I have reserved to myself 144,000 who will not bow to the image

 Jesus says there are “MANY” who will profess his name but have no idea who he is.  And they do many good things.  But we are not “Saved by works”[Eph 2:9] we are his workmanship, created to do good works.[Eph 2:10].   “By grace through faith”[Eph 2:8].  But not just any faith, “The devils believe” [James 2:19]  The gift we must accept is the faith and testimony of Jesus.  [Rev 12:17, 14:12]That is the faith we must accept after accepting his free gift of undeserved mercy[Grace]. 

So we must know whether we are the children of the devil still, or a child of God.   Jesus said “We know them by there fruits”[Matt 7:16].  “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit”[Matt 7:18].  A couple more examples.

1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

2Co 6:15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Jam 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

To be perfectly clear please read Johns words here.   “The word is truth”[John 17:17]

1Jo 3:8  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

1Jo 3:9  Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

1Jo 3:10  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Now can it be any clearer?  How to know the children of God.  Some will say “Well my righteousness is filthy rags” quoting Isaiah 64.  Christ gave you a robe to wear.  Are you going to the wedding in your own garments?   John says:

1Jo 3:7  Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

But is it our own righteousness?  No our righteousness is filthy rags.  When you are Gods children would you truly be following after self?  Or are you going to learn and follow the truths of God? Will you trust Gods word or call him a liar?

After conversion Paul says:

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Paul is saying “I” am dead.  Paul doesn’t have an “I” problem so to say.  And neither does Paul still wear those old filthy rags.  Here’s what Jeremiah says:

Jer 23:6  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Jer 33:16  In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.

Just Like Paul said.  Christ our righteousness.  “It is no longer I”   “I am dead”.  “But Christ lives in me”.   And “The LORD is our Righteousness”.   The Lords righteousness is pure, clean white clothes.  Not filthy rags.  “Is Christ the minister of sin, God forbid”[Gal 2:17]  Nothing about “self” or “Self righteousness”.  All glory is Gods.  HalleluYAH.