What does EGW write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Revelation: 144,000, literal or spiritual?"
Answer
The 144,000 are understood as a literal, precisely countable group of believers, in contrast to the innumerable "great multitude." They are not necessarily literal descendants of the Jews, but rather the spiritual family of Abraham who receive God's seal. This group consists of Christians who will be alive at Christ's second coming and who have gone through the final great tribulation without a mediator.
The Number and Identity of the 144,000
The number 144,000 must denote a specific number composed of exactly that many individuals. It cannot represent a larger, but indefinite number, because Revelation 7:9 introduces another multitude whose proportions are indefinite and therefore is described as “a great multitude that no one could count.” ... The reason for this distinction is obvious when we view the innumerable quantity from verse 9 as the entire host of the redeemed who will partake in the first resurrection, and the 144,000 as Christians who will be alive at Christ’s appearing on earth.
Spiritual Israelites instead of literal Jews
In the Christian congregation there are neither Jews nor Gentiles; all are one in Christ Jesus. We are all grafted into the family of Abraham. The one hundred forty‑four thousand are not necessarily literal descendants of the Jews, but rather those who have received the seal of the living God on their foreheads, whose lives are in harmony with Jehovah’s holy commandments.
Experience in the Last Tribulation
They go through the great period of tribulation, unlike any that has existed since nations began. They experience the soul‑fear of the time of Jacob’s tribulation. They stand without a mediator through the terrifying scenes of the seven last plagues, those proclamations of God’s unmixed wrath upon the earth.
Present Expectation and Sealing
John sees that the 144,000 were sealed from all tribes, etc., and these were the servants of our God, men and women who are now living. Where are they, say our opponents? Answer: On the earth. Do you know where they can all be found? No, not yet, but I believe John saw each one of them...
- Sealing of the 144,000
- The great tribulation and the 144,000
- Difference between the great multitude and the 144,000
Original Sources (English)
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