The Revelation of John 7

¹And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

² And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

³ Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

⁴ 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.

⁵ 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.

⁶ Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

⁷ 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.

⁸ 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.

⁹ 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;

¹⁰ And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

¹¹ And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

¹² Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

¹³ And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

¹⁴ And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

¹⁵ Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

¹⁷ For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

The Two Groups of 144,000

The Book of Revelation mentions a group of 144,000 twice: once in chapter 7 and again in chapter 14. Although the number is identical, a careful analysis of the biblical details shows that these two groups are distinct, both in identity and in their role in the history of salvation. The first group, from Revelation 7, is closely linked to the Jews saved from Jerusalem in the year 70 AD, when the city was destroyed by the Romans, while the second group, from Revelation 14, has a global mission during the end times.

1. The Group from Revelation 7 – The 144,000 Sealed from the Tribes of Israel

In Revelation 7:4-8, the 144,000 are explicitly described as being "from all the tribes of the children of Israel," with 12,000 from each tribe. This characteristic clearly distinguishes them as an exclusively Jewish group. It is also important to note the moment when they appear in the text: they are sealed before major judgment events, suggesting divine protection during a period of danger.

This sealing is reminiscent of the episode from Ezekiel 9, where God commands the marking of the righteous in Jerusalem before the city is punished for its iniquities. A clear parallel can be drawn between the sealing in Revelation 7 and the events of 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman army under the command of Titus.

Jesus warned about this destruction in Matthew 24:15-20, telling his disciples to flee the city when they would see the "abomination of desolation" standing in the holy place. Historically, it is known that the first Christians took this prophecy seriously and left Jerusalem before the Roman siege, fleeing to the town of Pella and other regions of Judea. Thus, if we accept that Revelation was written before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (70 AD), the 144,000 in Revelation 7 symbolically represent all those saved from the destruction of Jerusalem, namely the Jews who believed in Jesus and were spared due to their obedience to His warning.

It is important to mention that the number 144,000 can be symbolic, representing the totality of those saved among the Jews during that period, rather than a precise number.

Another detail that reinforces this interpretation is that these 144,000 are sealed with the "seal of the living God," a sign intended to provide protection. This seal differs from the one in Revelation 14, where it is mentioned as "the name of the Lamb and His Father's name" written on the foreheads of the chosen ones. The difference in terminology shows that the first group was sealed for physical survival in a specific historical context, while the second group is identified by their spiritual belonging to Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2. The Group from Revelation 14 – The 144,000 Called to a Global Mission

In contrast to Revelation 7, chapter 14 introduces another group of 144,000, but with completely different characteristics. There is no reference to Israel or any ethnic origin, indicating that this group is not limited to Jews but includes believers from all nations. They are seen on Mount Zion together with the Lamb, and on their foreheads is written "the name of the Lamb and His Father's name."

Moreover, these 144,000 are described as being "virgins" and "followers of the Lamb wherever He goes," suggesting total dedication and separation from corrupt religious systems. The phrase "they have not defiled themselves with women" is a prophetic symbol indicating that they have not compromised with false doctrines or perverted religious alliances. This idea is reinforced by Revelation 17, where Babylon is presented as a harlot, a symbol of spiritual corruption.

Another essential detail is that these 144,000 sing a new song that no one else can learn. This suggests that their experience is unique and impossible to replicate. Unlike them, the conquerors of the beast in Revelation 15 sing "the song of Moses and of the Lamb," confirming that they are two distinct groups.

The context in which the 144,000 from Revelation 14 appear is crucial. They are presented just before the announcement of Babylon's fall and the warning about the mark of the beast. This indicates that these believers have an active role in the final period of history, probably as God's witnesses who warn the world before divine judgments.

This group is connected with the message of the three angels, who call people to repentance, announce Babylon's fall, and warn against worshiping the beast. Therefore, the 144,000 from Revelation 14 are not just a group of the saved, but appear to be God's "special envoys" to deliver the final message to the world.

3. Conclusion

The 144,000 from Revelation 7 and those from Revelation 14 are two distinct groups, each having a well-defined role in God's plan.
The first group represents the faithful Jews who heeded Jesus' warning and were saved from the destruction of Jerusalem. This was a crucial stage in the history of the Church, as it marked the transition from a message centered on Israel to one addressed to all nations. The second group consists of a chosen people from all nations, who in the end times have a special mission to proclaim the truth and warn the world about the fall of Babylon and the establishment of the beast's government. These are God's special messengers, called to play a prophetic role before humanity's final crisis.

