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QUESTION 39
Could you please explain the meaning of the l44,000 sealed by God in Revelation 7. Is this the number that God will be taking in the rapture?

ANSWER:
The 144,000 are twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. "And I heard the number of them which were sealed and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Asher were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Mansasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand." Revelation 7:4-8.

They are all seen again on Mount Zion, having his Fathers name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1). This is the city of David just outside the old city of Jerusalem. This remnant is mentioned in other parts of the Bible as a faithful remnant of Jews who will preach the gospel during the tribulation that is to come. "Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed." Isaiah 66:5. This will happen to those who have not heard. "And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles." Isaiah 66:19. The results of their preaching is seen in Revelation 7:9, a great multitude saved.

This has nothing to do with the rapture, which is for the church of Christ only. Neither does this mean there is a heavenly class and an earthly class.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen