Introduction
   Many speculate as to whom they will be, and naturally every religious sect would panel beat the Scriptures to try and prove that they are the chosen. Many who claim this have a problem, for they have a membership far exceeding the number of 144,000! Others try to get over that by saying that only half of the ch-rch will be ready when Messiah returns, using the parable of the 10 virgins which only 5 had enough oil for their lamps (Matt. 25:1-13) – this being a warning prophecy to His people, that only fifty percent of the True Assembly of Yahweh will be ready when Yahshua the Messiah returns!
   Let me emphasize here the importance of always taking the Scriptures in its FULL context, especially when seeking answers. The greatest fault many will make, is trying to set doctrine or prophecy to conform to their way of thinking. With that, they find contradictions crop up in Scripture, not realizing that they are far from the right track toward the Truth.

Revelation Chapter 7: The 144,000 Sealed
   Let us now read what the Scripture says about the 144,000.

      • Four angels appear at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds from blowing on the earth, sea or any tree.
      • Another angel ascends from the east, with the seal of Yahweh, who cried to the four angels who are to hurt the earth, and sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees until we have sealed the servants of our Elohim in their foreheads, Revelation 7:3 (See also Rev. 9:4, 14:1, 22:4; Ezek. 9:4).
      • John hears the number to be sealed, 144,000, of all the tribes of Israel:

         Judah       “Praise”       12,000
         Reuben      “Weary”       12,000
         Gad       “Troop” (Victory)      12,000
         Asher      “Happy”       12,000
         Naphtali       “My Wrestling”      12,000
         Manassas       “Forgetful”      12,000
         Simeon       “Hearing”      12,000
         Levi      “Joiner”       12,000
         Issachar      “Wages”      12,000
         Zebulon       “Dwelling”       12,000
         Joseph       “May He Add”       12,000
         Benjamin       “Son of My Right Hand”      12,000

   Joseph’s son Ephraim “Fruitful” received his father’s blessing (Gen. 48:19-20). Dan “Judge” is missing in the text of Revelation, becoming an early party to all other surrounding Gentile nations.

Interjection of the Vision
   There is a chapter break here. Beginning with verse 9, John sees a great multitude without number of all kindreds, peoples, all nations, and tongues before the Throne and the Lamb, crying, Salvation to our Elohim which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, Revelation 7:9.
   Then, in verses 11-12, the angels, elders and four beasts fall upon their faces before the Throne and worship Yahweh, Saying, “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our Elohim for ever and ever. Amen.”
   In verse 13, one of the elders asks John if he knows the identity of those in white robes and then proceeds to explain in the following verse, that these were they who went through great tribulation and were purified in the Blood of the Lamb. These are they which come from the nations of the world; who are not in the firstfruit company – that is, to say, of the 144,000. These are they who are not sealed for protection, but who come to conversion during the Tribulation.
   These will serve before the Throne day and night in the Temple, and He shall dwell with them (Rev. 7:15). (This will be ON THE EARTH: Where else do you get night and day?) And neither the sun, nor any heat, shall burn them (Rev. 7:16; Isa. 49:10). And neither shall they hunger nor thirst, for the Lamb in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and lead them to fountains of Living Waters and Yahweh shall wipe away all tears from their eyes (Rev. 7:17).

Questions and Answers
   Let us answer a few questions that often come up, ONLY using Scripture to answer what we want to know.

Q. Who are the 144,000?
A. In Verse 4, John heard the number to be sealed: 144,000, of all the tribes of Israel. This is the result of the unconditional Promise Yahweh gave to Abraham’s seed in Genesis 15:18.

Q. Are they all Jews?
A. Judah is mentioned in verse 5, but we notice that the same number of people are sealed from the other eleven tribes of Israel, so they cannot all be Jews!

Q. Are they spiritual Israel?
A. Did you or anyone else read about anything spiritual in this chapter of Revelation?

Q. Are they all virgins?
A. This reference to virgins not only covers the state of the physical body, but it directs this message towards the adulterous way all Israel mixed with religions of the world. When reading Revelation 14:4 John uses the word “women” as a symbol of assemblies. In other words, they were not: misled; deceived; contaminated; polluted; defiled; adulterated; tainted, by the false teaching of worldly ch-rches. For one thing, they are not all priests who took the vow of celibacy! But we are told that they are the redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb of Yahweh. (Read Revelation 14:1-5.) Remember, the Word states that there is no one without sin (Eccl. 7:20), only Messiah was able to claim that. So, these “called out ones” have been washed by the Blood of the Lamb, and have become as virgins. The white robes are the symbol of purity.

