The 144,000 sealed "in their foreheads" before the "four winds of
trouble" have been loosed (see chapter 7:3-8) are the same as those exalted 144,000
on "Mount Zion" (Chapter 14). These 144,000 are "sealed" with the
"Father's name [His character likeness] written in their foreheads." Who are
they?
Revelation 14:4, 5, tells us the answer.
"These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.
These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were
redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
"And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without
fault..."
These are not instant converts at Jesus' return, for
"they follow the Lamb
whithersoever he goeth."
When Jesus began to call his followers,
he only called his Jewish brethren. However, they mostly rejected him.
"He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But
as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God." (John
1:11, 12).
Paul explains this phenomenon as "Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh
for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded" (Romans 11:7).
Continuing, Paul shows us how Israel was "broken off" the "olive tree"
of the Abrahamic promise—and the "wild" Gentiles were "grafted in" as
replacements. But Israel's rejection, however, would only last until the full number
of the predestined Church of God had been filled. "Israel has experienced a hardening
in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in." (Romans 11:25, NIV)
What's the "full number"? 144,000! After all, Jesus said his was a "little
flock" (Luke 12:32). So the Gentile replacements throughout the age have been
engrafted into the twelve tribes of Israel—each with its various characteristics,
strengths and weaknesses together.
The Bride of Christ is composed of 144,000 faithful overcomers—no more, no
less.
