Why are 144000 the only people are going to heaven?

Answer 1

it depends on how many people are faithful and do the things that christian should do or not do (10 commandments). If the 100 million were to accept Jesus as there lord and savior nd live according to The Bible then 100 million people will go God is giving everyone a chance its depends on the people whether they will receive the gift or refuse it.

Answer 2

Many believe that the 144,000 (the elect of Israel) who were sealed by God and protected through the tribulation period were God's evangelists during this period and that through their efforts, great multitudes of people came to accept Christ. The 144,000 are essentially protected but not the only people going to heaven. In Revelation 7:9 John says "After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." There are many interpretations of the number 144,000. The futurist interpretation is that this is the literal number of Jews, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel who become believers during the tribulation period. Others interpret the 144,000 not numerically but symbolically as representing the totality of the elect of Israel (although some see this as the totality of Christians, or of all believers, Jews and Christians).

Answer 3

Thankfully, for all the millions of God fearing people in the world who have faith in the Lord and who serve Him and keep His commandments, or in other words, they who love God with all their heart, mind, body and soul, and who love their neighbour(people) as they love themselves, that thought or plan is not mentioned in the King James Bible. What is mentioned is a 144,000 souls sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel - twelve thousand from each tribe (Revelations 7:4-8). I believe the 144,000 mentioned here are ordained (and sealed) High Priests to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the last days. It is worthwhile to mention - at the risk of being shot down in flames - that many of the Middle East countries will be converted to the Way(the Gospel) of Christ in the last days.

Answer 4

Jehovah's Witnesses take this number in Revelation as a literal number who will enter heaven. However, this reflects a very poor understanding of the writing of Revelation which, as all Bible scholars know, is written in symbolic apocalyptic writing and not to be taken (especially regarding numbers) absolutely literally.

To the Jew (and Revelation was written by John - a Jew) the number 12 is very special. It is numerically the smallest number with a great deal of factors (eg 1,2,3,4,6 and 12 are all factors of 12) and thus it was regarded as something very special (12 tribes of Israel, 12 disciples and so on) to the Jewish writers of the Bible. Even when Judas Iscariot killed himself the remaining 11 disciples felt it necessary to elect a replacement - in Matthias - to bring the number back to the original 12. The '72' whom Jesus sent out as evangelists to the surrounding villages preparing them for Jesus' coming are numbered 6 (ie half of 12) times 12.

Thus, in Revelation, this perfect number 12 is reflected in the number of people in heaven:- 12 times 12 times 1000 (to signify a multitude). Thus, symbolically John here is stating that in heaven there will be a multitude, but that multitude will be perfection. We are not talking about numbers here but about God's love and grace in making heaven a place where everything, including the number present there, perfect.

Sadly, many Jehovah's Witnesses have not really thought or prayed their theology through, accepting unconditionally what their elders and the watchtower society tell them. When asked once about someone who 'deserved categorically' to be in heaven, one JW I knew said 'Mother Teresa', as the epitome of a Christian lady (although she was a Catholic and not a JW!). Yet when I hypothesised that if she was number 144001st in line whether or not she would be allowed entry, the JW could not answer. If he had said 'yes' then his theology was suspect; if 'no' then he judged Mother Teresa to be not worthy of going to heaven. That is the problem with taking, as the JWs do, Revelation as literal; you get into all sorts of problems. Better still to accept Revelation as it is - as allegorical and apocalyptic, and leave the judgment and numbers in heaven to God alone, and not to second-guess him - for that is the height of arrogance and ignorance.

The apostle John wrote: "I heard the number of those who were sealed a hundred and forty-four thousand." (Revelation 7:4) In the Bible the phrase "those who were sealed" refers to a group of individuals who are chosen from among mankind to rule with Christ in heaven over the coming Paradise earth. (2 Corinthians 1:21,22, Revelation 5:9, 10; 20:6) Their number 144,000 is understood literally for several reasons. One is found in the immediate context of Revelation 7:4. After the apostle John was told in vision about this group of 144,000 individuals, he was shown another group. John describes the this second group as "a great crowd which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues." Rev 7:9,14. Note 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 numberless, the force of the contrast between those two verses would be lost. Thus the context strongky indicates that the number must be taken literally. Various Bible Scholars past and present have reached the same conclusion. British lexicographer Dr. Ethelbet W Bullinger over 100 years ago; "It is the simple statement of fact: a definite number in contrast with the indefinite number in this very chapter." ( The Apocalypse or "The Day of the Lord page 282) (Robert L Thomas Jr, professor of New Testament at the Master's Seminary in the United States wrote:" The case for symbolism is exegetically weak. He added: It is a definite number at [7:4] in contrast with the indefinite number of 7:9. If it is taken symbolically, no number can be taken literally." -Revelation: An Exegetical Commentary, Volume 1, pg 474.

