A) IDENTIFYING THE 144,000.

B) THE HOLINESS FACTOR.

C) THE NUMBER 144,000.

D) A LITTLE COMMON-SENSE.

E) WHAT ABOUT THE “GREAT MULTITUDE” COMPRISING THE 144,000.

F)  ELLEN WHITE ON THE GREAT MULTITUDE.

G) YOUR OBJECTIONS.

H) ELLEN G. WHITE ON THE 144,000 BEING A LITERAL NUMBER.

I) A LITTLE HISTORY.

 

 

A) IDENTIFYING THE 144,000

 

 

Identifying them on Earth only.  Let’s be honest.  When probation closes there will be a specific number of people who will be sealed and not sealed.  Whatever you believe that number to be, “there will be a specific number.”

 

That number will be composed of those that “are not defiled with women,” Revelation 14:3; understanding that a “woman” in Biblical prophecy is identified as a “church,” either righteous or unrighteous (see Jer. 6:2; Rev. 2:20; 12:1; 12:4; 12:6; 12:13; 12:14; 12:15; 12:16; 12:17; 17:3; 17:4; 17:6; 17:7; 17:9; 17:18).  Therefore, they either have “Come out of her,” Revelation 18:4, meaning, the false churches, or, they “are virgins,” Revelation 14:4, having never partaken or been a member of any of the false fallen churches.  For they also are known as having “in their mouth was found no guile:  for they are without fault,” Revelation 14:5, meaning, no false doctrines.

 

 

B) THE HOLINESS FACTOR

 

 

As expressed specifically in the Book of Revelation, Chapter Seven, the most important factor to consider whenever discussing the makeup or structure of the 144,000, is the Bible’s emphasis on the HOLY condition of this group.  Any other deliberations are minuscule compared to this fact.

 

Also, we can notice just how important this Biblical figure is, in that the “walls” of the holy city of New Jerusalem are “an hundred and forty and four cubits,” Revelation 21:17.  Thus the importance and holiness of this figure is well established.

 

 

C) THE NUMBER 144,000

 

 

Consider that it is estimated that there was about between two to four million people upon the earth when the Flood of Noah’s day occurred.  Yet only 8 persons were saved from that deluge.  Using the figure of two million, that would be .000004% of the population that were saved.

 

There is now about 7.7 billion people upon the earth as of April 2019 A.D.  If we consider only 144,000 will go through the “Time Of Jacob’s Trouble,” then the figure works out to be .0000187%.  That is actually a VERY EXCELLENT amount of “saved” individuals, if we consider humanities past efforts.

 

Thus, can we establish Biblically that the figure of 144,000 is a literal number?  Perhaps I should answer that question with another question:  Are the other numbers in Revelation literal or just spiritual?  For instance, will there be 12 gates and 12 foundations?  Are there really 12 different kinds of fruit on the Tree of Life?  Therefore, of course!  Most Bible commentators agree that all of our understandings about the dimensions of the New Jerusalem, and the fruits upon the Tree of Life are based on the assumption that these numbers have a real literal value.

 

There are many prophetic time periods given in the Book of Revelation, but the numbers are not just nebulas numerical symbols, they are precise measurements of time.  The numbers would be useless for reckoning if they were merely symbolic; and much of the meanings in the Book would be lost.  As an example, most Bible commentators agree that all of our understandings about the dimensions of the New Jerusalem are based on the assumption that these numbers have a real literal value.  And that the time periods mentioned (1260; 42 months) are literal years.

