We can see by reading Revelation, chapters 6-7, that these 144,000 Jews are mentioned between the sixth and seventh ‘seal’ judgments that occur during the seven-year Tribulation period that begins after the Church is raptured out of the world.  There is a pause in the destruction from the judgments upon the earth so these 144,000 might be brought out.  We read in Revelation 7:1-4, “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an HUNDRED AND FORTY AND FOUR THOUSAND of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”

These sealed ones are from the tribes of the children of Israel…12,000 from each of the 12 tribes (verses 5-8).  Some people view the 144,000 as a literal count of individuals who are sealed and protected by God during this time of Tribulation. According to this view, these Jewish men are seen as an exact group of Jewish believers chosen for a specific purpose during the end times.  Some tend to think this number is symbolic and not literal.  I believe it is good to take the scriptures literal unless it is obvious that a symbolic meaning must be taken.  I believe the 144,000 are literally an exact number of men chosen by the Lord for a specific purpose. 

The purpose of this seal was a clear indication that these 144,000 Jews belong to the Lord…they are saved!  In verse 3, they are called, “the servants of our God.”  How gracious is the Lord that during the great time of Tribulation He would pause His harsh judgments to seal a great number of people for Himself.  It may be assumed that these “servants” would be involved in sharing the “Gospel of the kingdom” as we read in Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”  It is only those who are truly saved that can effectively witness for the Lord and offer salvation “in all the world.”  I would not be dogmatic about this, but evangelism is certainly the privileged work of all who are saved by God’s wondrous grace. 

Besides these chosen and sealed Jewish believers, there will also be a great number of Gentiles saved during this Tribulation period.  We read in Revelation 7:9-10, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”  These Gentiles (anyone who is not a Jew is a Gentile) are “clothed with white robes” indicating their purity and holiness through faith in the Lord Jesus. 

So, here we see the grace of God being extended to both Jews and Gentiles alike during this time of Tribulation on the earth.  What a wonderful and gracious God we have.  Do you know Him as your savior?  Have you bowed your knee before Him and received Him as savior and Lord?  It is so important that you come to the Lord now before it is too late.  If you reject the Lord now, you will not be able to be saved after the Rapture of the church which could happen at any second.  We read in 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2 about this Rapture.  I encourage you to read it carefully.  We are told what happens after the Rapture to those who have refused to put their faith in the Lord Jesus.  Verses 11-12 give this solemn warning, “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”  (CC)  (688.4)