THE SAVED 144,000
By Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale (Mzuzu Diocese – Malawi)
INTRODUCTION
“Fr. Petros Mwale, is it true that only 144,000 people are going to heaven after this life? ( Revelation 7:4). Please help!” – (Raphael Makina – Polytechnic University, MALAWI)
RESPONSE
Dear Raphael, many thanks for your question regarding the salvation of the world! It is not true that only 144,000 people will go to heaven, despite the fact that some Christian denominations have famously interpreted the passage on Revelation 7:4 that way. Remember to like my Facebook page for the latest Catholic Doctrines, click https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=186876939455997&id=109027757240916
- Apocalyptic Literature
First of all, you should know that most of the book of Revelation is in apocalyptic language (a genre of prophetical writing that developed in Post-Exilic Jewish culture and was popular among early Christians). This is a type of literature common among the Hebrew writers at the time of the writing of the New Testament. Other apocalyptic writings in the Bible include Zechariah, parts of Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, etc.
In apocalyptic writing, the reader is to take things fuguratively unless the context demands a literal
interpretation.
- Biblical Mathematics
In Jewish writings, the number 12 is consistently used as the number of God’s people. There were twelve tribes of Israel (Gen. 49:1-33) and twelve Apostles of Jesus (Mat. 10:1-4).
The number 1000 represents a great number or the multitude (Scripture Revealed page 74). Therefore 12 (Representing people of the Old Testament) x 12 (Representing people of the New Testament) x 1000 (A great multitude) = 144,000, the full number of God’s people, the multitude, those to be saved as symbolized by Revelation 7:4.
CONCLUSION
Revelation 7:9 states quite clearly that there are “great multitudes that no one could count from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.” These people are wearing white robes. Based on this calculation, we know with absolute certainty that those to be saved are more than 144,000. Thank God for this!
Receive my priestly blessings from St. Cecilia Catholic Parish (Mpherembe)
Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale (Mzuzu Diocese – MALAWI: Feedback WhatsApp +265 884 150 185)
SOURCES
John L McKenzie, S.J., Dictionary of the Bible “144,000 sealed in Apocalypse. New York: Harvest House, 2011.
Brackney, William H., Historical Dictionary of Radical Christianity. London: Scarecrow Press, 2012.
Catholic Doctrines 