The holy number 144.000

[Rumpelstil]

Some say that only 144.000 will go to heaven.

Or what other meaning may this number have?

 

[Rumpelstil]

The number appears in the Revelation part of the Bible.
there they are virgin men who will have a special place in heaven, or maybe they are the only ones who go to heaven, according to some.

 

[BitterPill]

Some say that only 144.000 will go to heaven.

Or what other meaning may this number have?

Over on Truth Social, many are worried about AI taking over and dispensing with humans altogether, but a segment of Qanon adjacent Patriots have suggested that 144,000 will be spared, and the 144,000 will be chosen by virtue of fealty to AI, so I've been working hard to scrub any negative mention of AI from my social media posts, but I've found there are none, so I'm confident I will be spared.

MAGA.

 

[Rumpelstil]

Over on Truth Social, many are worried about AI taking over and dispensing with humans altogether, but a segment of Qanon adjacent Patriots have suggested that 144,000 will be spared, and the 144,000 will be chosen by virtue of fealty to AI, so I've been working hard to scrub any negative mention of AI from my social media posts, but I've found there are none, so I'm confident I will be spared.

MAGA.

Maybe @Daisy can say something about it.

 

[Daisy]

Who Go to Heaven?​

The Bible’s answer​

God selects a limited number of faithful Christians who, after their death, will be resurrected to life in heaven. (1 Peter 1:3, 4) Once they have been chosen, they must continue to maintain a Christian standard of faith and conduct in order not to be disqualified from receiving their heavenly inheritance.—Ephesians 5:5; Philippians 3:12-14.

What will those who go to heaven do there?​

They will serve alongside Jesus as kings and priests for 1,000 years. (Revelation 5:9, 10; 20:6) They will form the “new heavens,” or heavenly government, that will rule over the “new earth,” or earthly society. Those heavenly rulers will help restore mankind to the righteous conditions that God originally intended.—Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13.

How many will be resurrected to heaven?​

The Bible indicates that 144,000 people will be resurrected to heavenly life. (Revelation 7:4) In the vision recorded at Revelation 14:1-3, the apostle John saw “the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000.” In this vision, “the Lamb” represents the resurrected Jesus. (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19) “Mount Zion” represents the exalted position of Jesus and the 144,000 who rule with him in the heavens.—Psalm 2:6; Hebrews 12:22.

Those “who are called and chosen” to rule with Christ in the Kingdom are referred to as a “little flock.” (Revelation 17:14; Luke 12:32) This shows that they would be relatively few in comparison with the complete number of Jesus’ sheep.—John 10:16.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502016215

 

[Daisy]

Misconceptions about those who go to heaven​

Misconception: All good people go to heaven.

Fact: God promises everlasting life on earth for most good people.—Psalm 37:11, 29, 34.

• Jesus said: “No man has ascended into heaven.” (John 3:13) He thus showed that good people who died before him, such as Abraham, Moses, Job, and David, did not go to heaven. (Acts 2:29, 34) Instead, they had the hope of being resurrected to life on earth.—Job 14:13-15.
• The resurrection to heavenly life is called “the first resurrection.” (Revelation 20:6) This indicates that there will be another resurrection. It will be an earthly one.
• The Bible teaches that under the rule of God’s Kingdom, “death will be no more.” (Revelation 21:3, 4) This promise must apply to the earth, since death has never existed in heaven.

Misconception: Each person chooses whether he or she will receive life in heaven or on earth.

Fact: God determines which faithful Christians receive “the prize of the upward call,” that is, the hope of heavenly life. (Philippians 3:14) Personal desire or ambition has no bearing on a person’s being chosen.—Matthew 20:20-23.
Misconception: The hope of everlasting life on earth is an inferior one, offered only to those not worthy of going to heaven.

Fact: God calls those who will receive everlasting life on earth “my people,” “my chosen ones,” and “those blessed by Jehovah.” (Isaiah 65:21-23) They will have the privilege of fulfilling God’s original purpose for humankind—everlasting life in perfection on a paradise earth.—Genesis 1:28; Psalm 115:16; Isaiah 45:18.
Misconception: The number 144,000 mentioned in Revelation is symbolic, not literal.

Fact: Although Revelation contains symbolic numbers, some of the numbers it uses are literal. For example, it speaks of “the 12 names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:14) Consider the evidence for concluding that the number 144,000 should likewise be taken literally.

Revelation 7:4 records “the number of those who were sealed [or, confirmed for life in heaven], 144,000.” In the immediate context of this verse, a second group is contrasted: “a great crowd, which no man was able to number.” Those of the “great crowd” also receive salvation from God. (Revelation 7:9, 10) If the number 144,000 were symbolic, referring instead to a group without number, then the contrast between the two groups would be lost.a

In addition, the 144,000 are described as being “bought from among mankind as firstfruits.” (Revelation 14:4) The expression “firstfruits” refers to a small representative selection. It aptly describes those who will rule in heaven with Christ over an undetermined number of subjects on earth.—Revelation 5:10.

a Similarly, Professor Robert L. Thomas wrote regarding the figure 144,000 mentioned at Revelation 7:4: “It is a definite number in contrast with the indefinite number of 7:9. If it is taken symbolically, no number in the book can be taken literally.”—Revelation 1-7: An Exegetical Commentary, page 474.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502016215

 

[Stealers Wheel]

OK. So of the many billions of humans, only a minicule fraction are going to Heaven. Those in the fraction have no say. It is God's choice only. No amount of faith or good works will alter one's ultimate fate. Most of the millions around the world who have put their faith in the resurrected Jesus are in for a very rude awakening when they realize it was all for naught.

