katiemygirl
CHRISTIAN
Yes,that is correct.Thes are two separate groups with different purposes.Both Christians but one is designated for heaven and the others for earth.
Yes,I do believe that it is a literal number.John states that the first group, “those who were sealed,” has a definite number.He goes on to describe a second group,"a great crowd" without a definite number.
This will explain it.
"After the apostle John was told in vision about this group of 144,000 individuals, he was shown another group. John describes this second group as “a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues.” This great crowd refers to those who will survive the coming “great tribulation,” which will destroy the present wicked world.—Revelation 7:9, 14.
Note, however, the contrast that John draws between verses 4 and 9 of Revelation chapter 7. He states that the first group, “those who were sealed,” has a definite number. However, the second group, “a great crowd,” is without a definite number. With that in mind, it is logical to take the number 144,000 to be literal. If the number 144,000 were symbolic and referred to a group that is actually numberless, the force of the contrast between those two verses would be lost. Thus, the context strongly indicates that the number 144,000 must be taken literally."
LIBRARY
I'm posting my answer to you again from yesterday Bible Student because my post got buried, and I wanted to be sure you saw it. Here it is.
Thank you for answering my questions Bible Student. I can't say whether the 144,000 is literal or symbolic. I think a literal or figurative interpretation is possible. I really don't have the answer.
I think I read in one of your posts to Mountain Climber that you also believe the 144,000 are all male virgins? I assume you also believe they are all from the 12 tribes of Israel, and there are literally 12,000 from each tribe? Please correct me if I am wrong.