The 144,000

They are a
Precise Number

Key Three

And I heard the number of them which were sealed
and there were sealed 144,000.
Revelation 7:4

    The noted scholar and Biblical commentator, Dr. E. Bullinger, makes a profound statement in the preface of his book, Number in Scripture. He writes, “There can be neither works nor words without number.” From the movement of a man’s hand, as he reaches out to help another, to the wavelength of his vocal chords as he speaks, numbers play a vital part in the operation of every part of our daily lives.
    The Almighty God, who created our magnificent universe, is a being of supreme order and planning. In fact, He is a great mathematical genius who created numbers and the laws of physics with His great purpose in mind. As Bullinger points out, virtually everywhere man looks, nature reveals God’s brilliant use of mathematical equations in the physical laws of creation.
What may come as a surprise to some is that the Eternal also uses numbers in His spiritual creation. He created specific numbers to reflect principles and values, as well as time frames in the fulfillment of prophecy. The Bible reveals that there are different meanings that are assigned to various numbers. This pattern is unmistakably supernatural in its design and of great spiritual importance to those seeking God’s truth.
    One of the most fascinating keys to understanding the identity and ultimate destiny of the 144,000 is the meaning of the unique number God has assigned to them. After recording that they were both sealed and servants of God, the Apostle John heard their specific number. He writes:

And I heard the number of them which was sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel (Revelation 7:4).

    God assigned the exact number of 144,000 to this special group for a purpose. Since the Almighty designed specific numbers to have special meaning, this number must denote something profound. But what values, principles, or prophetic significance does this number represent?

Understanding the Meaning of Some Numbers
    First, consider the meaning of several important numbers as they are used in the Bible: The number one signifies unity. For example, a man and woman are to be joined together in marriage in order to become “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). In like manner, Jesus explained that He and the Father were one (John 10:30). Additionally, Christ entreated the Father that He would unite the apostles and other followers in mind and heart. He prayed, “Make them one, even as we are one” (John 17:20-22). The Apostle Paul also described the Church as many members, but “one body” (I Corinthians 12:12).
    The number two pictures division. Unless two become unified in one mind, they will remain divided. The prophet Amos states that two cannot walk together “except they be agreed” (Amos 3:3).
    Christians are encouraged to avoid division, and to be “perfectly joined together in the same mind” (I Corinthians 1:10). As the Apostle James explained that a “double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). In addition, if the testimony of two witnesses is not in agreement, it is considered an inadequate witness (Matthew 18:16).
    The number three denotes a form of completeness. Two straight lines cannot form a complete geometric figure. But when a third line is added, a complete geometric shape can be formed. Jesus completed His work on earth by rising from the dead on “the third day” (Mark10:34). God’s plan for mankind will be completed through a process involving three resurrections (Revelation 20:1-15).
    The next number, four, pictures a foundation on which to build. As three lines can form a figure, four lines can form a rectangle, or square—a foundation capable of bearing great weight. There are four gospels upon which the New Testament was built. The first four Commandments, which show love toward God, are the foundation upon which the other six are based.
    The number five pictures that which God adds to the foundation. This figure represents God’s grace, or His favor. The first five books of the Bible represent God’s law, which are His gift to mankind. God also showed His favor to Israel when He promised that “five of you shall chase a thousand” (Leviticus 26:8). Paul also stated that he would rather “speak five words with understanding than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue” (I Corinthians 14:19). Nearly every measurement in the tabernacle is a multiple of five, and the holy anointing oil had five parts (Exodus 30:23-25). The fifth kingdom is that of Jesus Christ, the Rock. He returns and smashes the other kingdoms, bringing His millennial reign to earth (Daniel 2:44).
    After God’s grace, the number six represents that which pertains to man. Man was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26-31), and God gave man six days in which he was to do all his labor (Exodus 20:8-11).
    A man called the beast in the Bible is destined to be the catalyst for the Great Tribulation. He has a specific number associated with his name. It is 666—three sixes. Three is the number of completeness, and six the number of man. Therefore, this number symbolizes the epitome of the worst that man can be (Revelation 13:18). This number can also be broken down into three (completeness), multiplied times two (division), and repeated three times. This reflects that the beast is completely divided, or separated from God.
    The number representing spiritual completion is seven.
    Man’s number (six) plus God’s number of unity (one) totals seven. Man is complete only when connected with God. The great Almighty created the Sabbath and sanctified it on the seventh day of the week. The Sabbath denotes the week’s completion. The seven-day week also pictures God’s 7,000 year plan for mankind. Based on Psalm 90:4, and II Peter 3:8, it is believed that God has given man 6,000 years to rule on this planet before Christ intervenes to establish His Kingdom for the last thousand years.
    God also created seven annual holy days. These days foreshadow His plan of salvation for all mankind (Leviticus 23; Colossians 2:16-17). The Bible also speaks of seven prophetic times in which God’s punishment for Israel would finally be complete (Leviticus 26:18).The number seven is also used throughout the book of Revelation, picturing the completion of God’s judgement on the world. There are seven churches, representing seven eras of the Church, leading up to Christ’s return. There are seven seals, seven angels which blow seven trumpets, and the seventh trump completes the plan of God with the resurrection of His firstfruits (Revelation 11:15; I Corinthians 15:51-52).
    Ten is the number portraying God’s divine basis for judgement. The Eternal God gave the children of Israel the Ten Commandments, which constitute His perfect ethical and moral code for mankind.
    God’s flawless law defines both sin and love (I John 3:4; Matthew 22:36-40). God delivered Israel from Egypt, a type of sin, with ten plagues. God’s law regarding finances includes instructions for tithing. The word “tithe” literally means “tenth” (Leviticus 27:30).
    Finally, consider the number twelve, which represents perfection in God’s righteous government. This number is used extensively by God in His governing of the heavens as well as the earth. First consider the seat of His government in heaven. He is surrounded by twenty-four elders—two sets of twelve (Revelation 11:16). The number twelve also plays a significant role in the government of God’s people on earth. The nation of Israel consisted of twelve tribes, and each tribe constituted a regional government. Additionally, Israel was designed to be a model of God’s government on earth—a witness to the gentile nations. Tragically, physical Israel failed in this mission. They were taken captive, and eventually became lost as far as secular history is concerned.
    Jesus chose twelve apostles who would constitute the beginning of His government in the Church. When Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus, committed suicide, the remaining apostles felt compelled to choose a replacement. Under the leadership of Peter, the apostles appealed to God to select an individual to fill this position. Matthias was chosen, bringing the number of apostles again to twelve (Acts 1:15-26).
    The number twelve plays a prominent role in the governmental structure of both the nation of Israel and God’s Church. These two governmental bodies will later be intimately connected in God’s Kingdom and they are therefore inextricably linked to the 144,000.
    The 144,000 are the Church, and they are numbered in twelve companies, each consisting of twelve thousand servants of God. The angel indicates that they also are the twelve tribes of Israel in which 12,000 are allotted to each tribe (Revelation 7:4-8).
    Although John is made aware of the 144,000 before God’s Kingdom is established on earth, it is clear that these people will play a prominent role in that Kingdom. But what part are they destined to play?