Q. Is the sealing mentioned in the Old Testament?
A. Read Ezekiel Chapter 9. It will show you another characteristic which will be found in these called out and sealed. They will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are happening in Jerusalem and in ALL the world, at that time. Also, Ezekiel writes about the house of Judah and the house of Israel and their perverseness. (Note: Not all Israelites are Jews. Judah is only one of the tribes of Israel.)

Q. What will identify them?
A. The patience of the saints, in keeping Yahweh’s Commandments, and the faith of Yahshua (Rev. 14:12). Yahshua Himself said, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (Matt. 5:18). Certain sects say this means the 10 Commandments. But those who say that never leave out the “Tithing law.” And do they also obey the “Kosher food laws?” The Word continually shows us that we are to keep His Commandments (the initial 10), His Statutes, which explain how to apply those laws, through all facets of life, from eating habits, to agriculture, to times of war, to times of worship on His Feast Days. His Judgments, (these explain the “outcome” of either breaking or keeping His perfect laws) and the New Testament calls us further to have faith in the redeeming Blood of our Saviour, Yahshua the Messiah, the Ultimate Passover Lamb Who forgives us all of our law breaking (sins).

Q. What did Paul mean about writings which were against us?
A. This NEVER refers to any of the writings of Moses. Yes, there was a change in the law, just as there was a change from the Levitical priesthood, when Messiah became our High Priest. We are warned that certain writings have been added through time by human scribes – the leaven of the Pharisees (Matt. 16:6) – which have no bearing on the pure Word of Yahweh.

Further 144,000 Questions
   Are we not to strive to live by EVERY WORD OF YAHWEH, so why should someone come and say we are not to worry about certain instructions we have from the Almighty, and just pick and choose what we as a group would like to keep? (No wonder there are so many diverse sects in this wicked world.) Just understand, Yahweh will use His angel to mark the 144,000. No ch-rch, or man, or any organization will have any authority to do that!
   Nevertheless, we see there have been certain people saying, and teaching things which are not Biblical concerning the 144,000. To begin with, they are NOT suddenly taken away as if they were raptured! As mentioned, there should be a break between verses 8 & 9 of Revelation Chapter 7. You only read of the 144,000 further in Chapter 14, where they are still on this earth, just before the final plagues.
   They were marked by Yahweh’s instructions to be protected from any harm while on the earth, during the rest of the Tribulation period (Ezek. 9:4-11). We might ask, “Why are they so well protected?” Yahweh through His mercy is teaching and training called out individuals at this present time, to be among the 144,000 (a number only Yahweh has chosen) to be here on the earth speaking, and teaching the many who will be going through this Tribulation. They will be supporting Yahweh’s Work being done by the two witnesses, who will be there before the anti-messiah at that time.
   Do we not read in Chapter 7, verses 9 to 14, that this multitude came out (or through) this tribulation in true repentance? With that said, I pray those who read and understand what has been written in Sacred Scripture. Almighty Yahweh is NOT calling out any worldly assembly, but He is calling and teaching, and training His individually-chosen, to be part of the 144,000 – qualified as His servants to preach and teach and help the many souls suffering during this period. And a multitude of people will come to repentance.

Conclusion
   In this time, we are despondent when speaking to people who find this Truth “curious,” though they themselves have no serious heart-commitment to it.
   Yet, as trials begin to increase, which are signs of the Tribulation coming, we will see an increase in people spiritually waking up, and seeking answers – answers, only found within the pages of their Bibles!
   Yes, there will be many false teachers, especially at this end time of human rule but Yahweh’s Word will prove them liars. Yahweh calls, Come out of her, my people, and be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues, Revelation 18:4.
   Brethren, let us not be troubled. We believe Yahweh, and His Son Yahshua. That word, “believe,” means an obedient and faithful belief that Elohim is preparing a place (i.e., job, assignment, position) for all who love and keep his Father’s commandments and have faith in Yahshua.
   Not one of us are worthy of such a Promise, but how wonderful our Father is, that through our acknowledgment of His Son’s sacrifice for us, He only is the One Who makes us worthy!
   I pray this article will be of help to you, dear brethren. May Almighty Yahweh heal those who have been so spiritually blinded by the false teachings in this wicked world. Hold fast to His Word for He will come. Amen. Even so, come, Master Yahshua, Revelation 22:20.