Bible Q & A

Q. While reading the book of Revelation, I found that those who live in Christ will find salvation and will not have to suffer God’s wrath. Why then does Revelation 7:3-8 talk of 144,000 of the children of Israel being “sealed”? This passage sounds as though only peoples of Israel will be spared. I am Eurasian. What kind of chance do I have? Supposedly, only those who have the ‘seal of God” will remain unharmed. Please explain this to me and give me some proof that I, who am without a drop of Israelite blood, can have a chance too.
 
A. It is most emphatically not true that only those who are racially of the tribes of Israel will be included in God’s protection or given salvation. The parts of the Bible which allude to the protection of God’s people from tribulation generally refer to the Church as a whole, not just certain segments of it.

Revelation 7:3-8 is no exception to this principle. Notice the context of verse 9 (RSV): “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude from every nation, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Jesus Christ), clothed in white robes (a symbol of righteousness).” This great multitude is protected right along with the 144,000 before any further plagues are allowed.

While the theocracy of ancient Israel was composed of one man’s family and was therefore of a specific racial makeup, God’s Church today is composed of all races. The apostle Paul wrote: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek (non-Israelite), there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Gal. 3:27-29). God’s Church transcends all racial and ethnic barriers.

The story of Cornelius the centurion and his conversion in Acts 10 reveals that it is God’s will to work with people of all nations. Peter is quoted as saying: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (vs. 34-35). See also Eph. 2:11-19.
 
The Church of God, New World Ministries P.O. Box 5536 Sevierville, TN 37864