Government in the World to Come
    The Bible describes a time in which Jesus Christ will return to the earth with great power and glory. He will restore peace and order, ruling with a rod of iron (Revelation 11:15, 19:11-16; Zechariah 14:9). Christ will establish His millennial government, and His faithful servants, called down throughout the ages, will be raised in a resurrection to rule with Him.
    To insure that this newly created government will work in perfect harmony and cooperation, Christ created specific offices for each member of His millennial administration. For example, when the Apostle Peter asked Jesus what reward he would receive in the Kingdom, Christ responded by revealing an extraordinary destiny awaiting both Peter and the other apostles. Jesus said:

Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).

    Although the apostles are currently in the grave awaiting a resurrection, these servants of God are promised that they will live again, ultimately serving God in His magnificent millennial government (I Corinthians 15:20; Revelation 20:4). Their future with Jesus Christ is inextricably connected to the 144,000.

The Significance of Numbers

    In addition, the twelve apostles will assist Christ. They are promised to each preside over one of the twelve tribes of spiritual Israel (Matthew 19:28). The Bible explains that in God’s Kingdom, King David will rule over all Israel (Ezekiel 37:24). Under King David, the apostles will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of physical Israel.
    It is also interesting to note that the number 144,000 is a factor of both twelve and ten—twelve times twelve, times ten, times ten, times ten. This reveals that these servants of God are destined to play a prominent role in God’s divine and perfect government, making judgements based on His law.
    The 144,000 will include David, the apostles, and those who will be governing various nations and cities around the world. The tribes of physical Israelites, who will live into the millennium, will also fall under the jurisdiction of David and the twelve apostles.
    The meaning of the number 144,000 now begins to become much more clear. In fact, it is all beginning to makes real and practical sense. This is the unique number God has assigned to be His future spiritual governmental assistants who will rule under the authority of Jesus Christ! That ruling body will consist of exactly 144,000 spirit beings, who will assist Christ ruling first this earth, and ultimately the entire universe, from New Jerusalem.

A Governmental Headquarters for the Universe
    There is a destiny for the 144,000 that is even greater than that which will be enjoyed during the millennial rule. Their future includes sitting in high positions of government for all eternity. The ultimate seat of God’s government will be the New Jerusalem. The magnificent holy city will come out of heaven adorned as beautifully as a bride dressed for her husband. Tit will be an absolutely transcendent governmental headquarters in which Christ will be the King, and the 144,000, as the firstfruits, will reign with Him.

