John the Revelator prophesies concerning the sealing of 144,000 in their foreheads and the restoration of the gospel in the latter days. Let's look at his words from both Revelation chapters 7 and 14.
The Meaning of The Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand
Sealed in Their Foreheads
John tells us:
"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads." (Revelation 14:1, compare Doctrine & Covenants 133:18)
"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. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand." (Revelation 7:1-8)
In the scriptures, the word "forehead" is used a handful of times in a way that denotes loyalty or allegiance or what we're trying to become in a moral sense. Here are some examples:
" I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads." (Ezekiel 3:8)
"...thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed." (Jeremiah 3:3)
Leprosy, often used in the Bible as a symbol of great spiritual uncleanness, was said to start in the forehead:
Hebrew Numerology: Twelve and Thousand
In Hebrew numerology, the number twelve signifies the power and authority of God. A thousand signifies many or a great multitutde. The number one hundred forty and four thousand can be divided by both twelve and one thousand. In other words, in a general sense, this prophecy foretells that in the last days, there will be a great body of priesthood holders on the earth. The multiplying of twelve by twelve signifies the "authority of the authority". In other words, this is a reference to priesthood leadership.
Joseph Smith asked the Lord what the hundred and forty-four thousand meant, and this was His answer:
"...those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn." ( Doctrine and Covenants 77:11)
In other words, the "sealing" spoken of in Revelation 7 and 14 is actually an ordination to the priesthood, an advancement to the office of high priest after the order of Melchizedek. In latter-day revelation, we learn that the office of high priest is an office of leadership and administration, an office of presiding when no higher authority is present. (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:9-12) John gives us this description of the hundred and forty-four thousand:
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. (Revelation 14:4-5)
This is reminiscent of language used to describe high priests elsewhere in scripture.
Here are some examples:
"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way... Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.. [a reference to Christ as the ultimate High Priest but nonetheless true of all high priests]... strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:1-2, 6,10,14)
"I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people... [they are] called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works... having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such... this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts... they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb." (Alma 13:1, 3, 5, 11)
Harpers Singing A New Song
"And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 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." (Revelation 14:2-5)
I believe the song of the harpers is tantamount to the "song of redeeming love" as described by Alma the Younger, for only those who have been redeemed "feel to sing" this metaphorical "song":
The Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand and The Opening of the Seventh Seal
John seems to indicate that the Lord will use the hundred and forty-four thousand as a gauge to determine the degree to which the wheat and tares have been separated. (see Matthew 13:24-30, Doctrine & Covenants 86, 101:65-66, Revelation 7:9-17) The destruction to which John refers in various places throughout Revelation chapters 7 and 14 has a severity to it that is reserved for the seventh seal. In other words, when there are no more new converts being ordained to the priesthood and no more advancements to the office of high priest in the Melchizedek priesthood, we can know that the literal and spiritual gathering of latter-day Israel is complete for the purposes of His coming as signified by John's reference to all twelve tribes in Revelation 7. Given this injunction to the angels not to hurt the earth or the sea until the sealing of the hundred and forty-four thousand in their foreheads is complete, it stands to reason that the restoration, followed by this inevitable hiatus in the accumulation of priesthood authority, will trigger the opening of the seventh seal. (see Revelation 14:8-20)
God Shall Wipe All Tears From Their Eyes
We tend to think of this event as a frightening thing, given the destruction that is prophesied to occur in conjunction with it. One thing that really sticks out is John's warning to those who worship the beast:
There has been much debate about what "the beast" represents. For what it's worth, I believe the beast to be the combination of all evil-inspired powers in the earth: the media, the political machinery, the government, social pressure to conform to the world's wicked ways. In short, the beast is anyone who serves evil and uses their influence to corrupt society and destroy people's faith, freedoms and prosperity.
But then, John makes these promises to those whose faith is in the Lord:
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus... Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them..."
He continues, promising deliverance from wickedness when the earth is reaped. (see Revelation 14:14-20)
But for the saints, the best part is what happens after that:
When I began my study of the book of Revelation, I thought my mind would be filled with worrisome thoughts about what is to come. But just the opposite is true: the longer I study this stuff, the more I feel that although there are plenty of hard times still ahead, the good stuff that comes after it is just around the corner!
Also of Interest
New Era May 1973 - Revelation: The Plainest Book Ever Written
New Testament Student Manual: Revelation
LDS Lower Light: The Oath and Covenant of The Priesthood
The Meaning of The Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand
Sealed in Their Foreheads
John tells us:
"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads." (Revelation 14:1, compare Doctrine & Covenants 133:18)
"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. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand." (Revelation 7:1-8)
In the scriptures, the word "forehead" is used a handful of times in a way that denotes loyalty or allegiance or what we're trying to become in a moral sense. Here are some examples:
" I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads." (Ezekiel 3:8)
"...thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed." (Jeremiah 3:3)
Leprosy, often used in the Bible as a symbol of great spiritual uncleanness, was said to start in the forehead:
"Then the Priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh; He is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague is in his head." (Leviticus 13:43-44)
"And the Amlicites were distinguished from the Nephites, for they had marked themselves with red in their foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites..." (Alma 3:4)
"And the Amlicites were distinguished from the Nephites, for they had marked themselves with red in their foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites..." (Alma 3:4)
Also, anciently, when sending a letter, people affixed their seal in order to identify themselves, or they had a scribe affix their seal in their behalf. In other words, people who have been "sealed in the foreheads" and "have the name of God written in their foreheads" are people who identify as His loyal believers and followers and are authorized to act in His behalf.
