The Seal of God and the 144,000

Some have interpreted this group as being composed solely of Jews. No doubt it will include faithful Jews who have accepted Christ, but other details of this group, and the fact that they are synonymous with the remnant, excludes the view that the 144,000 is entirely composed of ethnic Jews. Remember the principle that the entities associated with numbers in the books of Daniel and Revelation referring to events prior to the Second Coming are symbolic. To denote the 144,000 as literal Jews, members of the tribes of Israel, would violate the principle that literal numbers are associated with symbols as found throughout these end-time prophetic books. This passage must be understood in the New Testament usage of the term "Israel" or "Abraham’s seed."

Revelation 7:2,3 reveals that prior to the release of the winds of strife which will lead to the seven last plagues, the 144,000 will receive the seal of the living God in their foreheads. Bear in mind that the mark of the beast is also placed in the forehead, but that in addition it may be received in the right hand (Revelation 13:16). We have documented from Scripture that those who receive the mark of the beast comprise the lost. We shall see that those who receive the seal of the living God are the redeemed. Thus if we can elucidate the meaning of the seal of the living God, we will in no wise be in difficulty in understanding the nature of the mark of the beast.

The seal of the living God represents character. This is evidenced by Scripture, for the seal of the living God is described as follows:

The seal of God thus is the Father’s name inscribed in the forehead. What does this mean? God’s name represents His character. In the Lord’s prayer we are encouraged to pray—

We hallow His name because it enshrines His pure and holy character.

As we have seen, the 144,000 do possess the character of Christ.

The seal is represented in the forehead because it is a character developed through deep conviction. If the seal of the living God represents God’s character reflected in the lives of true believers, then the mark of the beast, by contrast, represents Satan’s character in the life. This should come as no surprise, for rather than living a life without sin and possessing no guile, the Bible represents him as the originator of sin (Ezekiel 28:15) and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

Manifestly the seal of the living God represents the character of God which will dwell in the hearts of the redeemed at the end of time. The mark of the beast, by contrast, represents the character of Satan which will be planted in the hearts of all those who have not sought the conditions upon which God’s grace will be imparted. It is not possible for Christ to take those to heaven at His coming who refuse to permit Him to take sin from their lives. Such would continue to sin in heaven and the entire plan of salvation would thus be thwarted. That plan is to cleanse the universe of sin. This can only be achieved when sin and sinners are no more. God assures us that affliction (sin) will not recur.

We may wonder at the purpose of the question. The answer is clear as we observe the doctrines accepted by most Christians. They imagine that the Lord will not make an end of sin, for they claim that the wicked live on forever in hell. The Bible teaches they will be destroyed. (See the book, The Mystery of Death, by the same authors.)

But what external evidence will indicate the distinction between those who possess the seal of the living God and those cursed with the mark of the beast? The term "seal of the living God" originates from the practice in Bible times of rulers at all levels possessing a distinctive seal of their authority. Each seal contained three mandatory elements:

When Pilate’s seal was placed over the tomb of Christ, it displayed these three mandatory elements: name—Pontius Pilate; authority—governor; region governed—Judea. Similarly, Augustus, the ruler of the Roman Empire, possessed a seal. Its designation stated: name—Caesar Augustus; authority—emperor; region governed—the Roman Empire.

So important is God’s seal that He did not commence a word of Scripture before placing His seal within the words therein.

Here all three elements of the Seal of God are incorporated. Name—God; authority—Creator (sometimes referred to as the Maker of all); area governed—the heaven and the earth.

At the conclusion of creation week the Sabbath was instituted. Here once more the seal of the living God was displayed.

In this passage God’s name is inserted three times, His authority is mentioned on four occasions (made, three times and created, once), and His region of governance once.