Who are the 144000 in the Book of Revelation?

Male Virgins

Revelations 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Only 144,000 celibate men will be saved at this time. (Those who were not "defiled with women.") Some groups believe this is the sum total of those who will be saved (i.e. enter Heaven), while others believe this is a select group of Jews who will be saved during the 7 year Tribulation; other groups accept variations on these ideas.

Answer

What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe? We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn

First answer by R Harrison. Last edit by R Harrison. Contributor trust: 306 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 13 [recommend question].