144,000 - Revelation 7:1-8

Revelation 7:1-8
Chapter 7
The 144,000 of Israel Sealed
After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
12,000 from the tribe of Asher,
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.



Before the final showdown between the forces of good and evil comes to pass, God stays His hand of wrath until the remnant of Israel is sealed. The church has already been sealed. I know I have. Twelve tribes are listed, and each tribe has the number of twelve thousand as sealed. Twelve represents the complete or full roster of Israel. This number multiplied by 1000 means an immense and the full number of His servants are marked.

While the church is sometimes referred to as servants of God, the term may more aptly apply to Israel, especially with the supporting context. The church serves in the role of a royal priesthood, servants of God to be sure and of the same house. The roles and purposes of the Jews and Gentiles differ. We all have been given different gifts and serve in a unique way. We are told the first will be last and the last shall be first. From the standpoint of grace, every will see their reward. In the parable of of those called by the landowner to work in the field, everyone received the same wages no matter how much or little they labored.

When it refers to the "earth or the sea or the trees" it is talking about the world and those that dwell there, that is those who have not chosen to be with God through Christ.
The church has previously made that choice and are sealed with the Holy Spirit.

After this vision, we see another multitude come into view from every nation that no one could number, that have come out of the great tribulation.

Ezekiel 7:1-3
Chapter 7
The Day of the Wrath of the Lord
The word of the Lord came to me: “And you, O son of man, thus says the Lord God to the land of Israel: An end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land. Now the end is upon you, and I will send my anger upon you; I will judge you according to your ways, and I will punish you for all your abominations.