Difference between revisions of "144,000" - New World Encyclopedia

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{| class="infobox"
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|-
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!colspan=2|[[List of numbers]] - [[Integers]]<br />
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[[100000 (number)|100000]] &nbsp; '''144000''' &nbsp; [[1000000 (number)|1000000]]
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|-
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|[[Cardinal number|Cardinal]]
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|144000
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|-
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|[[Ordinal number|Ordinal]]
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|144000th
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|-
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|[[Factorization]]
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|2<sup>7</sup> &times; 3<sup>2</sup> &times; 5<sup>3</sup>
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|-
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|[[Binary numeral system|Binary]]
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|100011001010000000
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|-
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|[[Hexadecimal]]
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|23280
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|}
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'''144,000''' is a [[Negative and non-negative numbers|positive]] [[integer]].  It has a religious significance for [[Christianity|Christians]] because of its use in the [[Book of Revelation]] of the [[New Testament]].  It is also significant in some [[New Age]] religious movements.
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==Christianity==
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The 144,000 are mentioned three times in the [[Book of Revelation]]:
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*Revelation 7:3-8 ([[English Standard Version|ESV]]){{Tribes of Israel}}
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{{Cquote|saying: "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the servants of God on their foreheads." And I heard the number of the sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed from every tribe of the [[Children of Israel|sons of Israel]]:
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12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, <br />
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12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,<br />
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12,000 from the tribe of Gad,<br />
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12,000 from the tribe of Asher,<br />
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12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,<br />
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12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,<br />
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12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,<br />
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12,000 from the tribe of Levi,<br />
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12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,<br />
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12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,<br />
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12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,<br />
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12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.}}
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*Revelation 14:1 ([[English Standard Version|ESV]])
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{{Cquote|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.}}
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*Revelation 14:3-5 ([[English Standard Version|ESV]])
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{{Cquote|And they were singing a new song before the throne and before the [[four living]] creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. For it is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are [[virgin]]s. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no [[lie]] was found, for they are blameless.}}
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The numbers 12,000 and 144,000 are variously interpreted in traditional Christianity. Some, taking the numbers in Revelation to be symbolic,<ref>See [http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Revelation_Numbers.htm "Numbers in the Book of Revelation"] as an example of this view.</ref> believe it represents all of God's people throughout history in the heavenly Church.<ref>"144,000 sealed in Apocalypse [Revelation] 7:4ff; 14:1 ff: This is 12 (number), the number of the tribes of Israel, multiplied by itself and then multiplied by 1000 (number), the number of a military unit in the ancient Israelite army. The number indicates the fullness of Israel; the Church in the New Testament is conceived as the fullness of Israel, and this is the heavenly Church in its final completion."—''Dictionary of the Bible'', John L. McKenzie, S.J., p. 621.</ref> Others insist the numbers 12,000 and 144,000 are literal numbers and that the 144,000 people who are descendants of [[Jacob]] (also called Israel in the Bible) have a distinct role at the time of the [[Eschatology|end of the world]].<ref>"The earth-dwellers will stand in rebellion against God, but '''the 144,000 as slaves of God will faithfully proclaim the gospel.'''" Robert L Thomas, [http://www.ankerberg.com/Articles/biblical-prophecy/BP1100W3.htm "One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand: Who Are They?"],  Ankerberg Theological Research Institute</ref>
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===Jehovah's Witnesses===
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[[Jehovah's Witnesses]] distinctly believe that only 144,000 people will be raised to heaven, and will thus spend eternity with God.  They do not believe that this number necessarily comes from descendants of Jacob, but from early Christians, and those of Jehovah's Witnesses who profess to be [[Faithful and Discreet Slave|"anointed"]] or ("spiritual Israel").<ref>''What does the Bible Really Teach?'', ch. 8, p. 79</ref> Witnesses believe that the 144,000 have been selected by God from the time of Jesus' apostles through to today. They believe that the 144,000 (those having a "heavenly hope") will reign with Christ in heaven, while all other people accepted by God will live forever on a paradise earth (an "earthly hope").
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{| class="wikitable" width="600" cellspacing="10"
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| valign="top" width=50% |'''Traditional Christian teaching'''
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| valign="top" width=50% |'''Corresponding Jehovah’s Witnesses teaching'''<ref>For the full table of doctrinal differences or comparisons, please see [[Controversies regarding Jehovah's Witnesses#Doctrinal differences]]</ref>
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|-
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| 1) 12,000 and 144,000 are symbolic numbers representing all of God's people; or 2) Literally 144,000 people (12,000 from each tribe) will be chosen from the [[Israelite|tribes of Israel]]. || 12,000 is symbolic of balance.<ref>"Since natural Israel consisted of 12 tribes, it logically follows that spiritual Israel would be spoken of as having 12 tribes to show that it was a complete spiritual nation, with no part or tribe missing. There is no numerical imbalance within spiritual Israel, for the Bible book of Revelation symbolically reveals that an equal number—12,000—is sealed from every tribe. (Rev. 7:4-8) ''Commentary on the Letter of James'', Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (1979), pp. 12,13.</ref>Literally 144,000 people will be the "spiritual Israel" (i.e. [[Faithful and Discreet Slave|"anointed"]] Jehovah's Witnesses).<ref>''What does the Bible Really Teach?'', ch. 8, p. 79</ref>
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|-
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| All Christians are [[born again]] and will thus spend eternity with God. || Only 144,000 believers are to be raised up and spend eternity in heaven with God. <ref>''The Watchtower'', 2/1/1986, p. 17, ¶ 17 (see also [http://www.watchtower.org/ watchtower.org])</ref>
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|-
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| One cannot see [[Kingdom of God|God’s Kingdom]] or enter into it without being born again. || Those who do not have a "heavenly hope" have an "earthly hope" to a paradise earth. <ref>''The Watchtower'', 2/15/1986, p. 14 (see also [http://www.watchtower.org/ watchtower.org])</ref>
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|}
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Only about 8,500 of Jehovah's Witnesses claim to be of the 144,000 today.  However, they believe that Jesus is Shepherd and Savior over both those with the "heavenly hope" (the 144,000) and those with the "earthly hope" (to live on a paradise earth).<ref>''Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace"'' 1986, p.11 paragraphs 18-20</ref>
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===Skoptzists===
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The Christian [[Skoptzy]] sect in Russia believe that the [[Messiah]] would come when the Skoptsi numbered 144,000, and all their efforts were directed to reaching this total.
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==New Age movements==
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The number 144,000 is also significant in various [[New Age]] religious movements.
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*[[Song of the 144,000]] is a poem by [[J. J. Dewey]] that features prominently in the New Age novel ''[[The Immortal (book)|The Immortal]]''
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*The [[Church Universal and Triumphant]] teaches that [[Sanat Kumara]] and the Lords of the Flame also brought 144,000 souls with them from [[Venus]].
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* The new age religion called [[Raëlism]] also states that there are 144,000 chosen people to continue humanity in case of an upcoming disaster.<ref>The message, Intelligent Design, page 298</ref>
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==Popular culture==
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*''144,000 Gone'' is a 1983 song by [[Agent Steel]].
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* On [[GZA]]'s 1995 album ''[[Liquid Swords]]'', in the track "4th Chamber," fellow [[Wu-Tang Clan]] member (and the album's producer) [[RZA]] ends his verse with the rhyme: "Rollin' with the lands, the tribe's a hundred and forty four thousand chosen. Protons, electrons always cause explosions."
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* [[Common_(rapper)|Common]]'s track "G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definition)" on [[One Day It'll All Make Sense]] contains the following: "Cuz when the trumpets blowin', 24 elders surround the throne. Only 144,000 gon' get home."
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==Other uses==
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*A [[Baktun]] is 20 Katun cycles of the ancient [[Maya calendar|Maya Long Count Calendar]], which contains 144,000 days.
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*In author [[John DeChancie]]'s [[comic fantasy]] ''Castle'' series, 144,000 doors (or "aspects") of the Castle each lead to another [[Parallel universe (fiction)|parallel universe]].
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==Notes==
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<div class="references-small">
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<references />
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</div>
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==References==
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*
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*
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*
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*
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{{Credit|166213852}}

