Revelations 14:1-4

[sharo64]

Who are the one hundred forty four thousand which will be redeemed in that Bible passage? Is it a remnant of the Jewish faith being spoken of or whom?

 

[COPLAND_3]

Here is what is in the Aquinas Study Bible

14:1 Lamb: That is Christ. mount Sion: That is, in the Church triumphant, which is called Mount Sion in Heb 12:22. (Nicholas of Lyra) Or just as the temple was built upon Sion by Solomon, therefore Sion here allegorically signifies the New Church militant under Christ, because this Church began in Sion. (Cornelius A. Lapide) hundred and forty-four thousand: This is the Church in its entirety, (St. Caesarius of Arles). his name and his Father’s name: Through the Holy Spirit, who is bond of both. (Nicholas of Lyra)

14:3 new canticle: it is because they are the saints of the New Covenant. (Nicholas of Lyra) Luis of Alcasar thinks that the new song was either a new creed introduced into the church, such as the Apostles’ Creed, or else, which is the interpretation he prefers, that it was the song of Christians rejoicing under their martyrdom and persecution; and that it is called new not because it was now sung for the first time, but because it had been unheard in the world.

14:4 follow the Lamb: they do this because they imitate Christ, by integrity not only of the mind but also of the flesh, as Augustine says (De Virgin 22). Wherefore they follow the Lamb in more ways, but this does not imply that they follow more closely, because other virtues make us cleave to God more closely by imitation of the mind. (St. Thomas Aquinas Sum Theo 2.15.5) virgins: In Scripture, virginity is sometimes taken strictly for the purity of the body, sometimes more broadly for continence, especially after a consecrated vow. (Nicholas of Lyra) Or all those are called virgins who do not contaminate themselves with any inordinate affection for creaturely things. Nor do I speak merely of unlawful affection, but even of what is lawful and permitted, which in any manner impedes the mind in its intercourse with God. (Luis if Alcasar) Or by virgins, in this passage, we may not only understand those who are chaste in body, but especially the whole Church which keeps the faith pure. (Tyconius)

 

[COPLAND_3]

Here is the commentary from the Aquinas Study Bible on Revelation 7:4-9 in which I feel explains it better

**7:4-8 hundred and forty-four thousand: **This is the Church in its entirety, (St. Caesarius of Arles) which is descended from the patriarchs either by the lineage of nature, or the imitation of faith. For, he says, “if you be Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed.” Gal 3:29 (St. Bede) This number which is finite must be understood as signifying one that is infinite, and to be most certainly reputed as a sacred and mystical number, to signify the innumerable multitude of the elect. For by this is designated all the Church in its elect members; nor does it seem to pertain to the twelve tribes in the literal sense. (St. Ambrosius Autpertus) Tribe of Judah-Benjamin: The divine wisdom arranged certain names of locations to be written in the Scriptures to contain a certain mystical meaning. (Origen) According to St. Andrew of Caesarea, the meaning of the names indicated the different virtues and characteristics of Christians during the Great Tribulation. See below for the names of the tribes and their meaning.

**7:9 great multitude: **these are the same people that he saw in the mystery of the hundred and forty-four thousand. The Lord shows in the Gospel that the whole Church, made up of those from the Jews as well as from the Gentiles are designated by the twelve tribes of Israel, saying, “You will sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Mt 19:28 (St. Caesarius of Arles)

 

[sharo64]

Copeland, So is what you are saying the Church militant is not only made up of Christians but also of those of the twelve tribes of Isreal and the number of the four hundred forty thousand is only a symbolic number meaning basically too many to count of the Church?

 

[COPLAND_3]

Copeland, So is what you are saying the Church militant is not only made up of Christians but also of those of the twelve tribes of Isreal and the number of the four hundred forty thousand is only a symbolic number meaning basically too many to count of the Church?

Yes, the 144,000 is not to be understood as exactly 144,000 as St. Ambrosius Aupertus explained above in 7:4-8. And as for the 12 tribes of Israel, its not concerning them in the literal sense, but as St. Andrew demonstrated, the names of the tribes have mystical meanings that signify characteristics and virtues. People were even called by Old Testament names to show that they have similar characteristics of them, such John the Baptist being called Elijah, not because he was Elijah, but because he was similar. There are many examples of this kind thing.

 

[COPLAND_3]

Concerning Bible names being used as symbols of other people, St. John Chrysostom says this, “and so the prophets used to call every one of their approved kings, David; and the Jews, rulers of Sodom, Isaiah 1:10 and sons of Ethiopians; Amos 9:7 because of their ways.[Homilies on Matthew 57]” I really think the Medieval expositors capture the sense that St. John meant in Revelation 7 concerning the 12 tribes of Israel.

Here are some additional information on this chapter from the Aquinas Study Bible

Dan and Ephraim replaced
By John Litteral

It should be pointed out that Dan is replaced by Levi, and Ephraim is replaced by Joseph. Many Fathers of the Church believed Dan was replaced because it is thought that the Antichrist will come from the tribe of Dan. But perhaps it is because Dan means ‘judge’ and that would not be considered a spiritual quality since the Lord said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (Mt 7:1) Or it could be that the tribe of Dan fell into idolatry and disappeared (Judges 17-18). Ephraim was also responsible for idolatry, and even the split of Israel into two kingdoms. Joseph was not really considered a tribe, but he was the father of Ephraim and Manasseh. Perhaps Joseph replaces Ephraim because of it’s sin.

12 Tribes of Israel and the meaning of their names, drawn from St. Andrew of Caesarea

Judah- confession: those who confess Christ and willing to suffer persecution for it.

Reuben- son of vision (Gen 29:32): because of holiness they see visions of God (allusion to Mt 5:8)

Gad- trial (Gen 49:18): those who are crowned through enduring trials, such as Job.

Asher- blessed (Gen 30:13): those who are worthy of blessings through their way of life.

Naphtali- prevail (Gen 30:8): those, who are through Christ, overcome evil.

Manasseh- forgetfulness (Gen 41:51): those who forget the ways of their sinful past and live for their future hope.

Simeon- heard/obedience (Gen 29:33): those who through their spiritual ears hear and obey the Word of God.

Levi- the one received in addition (Gen 29:34): those who are received into the body of Christ through conversion.

Issachar- hire/wages (Gen 30:16): those who live virtuously for the sake of the wages from God. according to St. Andrew of Caesarea

Zebulun- exalt/honor (Gen 20:30): those who live righteously are exalted and honored.

Joseph- addition (Gen 30:24): those who receive an addition by seeking first the Kingdom of God (allussion to Mt 6:33)

Benjamin- ‘son of the right hand’ or ‘son of strength’ (Gen 35:18): those who are in Christ have spiritual strength.

 

[qui_est_ce]

Yes, the 144,000 is not to be understood as exactly 144,000 as St. Ambrosius Aupertus explained above in 7:4-8. And as for the 12 tribes of Israel, its not concerning them in the literal sense, but as St. Andrew demonstrated, the names of the tribes have mystical meanings that signify characteristics and virtues. People were even called by Old Testament names to show that they have similar characteristics of them, such John the Baptist being called Elijah, not because he was Elijah, but because he was similar. There are many examples of this kind thing.

Great website for daily readings in your sig.