-8 are based on Numeri 31:5 (quoted above) because both:
-
-
- Describe people of God
- Who are numbered in thousands and selected equally from the 12 tribes,
- In preparation for the war to invade the promised land.
Since a thousand is a military unit, the 12,000 from each of the tribes implies 12 military units from each tribe; in total, 12 x 12 = 144 military units. |
| 144,000 symbolize spiritual strength – the perfection of God’s end-time people. |
Since only 1000 were selected from each tribe, only the very best soldiers were selected. The 1000 from each tribe may be compared with Gideon’s 300 chosen men (Judges 7:2-7). From the 32,000 warriors available, God led Gideon to select only 300.
Since the number 12 symbolizes God’s people, the repetition of the number 12 (12×12=144) symbolizes the perfection of God’s end-time army. Show More
| They have “His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads” (Rev 14:1), meaning to think like God.
“No lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless” (Rev 14:5).
They “have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste” (Rev 14:4), meaning that they have not been defiled by false Christianity, symbolized by the harlot Babylon and her harlot daughters (Rev 17:5). They will be pure in their worship of God.
While the 144,000 are God’s end-time people, the huge wall symbolizes the same concept but for God’s people in eternity.
In his vision of the 144,000, Joyner similarly wrote, “the spiritual atmosphere that I felt when close to them was as awesome as their appearance. … I could not detect ambition or pride anywhere in the ranks.” |
When and How?
Previous articles conclude as follows:
| The 144,000 will be sealed (selected) through the end-time persecution. |
The 144,000 will also be sealed DURING AND THROUGH the persecution of Revelation 13 (See here). After the nominal Christians had fled the persecution, those who remained faithful were the remnant, the 144,000 “sons of Israel.” The remnant will remain “faithful until death” (Rev 2:10; cf. Rev 12:11). Show More
| Rick Joyner discusses the 144,000 in chapter 10 of his book The Call. He refers to them as 12 divisions in the vanguard of God’s army.
Joyner begins by describing Christianity as it is today. It moves erratically and wears “tattered, dull gray uniforms.” “Fights were constantly breaking out in the ranks causing many of the wounds.” “In a real battle, they would be much more of a liability than an asset.” However, Rick quotes Jesus as saying:
Before the last great battle, My army will be holy, even as I AM holy. I will remove those who are not circumcised of heart and the leaders who do not uphold My righteousness.
Quoting Jesus, Joyner also wrote that Jesus will purify His church through persecution:
I will stop the march of the entire army until those in this group have been disciplined to become soldiers or dispersed.
Those who want to be called by My name but do not walk in My ways will be trodden underfoot.
|
| The 144,000 will receive special power from God. |
Those who remain faithful despite the persecution (the 144,000) will be strengthened by receiving power from God, symbolized by the seal of God (See here).
Other Articles
The Seven Seals
Other
I recommend Jon Paulien’s commentary on Revelation for further reading. For general theological discussions, I recommend Graham Maxwell, who you will find on the Pineknoll website.
