144,000 Priests

The 144,000 Priests in Revelation: A Heavenly Kingdom on Earth

At the heart of the Book of Revelation lies a mysterious yet powerful group: the 144,000. These are not just symbolic figures but are presented as a specific, literal number of believers chosen and sealed for a divine purpose. According to Shincheonji’s theology, they are the priests of God’s new kingdom, created through the revealed word at the time of fulfillment. These individuals represent the first fruits of a recreated spiritual world—New Spiritual Israel—gathered, sealed, and set apart to carry out God’s final work of judgment, restoration, and eternal peace on earth.

Unlike those who only speak of prophecy, these 144,000 are those who understand and testify to its physical fulfillment. They are the product of God’s spiritual harvest, the result of a 2,000-year process since Jesus sowed the seed of the word (Matthew 13:24–30, John 12:24). In Shincheonji, this vision is not merely a hope for the future—it is a reality unfolding now. Lee Man-hee, the leader of Shincheonji, is believed to have received the opened scroll of Revelation (Revelation 10) and now testifies to what he has seen and heard as the physical fulfillment of prophecy.

Identity and Composition:

• A Literal, Fixed Number: The number 144,000 is an actual, not symbolic, number of people who must be created at the time of fulfillment (Revelation 7:4).

• Twelve Tribes of New Spiritual Israel: These 144,000 are divided into 12,000 from each of 12 tribes, forming New Spiritual Israel (Revelation 7:5–8).

• God’s Kingdom and Priests: They are appointed to be God’s kingdom and priests—pastors chosen by God to reign with Christ (Revelation 5:10, 1 Peter 2:9).

• Sealed by God’s Word: Having the names of God and the Lamb written on their foreheads, they are sealed with the revealed word, showing they belong to God and understand the new covenant (Revelation 14:1, Hebrews 8:10).

• Firstfruits: Called the “firstfruits,” they are the first to be harvested and sealed through the word of truth since Jesus began spiritual farming 2,000 years ago (Revelation 14:4, James 1:18).

• Purity: They have not defiled themselves with “women”—a spiritual metaphor meaning they have remained pure from false pastors or “prostitutes” and have not accepted the mark of the beast (Revelation 14:4, Revelation 17:1–2).

• Blameless: No lie is found in their mouths. They are those who speak only truth and remain blameless before God (Revelation 14:5, Zephaniah 3:13).

Role and Significance:

• Ruling and Judging: These priests will sit on thrones to judge and reign with Christ, together with the spirits of the apostles, for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4, Matthew 19:28).

• Singing the New Song: Only the 144,000 can learn and sing the “new song,” a song of testimony about the physical fulfillment of Revelation (Revelation 14:3).

• Healing the Nations: Through the word of life and fulfillment, they will bring healing to the nations (Revelation 22:1–2, Ezekiel 47:12).

• First Resurrection: They participate in the “first resurrection,” receiving the spirit of the martyrs, and live without facing the second death (Revelation 20:4–6).

• Location – Mount Zion: Spiritually gathered on Mount Zion, where God’s throne is established, representing the tabernacle of the chosen (Revelation 14:1, Hebrews 12:22).

Creation and Distinction from the Great Multitude:

• The 144,000 are created after the old spiritual Israel is judged and removed, following the biblical pattern of taking out the old and bringing in the new (Revelation 6:12–17, Isaiah 65:17).

• The 144,000 are distinct from the “great multitude in white.” The priests are sealed first; afterward, the multitude is gathered during the great tribulation (Revelation 7:3–4, Revelation 7:9–14).

• The 144,000 are the priests and kings, while the great multitude are the people and saints who receive salvation (Revelation 5:10, Revelation 7:9).

• The sealing of the 144,000 happens before the winds of judgment are released on the world outside the 12 tribes. Their testimony during tribulation leads many to salvation (Revelation 7:1–3, Revelation 14:6–7).

Shincheonji’s Perspective on Fulfillment:

• Shincheonji teaches that this is the era of fulfillment. Lee Man-hee, whom they identify as the “Promised Pastor,” has received the opened scroll and testifies to what he has seen and heard—the fulfillment of Revelation (Revelation 10:1–11, Revelation 1:2).

• The 144,000 are the first to recognize and believe in this testimony. They become “walking Bibles,” testifying not to theory but to fulfillment (2 Corinthians 3:2–3, Ezekiel 3:1–4).

• Although Shincheonji reported more than 144,000 members as of 2012, not every tribe had reached 12,000. The sealing is still ongoing (Revelation 7:4, Revelation 14:1).

• The 12 tribes of Shincheonji are seen as the physical reflection of the heavenly New Jerusalem on earth, fulfilling the Lord’s Prayer: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Revelation 21:1–2, Matthew 6:10).