QUESTION: Who were the 144,000? Does not the Bible teach that these will be with God in heaven, while the “great multitude” will inherit, and live on, a renovated Earth?

ANSWER: The first part of the question is answered for us in Revelation 14:4. The 144,000 were those who were spiritually pure, redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb. Similar language was used of those who made up the “great multitude” of chapter seven, i.e., they were clothed with white robes (spiritually pure), having washed them, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (vss.9-14). These two groups make up one group that includes all of those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, which would also include those who lived under the first Testament (Hebrews 9:15).

As to the second part of the question, the Bible nowhere teaches a renovated Earth. II Peter 3:10-12 tells us clearly that the material of which the heavens are made will “melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” The original Greek word for “burned up” carries with it the idea of totally burned up. There is no hint of a reworking or a renovation of this Earth! Such an idea was developed solely in the vain imaginations of apostate man! The Scripture plainly teaches that at the conclusion of all things both the 144,000 and “the great multitude” will dwell together in precisely the same place. (In fact the 144,000 are a part of the great multitude!) Notice carefully the following: The 144,000 in Revelation 14:3 are said to be “before the throne.” Also, in verse five, we find this same group to be “before the throne.” In Revelation 7:9, the “great multitude” is also said to be “before the throne.” Both groups are to be found before the throne! They are in exactly the same place!

Nonetheless, where is the throne to be found? Is it to be found on the Earth? No! In Revelation 7:15, we learn that the throne is in His temple, and in Revelation 11:19, we find that the temple is in heaven! Revelation 4:2 also states that the throne is in heaven! The only conclusion that can be drawn is that both groups (the 144,000 and the “great multitude”) are in exactly the same place, i.e., both are found, as a single group, before the throne, which is in the temple, which is in heaven! The allegation by the Jehovah’s Witnesses that a renovated Earth is needed for the “great multitude” is very clearly negated and rendered foolish by the Word of God!