The Bible does not teach that all good people go to heaven. Acts 24:15 says "There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and thr unrighteous." Psalms 37:29 says " The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever upon it." Ecclesiastes 9:10 says "Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your might, for there is no work, nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the Grave, where you are going. "

Answer 5

The 144,000 are 12,000 people (men) from each Tribe of the Patriarchs of Israel. Jacob, the twin son of Isaac (his twin brother was Esau), whom God later named Israel, had twelve sons through his two wives, Rachel and Leah and their maidservants. Hence each son is the father of one of the twelves tribes of Israel.

These men are not just the people chosen to live in heaven, but they are chosen to rule over heavenly realm with Jesus Christ. They are chosen to be kings and priest for they would have lived a celibate Life among having other statures of Love. (read Revelation 7: 1-17 and 14: 1-5

Answer 6

Revelation 14:3: "... and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth."

Some say that Revelation 14:3 means that only one hundred and forty four thousand Christians will go to heaven, out of the billions of Christians who have ever lived or will ever live. The chances are so infinitessimally low, that untold numbers of Christians have gone to church every week and prayed earnestly, for nothing.

Jehovah's Witnesses have decided to improve their own chances. They say that 144,000 Jehovah's Witnesses will win heavenly reward. But with the millions of Jehovah's Witnesses, past, present and future, that is still so low it is hardly worth going to church. So, the remainder (along with any non-Witnesses whom Jehovah deems worthy) will spend eternity in a different paradise here on earth.

Thus, Revelation can be read as saying that it is not really worthwhile anyone hoping for a reward in heaven, because the odds are just too low. Or, if this is what the passage really means, perhaps the author did not realise how many Christians there one day would be on earth.

Answer 7

No, the Scripture does not say this. Further, it simply never says this group or any group will go to heaven. On the contrary, the New Heaven will come to the New Earth and the Father and the Son will reign their newly begotten spiritual children from the New Jerusalem (please read Revelation 21 in its entirety for clarification). Only Jesus, who came from Heaven was worthy enough to go back to it (see John 3:13).

Concerning the 144,000 of Revelation 7 which are mentioned again in Revelation 14, reading both chapters for oneself, it becomes clear that these spiritual "firstfruits" will have repented and been converted before the beginning of the Day of the Lord. They are described as being redeemed and without fault. They are represented as having a relationship both with God the Father and Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. Revelation 7:4 tells us they are 'Sealed.' This sealing has to do with receiving God's Holy Spirit so one may become spiritually converted:

Ephesians 1:13-14New International Version (NIV) 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory.

Revelation 14:1-5New International Version (NIV)

The Lamb and the 144,000

14 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

Answer 8

It doesn't say the are going to heaven but that they are 'sealed' or redeemed as only Jesus has ascended into heaven (see John 3:13). The tribe of Dan is notably missing:

Revelation 7:4-8New King James Version (NKJV)

4 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:

5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand weresealed;

of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;

of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;

6 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;

7 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;

8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand weresealed;

of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;

of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

Answer 9

Revelation 7:4-8 refers to the 144,000 Jews who will go to heaven - twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes. This is explicit enough to exclude any non-jews, or presumably even Jews whose ancestors converted to Judaism since they would not trace their ancestory back to one of the ancient Hebrew tribes. Revelation 14:1-4 goes on to describe the 144,000 as virgin males.

In spite of the definition of the 144,000 in the Book of Revelation, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the reference is to 144,000 Jehovah's Witnesses who will enter heaven, and that they will be the anointed ones, or "remnant" Witnesses, of whom only a few thousand are alive today.

Answer 10

The 144,000 of Revelation 7 (with the notable exception of the Tribe of Dan for unknown reasons) are mentioned again in Revelation 14: 1-5, where it becomes clear that these spiritual “firstfruits” will have repented and been converted (into spiritual beings) before the beginning of the Day of the Lord - last year of God's wrath on sinful mankind. They are described as being redeemed and without fault. They are represented as having a relationship both with God the Father and Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God:

Revelation 7:5-8New King James Version (NKJV)5 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;
6 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;
7 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;
8 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.

It should be noted that the Scripture says only one man has ascended into Heaven - Jesus Christ (see John 3:13. Further, contrary to popular belief, Heaven and God the Father will come down to the New Earth and join with Jesus and His new family of sons and daughters of the God family (see Revelation 21 and 2 Corinthians 6:18).