144,000

Q: What is the true meaning of Revelation 14:3? Did the Lord Jesus Christ give his life for millions or for a selected few?

A: Thank you for your question. Many theologians have debated about the meaning of Revelation 14:3. I won't say that my attempt to answer your question will resolve all the disagreement and opinions on the subject. However, we can shed some light on the meaning of the verse. The verse reads as follows: "And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth." The first place to start is where the verse says "they sang a new song." To sing a new song is a reference to the forgiveness that Jesus Christ purchased with His sacrificial death on the cross for the sins of mankind. In Revelation 5:9, it says, "And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." Here it says that Jesus death "purchased men for God." The death of Jesus Christ made it possible for Him, through the resurrection, to offer the life of God to mankind as a free gift. His death paved the way for salvation to be offered to the world. Therefore, I believe those that are singing are Christians because only they would be singing about the death of Jesus unless they had placed faith in Him.

Secondly, I believe that the 144,000 being referred to are Christians because of who it appears to be singing the new song.  In Revelation 14:3 it says that "No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth." To me this indicates that we are speaking about Christians since there is a condition that has been set as to who it is that is allowed to learn the new song. That condition is that only the "redeemed from the earth" could learn the song. One more than one occasion the Bible refers to Christians as being redeemed because of our faith in Christ. For example, Colossians 1:13-14 says, "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." The "us" being referenced here who have been redeemed are Christians. Therefore, I believe that the true meaning of Revelation 14:3 is that it refers to 144,000 Christians because only Christians are redeemed and are the only ones who would have His name and the Father's name written are our foreheads (Revelation 14;1), would follow Him where He goes (Revelation 14:4) and are considered blameless (Revelation 14:5).

As for your second question, the Lord Jesus Christ didn't give His life for a selected few nor did He give His life for millions of people. Jesus Christ gave His life for everybody in the entire world from the beginning of time until the end of time. Two verses that speak directly to this truth are John 3:16 and 2 Corinthians 5:19. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus gave His life for the world. That means everybody. 2 Corinthians 5:19 follows up on the same sentiment from John 3:16. "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them." The death of Jesus Christ reconciled the world to God by settling the sin issue that separated us from Him. Now, God can offer His life to anyone who believes because there is no sin that will cause Him to remove His life from a believer in Jesus Christ. Therefore, the death of Jesus Christ was for everybody, but only those who recognize their need for God's saving life will experience the benefit of that forgiveness through faith in Him. Understanding forgiveness is the key to unlocking everything for a believer about the Christian life. You will find it impossible to approach God if you feel your sins come between you and Him. God died for the entire world. The redeemed who sing the new song, whether it is the 144,000 John speaks of in Revelation or the millions now and throughout history, are those who have placed saving faith in Jesus Christ.