If I may... and may you all have peace!
1. There is no set number for those who are anointed (chosen) by holy spirit. There are 144,000 chosen first from among the sons of Israel (excluding the tribe of Dan), in fulfillment of the promise to Abraham, then there is a great crowd chosen from among "every" nation, tribe, people and tongue, and then ALL of Israel that was not among these first two groups (as someone kindly pointed out above). Thus, the latter two make up a group that "no man can number."
2. Christ was "chosen" by holy spirit first. Then, he began a choosing from among Israel, from the Jews/2-tribe kingdom of Judah-Benjamin AND the Samaritans/10-tribe kingdom of Israel (remaining tribes). This choosing started at Pentecost 30 CE (not 33 CE!!), and then began among "every" nation, tribe, people and tongue. All three continue today.
3. The Jews (of which there are 24,000 chosen - 12,000 from Judah; 12,000 from Benjamin - Revelation 7:5, 8) are the "little flock". The Samaritans (the other 120,000 chosen from among the sons of Israel), as well as persons from every nation, tribe, people and tongue, and remaining ones of Israel who are not among the 144,000... are the "other sheep." Together, these ALL make up "one flock."
4. It is the entire flock, the 144,000 AND the great crowd, that John see's in Revelation Chapter 7. He sees those chosen from Israel, Jews and Samaritans, first, then the great crowd of those chosen from among every nation, tribe, people and tongue. BOTH groups are "standing before the throne of God" RENDERING SACRED SERVICE IN HIS TEMPLE. Since only priests can render sacred service, and since they are chosen from among every nation, tribe, people and tongue... these are priests... and kings... along with the 144,000. Revelation 5:9, 10.
5. Because the "Door" (Christ) to the Ark (of the NEW Covenant) has not yet been shut, the full number of the nations has not yet "come in." It continues and will continue until the Most Holy One of Israel Himself, JAH of Armies, "shuts"... the Door. Right now, though, Christ... is the "way" in. John 14:6. Thus, NO man can put a date on when the "calling and choosing" ends, nor on the number... which the False Prophet that is the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of Jehovah's Witnesses, etc., etc., etc., which false prophet calls itself the "Truth," in direct opposition to the One who IS the Truth (John 14:6), has attempted to do. But it and its false prophesies will come to nothing.
6. The anointed indeed "not special," at least not in this life. And they know this. Indeed, they know that in this life, they are, in fact, the LEAST of all mankind... servants... to the Household of God, Israel, and to ALL. If they truly follow the Christ, to the extent they can do so they "empty themselves out and take a slave's form" in service to every other human being, including their enemies. Particularly their enemies. Matthew 5:44, 45.
Some, however, consider this profession of servitude as a declaration of "specialness." This is regretable, as perhaps they miss the point: there is no shame in serving others, and certainly not in serving God and Christ, nor in professing such service. Unfortunately, we live in a time where slavery is considered anathema, the very word itself considered foul because of earthling man's history with slavery. This is not the same slavery as that spoken of and intended by God and Christ, however: there, slavery is simply a voluntary dedication, based on love of the individual(s) served.
Some might argue, "Why use the word "slavery"? It's such a "bad" word." As an African American woman, I think I am in a position to answer that this is not actually accurate: the word can be used to denote both voluntary and involuntary servitude. And contrary to the belief of some, servitude does not always need to be paid for: it can be givien freely, without thought of restitution or compensation. Parents serve without pay. Spouses serve without pay. Children serve without pay. Relatives and friends serve without pay. And there is no dishonor in doing so.It is we, earthling man, however, who have made it a "bad" word entirely, by our abuse of the purpose: service to another/others.
But the word has both an honorable and a dishonorable definition and there should be no shame in using it if the intention is honorable (indeed, how often do we use completely dishonorable words, words we KNOW were intended to denote dishonor, in an honorable context? I give you the word "shit," which certainly has dishonorable roots but is used today to even give commendation - "That's some good shit, you've got there!")
Rather than turning a good intention inside out (and those who do so really need to examine themselves as to why that is), we should endeavor to research words and their origins in more depth, as well as apply the principal of love that we so often preach but fail to live up to... and give the benefit of the doubt to the offeror of a word that no offense is intended unless it is made clear that it is.
I bid you peace!
Servant to the Household of God, Israel, and a slave of Christ to time indefinite,
SJ
