There are many, and some erroneous, views on this subject, but I think the best interpretation comes from “The Apocalypse” by Joseph Seiss, Kergel Publications, as quoted here from page 163.
“These 144,000 are not simply Jews, for there are many of Jewish blood who are not of this number. They are Jews of a particular class, singled out from the Israelitish populations on account of spiritual attainments and character not found in the rest. They are not only descendants of the Hebrew patriarchs, living in the time of the judgment, but such of those descendants as shall then correspond in their characteristics to the significance of the several tribal names by which they are designated.
In Genesis 5 we have the names of the antediluvian patriarchs, from Adam to Noah. In the meaning of these names, taken in the order in which they stand, we have a singular epitome of the history of the race, and of the principal teachings of holy scripture from first to last. Taking these tribal names of the 144,000 in the same way, we also find a very striking indication of their personal character, on the ground of which their peculiar honours are based.
All Jewish names are significant¸ and the meaning of those which here are given is not hard to trace. – .Judah means confession or praise of GOD; Reuben, viewing the sun; Gad, a company; Asher, blessed; Nepthalim; a wrestler, or striving with; Manassah; forgetfulness; Simeon; hearing and obeying; Levi; joining or cleaving to; Issachar; reward, or what is given by way of reward; Zebulon; a home or dwelling place; Joseph; added or an addition; Benjamin; a son of the right hand, a son of old age.
Now put these several things together in their order, and we have described to us: “Confessors or praisers of GOD, looking upon the Son, a band of blessed ones, wrestling with forgetfulness, hearing and obeying the Word, cleaving unto the reward of a shelter and home, an addition, sons of the day of GOD’S right hand, begotten in the extremity of the age.”
This certainly is very remarkable, and cannot be taken as mere accident, particularly as the order and some of the names are changed from the normal order. Thus Dan and Ephraim are omitted and Levi and Joseph are In their place .Dan means judging and Ephraim increase, but these 144,000 are not judges and their number is fixed and does not increase.”
Comments. These 144,000 are chosen and sealed of GOD for a special “last day” ministry. We see them again in Rev.ch14-1/5 in Heaven, having completed their ministry, singing a new song and following the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. Their ministry will be to the Children of Israel scattered over the World, during the Great Tribulation period. Possibly
This is a fulfilment of Hosea 6-2 “After 2 days He will raise us up” If we take the 2 days of 1000 years each, from the time Jesus was anointed as Messiah at River Jordan in A.D.26,
That would take us to 2026, not far off. I offer this as a comment only.
Seiss’ book, “The Apocalypse“, is a worthy commentary on the book of Revelation.
100 Bible Studies - Alfred Emmerson Curtis 