Ellen White describes the 144,000 as a special company gathered "upon the crystal sea before the throne" with the Lamb upon Mount Zion. They are characterized by having "gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name" (Revelation 15:2, 3; 14:1-5). Key characteristics and experiences of the 144,000 include: * **Redeemed from among men:** They are "the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb" (Revelation 14:4). * **Sing a new song:** They sing a song that "no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb—a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience—an experience such as no other company have ever had" (Revelation 14:3). * **Follow the Lamb:** "These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth" (Revelation 14:4). * **Endured great tribulation:** They "came out of great tribulation; they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation; they have endured the anguish of the time of Jacob's trouble; they have stood without an intercessor through the final outpouring of God's judgments" (Revelation 7:14). * **Pure and blameless:** "In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault" before God (Revelation 14:5). * **Serve God in His temple:** "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them" (Revelation 7:15). * **No more suffering:** "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes" (Revelation 7:16, 17). Ellen White considered the specific identity of the 144,000 to be "A Non-Essential Question" and encouraged individuals to "Strive to Be Among the 144,000." She also recorded a vision where an angel told her that "if you are faithful, you, with the 144,000, shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds" (Early Writings 40; Selected Messages, book 2, p. 263).