Many passages in the New Testament point to only ONE ultimate redemption that is available for the human race. For example, in John 5:28-29, we read:

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

This passage speaks of only two possible ultimate destinies for those who have departed this life. What about the people who lived prior to the earthly ministry of Christ? Were their possible ultimate destinies different than those of the people who would be alive after this time?

It is significant to note that the Bible portrays the body of professing people of God throughout time as ONE olive tree, as in Romans 11:16-18:

For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

Furthermore, those who truly believe are identified with THE seed of Abraham in Galatians 3:28-29:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

What are we to make of the 144,000 from the "twelve tribes of Israel" in Revelation 7? To take a passage from the book of Revelation--an apocalyptic book--in a wooden, literal sense, and isolate it from the rest of the Bible would be a most unwise approach, due to the obvious use of symbolism throughout the book. Not only that, but if this is a prophecy about the literal nation of Israel, we must keep in mind that the tribes of Israel essentially no longer exist. Add to that the fact that the tribe of Dan is missing from the list, and also that the "servants of God" could certainly refer to the TRUE Israel of God (see Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:7-9; 6:16).

What about the Old Testament believers? As a nation, Israel had been redeemed from Egypt, but did the true believers, the elect (see Isaiah 65:9), have a different kind of ultimate redemption than New Testament believers? The following characteristics of Old Testament believers suggest a unity with New Testament believers:

The above Scriptures clearly teach only ONE ultimate redemption for both Old Testament and New Testament believers, not two or more. If this were not so, having different categories of believers would suggest a kind of cast system which would undermine the unity of all believers throughout the ages.

For more information on the plan of redemption in general you may find the following articles to be helpful: "The Covenants", "The Covenant", and "The Covenant of God and the Children of Believers." For information on when this plan of redemption will be completed, read the article, "The Not-So-Secret Rapture"

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