During the Tribulation, the Antichrist will work to consolidate his power and will exalt himself in the Holy of Holies in Jerusalem. As he crushes all who refuse to bow before his statue, the greatest spiritual awakening of all time will occur. This awakening will be possible through the ministry of the 144000 sealed Jews who will be evangelists:

Their story is a spectacular new demonstration of how God cares for His people in the midst of a time of trial and tribulation, reminding us that God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew (Romans 11:2). The 144000 who faithfully serve the Lord during the Tribulation period appear in Revelation 7:1-8, and then again in Revelation 14:1-5. And here is what the Bible tells us about them. They are chosen from the twelve tribes of Israel.

“And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144000 from all the tribes of the sons of Israel.” REVELATION 7:4

Despite the absolute clarity of this Scripture passage, some theologians persist in identifying the 144000 witnesses as representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ. Let me be perfectly clear: the 144000 witnesses do not represent the Church. Just as the redeemed elders are already in heaven, so too is the Church – which was taken up in chapters 3 and 4 of Revelation. Moreover, in Revelation 14, the 144000 and the elders are present in heaven but form two distinct groups. According to J. A. Seiss, no error “clouds the Scriptures and troubles the faith of men more than this constant desire to read Church wherever Israel is mentioned, and to consider Christian peoples where Jewish tribes are concerned.“

The issue of identifying the sealed witnesses is so significant that the list of the tribes of Israel from which they originate is found in Revelation 7:4. In this passage, we are told that 12,000 witnesses are chosen from each of the twelve tribes. Throughout Scripture, the number twelve is consistently associated with Israel.

The Jewish high priest wore a breastplate adorned with twelve precious stones, there were twelve loaves of the showbread on the tabernacle table, and there are twelve gates in the city of God – each representing one of the tribes of Israel. Matthew 19:28 speaks of a future day when Jesus will sit on His throne, and the twelve apostles will sit on twelve thrones and [judge] the twelve tribes of Israel. These representations of Israel around the number twelve all lead to this climax in Revelation: the sealed individuals from the twelve tribes of Israel.

They bear a seal on their foreheads.

“Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God. He called out with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the 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.” REVELATION 7:2-3

This text gives us no specific information about the appearance of the seal of the living God. All we know is that it serves to protect God’s servants from the judgments God exercises on the earth. However, Revelation 14:1 describes the seal as the name of the Lamb and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. This is not the first time God seals certain members of His people to spare them from tribulation or divine wrath:

• When God sent the flood on the earth, He sealed Noah and his family in the midst of all humanity so that the waters would not overwhelm them (Genesis 6-8).
• God commanded Lot and his family to leave Sodom before the fire descended, thus sealing them to escape terrible judgment (Genesis 19).
• In Egypt, God sealed the firstborn of all Jewish families who had smeared the blood of a sacrifice on the doorposts of their houses (Exodus 12).
• During the destruction of Jericho, God sealed Rahab and her entire household with a red cord (Joshua 2, 6).
• In Elijah’s time, even though Elijah himself was unaware, God had sealed 7,000 Israelites who had not bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19).

They are servants of the living God.

“Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” REVELATION 7:3

The seal of the living God will not only be an external mark; it will also be a moral pledge. These witnesses are described as the servants of our God. They are individuals who have not bowed to the Antichrist but have personally and sincerely dedicated themselves to God.

When Jesus referred to this question of the seal (John 6:27), He was speaking of the Holy Spirit who had descended upon Him, enabling Him to accomplish the powerful work of God for which He had been sent. It is possible that the seal of Revelation 7 is the same as the one Paul speaks of:

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 CORINTHIANS 1:21-22

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” EPHESIANS 1:13

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” EPHESIANS 4:30

The prophet Joel links the ministry of the Holy Spirit to the powerful ministries that will be at work in the end times.

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.” JOEL 2:28-32

This description by the prophet Joel concerns the 144000 who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, will have prophetic words and visions and will perform miracles during the Tribulation.

They are set apart for God.

“These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins.” REVELATION 14:4

This verse has caused much confusion among commentators. Many theologians have interpreted the phrase did not defile themselves with women as meaning that they had not committed spiritual adultery (2 Corinthians 11:2; James 4:4). I myself once adhered to this interpretation. While this remains a possibility, it seems more logical to think that these sealed servants of the Most High God are unmarried men.

When we consider the pressures they will face during the Tribulation, it is easy to understand why it would be difficult for these 144000 preachers to have a marital life. The apostle Paul set a precedent regarding the issue of celibacy in 1 Corinthians 7:

“What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;… I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife,… I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.” (verses 29, 32-33, 35).

If there is a period when it will be necessary to serve God without distractions, it will undoubtedly be the Tribulation!

They are strong in their faith.

“They follow the Lamb wherever He goes… They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.” REVELATION 14:4-5

These Jewish witnesses possess great strength of character, and their example will lead to a revival in Israel during the Tribulation. Through the loyal and faithful proclamation of the Gospel by these witnesses, millions will turn to Christ during this time of distress.

This should not surprise us. Consider the spiritual power that 144000 evangelists could mobilize, who have remained untainted by the world and pure in their thoughts and words! (…)

This text is an excerpt from the book “Agents of the Apocalypse” written by David Jeremiah.

We invite you to read the next article “THE TWO WITNESSES.”