Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet Outreach

Revelation 14:1

The precise identity of the 144,000 in the Book of Revelation has long been a matter of speculation. The purpose of this study is not to determine the literal or symbolic nature of the number, but to assess the significance of what that group possesses: the name of the Father. Why is this a matter of importance? Because those who have the Sacred Name “on” them are recognized as having the character of the Creator — they are His true people.

THE VERSE
And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.

THE STUDY
Having [Greek term: echō]. “Actively grasping; own, possess.” As the Apostle John had this vision, the 144,000 were “actively grasping,” “owning, possessing” or “holding something safely” — in this case, the Name.

Name [Greek term: onoma]. “To distinguish a person by a designation.” In the Greek, ONOMA is preceeded by the definite article HO (“the”), to individualize and to focus on the Name as the sole “label” of importance.
The concept of a name means more than what the term signifies in English. It is not only an indication of individuality, but it represents honor, authority, character and renown. The personal name of the Creator, YHWH, is much more than a “label.” For more information about the Sacred Name, please visit What and Who is YHWH?

Written [Greek term: graphō]. “To express [a concept] in writing, with specific reference to the content of the writing.” The form of this verb is “participle-perfect tense-passive voice-nominative.” This form indicates several things: a) “written” is not only an action, it is also a description (i.e., the Name was “written” as opposed to having been “engraved” or “stamped”); b) the act of writing was already completed by the time the Apostle John saw it (i.e., the 144,000 already had the Name when they stood with the Lamb on Mount Sion); c) the focus of this verse is the 144,000 because they have the Name written on them (i.e., the content of the writing — the Sacred Name, YHWH — is of primary importance).
The term GRAPHO is distinct from other Greek terms indicating a “labeling” of individuality. For example, Revelation 13:17 speaks of “a mark in the right hand or in the forehead.” The Greek term in Revelation 13:17, CHARAGMA, translated “mark,” signifies a scratching or etching — the sharpening to a point. In the Greek version of the Old Testament (known as the Septuagint), Genesis 4:15, Exodus 13:9, Exodus 31:17 and Deuteronomy 6:8 [for example] use the Greek word SEMEION, likewise translated into English as “mark.” This term is different than the one used in Revelation 13:17; these Old Testament Scriptures refer to a “sign or token, to distinguish from others.” The nuances in term meanings stress either the manner in which the “label” was made, or the content of that “label.”
It is interesting to consider the contrast of how the 144,000 receive their “signal” of distinction, and how those who follow the beast receive their “signal” of distinction (i.e., a gentle “writing” quality to the followers of YHWH; the “mark of the beast” is violently applied [scratched, engraved] to followers of the beast).

Foreheads [Greek term: metōpon]. “Area above the eyes” or “space between the eyes.” The Peshitta-Aramaic New Testament reads, “…written on between their eyes.” The root for METOPON is a combination of META (“with, after, behind”) + OPS (“the face”). This suggests something “on” the forehead is not just “surface deep,” but involves cognition (i.e., “behind” = brain).

TAKEAWAY THOUGHT
The name of the Creator, YHWH, being on the foreheads of His people, indicates His ownership and character. The name of YHWH alone is meant to be used by everyone, throughout all ages, regardless of national background. The 144,000 reflect fully the image of Yahushua Messiah, who is Himself the image of Father YHWH.