A Multitude from All Nations

The Book of Revelation contains several scenes that are not presented in a strictly chronological order but include insertions that provide additional details about future events or specific groups of believers. A clear example is the symbolic pause in chapter seven (Revelation 7), where two distinct groups are mentioned: the 144,000 and the great multitude in heaven. Additionally, between the sixth and seventh trumpets, another narrative pause occurs (Revelation 10 and the first part of 11), highlighting a presentation pattern that does not strictly follow the chronological thread.

Groups that "Sing" in Heaven

When analyzing the groups that "sing" in heaven, Revelation mentions three distinct categories:

1. The Great Multitude– A multitude from all nations, described in Revelation 7:9-17 as having white robes washed in the blood of the Lamb.

2. The 144,000– Called the "firstfruits," redeemed from the earth and the only ones who can learn a new song (Revelation 14:1-5).

3. The Victors over the Beast and Its Image– Those who confronted the beast, its image, and the number of its name, singing the song of Moses and the Lamb (Revelation 15:2-4).

From a chronological perspective, these victors over the beast are alive during the final plagues and endure until the return of Christ. In contrast, the 144,000 are presented earlier, being considered the "firstfruits," which indicates that their victory took place earlier. The great multitude appears in the context of the sealing of the 144,000, suggesting a distinct category of the redeemed. This textual structure supports the idea that there is a succession of victories rather than an overlapping of groups.

The 144,000 from Chapter 7

The 144,000 mentioned in chapter 7 clearly and directly refer to all those who believed in Jesus and became Christians before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This destruction took place after the sending of Jesus’ letters to the seven churches, and the 144,000 are presented as encouragement and assurance for the early believers that Jesus knows them and will protect them. The number of 12,000 per tribe indicates the perfection of divine choice and that Jesus has not lost any of those who chose to follow Him.

In contrast, the other Jews who refused to accept the new covenant offered by Jesus lost their status as the "chosen people." With the completion of the prophetic 70 weeks from Daniel (in the year 34 AD), the Jews who rejected the Gospel not only lost their special calling but ultimately also lost the Temple, which was destroyed in 70 AD. This was a confirmation that the privilege of being God's people was no longer based on ethnicity but on accepting Jesus as the Messiah.

Thus, the 144,000 emphasize the privileged position of those who responded to Jesus' call before the final collapse of the Old Covenant. They are sealed and preserved by God, in contrast to those who rejected the offer of the New Covenant and lost everything.

The Chronology of the Songs in Revelation

The Great Tribulation ends with the return of Jesus Christ, a moment described in Revelation 19:11-21. This is the climax where Jesus comes as King of kings, defeats the beast, the false prophet, and all their armies at Armageddon. This marks the direct judgment upon the wicked, and after this event follows the Final Judgment for all mankind.

Those Who Sing in Heaven

After Jesus’ coming, the judgment of all humanity begins, and only certain groups are already identified and secure in their status before God:

• The Victors over the Beast (Revelation 15:2-4)– These are the only ones who can sing immediately because they were alive at the time of Jesus' return and endured the Great Tribulation while remaining faithful. They no longer need judgment since they have already been judged and proven loyal to God by confronting the beast and refusing to worship it.

• The 144,000 (Revelation 14:1-5)– They are sealed by God, already recognized as the "firstfruits" and accompanying the Lamb on Mount Zion. They also do not need judgment because they have been tested and proven loyal to the Lamb and His Father.

The Great Multitude and the Final Judgment

The great multitude (Revelation 7:9-17) is made up of a vast number of people from all nations who have been redeemed. However, they do not sing immediately because they must go through the Final Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
During this judgment, the books are opened, including the Book of Life, where the names of the saved are recorded. At this moment, the great multitude finds out whether their names have been preserved in the Book of Life or have been erased. Only after receiving confirmation of their salvation can they sing with joy before God.

This detail is essential:

• The great multitude does not sing before judgment because they do not know whether they are written in the Book of Life.

• After judgment, the saved join the victors over the beast and the 144,000 in singing and praising God.

The Creation of the New Heaven and New Earth

After the Final Judgment, God creates the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-2). At this point, the scene changes completely:

• There is no longer a Temple (Revelation 21:22), for God and the Lamb are the Temple.

• All the saved enter the New Jerusalem and live eternally in the presence of God.

• The singing and celebration continue, but in a new reality, without fear of judgment or loss.

The Order and Timing of the Songs

1. The Great Tribulation ends with the coming of Jesus.

2. The victors over the beast and the 144,000 are the only ones who sing immediately, as they have been tested and confirmed as loyal to the Lamb.

3. The great multitude must pass through the Final Judgment before they can sing.

4. After judgment, the saved sing with joy because they learn that their names are written in the Book of Life.

5. Then, God creates the new heaven and new earth, where the praise continues in a transformed, divine reality.

This interpretation puts events in order and explains why not everyone sings immediately and when the singing of the great multitude begins.

