Who are the 144,000?

The 144,000 are representatives of the 12 tribes of Israel. The Bible makes it clear that 12,000 from each tribe will be sealed so that they will be able to proclaim the truth to the world after the Church has been removed. Severe persecution of the Jews will result in response to their testimony. These 144,000 are called "...the servants of our God." In chapter 14, we see the 144,000 in the presence of the Lamb on Mount Zion and verse 4 clearly states, "These are they which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins...." What does this mean? They have not participated in the great global fornication of the success of "Mystery Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abomination of the earth" (Revelation 17:5). Revelation 18:3 says: "...all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication...." These 144,000 were not polluted with the horrible sins of fornication instituted by Mystery Babylon. They heeded the voice, "...Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4).