 

 

D) A LITTLE COMMON-SENSE

 

 

In an interesting fact, Gothic Cathedrals are now known to have been built upon Biblical figures.  For example, the “Amiens Cathedral,” just south of Paris, France, has its center columns 50 feet apart (the Bibles measurement for the width of Noah’s ark, Genesis 6:15), with every other pillar was placed around these four center columns for support.  While the height of the “Amiens Cathedral” is 144,000 feet high (these are Roman Gothic measurements; modern measurements differ).  In another fact, at the dedication of the opening of the “Amiens Cathedral,” the bishop read aloud Revelation 21:17, emphasizing the Divine height to which this Cathedral had attained (that of Heaven).  As it follows, the “Cathedral of Saint Peter of Beauvais” has the same measurements, along with others.  Also, some of the measurements were used from Solomon’s Temple.  Thus, Biblical measurements were an intricate blueprint in the building of Gothic Cathedrals.

 

In a side note, the builders of the “Cathedral of Saint Peter of Beauvais,” used the “Royal Foot” instead of the “Gothic [Roman] Foot,” thus rendering their Cathedral the tallest on earth at that time.

 

Furthermore, the number 1,000 in the Old Testament (and it must be remembered that we are dealing with the New Testament and the Greek, not the Hebrew language), may have different meanings in regards to being literal, or approximate.  Where it is used in the entire Bible as an approximate number, see Joshua 22:14 & 21; First Samuel 10:19; 23:23; Micah 5:2.  However, whenever there is a military figure to be discerned or expressed, it is ALWAYS a literal number of 1,000.  Examples are Exodus 18:21 & 25; Numbers 1:16; 10:4; 31:5; First Samuel 8:12; 18:13; 22:7; etcetera.

 

Israel was at all times organized administratively into tribal units.  However, during times of war it was organized into military units of 1,000 each (see texts above).  Thus, 1,000 was the basic military unit of Israel in ancient times.  And therefore, the phrase, “thousands of Israel,” when used in a military expression, is used as a synonym for Israel’s army and was understood literally in thought as each division of its thousands.  And it carried with it that connotation.

 

My point is, that the sealed 144,000 saints is/are made up of 144 military units, twelve from each tribe, signifying a totality of Israel with her twelve tribes.  Moreover, John the Revelator is using battle imagery to portray the 144,000, since they are to pass through the great tribulation.  It is therefore simply natural and appropriate to understand John to be speaking in military terms, organized into military units, as modeled after ancient Israel’s military system; thus, concluding that this 144,000 is a literal number.

 

Therefore, since we can establish Biblically that the figure of 144,000 is a literal number, we can also establish that the other numbers in Revelation are literal and not just spiritual; as mentioned above (12 gates and 12 foundations; 12 different kinds of fruit on the tree of life; 1260; 42 months; etcetera).

 

 

E) WHAT ABOUT THE “GREAT MULTITUDE” COMPRISING THE 144,000

 

 

That the 144,000 is a literal number should be clear (if we use common-sense).  By contrast, the Bible clearly states in Revelation, Chapter Seven, that the “great multitude, which no man could number,” verse 9.  Meaning you cannot “number” the “great multitude.”  Whereas, the 144,000 is most definitely defined as having a literal number.

 

We must also consider that the “great multitude,” Revelation 7:9, can be substantiated as comprising a different group than the 144,000, in that they had their (the “great multitude” or righteous dead) robes “given unto” them, Revelation 6:11, while the 144,000 had to “have washed their robes,” Revelation 6:14, “and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,” ibid., indicating they obtained perfection (through Christ), because (see Rev. 14:1-5) “in their mouth was found no guile:  for they are without fault,” Revelation 6:5, equaling perfection.  The “great multitude” did not achieve that distinction.

 

Also, since the 144,000 go through the tribulation (perfected), then this becomes a great possibility that the number is literal; just as when Noah and his family were the only ones (8) to enter into the ark.  Also, according to Revelation 14:3, the 144,000 were the only ones who can sing “a new song before the throne,” which apparently the “great multitude” do not have access to.  In the end, the 144,000 are “not defiled with women [false churches];” whereas the “great multitude” had to come out “of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,” Revelation 7:9; equaling false (worship) churches.

