Catholics approach the Book of Revelation with some caution since a proper understanding of the text requires careful interpretation. For example, when the book refers to the “144,000 who follow the Lamb” the John the Seer is not limiting those who will be saved to that specific number. Quite to the contrary, a correct understanding of the author’s intention in using that number is inclusive, not exclusive. 144,000 is symbolic — multiply the number of the tribes of Israel (12) by the number of apostles (12) by a number which basically means as many as you can count (1000) and you come up with 144,000. We should conclude from ST. John’s using this symbolic number that all God’s children “have been ransomed as the first fruits .. for God and the Lamb.”
