Are the 144,000 literal Jews from the 12 tribes?

The interpretation of the 144,000 mentioned in the Book of Revelation has been the subject of debate throughout Christian history. Some interpret the number symbolically, while others argue for a literal understanding. To explore this topic, we will examine the relevant passages from the Book of Revelation.

Biblical References

Revelation 7:1-8

• Revelation 7:1-8 (NKJV): “After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.’ And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.”

This passage describes the sealing of 144,000 servants of God, 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribes listed are Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.

Revelation 14:1-5

• Revelation 14:1-5 (NKJV): “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. 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. 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. 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. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.”

In this passage, the 144,000 are described as standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion, having God’s name written on their foreheads. They are depicted as pure and blameless, following the Lamb wherever He goes, and singing a new song before the throne of God.

Interpretation

The 144,000 are not literal Jews from the 12 tribes because in the Old Testament during King Hezekiah’s reign, the Northern kingdom, which is where the 10 tribes dwelt (often called the kingdom of Israel), was conquered by the Assyrians as a judgment from God for their apostasy.  And these people were carried away to Assyria. There they were inter-married, enslaved, absorbed and they lost their distinct identity as a people.

The Jews were the Southern kingdom of Judah.  In the Southern kingdom, there were the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi.  Levi wasn’t really counted as one of the tribes because they were the priests.  The people of Judah, Benjamin and Levi were carried away captive to Babylon.  And they came back after 70 years, but the 10 Northern kingdoms never came back. So, when we talk about Jews, we’re talking about Judah. We’re not talking about the other 10 tribes.

Characteristics of the 144,000

The 144,000 are those who are “able to stand” through the terrible events portrayed in Revelation 6:17. They have the “seal of the living God” (Revelation 7:2) and are protected in the time of universal destruction, as were those who possessed the mark in Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekeil 9:6). They are approved of Heaven, for John later sees them with the Lamb on Mt. Zion (Revelation 14:1). They are declared to be without guile and without fault (Revelation 14:5). John hears them singing a song that “no man could learn” (Revelation 14:3). They are designated as “first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb” (Revelation 14:4).

The Significance of the Number 12

Twelve is considered by many Bible students a significant number in the Bible, doubtless because there were 12 tribes in Israel (Exodus 24:4; 28:21; Leviticus 24:5; 17:2; Matthew 10:1; Revelation 12:1; 22:2). The twelve fold repetition of the number 12,000 (Revelation 7:5–8) may suggest that the principal aim of this passage is not to disclose the precise number of the sealed but to show the distribution of the sealed among the tribes of “spiritual Israel” or the Christian church (Jews and Gentiles)

Conclusion

The 144,000 are not literal Jews but figurative Israelites, spiritual Israel, and the Christian church (Romans 2:28, 29; 9:6, 7; Galatians 3:28, 29; 4:28 6:16; 1 Peter 1:1; Philippians 3:3).

In His service,
BibleAsk Team