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[Alexandr Korol]

protection and being chosen by God for a special role. This happens before the
start of the great tribulations associated with the seven trumpets and the bowls
of wrath. The mention of the tribes of Israel is often interpreted literally — as
representatives of the Jewish people — but some theologians consider this a
symbolic number representing all believers, for example, ‘spiritual Israel,’ which
includes Christians.
The second mention is in Revelation 14:1–5. Here, the 144,000 are depicted
standing with the Lamb (that is, with Jesus) on Mount Zion. They are described as
the ‘redeemed from the earth,’ meaning those saved or set apart by God. It is stated
that they ‘have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins,’ which is
often interpreted as spiritual purity and faithfulness to God, rather than literal
abstinence. They ‘follow the Lamb wherever He goes,’ which emphasizes their
devotion. Furthermore, they ‘have the name of the Father written on their foreheads,’
indicating their belonging to God. They sing a ‘new song’ before the throne of God,
which no one else can learn, emphasizing their unique role.”

What happens next?

“In Revelation 7, after the mention of the 144,000 people, a ‘great multitude’
of people from all nations is described, standing before the throne of God in white
robes (Revelation 7:9–17). This multitude glorifies God and the Lamb. They are
promised that God will dwell with them; they will not suffer from hunger, thirst,
or heat, and the Lamb will be their shepherd. This may indicate that the 144,000
are a part of, or the precursors to, this great multitude of the saved.
In the second mention, in Revelation 14, the 144,000 are shown on Mount Zion
with the Lamb, symbolizing their closeness to Christ and participation in His victory.
After this, events related to the ‘harvest of the earth’ begin (Revelation 14:14–20),
where angels gather the harvest — the righteous and the unrighteous — pointing
to the final judgment. In the further text of the book (Chapters 15–20), the bowls
of wrath, the fall of Babylon, the final victory over the beast and Satan, and the
establishment of the millennial kingdom are described (Revelation 20). Although
the 144,000 are not directly mentioned in these events, it is assumed that they, as
the chosen ones, participate in God’s plan of salvation and reigning with Christ.”