A City Inscribed with the Number of Government
    In order to see this glorious edifice, the Apostle John was carried away in the spirit to a “great and high mountain” (Revelation 21:10). The term “mountain” in Scripture is used to describe a government or a kingdom (Daniel 2:35). The New Jerusalem is the seat of God’s universal government, and it will be occupied by the greatest leadership team ever assembled in the history of the universe. That team will consist of the 144,000—God’s trusted servants.
    Consider the city’s dimensions, and notice the number of perfect government repeatedly expressed in the measurements. It is a flawless twelve thousand furlongs long, twelve thousand furlongs wide, and twelve thousand furlongs high. If this city were a cube, as was the holy of holies in Solomon’s Temple (I Kings 6:19-20), there would be twelve outer edges, each one twelve thousand furlongs long.
    The surface area of this city’s foundation would be one hundred and forty-four million square furlongs, or approximately 1,400 miles long, and 1,400 miles wide. The length would be approximately the distance between Los Angeles, California, and Dallas, Texas. The width would be about the distance between Phoenix, Arizona, and Calgary, Canada. The height would be an astounding 1,400 miles—1,300 miles above where satellites orbit in space today. Because of its monumental height, New Jerusalem is larger than any nation on the face of this earth!
    The city is also surrounded by a wall one hundred and forty-four cubits high. Taller than a 20-story building, it has twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles. Additionally, these foundations are garnished with twelve types of precious stones. Access to the city is granted through twelve gates, which are made of magnificent pearl. The twelve gates are attended by twelve angels. On the gates are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and in the midst of the city the tree of life bears twelve different kinds of fruit.

New Jerusalem and the Number Twelve

Consider the Numbers
    New Jerusalem has the number twelve literally built into its structure. The number is actually used twelve times when describing the city. Twelve is the number of perfect government, and this reveals that New Jerusalem is a city designed for those who are perfectly qualified to govern!
    While the number twelve is an intrinsic part of the New Jerusalem, it also points to who will inhabit this grand edifice. Destined to each be led by one of the twelve disciples, the 144,000 consist of twelve groups made up of twelve thousand from each of the tribes of Israel. In addition, their number is a factor of twelve, representing perfect government, and ten, picturing judgement based on God’s law. Thus, only one conclusion is possible. The 144,000 have kept God’s law, are qualified to govern, and will dwell in the New Jerusalem.

New Jerusalem: The Residence of God
    Imprinted with the number twelve, and designed for those who will reign with Jesus, the Holy City is being built by Christ for those who attain the first resurrection. As Jesus said:

In My Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:2-3).

    The house with many mansions is New Jerusalem. It is prepared for those in His Church who attain the first resurrection. This is why both the Church and New Jerusalem are called the bride (Revelation 19:7-8, 21:2). The Church and the city are virtually the same entity and therefore they share the same magnificent destiny!
    As the apostle John describes the interior of the city in considerable detail, he states that the main street in this city is made of pure gold. He relates that the appearance is “like transparent glass,” and that only those whose names are written in the Book of Life are allowed access to this city (Revelation 21:27). This means that the great city will be the home of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the saints where they will sit on glorious thrones governing the universe (Revelation 22:1-3).
    The fact that God’s throne resides in this city is of enormous significance. Without apology, Jesus Christ declared that He shared in God’s throne. At the same time, He revealed that He would share His throne with others (Revelation 3:21).
    This throne that Jesus speaks of is the very seat of His government. This means that the 144,000 are designated to assist in governing with Christ—first during His millennial rule on earth—then ultimately the entire universe from the breathtakingly glorious—New Jerusalem.

Numerical Perfection
    The tables on pages 57 and 60 illustrate that God’s use of number in Scripture demonstrates a pattern going far beyond coincidence. This numerical pattern reveals an extraordinary design and a great master plan.
    Because of the exceptional numerical precision used by God throughout the Bible, it must be concluded that the number 144,000 is literal, as opposed to symbolic. This also makes it clear that the number 144,000 reflects both God’s holy law and His government.
    Unlike the number 666, which represents the worst that man can be, there is a number that reflects the best man can be. That number is 144,000!
    This number pictures a people who have learned to submit to the government of God in their life as they strive to live by His every Word. They obey God! These are those who are maturing spiritually and actively growing in character. They practice daily in order to overcome Satan’s influence and their own human nature (I John 2:16). They study God’s Word, meditating on how to apply His law.
    The 144,000 are those who have followed God with the incredible hope of one day being a part of His government. They are those who attain the first resurrection, and rule with Jesus Christ. Such people are few indeed!

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