 

Another way to differentiate the 144,000 from the “great multitude,” is that the 144,000 come to us as being from tribes (Revelation, Chapter 7), while the “great multitude” come to us as being from “every nation,” Revelation 7:9.  Also, the 144,000 came out of the “great tribulation,” while the “great multitude” have no mention of that event attached to them (see Rev. 7:9).

 

 

F)  ELLEN WHITE ON THE GREAT MULTITUDE

 

 

In regards to who the “great multitude,” Revelation 7:6, really are, we have my favorite Bible Commentator definitely differentiating between the 144,000 as being in one group, while the “great multitude” comprising another.  Here is one such statement, as found in YI, June 27, 1895:  “The people that are described as making up the one hundred and forty-four thousand, have the Father’s Name written in their foreheads, and of them it is said:  ‘In their mouth was found no guile:  for they are without fault before the throne of God.’  If they had been speaking foolish, senseless, false words, they would not have been found without guile, and without fault before the throne of God.  John also wrote, saying: ‘After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number.’ ”  See the same separation as it is also stated in the Scriptures, but by her with more clarity?

 

Here is another, VERY CLEAR statement:  “Nearest the throne [= the 144,000 based upon the statement above, i.e., “before the throne of God” mentioned twice] are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion.  Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the Law of God when the Christian world declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their faith.  And beyond is the ‘great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues. . .’ ”  DD:54.

 

Here it is from the original source which shows that the “great multitude” are different from the 144,000, equaling members of the righteous dead:  “Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion.  Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the Law of God when the Christian world declared it void {this must be the 144,000}, and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their faith.  And beyond {after these; after everyone else} is the ‘great multitude which no man could number, of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues,’ ‘before the throne {not, “Nearest the throne”} and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.’  Their warfare is ended, their victory won.  They have run the race and reached the prize.  The palm branch in their hands is a symbol of their triumph, the white robe an emblem of the spotless righteousness of Christ which now is theirs.”  4SP:479.3; GC:665; GC88:665.

 

Although I cannot prove this, based upon the other evidences of Mrs. White’s other statements upon this subject, in this following statement I believe that in her expression “great army,” she is meaning and referring to the “great multitude.”  Here is the statement:  “Amid the reeling of the earth, the flashing of lightning, and the roaring of thunder, the voice of the Son of God calls forth the sleeping saints {this would be the righteous dead, agreed?}.  He looks upon the graves of the righteous, then raising His hands to Heaven He cries, ‘Awake, awake, awake, ye that sleep in the dust, and arise!’  Throughout the length and breadth of the earth, the dead shall hear that voice, and they that hear shall live.  And the whole earth shall ring with the tread of the exceeding great army of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.  From the prison-house of death they come, clothed with immortal glory, crying, ‘O death, where is thy sting?  O grave, where is thy victory?’ {1Co. 15:55} And the living righteous {the 144,000} and the risen saints {the dead rise first, remember?} unite their voices in a long, glad shout of victory.”  4SP:463.  Note:  This statement is broken up in the changed book, Great Controversy, beginning on page 644 and ending on page 665.

 

Here is a statement even clearer:  “He [Christ] enters into the presence of His Father.  He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails.  He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His Second Coming.”  DA:834.  This, of course, does not include the ones who were alive at Christ’s Second Coming.  The changed book Desire of Ages forgot about those.  Book 3, Spirit of Prophecy is the original.

 

 

G) YOUR OBJECTIONS

 

 

Many SDA’s see in this statement, found in many places, that the “great multitude” equals the 144,000.  Far from it.  Here is the statement as quoted in Mar:329:  “All classes, all nations and kindreds and people and tongues will stand before the throne of God and the Lamb with their spotless robes and jeweled crowns.  Said the angel, These are they that have come up through great tribulation.”  This means the 144,000 right?  Wrong!  For this is speaking of “All” the redeemed “classes,” throughout “All” time; for they “All” “stand before the throne of God,” remember?  See above, for these are not the ones “nearest to the throne of God.”  Plus, continuing on with Mar:329:  “. . .and have washed their robes and made them white {Revelation 7:14}, while the lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, the self-indulgent and disobedient, have lost both worlds.” 

