As previously stated, the New Jerusalem (depicted in the Book of Revelation) is an image of a new and superior spiritual reality that has replaced the Old Jerusalem and Herod’s Temple that were destroyed by the Romans in AD 70. In a similar way, there is a new Priesthood that has replaced the old Priesthood. Every Christian is qualified to serve in the new Priesthood because every believer has been declared righteous (at the moment of first believing) (Rom. 5:1) and is permanently indwelt by God, the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22). Every believer may draw near to serve God, but unfortunately, most believers do not have a consistent desire to draw near and serve in the new Priesthood. The new Priesthood is comprised of the 24 Elders and the 144,000 who are described in the Book of Revelation.
From the writer of Hebrews, we learn that the Old Testament Priesthood served a “copy and shadow of heavenly things” (Heb. 8:5). In fact, at Hebrews 10:1, we learn that the Old Testament Law was a “shadow of good things to come.” A shadow is an obscure image of something. It is an inferior description of a vastly superior reality. The old Priesthood was a shadow of a superior coming new Priesthood.
At Hebrews 2:17, the writer of Hebrews explained that Jesus is our High Priest “in the things pertaining to God.” The Old Covenant High Priests (like Aaron) were a shadow of a superior reality found in Jesus Christ. Jesus, the great High Priest, made “propitiation for the sins of the people” (Heb 2:17), but not by offering the blood of an animal sacrifice. Instead, Jesus offered His own body as a sacrifice on the Cross. Further, we learn that Jesus is our great High Priest “who has passed through the heavens” (Heb. 4:14). While Jesus was on Planet Earth, He “did not seek to glorify Himself [by] becoming a High Priest,” but now, He is a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 5:10). “When Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things having come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by hands, that is, not of this creation…” (Heb 9:11). Jesus was qualified to enter into Heaven as our great High Priest because of His own blood.
As the reader may recall, the Old Testament Priesthood consisted of 1) the High Priest, 2) the Priests, and 3) the Levites. Persons in all three categories came from the Tribe of Levi, and they were chosen by God to serve God in a special capacity. Also, there was an important connection between the Firstborn of Israel and the Levites. The Levites were a substitute for the Firstborn of Israel. At Numbers 3:12, we read, “Now, behold I have taken the Levites from among the sons of Israel instead of every firstborn…. So, the Levites shall be mine.” The new Priesthood (consisting of Jesus as the new High Priest, the 24 Elders functioning as Priests, and the 144,000 functioning as the Priest’s helpers) is also a special possession of God, set aside to serve God in a special capacity. Further, these numbers – “24” and “144,000” – should be understood symbolically. In my opinion, the 24 Elders will ultimately be numbered in the thousands, and the 144,000 will be numbered in the millions. Both categories represent faithful servants of God. The 24 Elders are representative of the Heroes of Faith, some of whom are catalogued in Hebrews, Chapter 11. To serve God in His new Priesthood, we must remain faithful. We must be faithful servants.
The Apostle Peter placed a great emphasis on the idea that we believers are called to serve as priests. At 1 Peter 2:5, we read that the chosen are “living stones… being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood….” At 1 Peter 2:9, Peter taught that we Christians have Jesus as our High Priest, and His chosen people are a “royal Priesthood, a holy nation, [and] a people for God’s own possession.” This is a superior, new Priesthood. John, the Elder taught similarly. He wrote that “He [Jesus] made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father… (Rev. 1:6). Again, every believer is qualified to be a Priest, but not every believer wants to draw near and serve.
A priest is essentially a “mediator.” The Greek noun mesitēs is defined as a “one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant.”[1] Merriam-Webster states that a mediator is “one that mediates between parties at variance.”[2] At Hebrews 8:6, we learn that Jesus “has obtained a more excellent ministry, to the extent that He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.” Our new and better Covenant can be described simply as 1) believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, and 2) now, living in Christ.
In the Old Testament, initially, the Priests were a part of the High Priest’s immediate family. On the other hand, the Levites were extended cousins of the High Priest. As I have discussed before, the 24 Elders are representative of the great heroes of faith, which also includes New Testament believers like Paul, Peter, Luke, John, the Elder, etc. The 144,000 are symbolic of mature, faithful believers.
The Book of Revelation describes the 144,000 with beautiful imagery. At Revelation, Chapter 7, the 144,000 are the subject of dual imagery. They are pictured as both faithful Israel, and “a great multitude, which no one [can] count, from every nation, and all the tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, [with] palm branches… in their hands” (Rev. 7:9). At Revelation 19:8, we learn that their clothing is symbolic of their righteous acts. At Psalm 92:12, the Psalmist wrote, “The righteous person will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” At Revelation 7:11-17, we see that the 24 Elders lead the 144,000 in the worship of the Lamb. We also see that God’s faithful angels play an important role in leading humanity in the worship of God.
At Revelation 14, we read further important descriptions of the 144,000. They are described as having the name of their Father written on their foreheads. This should not be over-literalized. It simply means that the 144,000 are faithful servants of God. At Revelation 14:3, the 144,000 are described as uniquely learning how to sing a new song of praise to the Lord. They learn how to sing in harmony with God by God’s Spirit and Word. At Revelation 14:4, they are described as practicing celibacy. This should also not be over-literalized. It simply describes the 144,00 as being devoted to the Lord, like being a faithful bride (Rev. 19:7). At Revelation 14:4, the 144,000 are described as following the Lord wherever He goes. This simply describes the 144,000 as faithful followers of Christ. Further, verse 14:4 describes the 144,000 as the “first fruits.” The first fruits represent the first and the best of the harvest.
Finally, Revelation 14:5 describes the 144,000 as being blameless and with no lies in their mouths. The 144,000 are not sinless, but they are spiritually whole and complete. They are mature believers, and they speak with integrity as unto the Lord. They serve God by their words, attitudes, and actions.
For more information about the 144,000, please see the attached Bible Classes posted on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IOtBhUAdDk; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LDKVn5OBIo;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOnXDHDoygc
[1] “G3316 – mesitēs – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 6 Aug, 2024. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3316/nasb20/mgnt/0-1/>.
[2] “Mediator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mediator. Accessed 6 Aug. 2024.
