Introduction
There have been numerous teachings about what the 144,000 Jews represent and what is their role in the end times. Greek thought has led to some amazing explanations for whom they represent. This post hopes to present a more biblical and Hebrew view of how the Jews would understand this portion of scripture. John throughout Revelation quotes portion scripture from the Old Testament to help the readers understand the meaning of his writing and also uses special terms like sealed. If we mentioned “Humpty Dumpty” we automatically think about the wall, kings men and him falling down. This is what John does throughout the book of Revelation. He quotes portion of scripture from the OT which the Jews would know that would help them understand what he was writing about.
The Revelation 7:3 text for the 144,000 does not imply that these are Jewish evangelists that will share the gospel with the whole world to makeup for all the church being raptured at the beginning of the tribulation as many believe. It is based upon the teaching that there is going to be a pre-tribulation rapture and so there will be a need for evangelists. NB. All Christians are evangelists anyway (Mark 16:15). However, Pre-tribulation rapture is not taught in the bible.
Scriptural Case for Ezekiel 9 Parallel
Revelation 7:3 reads “saying: “Do not harm the land, the sea, or the trees till we should seal the servants of our God on their foreheads.””
In Ezekiel 9 the same metaphor was used regarding the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the Divine preservation of the faithful Jewish remnant.
Ezekiel 9:4-6 and the LORD said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.“
5 To the others He said in my hearing, “Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity.
6 Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.
God always uses patterns and parallels to helps us understand scripture. Since the sealing of the foreheads is so much like what Ezekiel wrote about in Ezekiel 9 this is makes the most sense as the meaning. It fits the situation where in Ezekiel 9, God was judging Jerusalem and in Revelation God is judging Israel for the same reasons. The sealed men in Ezekiel 9 where crying out over the abominations being done and today in Israel and around the world, there are men and women who are crying out for the Messiah to come.
They are keeping the Law of Moses and even have plans and resources ready to build the new temple. The orthodox Jews come to mind. There will be righteous Jews from each of the 12 tribes who will be sealed so they are not killed or harmed.
All the Jews not sealed in Jerusalem in Ezekiel 9 were killed including women and children. The same will happen when God judges Israel again for their idolatry and disobedience.
Conclusion
Revelation 7 is parenthetical and is more detail placed between the 6th and 7th seal. It gives details about the 144,000 Israelite’s from each tribe that are sealed before the 4 horsemen are released by the seals 1-4. They are not 144,000 witnesses as many believe as covered above. Is also covers the harvest of Gentile from nations.
Living as a Christian in this World 