Revision as of 22:54, 24 October 2007

List of numbers - Integers

100000   144000   1000000

Cardinal 144000
Ordinal 144000th
Factorization 27 × 32 × 53
Binary 100011001010000000
Hexadecimal 23280

144,000 is a positive integer. It has a religious significance for Christians because of its use in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament. It is also significant in some New Age religious movements.

Christianity

The 144,000 are mentioned three times in the Book of Revelation:

  • Revelation 7:3-8 (ESV)Template:Tribes of Israel
“ saying: "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the servants of God on their foreheads." And I heard the number of the sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, 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.

”
  • Revelation 14:1 (ESV)
“ 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. ”
  • Revelation 14:3-5 (ESV)
“ And they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. For it is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. ”

The numbers 12,000 and 144,000 are variously interpreted in traditional Christianity. Some, taking the numbers in Revelation to be symbolic,[1] believe it represents all of God's people throughout history in the heavenly Church.[2] Others insist the numbers 12,000 and 144,000 are literal numbers and that the 144,000 people who are descendants of Jacob (also called Israel in the Bible) have a distinct role at the time of the end of the world.[3]

Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses distinctly believe that only 144,000 people will be raised to heaven, and will thus spend eternity with God. They do not believe that this number necessarily comes from descendants of Jacob, but from early Christians, and those of Jehovah's Witnesses who profess to be "anointed" or ("spiritual Israel").[4] Witnesses believe that the 144,000 have been selected by God from the time of Jesus' apostles through to today. They believe that the 144,000 (those having a "heavenly hope") will reign with Christ in heaven, while all other people accepted by God will live forever on a paradise earth (an "earthly hope").

