Well, lets take a close look and see what we find as we also have the question of the 144,000 versus the Great Multitude which 'No One Could Number', so we have to look at both to get better perspective.
Some say these two groups of people are one and the same. However, there are some issues with this view.
A. The 144,000 is specifically named from the 12 tribes of Israel however, the Great Multitude comes from All Nations.
B. The Great Multitude Could Not be Numbered, however, 144,000 is a Numbered People.
C. The 144,000 is specifically said to be those that "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14) and are "Virgins", and "were redeemed from among men, being first fruits to God and to the Lamb" (Revelation 14).
So the "Great Multitude" has to be all the saints that have died and are asleep in the grave and are raised up at the end, as they are held distinct from the 144,000.
Then we have what Revelation calls the "Remnant", who at the end will be a people who have certain characteristics, they keep the commandments of God and they have the testimony of Jesus, We know them as the remnant, but are they the same end time group given as the 144,000, lets keep looking.
So we put together what Daniel has at the end time for Gods people the 144,000/Remnant, lets read
Daniel 12:1
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”
Daniel 12:1
So we have a remnant who are a commandment keeping people who have the testimony of Jesus Christ. But this remnant must go through the tribulation and “the time of trouble, such as never was”. So we have a church who are not all Gods people, composed of two groups, the true followers of God and others whose hearts and minds are not cleansed and ready for Christ.. So the church must go through a shaking in which those on the side of Satan will be taken out, the tares will be separated from the wheat, and the people who are His, prepared for Christs second coming.
We find in
John 6:27 it tells us:
“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”
John 6:27
We also find in
2 Corinthians 1:21-23 (KJV)
“21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts”
So the saints throughout the ages have been sealed and lie in the grave awaiting the resurrection, and we also have the 144,000/Remnant who need prepare to be sealed before the close of probation, and we see it in Revelation 22:11 where the just and the unjust are separated, and we read..
Revelation 22:11
"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still."
And we look at
Matthew 5:48 which has perplexed me for a long time, and I am sure others also. Lets read what it has to say:
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48.
In
Revelation 3:21 Christ makes a promise to the church of Laodicea. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (
Revelation 3:21).
So these saints of 144,000/Remnant that live at the end during the time 'such as never was', must not only overcome, but 'be perfect' much like Job to go through a unimaginable trial, and be ready to stand pure and spotless 'virgins' before God. Its a lot to take in, but scripture unveils the prophecy.