The Sealing on the Forehead

Meaning and Implications in Revelation

The concept of sealing on the forehead appears in various places in the Bible, being associated either with divine protection or with belonging to God. This symbolism is essential in the Book of Revelation, where the seal on the forehead marks the difference between those who accept the divine Revelation and those who reject it.

1. Sealing in the Old Testament

a. Ezekiel 9:4-6 – Protection of the Faithful
In the prophet Ezekiel's vision, God commands an angel to mark the foreheads of those who sigh and groan because of the sins committed in Jerusalem:
"Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it."(Ezekiel 9:4)
This sealing has a clear protective role: those who receive the mark are spared from the judgment that is about to come.

b. Exodus 13:9,16 and Deuteronomy 6:6-8 – Obedience to God
In the Mosaic Law, the sign on the forehead and hand is a symbol of loyalty to God:
"Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads."(Deuteronomy 6:8)
This type of sealing is not physical but spiritual, indicating that the faithful internalize God's Law and keep it in their hearts.

2. Sealing in Revelation

a. Revelation 7:3-4 – The Seal of the Living God
In Revelation, the seal on the forehead is a distinctive sign for those chosen by God:
"Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."(Revelation 7:3)
These 144,000 are sealed to be protected from the divine judgments that are about to come upon Israel and Jerusalem.

b. Revelation 14:1 – A Sign of Spiritual Belonging
"They had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads."(Revelation 14:1)
This detail clarifies that sealing involves the acknowledgment of Jesus as the Son of God.
This sealing contrasts with the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16), highlighting the existence of two distinct categories of people:

• Those who receive the Revelation of Jesus and belong to God (the sealed ones).

• Those who reject the Revelation and adopt an alternative teaching (those who receive the mark of the beast).

3. Why Are Dan and Ephraim Missing from the List of Sealed Tribes?

In Revelation 7, the list of the 12 tribes is unusual because two important tribes are missing: Dan and Ephraim. In their place, Manasseh appears, and Joseph's name is mentioned instead of Ephraim.

a. Dan and Ephraim – Architects of an Alternative Theology
The reason for the absence of these two tribes is not just due to idolatry (although that played a role), but rather because Dan and Ephraim created a parallel religion, separate from divine Revelation.

• Dan – A Center of Idolatry and Apostasy

  • Dan was the first tribe to institute idol worship in Israel (Judges 18:30-31).

  • Jeroboam placed one of the two golden calves in the city of Dan (1 Kings 12:29).

  • Genesis 49:17 describes Dan as a "serpent," associating him with deception and apostasy.

• Ephraim – The Center of Schism and Alternative Religion

  • Jeroboam, the first king of Northern Israel, was an Ephraimite and placed the other golden calf in Bethel, a city in Ephraim’s territory.

  • Hosea 4:17 states: "Ephraim is joined to idols: leave him alone!"

  • The prophet Hosea warns that Ephraim will be destroyed because of his spiritual rebellion (Hosea 5:9).

Thus, Dan and Ephraim were not just unfaithful; they created an alternative religion, a theology that replaced God's teaching.

b. The Seal of Revelation and Acceptance of Jesus' Revelation
The sealing in Revelation 14:1 indicates that the chosen ones accepted Jesus as the Lamb of God and, implicitly, His Revelation.
The 144,000 are essentially all that could be saved from physical Israel. If we accept that Revelation was written before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (70 AD), this becomes clear:

• The sealed ones are Jews who remained faithful to the Revelation and accepted the Gospel.

• Those who rejected it were left alone, just as Dan and Ephraim were left in their apostasy.

4. Connection to the Temple’s Destruction and Final Judgment

Before the year 70 AD, Jewish Christians from Jerusalem fled to Pella in Decapolis, thereby escaping the city's destruction. These were the historical equivalent of the 144,000 sealed, being protected through obedience to Jesus' warning (Matthew 24:15-16).
In contrast, the Jews who rejected Jesus' Revelation and remained faithful to the Mosaic system (including Israel’s religious leaders) were destroyed along with Jerusalem.

This explains why Dan and Ephraim were excluded from the list of the sealed:

• Not only did they go astray, but they created a different theology, distinct from the one based on divine Revelation.

• Similarly, the Jews who rejected Jesus' Revelation were left in their own religion and were not part of the sealed ones.

5. Conclusion: Faithfulness to Revelation

The sealing on the forehead in the Bible marks belonging to God, protection, and acceptance of Revelation.

• Dan and Ephraim are not excluded merely because of idolatry but because they replaced Revelation with another theology.

• The 144,000 in chapter 7 represent all Jews who accepted Jesus and were saved from the destruction of Jerusalem.

• The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD was a historical confirmation of this separation.

This interpretation explains the structure of Revelation in the light of both history and divine Revelation.