144 (One Hundred and Forty-Four)
Symbolic treatment of this number in the corpus
Bullinger · Jones
One hundred and forty-four is the number of the risen saints in their governmental fullness: 12 × 12, a doubling of governmental perfection describing the final ordering of those equipped in two dimensions for dominion. Bullinger and Jones connect the number to the wall of the New Jerusalem and to the firstfruit saints who in resurrection glory fulfil a priestly-royal ministry.
Biblical References
| Reference | Context |
|---|---|
| Rev. 7:4 | One hundred and forty-four thousand as 12 × 12 × 1,000: firstfruits from all tribes |
| Rev. 14:1 | The Lamb on Mount Zion with the one hundred and forty-four thousand |
| Rev. 21:12 | Twelve gates and twelve foundations: the twelvefold structure of the New Jerusalem |
| Rev. 21:17 | The wall of the New Jerusalem: one hundred and forty-four cubits |
Symbolism in the Corpus
E.W. Bullinger
Bullinger describes one hundred and forty-four as 12 × 12: the risen saints in their governmental fullness. The wall of the New Jerusalem is one hundred and forty-four cubits (Rev. 21:17), a number expressing the governmental protection and enclosure of the holy city. Two hundred and eighty-eight (2 × 144) is the number of temple musicians appointed by David (1Chr. 25:7): a doubling of governmental praise. As 12 × 12, one hundred and forty-four describes the double governmental fullness of those equipped in resurrection for ministry. 1
Stephen E. Jones
Jones describes one hundred and forty-four as “the risen saints”: “144 — Risen Saints.” As 12 × 12 it is the joining of two levels of governmental authority: the twelvefold people of God expressed in its eschatological perfection. The one hundred and forty-four thousand in Revelation is the number 144 multiplied by a thousand — the number of the glory and fullness of God — describing the absolute fullness of the risen saints in their royal ministry. 2
Composite Use
Bullinger and Jones both treat one hundred and forty-four as 12 × 12: a doubling of governmental perfection. As the base number of the one hundred and forty-four thousand (Rev. 7:4; 14:1) and as the measure of the wall of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:17), it describes the final ordering of God’s people in resurrection and dominion. 1