 

 

H) ELLEN G. WHITE ON THE 144,000 BEING A LITERAL NUMBER

 

 

It must be understood that it is the 144,000 who will obtain perfection of character through our Lord Jesus Christ.  An understanding of Perfection of Christian Character would be in order here, as taught by the Bible (see my Bible Study:  “PERFECTION REQUIRED”).

 

In regards to the 144,000, Mrs. White is so clear in so many references that it is hardly debatable that she meant anything other than a “literal” number.  This one statement alone carries a lot of weight:  “The living saints, 144,000 in number.”  It can be found in:  1EGWLM:85.4 & 101.6; 1EY:261 (1BIO:57.2); 1T:59.1; Broadside1, April 6, 1846, paragraph 2; CCh:33.1; CET:58.1; DS, January 24, 1846, paragraph 1; EW:14.1; ExV:10.1; LDE:272.2; LS:65.1; LSMS:83.1; Mar:287.4; OFC:369.4; RH, July 21, 1851, paragraph 2; WTF:14.2; WV:24.2.

 

This statement of hers needs common-sense:  “This temple was supported by seven pillars, all of transparent gold, set with pearls most glorious.  The glorious things I saw there, I cannot describe.  Oh, that I could talk in the language of Canaan, then could I tell a little of the glory of the better world.  I saw there Tables of Stone in which the names of the 144,000 [literal number] were engraved in letters of gold.”  RH, July 21, 1851.  Here is another:  “As we were about to enter the Temple, Jesus raised His lovely eyes and said, Only the hundred and forth-four thousand enter this place, and we shouted Alleluia.”  LS80:217.1; 2SG:53.1; 1T:68.2; Hvn:88 & 137.2.

 

If, while you are reading the writings of Ellen White, you should notice, that whenever she refers to the 144,000, she refers to them as, “they,” “them,” etcetera.  That it was understood as a literal number in her day by those around her, please consider this statement by Roswell F. Cottrell:  “. . .there will be, eventually, a people sifted out of the Advent ranks. . . it will be the hundred and forty-four thousand which will stand with the Lamb upon Mount Zion.  Here again, perhaps I am too literal; but I cannot attempt to improve the Words of the Holy Spirit [connecting this to the visions].”  RH, July 24, 1855.  Here is a miscellaneous statement by Mrs. White:  “To be among that number is the happy privilege of all who will render willing obedience to the Words of Christ.”  ST, September 24, 1896.

 

 

I) A LITTLE HISTORY

 

 

In 1917, the SDA Church reached a total membership of 144,000.  This caused a panic among the upper echelon.  Like Jehovah’s Witnesses founder, Charles Taze Russell, who prophesied that Christ would come in 1917, when Christ did not Come then, the Church was concerned about baptizing any more converts.  However, the SDA Church corrected itself and began to realize that not all in the Church would go through the Time of Trouble.  By 1930, when Shepards Rod began to organize, SDA Church membership had soared to 324,253.  By 1955, when Shepards Rod founder Victor Tasho Houteff died, and was not translated, thus breaking up the movement (still pockets today), membership had accumulated to 1,006,218.  And lastly (no sense in continuing on with the numbers), in 2009, the number has reached to 16,049,101.  Note, in 2024 it is more than 22 million.

 

My point is -- the point is -- most people in the Church today will be lost.  Also, something to keep in mind, not all of the 144,000 will be composed of SDA’s!  Now when you sit in an SDA Church, look to your left and look to your right, front and behind, and realize that “not one in a hundred of those who claim to believe the truth for this time are keeping [the Commandment].”  7MR:389.3.  Note, not even one (1) in one hundred (100) people.