Posted by Cygnus [Cygnus] on November 10, 1999 at 11:40:06 {AAJB0ph6mYHw53gh3sA6L4bdfUTIaI}:
In Reply to: 144,000 posted by disko on November 10, 1999 at 10:45:14:
They do so also because Paul wrote that the Israel of God is true Israel -- spiritual Israel, and that neither Jew nor Gentile exists within (no distinctions). Earthly Jerusalem was replaced with a heavenly Jerusalem.
However, the number 144,000 is repeated twice in the Bible. Revelation 7 appears to contrast that limited number with a numberless great multitude, and only the 144,000 sing the "new song." Whereas all saved humanity enjoy the blessings of the Kingdom, the literal 144,000 administer them.