In Revelation 7:1-8 we have a specific number mentioned which is 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes out of Israel equaling 144,000. This does not represent the church, but represents exactly who is referred to in the scripture which are Israelites.
Following the introduction of the 144,000, in Revelation 7:9-17 we have another group in white robes which no man can count from every nation, tribe, people and language, which would make them all Gentiles. The elder tells John that these are those who come out of the great tribulation, i.e. the great tribulation saints. This demonstrates that God means what He says by showing the difference between the two, i.e. 144,000 vs a great number which no man can count. Yet using numerology, you are changing the 144,000 to represent "the total number of saints in heaven." So there is a problem because numerology is overriding God's word and not making it clearer.
So we have a specific number of 144,000 Israelites and then we have a great number of Gentiles which no man can count. This demonstrates, as well as other scriptures, that God means what He says and that we can trust in His word regarding those numbers as being correct. When Lord said to Elijah "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal" seven thousand is exactly what He meant. God uses these numbers as absolutes and therefore should not be changed through numerology or symbolization. In addition, In Revelation 20:1-7, we have a time period given of a thousand years in which Satan will be bound in the Abyss and is also the same time of Christ's kingdom on this present earth before it is destroyed. A thousand years is stated six times and we can therefore trust the scriptural number of a thousand years as being absolute.
You said above that "the 144,000 refers to the total number of saints to be in heaven." However, scripture states that just the great tribulation saints alone is a number which no man can count. And that's not including the OT saints and the church. The 144,000 will be the first-fruits out of Israel who will acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah and will be on the earth during the first part of the tribulation period. The word of God says that this group will be 144,000 Israelites, 12,000 from each tribe. Therefore, to use numerology to change that number to represent the total number of saints would be to trust in numerology instead of word of God. In addition, to make these changes would be in violation of the warning in Revelation 22:16
"I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book."
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I respect your view that the reference to the 44,000 refers to just the Jews. But it is not what I see it to mean, when comparing scriptures on the subject. We - who sincerely serve Christ, are called, spiritually speaking - "Jews" - in a number of verses in the New Testament. Below is a number of verses I've selected to illustrate my view, that the 44,000 refers to all of God's people throughout all of earth's history:
Verses on the sybmolic number of 44,000:
Rev 14:1
14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
KJV
Rev 14:3
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
KJV
Rev 21:17
17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
KJV
Rev 21:24
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
KJV
Eph 2:19-22
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
KJV
Rom 2:29
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
KJV
Rom 4:17-18
17(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
KJV
Gal 3:28-29
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
KJV
They're going to sing a new song. I don't sing too good either so it's probably a good thing that I won't be joining the choir.
