Revelation 7 speaks of the 144,000 being sealed.Does that mean only they are going to be in heaven?

There are some who teach that only the 144,000 will be in heaven, while the rest of the saved will be on the "new earth."But let us look at the passage: “And I heard the number of them that were sealed, a hundred and forty and four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel: of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand: of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand... After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:4-9).

This 144,000 was composed of 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel.There was not one Gentile among them!Those who claim that this 144,000 is literal, and only they will be in heaven, have some insurmountable problems.If the 144,000 be literal, then the 12,000 from each literal tribe of the nation of Israel is also literal!That means that only those from the nation of Israel will be in heaven!But look further at this 144,000: “No man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand, even they that had been purchased out of the earth.These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins” (Revelation 14:3-4).Now, if this 144,000 be literal, there is not a woman among them!And there is not a married man among them, either!If anyone cannot see that this passage is writt en in figurative language, he is indeed spiritually blind.

But look again, "After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9).This great multitude was composed entirely of Gentiles, and the multitude was innumerable.Notice, too, that they were also before the throne of God.So it wasn't only the 144,000 who were before God's throne in heaven.There was a “great multitude” of Gentiles there.

Obviously, this passage is figurative language that shows the kind of people who will be in heaven with God.As to the saved being on earth in eternity, read, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1^st Peter 1:3-4).This simply echoes what Jesus said, just before He left earth to return to heaven.“In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).The eternal reward of the righteous is in heaven, not on earth.