lessons

06-Dec-2025: The Truth About the 144,000 in the Book of Revelation

Opening Prayer

Introduction

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ:

Ephesians 1:3-10

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment — to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

A Sermon on God’s Seal, God’s Judgment, and God’s Faithful Remnant

Why Revelation Matters: The Book of Revelation is the portion of Scripture many believers avoid because they find it difficult to understand. Yet it is the only book in the entire Bible that promises a blessing to those who read it, hear it, and keep what is written in it.

Revelation 1:3

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

Revelation was written by the Apostle John while he was in exile on Patmos.
Though its images are dramatic and sometimes frightening, the Holy Spirit gives understanding to everyone who seeks it. And as we teach Revelation, we must never add to or take from its words.
Scripture warns clearly: Revelation 22:18–19 – If anyone adds or removes from this prophecy, God will judge them.
Jesus: Not Only Savior, but Judge: When Jesus returns, He will not come as a baby in a manger — He will come as the Conquering King, the Judge of all the Earth. Revelation 19:16 – “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
This Truth reminds us: Revelation is not meant to scare us but to prepare us.

The Four Angels and the Four Winds: John writes:

Revelation 7:1

“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds…”

The phrase “four corners” simply represents the four directions — north, south, east, and west. Scripture does not name these angels because their identity is not the point — their mission is.
Throughout the Bible, the four winds symbolize God’s judgment: Jeremiah 49:36 – God scatters a nation by the four winds. Daniel 7:2 – The four winds stir the sea as the beasts arise.
In Revelation 7, these angels are holding back the winds — holding back judgment — until something important happens.
The Angel With the Seal of God: Another angel appears:
- Revelation 7:2–3
  
  “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”
Before judgment falls, God marks His servants with His seal. What is this seal? Revelation 14:1 – The 144,000 stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion having His name and His Father’s name on their foreheads.
The Seal of God is The Name of God — His Ownership, His Protection, His Claim upon His people. Who Are the 144,000? John hears the number: Revelation 7:4 – “144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.”
Revelation lists the 12 tribes and says that 12,000 from each are sealed. This shows that the 144,000 are: Literal descendants of Israel. A faithful remnant. Chosen during the Tribulation for a specific mission.
God has always kept a remnant among Israel. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob’s 12 sons form the foundation of the tribes. Even though Esau despised his birthright and was rejected (Genesis 25; Malachi 1; Romans 9), God continued His promise through Jacob.
Why Are the 144,000 Sealed?: Scripture indicates that after the church is raptured, these 144,000 will become mighty evangelists on the earth — empowered by God to preach the gospel at a time when the world is in confusion and judgment.
They work alongside the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11. While their identities are not named, many believe Moses and Elijah are the most likely, based on the miracles they perform and the prophecy of Elijah’s return mentioned in:
- Malachi 4:5
  
  “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.
The Character of the 144,000 Revelation 14: Revelation 14 gives us a deeper picture of who they are:
- They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. -They are blameless and truthful.
- They are spiritually pure and wholly devoted.
- They sing a new song that only they can learn.
- They are “firstfruits” to God and the Lamb.
In a world ruled by the Antichrist and marked by deception, these 144,000 stand as unshakable witnesses for Christ.
12 (tribes) × 12 (apostles or fullness) × 1000 (great multitude). The Purpose of this is to Represent the totality of God’s redeemed servants and Emphasize God’s faithfulness to His Covenant and Promises.
The 144,000 portray the theme as a purified, faithful community that shows that even in the darkest times, God has Loyal Witnesses.

Two Seals in the End Times

Revelation reveals that in the final days, every human being will bear one of two marks: The Seal of God. The mark of the beast.

There is no neutral ground. The 144,000 show what it looks like to belong to God fully and fearlessly.
To Mark Them as God’s Own: Revelation 7:3–4 describes the sealing as a protective mark placed on “the servants of our God.
Just as God “sealed” His people in Ezekiel 9 and Paul speaks of believers being “sealed with the Holy Spirit” (Eph. 1:13), the 144,000 are marked as belonging to God.
The purpose is to Identify them as God’s faithful people and distinguish them from those who follow the Beast. To be Marked by God is also to help Protect Them from Coming Judgments.
In Revelation 7, the sealing happens before destructive judgments fall upon the earth. This parallels the protection of the Israelites during the plagues of Exodus. Just as God has done in the past he will do again in the future and that is by providing divine protection amid the tribulation and show that God preserves a faithful remnant even under judgment.
God’s Loyal Witnesses in the past and even now will continue to Spread God’s Message in the end times and this is in stark contrast to the false prophets of the follower of the beast and his system.
The Harvest and the Judgment: Revelation 14 continues with the great harvest and the winepress of God’s wrath — a terrifying picture of final judgment. Scripture says the blood rises as high as a horse’s bridle for 200 miles. This is not to frighten believers but to warn the world: God will not be mocked.
Judgment is real. But the people of God — sealed, redeemed, faithful — are safe in Him.

The Message for Us Today

Jesus said the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Israel was first, then last — but God will bring them back to the forefront in the end.

The question for us is simple: Are you ready?

Do you fear Revelation, or do you see it as preparation for the return of Christ?

The 144,000 remind us that God knows how to protect His own.

He knows your name.
He sees your heart.
He seals His people.

A Call to Seek the Lord: Scripture urges us:

Isaiah 55:6

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”

Proverbs 8:17

“Those who seek Me find Me.”

Nehemiah 8:10

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

No matter what happens in the last days — no matter what judgments fall or what powers rise — you can be sealed by God today through faith in Jesus Christ.
The Book of Revelation is not meant to terrify the believer; it is meant to strengthen the believer. It reminds us that Jesus is coming soon — as King, as Judge, and as Lord over all Nations.
Make sure you are counted among His people. Stand with Christ now, and you will stand with Him forever.