Traditional Christian teaching Corresponding Jehovah’s Witnesses teaching[5]
1) 12,000 and 144,000 are symbolic numbers representing all of God's people; or 2) Literally 144,000 people (12,000 from each tribe) will be chosen from the tribes of Israel. 12,000 is symbolic of balance.[6]Literally 144,000 people will be the "spiritual Israel" (i.e. "anointed" Jehovah's Witnesses).[7]
All Christians are born again and will thus spend eternity with God. Only 144,000 believers are to be raised up and spend eternity in heaven with God. [8]
One cannot see God’s Kingdom or enter into it without being born again. Those who do not have a "heavenly hope" have an "earthly hope" to a paradise earth. [9]

Only about 8,500 of Jehovah's Witnesses claim to be of the 144,000 today. However, they believe that Jesus is Shepherd and Savior over both those with the "heavenly hope" (the 144,000) and those with the "earthly hope" (to live on a paradise earth).[10]

Skoptzists

The Christian Skoptzy sect in Russia believe that the Messiah would come when the Skoptsi numbered 144,000, and all their efforts were directed to reaching this total.

New Age movements

The number 144,000 is also significant in various New Age religious movements.

  • Song of the 144,000 is a poem by J. J. Dewey that features prominently in the New Age novel The Immortal
  • The Church Universal and Triumphant teaches that Sanat Kumara and the Lords of the Flame also brought 144,000 souls with them from Venus.
  • The new age religion called Raëlism also states that there are 144,000 chosen people to continue humanity in case of an upcoming disaster.[11]

Popular culture

  • 144,000 Gone is a 1983 song by Agent Steel.
  • On GZA's 1995 album Liquid Swords, in the track "4th Chamber," fellow Wu-Tang Clan member (and the album's producer) RZA ends his verse with the rhyme: "Rollin' with the lands, the tribe's a hundred and forty four thousand chosen. Protons, electrons always cause explosions."
  • Common's track "G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definition)" on One Day It'll All Make Sense contains the following: "Cuz when the trumpets blowin', 24 elders surround the throne. Only 144,000 gon' get home."

Other uses

  • A Baktun is 20 Katun cycles of the ancient Maya Long Count Calendar, which contains 144,000 days.
  • In author John DeChancie's comic fantasy Castle series, 144,000 doors (or "aspects") of the Castle each lead to another parallel universe.

Notes

  1. ↑ See "Numbers in the Book of Revelation" as an example of this view.
  2. ↑ "144,000 sealed in Apocalypse [Revelation] 7:4ff; 14:1 ff: This is 12 (number), the number of the tribes of Israel, multiplied by itself and then multiplied by 1000 (number), the number of a military unit in the ancient Israelite army. The number indicates the fullness of Israel; the Church in the New Testament is conceived as the fullness of Israel, and this is the heavenly Church in its final completion."—Dictionary of the Bible, John L. McKenzie, S.J., p. 621.
  3. ↑ "The earth-dwellers will stand in rebellion against God, but the 144,000 as slaves of God will faithfully proclaim the gospel." Robert L Thomas, "One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand: Who Are They?", Ankerberg Theological Research Institute
  4. ↑ What does the Bible Really Teach?, ch. 8, p. 79
  5. ↑ For the full table of doctrinal differences or comparisons, please see Controversies regarding Jehovah's Witnesses#Doctrinal differences
  6. ↑ "Since natural Israel consisted of 12 tribes, it logically follows that spiritual Israel would be spoken of as having 12 tribes to show that it was a complete spiritual nation, with no part or tribe missing. There is no numerical imbalance within spiritual Israel, for the Bible book of Revelation symbolically reveals that an equal number—12,000—is sealed from every tribe. (Rev. 7:4-8) Commentary on the Letter of James, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (1979), pp. 12,13.
  7. ↑ What does the Bible Really Teach?, ch. 8, p. 79
  8. ↑ The Watchtower, 2/1/1986, p. 17, ¶ 17 (see also watchtower.org)
  9. ↑ The Watchtower, 2/15/1986, p. 14 (see also watchtower.org)
  10. ↑ Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace" 1986, p.11 paragraphs 18-20
  11. ↑ The message, Intelligent Design, page 298

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