Are the 144,000 spoken of in Revelation 7:4 virgins?

Question

Gramps,

Answer

Hello Jeff,

Thank you for your question Jeff, and the question is not one that will provide a definitive answer. The answer will provide you with points to consider regarding the 144,000 servants, with a conclusion regarding my personal thoughts. Here are scriptures, doctrine, we can read to gain further understanding:

1) Revelation 7:4, “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel” (These servants represent 12,000 high priests from each tribe).

2) Revelation 14:3-4, “The hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth… These are they which were not defiled with women; for they were virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth” (emphasis added as in your question).

3) Doctrine and Covenants 77:11, “We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel…” (emphasis added, priesthood office).

The second scripture appears to entertain your question, are these 144,000 servants of God then “virgins?” The third scripture, provides us with additional details regarding the priesthood office these servants will hold — high priest. The term “virgin” will first lean toward the meaning of one who has not been intimate with a woman, as the scripture specifies “they which were not defiled with women.” These are men who did not “make merry” with women, or as Paul describes in the Book of 2 Timothy 3:6, that these aren’t men who would “lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts.” These men were pure and chaste with clean hands and a pure heart.

However, “virgin,” in this case, has the possibility of a dual meaning if one correlates the priesthood office these servants will hold, high priest. A high priest has “the right to officiate in the Church.” The Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, gives instruction regarding High Priests, “Brethren are ordained high priests when they are called to a stake presidency, high council, or bishopric or when otherwise determined by the stake president,” and are typically married men. The office of high priest also comes with added responsibility and to whom much is given much is required. Other possible interpretations of the word “virgin” used would be 1) Keeping oneself chaste 2) Keeping oneself as “pure as” virgins; although I am married, I am still chaste and I am still as pure as a virgin, as I have not defiled myself with any “silly” women.

At this point, until these servants are ordained and we know for a fact, my spirit resonates with the office of a high priest and that high priests are typically married men. The term virgin representing the notion of being “pure and chaste.” Married men, with children, are still undefiled by women who are and continue to keep the law of chastity (the opposite true also for women, women are undefiled by men who are married with children who have kept and continue to keep the law of chastity — complete fidelity before and after marriage).

Gramps