Others insist the numbers 12,000 and 144,000 are literal numbers and representing either descendants of Jacob (also called Israel in the Bible) or others to whom God has given a superior destiny with a distinct role at the time of the end of the world. One suggestion is that the number comes from 12, a symbol for totality, which is squared and multiplied by one thousand for more emphasis. Some, taking the numbers in Revelation to be symbolic, believe it represents all of God's people throughout history in the heavenly Church. The numbers 12,000 and 144,000 are variously interpreted in traditional Christianity. Page from an illuminated manuscript painted by an unknown artist, depicting the 144,000 from Revelation 7, from a copy of the Commentary on the Apocalypse by Saint Beatus of Liébana

These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. Īnd they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. Saying: 'Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of God on their foreheads.'Īnd I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:ġ2,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,ġ2,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed. The number 144,000 appears three times in the Book of Revelation:

144,000 with Trumpets, 1860 woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld Book of Revelation

Four thousand souls