Question from a Site Viewer
Why is it just 144,000 virgin males and not women that get to go to heaven to be with God?
Tim’s Answer
Thanks for your question. You ask why it is only 144,000 virgin males and not women that go to heaven to be with God. Perhaps you have been confused by the Jehovah Witnesses. The Bible does not teach this false teaching anywhere. The only place that the 144,000 figure is mentioned in the Bible is in the book of Revelation, where in Revelation 7:1-8 God seals 144,000 males of all the tribes of the children of Israel, and in Revelation 14:1-5 where we are told that they were virgins, were first fruits to God and that they are with the Lamb. The Bible never says that they are the only ones who get to go to heaven. In fact, the Bible teaches the exact opposite. In Revelation 7:1-8, we find that the 144,000 all come from the nation of Israel. In Revelation 7:9-17, the very next verses in Scripture, we find that there is a “great multitude which no one could number of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Thus, there is 144,000 virgin Israelite males who are sealed and who stand before God as the first fruits. But first fruits always implies that there are many others. And this is what the rest of Revelation 7 teaches. Besides the 144,000 Israelite males, there is a great multitude of all nations that make it to heaven and are in the presence of God.
Further, any teaching that only 144,000 virgin males get to heaven is simply unfathomable for those who actually read what the Bible says. The apostles of Christ were married (see 1 Corinthians 9:5; Mark 1:29-30). Are we to say that the chosen apostles of Christ did not go to heaven because they were not virgins? This would be contrary to what Jesus said in John 14:14 that they would be with Him. Jesus told us to lay up our treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20). Paul teaches that those who believe in Jesus have their citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Paul also teaches that those who believe in Jesus are right now seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). There is every indication that we will get to receive our treasure, that we one day will reside where our citizenship is, and that our connection with heaven is so strong that we are seen as being seated there right now. This is what the Bible teaches.
Accordingly, the teaching that you have heard is simply not what Jesus taught, or what Scripture says.
What Jesus does teach is that anyone who believes in Him shall never perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus promises to receive all who come to Him (John 6:37). Jesus promises to come again for those who believe in Him and that we will always thereafter be with Him (John 14:1-3). If Jesus is in heaven, then all those who believe in Him will be in heaven as well. It really is that simple.
I trust that you will take the time to read the Bible for yourself, and not let the teachings of others, or me, ultimately decide these matters for you. Look to the Bible. They have the words of life. If you read the Bible and seek for God, you will find Him everywhere on the pages of Scripture. His love, His concern, His holiness, His desire that we would love Him, His desire that we would choose good and not evil, His desire that we would grow to love His Son, Jesus, and the path He has given to us to inherit the kingdom of heaven are all revealed in the Bible.
I suggest if you do not know where to being in the Bible, that you begin with the gospel of John. This is the fourth book in the New Testament. It, perhaps, more than any other book of the Bible, explains who Jesus is, and how we can become followers of God. But the other books of the Bible are also very good. I encourage you to read, pray, and seek after God. If you do so, you will not be disappointed.
a servant,
tim
Good afternoon. I just wanted to ask how you know the 144,000 are only men. And not women. If you do know.
I try to test the spirits. And I get community church vibes from this forum. However, thats not a bad thing, I don’t think.
Some say they are women too.
Hi Robinson
I think you will find that the 144,000 of Revelation are warrior/priests and only men can fulfill this rôle.
If Father God says they are men, who am i to say otherwise?
Chris
See Revelation 14:3-5
And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
How about if the 144,000 were just born say a couple of years ago and are here on this earth as we speak.
Tim – what no reply to Pam? This is Revelation 14:4. Although it doesn’t specifically say male virgins, the next line “These were redeemed from among men” removes the possibility of women virgins.
KJ21
These are they that were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Not exactly, considering Adam simply means Man or Mankind and Man earlier in Genesis was described as both Male and Female.
“Genesis 1:27
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.”
“Galatians 3:28 points toward this too:
Galatians 3:28 (NET Bible)
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female[b]—for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
There’s also the consideration that the 144k is a symbolic reference/link and is used as a way to refer to the 1st fruits of Israel. This means the believers in Israel that are one with Christ Jesus and undefiled by the world. Believers that have been purified, cleansed, etc…They are Men/Man in terms of being mankind made in God’s image, but that necessarily mean they are “male” or “female”.
Hope that helps.