DO ONLY 144,000 “CHOSEN” ONES GO TO HEAVEN?

(based on Rev. 14:1-4)

First, where does it say that only 144,000 are chosen, or that only 144,000 go to heaven? Where does it say that these 144,000 are in heaven? Rather, it says they are on Mt. Zion (14:1). In Rev. 7:4-8, it says that the 144,000 are from the tribes of the sons of Israel, in other words, 144,000 converted/believing Jews, and not people from every nation of the world. And in Rev. 7:9-17, there’s a great multitude beyond numbering in heaven (Martyrs out of the tribulation) who come from every nation, people, and tongue to serve God in heaven (4:1, 2; 8:1). So, there are more than 144,000 that go to heaven.

Second, those “chosen” by God are those who are “born again” by God (1 Pet. 1:1, 3, 23; 2:9). Those “born again” go to heaven (1 Pet. 1:3, 4). A person is “born again” or “born of God” through believing the word of God as contained in the gospel message – that Christ died from man’s sins and was raised again (1 Pet. 1:23, 25, 12; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Jn. 1:12, 13; Eph. 1:13, 14).

Heaven is basically the same as having salvation (1 Pet. 1:4, 5). Salvation of a person’s soul is obtained through faith in Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:8, 9), which is the gospel message (1 Cor. 15:1-4). The gospel/good news is that because Jesus died for man’s sins, those who believe He did are therefore forgiven of all their sins and will go to heaven (1 Cor. 15:1-4; 1 Pet. 3:18; Col. 1:4, 5; 2:13, 14; Eph. 1:13, 14).

Those “born again” will see and enter the kingdom of God (Jn. 3:3, 5). The kingdom of God is basically the same as: being saved (Matt. 19:24, 25; Mk. 10:25, 26), entering the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 19:23, 24), and having eternal life (Matt. 19:24, 16; Mk. 10:25, 17). So, to be “chosen” is to be “born again,” is to enter the “kingdom of God/heaven,” is to be “saved,” is to have “eternal life”.

And to be saved is to be forgiven of all your sins (Lk. 7:50, 47, 48; 1:77). And a person is saved/forgiven all their sins by faith/belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ (Lk. 7:50; Eph. 2:8; Acts 10:39, 43; 13:32, 33, 38, 39; 1 Cor. 1:21, 17, 18, 23; 2:4, 5).

To be purchased/redeemed is to be forgiven of all your sins (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14). A person’s being purchased/redeemed/forgiven of all their sins is through faith in the fact that Christ’s shed blood paid the penalty for all their sins (1 Pet. 3:18, 19; Rom. 3:21-28; Heb. 9:12; Acts 26:18; Eph. 1:13, 14).

The “saints” are the same as those “chosen” by God (Eph. 1:1, 4).

The “saints” are the same as the “church” or the “disciples” (Acts 8:1; 9:1, 13; 26:10-12)

(Acts 9:31, 32, 36, 38, 41).

The “saints” are the same as the “brethren” (Phil. 1:1, 12).

The “brethren” are the same as the “church” (1 Cor. 1:2; 3:1).

The “saints” are the same as the “church” or “those who call on the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:2; 6:2; 2 Cor. 1:1).

“Those who call on the Lord Jesus Christ” are “saved” (Rom. 10:13).

The “saved” are “those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31).

The “church” is the same as the “chosen” (1 Cor. 1:2, 24-30).

The “disciples” are the same as “Christians” (Acts 11:26).

So, we see that the “chosen” are the same as: saints, the church, the disciples, those born again, Christians, those who called upon/believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, or the brethren.

The church/saints/believers in Jesus Christ all will have a home eternal in the heavens (2 Cor. 5:1, 2).

All saints/believers/Christians have their citizenship in heaven (Phil. 3:20, 21; 1:1).

All saints in Christ/Christians/believers have their hope laid up in heaven as a part of believing in the gospel message (Col. 1:1-6).

All the church/believers/Christians will go up to heaven (1 Thes. 1:1; 4:13-17).

It is also important to note that the 12 tribes of Israel mentioned are physical Jews and not spiritual Jews (believers). This is obvious both from the context of the passage (if the 12 tribes are referring to spiritual Jews, then there would be no need to refer to the other great multitude of believers from all the nations in 7:9) and from the fact that the 12 tribes are never referred to as spiritual Jews (believing Gentiles) anywhere else in the Bible. Rather God does have a program for the physical Jews to become believers and be saved as well (see Rom. 11, especially 11:1, 26).