Revelation 7:1-8 "Interlude: The 144,000"

Lesson Handout

Introduction – Chapter 6 left us on a cliffhanger with a question: “The great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” That’s the question at the end of chapter 6 -- the opening of the 6^th seal, and before we get to the 7^th seal, that question “who can stand” will be answered – those who will can stand the wrath of the Lamb are the 144,000 in chapter 7.

Challenging questions this passage presents:

1. What is different about the listing of the 12 tribes? (Relevant passages: Genesis 49 & Numbers 34)
2. Where are the tribes of Dan and Ephraim?
3. Why are Levi and Joseph included?
4. Is the 144,000 a literal number or is it symbolic for something else?
5. Who are the 144,000?