Mormon Doctrine, p 546; “At his Second Coming, “the Lamb shall stand upon Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father’s name written on their foreheads.”…These 144,000 are Gods, as the name on their foreheads specifies; their callings and elections have been made sure; they are exalted personages; they are “redeemed from among men…And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”…They have attained perfection”.
Rev. 14:1-5; “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God”.
While I’m not an expert in eschatology I would venture to say the 144,000 aren’t and won’t be gods!
When we look at Revelation chapter 7 and the 144,000 we find that it’s speaking specifically of the twelve tribes of Israel –
Revelation 7:14; “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”
I’ve read upwards of twenty different theologians thoughts on this passage and most believe the 144,000 in chapter fourteen are the same that is found in chapter seven.
As I stated, I’m not an expert in eschatology, but I am of the opinion from what I’ve understood about these two passages these are from the twelve tribes.
If you’re a Christian and reading this we’re asking for you to insert your comments for us here, please!
If you’re a Mormon, this is where you get a chance to see how Christians put faith into action! I am completely confident that it’s okay for me to know I can read commentaries by capable theologians much smarter than myself who can interpret this passage of scripture and provide insight I hadn’t thought of before.
I’m also very confident knowing that I can rule out the idea the 144,000 mentioned in this passage is talking about gods. The Bible is very consistent in proclaiming there is only ONE God and mankind is God’s creation incapable of godhood status.
The Book of Revelation is largely symbolic. Using the Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, Mo. LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) for reference, there is a wealth of information. The need is to avoid trying to decipher, explain, or attach meanings to most symbols. We only know what is there and interpreted from other verses in the Bible.
As concisely, as possible both references to 144,000 are symbolic of the believers in Jesus; the 144,000 are those who did not bow down to the beast. No where is there any reference to “gods”, becoming gods, or exaltation of man.
The entire Bible is all about Jesus and culminates with all the believers, before and after Jesus came to earth, praising the Lamb (Jesus) who reigns forever.
The Mormon reference to “gods” should be a small “g” just as would Psalms 82:6, meaning “heavenly” or “exalted” beings. Jesus reminded the Jews of this when they wanted to stone him for claiming to be the _Son_ of God. “Is it not written in your law, I said ‘ye are gods’ (elohim).” Although Mormons believe in theosis, the doctrine that man may become _as_ God (a Christian doctrine espoused by John in 1 John 3:2), we believe that becoming _like_ God in no way takes away from the glory, majesty and might of the Father (even as believing that the Son can be like the Father without demeaning the power and glory of the Father).
One wonders how, if we are in God’s image and are said to be His sons, we can be anything but like Him if we are to dwell with Him.
To John Roberts –
Thanks for writing in and providing insight on this! The reference in 1 John 3:2 is a great verse to use when you’re sharing what your expectations are as a believer isn’t it? It let’s us know we’re loved, and keeps us in the humble position of where we should be while knowing He’s a benevolent God.
Michelle
Yes, it also illustrates that like begets like. If we are the children of God, what does a God beget? The first verses in the Bible reveals both the plural nature of God, but that there’s a female element as well. “Let US make MAN in OUR image, after OUR likeness.”
Nope, sorry John. There isn’t a ‘female element’ in Genesis 1:26 ( “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”)
The notion that God has a goddess wife is a lie. The ‘us’ referred to is God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. -Melissa Grimes
Just saying there is not a female element to the Creators doesn’t make it so. When one comments decisively on scripture one must have authority. Your answer reminds me of the guy looking at a Boeing 747 in a hanger. “I’ve looked at it, I know the size, weight. I’m sorry, boys, but this thing won’t fly!”
God made man in His image, after His likeness. But this wasn’t just ONE entity. The use of the term “Elohim” indicates a plurality, as indicated. Who can say what the makeup of that group was…who it was? The Bible doesn’t answer all questions, and there’s much we still don’t know.
And therein lies just one of the problems with Mormonism. What you don’t know you make up. You add to God’s word (the bible), and you go outside of what is written instead of reading God’s word (the bible) in context.
Tell me, where does it say in the Bible that God needed a “female element” to create male and female? Don’t give me your opinion, or what makes sense to you. I want an actual biblical response. – Melissa Grimes
Mellissa
Genesis
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
The Bible states that man was created an female. Be fruitful and multiply is between male and female.
Through study and prayer one can find truth. Truth. Is truth!