144,000
| List of numbers - Integers | |
|---|---|
| Cardinal | 144000 |
| Ordinal | 144000th |
| Factorization | 27 × 32 × 53 |
| Binary | 100011001010000000 |
| Hexadecimal | 23280 |
144,000 is a positive integer. It has a religious significance for Christians because of its use in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament. It is also significant in some New Age religious movements.
Christianity
The 144,000 are mentioned three times in the Book of Revelation:
- Revelation 7:3-8 (ESV)
Tribes of Israel 
saying: "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the servants of God on their foreheads." And I heard the number of the sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
12,000 from the tribe of Asher,
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.
- Revelation 14:1 (ESV)
Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.
- Revelation 14:3-5 (ESV)
And they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. For it is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.
The numbers 12,000 and 144,000 are variously interpreted in traditional Christianity. Some, taking the numbers in Revelation to be symbolic,[1] believe it represents all of God's people throughout history in the heavenly Church.[2] Others insist the numbers 12,000 and 144,000 are literal numbers and that the 144,000 people who are either descendants of Jacob (also called Israel in the Bible) or who God has given a specifically superior destiny to have a distinct role at the time of the end of the world.[3] Other views of the 144,000 include; that they are recently converted Jewish Evangelists, sent out to bring sinners to Jesus Christ during the tribulatioin period. Another view is that the 144,000 are a larger version of the ancient Israelite army, sent out at the end of the tribulation period to kill the ungodly.
Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses distinctly believe that only 144,000 people will be raised to heaven, and will thus spend eternity with God. They do not believe that this number necessarily comes from descendants of Jacob, but from early Christians, and those of Jehovah's Witnesses who profess to be "anointed" (or "spiritual Israel").[4] Witnesses believe that the 144,000 have been selected by God from the time of Jesus' apostles through to today. They believe that the 144,000 (those having a "heavenly hope") will reign with Christ in heaven, while all other people accepted by God will live forever on a paradise earth (an "earthly hope").
Traditional Christian teaching Corresponding Jehovah’s Witnesses teaching[5] 1) 12,000 and 144,000 are symbolic numbers representing all of God's people; or 2) Literally 144,000 people (12,000 from each tribe) will be chosen from the tribes of Israel. 12,000 is symbolic of balance.[6] 144,000 is seen as literal.[7] It refers to "spiritual Israel," not the physical nation. [8] (i.e. the "anointed" ).[9] All Christians are born again and will thus spend eternity with God. Only 144,000 believers are born again. They will be raised up and spend eternity in heaven with God. [10] One cannot see God’s Kingdom or enter into it without being born again. Only the 144,000 can enter the heavenly kingdom. Those with an "earthly hope" will live on a paradise earth. [11] Approximately 9,105 of the 144,000 anointed ones are alive on Earth today, according to the latest figures posted on the official Jehovah's Witnesses website [12]. However, they believe that Jesus is Shepherd and Savior over both those with the "heavenly hope" (the 144,000) and those with the "earthly hope" (to live on a paradise earth).[13]
Skoptzists
The Christian Skoptzy sect in Russia believe that the Messiah would come when the Skoptsi numbered 144,000, and all their efforts were directed to reaching this total.
New Age movements
The number 144,000 is also significant in various New Age religious movements.
- Song of the 144,000 is a poem by J. J. Dewey that features prominently in the New Age novel The Immortal
- The Church Universal and Triumphant teaches that Sanat Kummara and the Lords of the Flame also brought 144,000 souls with them from Venus.
- The new age religion called Raëlism also states that there are 144,000 chosen people to continue humanity in case of an upcoming disaster.[14]
Popular culture
- 144,000 Gone is a 1984 song by Agent Steel.
- On GZA's 1995 album Liquid Swords, in the track "4th Chamber," fellow Wu-Tang Clan member (and the album's producer) RZA ends his verse with the rhyme: "Rollin' with the lands, the tribe's a hundred and forty four thousand chosen. Protons, electrons always cause explosions."
- Common's track "G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definition)" on One Day It'll All Make Sense contains the following: "Cuz when the trumpets blowin', 24 elders surround the throne. Only 144,000 gon' get home."
- 144,000 is also a song written and performed by California-based neo-psychedelic rock band Silver Sunshine.
Other uses
- A Baktun is 20 Katun cycles of the ancient Maya Long Count Calendar, which contains 144,000 days.
- In author John DeChancie's comic fantasy Castle series, 144,000 doors (or "aspects") of the Castle each lead to another parallel universe.
See also
- Chosen people
- 124,000 which has significance in Islamic theology.
- The 144,000 and the Numberless Multitude
- 144,000 Not Evangelists, But Battle Ready Warriors.
References
- ^ See "Numbers in the Book of Revelation" as an example of this view.
- ^ "144,000 sealed in Apocalypse [Revelation] 7:4ff; 14:1 ff: This is [[12 (number)|]], the number of the tribes of Israel, multiplied by itself and then multiplied by [[1000 (number)|]], the number of a military unit in the ancient Israelite army. The number indicates the fullness of Israel; the Church in the New Testament is conceived as the fullness of Israel, and this is the heavenly Church in its final completion."--Dictionary of the Bible, John L. McKenzie, S.J., p. 621.
- ^ "The earth-dwellers will stand in rebellion against God, but the 144,000 as slaves of God will faithfully proclaim the gospel." Robert L Thomas, "One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand: Who Are They?", Ankerberg Theological Research Institute
- ^ What does the Bible Really Teach?, ch. 8, p. 79
- ^ For the full table of doctrinal differences or comparisons, please see Controversies regarding Jehovah's Witnesses#Doctrinal differences
- ^ "Since natural Israel consisted of 12 tribes, it logically follows that spiritual Israel would be spoken of as having 12 tribes to show that it was a complete spiritual nation, with no part or tribe missing. There is no numerical imbalance within spiritual Israel, for the Bible book of Revelation symbolically reveals that an equal number--12,000--is sealed from every tribe. (Rev. 7:4-8) Commentary on the Letter of James, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (1979), pp. 12,13.
- ^ The Watchtower © Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania | 9/1/04 p. 30 Questions From Readers | “Note, however, the contrast that John draws between verses 4 and 9 of Revelation chapter 7. He states that the first group, “those who were sealed,” has a definite number. However, the second group, “a great crowd,” is without a definite number. With that in mind, it is logical to take the number 144,000 to be literal. If the number 144,000 were symbolic and referred to a group that is actually numberless, the force of the contrast between those two verses would be lost. Thus, the context strongly indicates that the number 144,000 must be taken literally.”|
- ^ “Reasoning From The Scriptures” –1985 © Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania | p. 224 - p. 225 Jews | “Among whom do the prophecies about restoration of Israel have fulfillment today?” “Gal. 6:15, 16: “Neither is circumcision anything nor is uncircumcision, but a new creation is something. And all those who will walk orderly by this rule of conduct, upon them be peace and mercy, even upon the Israel of God.” (So “the Israel of God” is no longer determined on the basis of conforming to the requirement laid upon Abraham for all the males of his household to be circumcised. Rather, as stated at Galatians 3:26-29, those who belong to Christ and who are spirit-begotten sons of God “are really Abraham’s seed.”)”
- ^ What does the Bible Really Teach?, ch. 8, p. 79
- ^ The Watchtower, 2/1/1986, p. 17, ¶ 17 (see also watchtower.org)
- ^ The Watchtower, 2/15/1986, p. 14 (see also watchtower.org)
- ^ "2007 Report of Jehovah's Witnesses Worldwide". Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace" 1986, p.11 paragraphs 18-20
- ^ The message, Intelligent Design, page 298