 

[joluoto]

Some say that only 144.000 will go to heaven.

Or what other meaning may this number have?

Well originally Christians did not believe anyone went to Heaven, but that the dead were sleeping in their graves and would wake up when Jesus came back. But only if they were buried so they were turned towards Jerusalem and thus actually be able to see Jesus.

 

[BitterPill]

OK. So of the many billions of humans, only a minicule fraction are going to Heaven. Those in the fraction have no say. It is God's choice only. No amount of faith or good works will alter one's ultimate fate. Most of the millions around the world who have put their faith in the resurrected Jesus are in for a very rude awakening when they realize it was all for naught.

Occam's Razor alone suggests Daisy's overly complicated scheme is unlikely and that the Qanon scheme from Truth Social, which seems both elegant and simple, is far more likely, so I'm going to spend some time on Truth Social for sanity's sake and to escape the constant mention of the 'E' word on DP, and while there I will query the Patriotic Qanon AI proponents for more information.

Afterward, perhaps I will share my findings here on DP with you and the other faithful.

MAGA.

 

[Daisy]

Well originally Christians did not believe anyone went to Heaven, but that the dead were sleeping in their graves and would wake up when Jesus came back.

True and that is what Jesus himself taught...when he went to awaken/resurrect Lazarus, his sister, Martha said to Jesus in John11:21-24...

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Yet even now I know that whatever you ask God for, God will give you.”

Jesus said to Martha...
“Your brother will rise.”

And Martha responded...
“I know he will rise in the resurrection+ on the last day.”

I know he will rise: Martha thought that Jesus was talking about the future resurrection, on the last day. (See study note on Joh 6:39.) Her faith in that teaching was remarkable. Some religious leaders of her day, called Sadducees, denied that there would be a resurrection, though it is a clear teaching in the inspired Scriptures. (Da 12:13; Mr 12:18) On the other hand, the Pharisees believed in the immortality of the soul. Martha knew, however, that Jesus taught the resurrection hope and had even performed resurrections, although not of anyone who had been dead as long as Lazarus had been.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwtsty/43/11#s=24&study=discover

 

[Napoleon]

The number appears in the Revelation part of the Bible.
there they are virgin men who will have a special place in heaven, or maybe they are the only ones who go to heaven, according to some.

The 144,000 are those who will be spared the worst of the apocalypse but they are not the only ones who will have a place in Heaven.

 

[Rumpelstil]

The 144,000 are those who will be spared the worst of the apocalypse but they are not the only ones who will have a place in Heaven.

Are you talking of Rapture?

 

[Napoleon]

Are you talking of Rapture?

No.

 

[poppopfox]

Well originally Christians did not believe anyone went to Heaven, but that the dead were sleeping in their graves and would wake up when Jesus came back. But only if they were buried so they were turned towards Jerusalem and thus actually be able to see Jesus.

That was was the RC position when I went to parochial school. That has since been changed to immolation is also acceptable. How can scattered ashes be returned to a living body?

 

[Rumpelstil]

No.

but …. .?

 

[Fletch]

Some say that only 144.000 will go to heaven.

Or what other meaning may this number have?

If only 144,000 are getting in, my chances have to be zero. So whats the point in trying?

 

[Napoleon]

but …. .?

There is no rapture. The 144,000 remain on Earth under the protection of God. If somebody told you those are the only people going to Heaven then they don’t know how to read because in the very next verse John shifts to a different vision and 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.”

 

[Daisy]

That was was the RC position when I went to parochial school. That has since been changed to immolation is also acceptable. How can scattered ashes be returned to a living body?

Easy...He made us from dust the 1st go round, He can do it again...

 

[Napoleon]

That was was the RC position when I went to parochial school. That has since been changed to immolation is also acceptable. How can scattered ashes be returned to a living body?

The Roman Catholic position is not zombies. Belief in resurrection of the physical body is a Protestant thing.

 

[Rumpelstil]

If only 144,000 are getting in, my chances have to be zero. So whats the point in trying?

it is just one opinion of many

 

[Slartibartfast]

If only 144,000 are getting in, my chances have to be zero. So whats the point in trying?

When Jesus was discussing how many times one should grant forgiveness, he said this:

Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 18:21-23 - New International Version

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant - Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king...

www.biblegateway.com

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Which is basically a sentinel value (a place holder value) standing in for the concept that forgiveness should be inexhaustible.

There is a good chance that the 144,000 number is a sentinel value as well.

The Bible often uses these kinds of place holder values to represent greater concepts.

 

[redbeer]

If only 144,000 are getting in, my chances have to be zero. So whats the point in trying?

Yeah, since the time of Christ it's estimated between 117 to 120 billion people have lived and died. Looks more like it's representative of early Christian Jews who escape judgment, seeing the number 12 and the 12 tribes.....possibly those who escaped the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by escaping at the beginning of the war with Rome.

 

[Rumpelstil]

There is no rapture. The 144,000 remain on Earth under the protection of God. If somebody told you those are the only people going to Heaven then they don’t know how to read because in the very next verse John shifts to a different vision and 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.”

no rapture?
seems there are lots of different opinions about this.
I dont believe in rapture either.
which Christian denomination believes in it?

 

[poppopfox]

Easy...He made us from dust the 1st go round, He can do it again...

My ashes are going to be scattered on a mountaintop to the four winds. God is going to find then all and put me back together? That is some magic mojo.

 

[Slartibartfast]

My ashes are going to be scattered on a mountaintop to the four winds. God is going to find then all and put me back together? That is some magic mojo.

God has mojo.