Hebrew Numerology: Twelve and Thousand
In Hebrew numerology, the number twelve signifies the power and authority of God. A thousand signifies many or a great multitutde. The number one hundred forty and four thousand can be divided by both twelve and one thousand. In other words, in a general sense, this prophecy foretells that in the last days, there will be a great body of priesthood holders on the earth. The multiplying of twelve by twelve signifies the "authority of the authority". In other words, this is a reference to priesthood leadership.
Joseph Smith asked the Lord what the hundred and forty-four thousand meant, and this was His answer:
"...those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn." ( Doctrine and Covenants 77:11)
In other words, the "sealing" spoken of in Revelation 7 and 14 is actually an ordination to the priesthood, an advancement to the office of high priest after the order of Melchizedek. In latter-day revelation, we learn that the office of high priest is an office of leadership and administration, an office of presiding when no higher authority is present. (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:9-12) John gives us this description of the hundred and forty-four thousand:
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. (Revelation 14:4-5)
This is reminiscent of language used to describe high priests elsewhere in scripture.
Here are some examples:
"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way... Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.. [a reference to Christ as the ultimate High Priest but nonetheless true of all high priests]... strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:1-2, 6,10,14)
"I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people... [they are] called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works... having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such... this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts... they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb." (Alma 13:1, 3, 5, 11)
Harpers Singing A New Song
"And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 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." (Revelation 14:2-5)
I believe the song of the harpers is tantamount to the "song of redeeming love" as described by Alma the Younger, for only those who have been redeemed "feel to sing" this metaphorical "song":
"...my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?" (Alma 5:26-27)
John seems to indicate that the high priests - the hundred and forty-four thousand - have indeed experienced this change of heart and striven to maintain it, to keep their garments clean and white, having been made such by the blood of the Lamb. It is only possible for those who have received the saving ordinances of the priesthood to learn this new song.
For a more detailed discussion of the priesthood as described in the Bible and as restored in latter-days, see my articles:
LDS Lower LIght: Priesthood Offices in The Ancient Church (Bible)
LDS Lower Light: Priesthood Offices in The Latter-Day Church (latter-day scripture, for comparison)
For a more detailed discussion of the priesthood as described in the Bible and as restored in latter-days, see my articles:
LDS Lower LIght: Priesthood Offices in The Ancient Church (Bible)
LDS Lower Light: Priesthood Offices in The Latter-Day Church (latter-day scripture, for comparison)
The Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand and The Opening of the Seventh Seal
John seems to indicate that the Lord will use the hundred and forty-four thousand as a gauge to determine the degree to which the wheat and tares have been separated. (see Matthew 13:24-30, Doctrine & Covenants 86, 101:65-66, Revelation 7:9-17) The destruction to which John refers in various places throughout Revelation chapters 7 and 14 has a severity to it that is reserved for the seventh seal. In other words, when there are no more new converts being ordained to the priesthood and no more advancements to the office of high priest in the Melchizedek priesthood, we can know that the literal and spiritual gathering of latter-day Israel is complete for the purposes of His coming as signified by John's reference to all twelve tribes in Revelation 7. Given this injunction to the angels not to hurt the earth or the sea until the sealing of the hundred and forty-four thousand in their foreheads is complete, it stands to reason that the restoration, followed by this inevitable hiatus in the accumulation of priesthood authority, will trigger the opening of the seventh seal. (see Revelation 14:8-20)
God Shall Wipe All Tears From Their Eyes
We tend to think of this event as a frightening thing, given the destruction that is prophesied to occur in conjunction with it. One thing that really sticks out is John's warning to those who worship the beast:
"If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." (Revelation 14:9-11)
There has been much debate about what "the beast" represents. For what it's worth, I believe the beast to be the combination of all evil-inspired powers in the earth: the media, the political machinery, the government, social pressure to conform to the world's wicked ways. In short, the beast is anyone who serves evil and uses their influence to corrupt society and destroy people's faith, freedoms and prosperity.
But then, John makes these promises to those whose faith is in the Lord:
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus... Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them..."
He continues, promising deliverance from wickedness when the earth is reaped. (see Revelation 14:14-20)
But for the saints, the best part is what happens after that:
"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. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Revelation 7:9-17)
Also of Interest
New Era May 1973 - Revelation: The Plainest Book Ever Written
New Testament Student Manual: Revelation
LDS Lower Light: The Oath and Covenant of The Priesthood
