Many believe that 144000 will be a literal number of those who go to heaven yet a few verses below, Rev.7:9 tells of a great multitude who are also in heaven.
So why do those who teach these erroneous doctrine get away with it?
The answer is indicated by the fact that, after mention of the definite number 144,000 (Revelation 7:4), Revelation 7:9 refers to “a great crowd, which no man was able to number.” If the number 144,000 were not literal it would lack meaning as a contrast to the “great crowd.” Viewing the number as literal agrees with Jesus’ statement at Matthew 22:14 regarding the Kingdom of the heavens: “There are many invited, but few chosen.”