I think the reasons given in post #3 is part of it. Also, unlike most of his fellow Pharisees, I believe Paul's genuine intentions were to serve God and not pursue selfish interests. But, he was misguided and needed correction. God knew Paul just wanted to serve Him and would respond to correction. God knew that the ones who didn't really care about serving Him and were hypocrites just out for themselves would not be open to correction.
I also believe that after Paul converted and God called him to be the light to the gentile that god knew he would complete the task through all trials and tribulations he suffered…I admire the man
Why are you saying they "are chosen from among the Israelites in the future"? Why would they not instead be the ones James wrote abou here, which included himself:
Because I believe rev is a future fulfillment taking place at a specific time
Rev 7:7 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
Notice their calling is before the harming of earth and sea during the wrath
So those 144,000 will be first fruit of Israel saved before wrath and they seem to be chosen by specific merits
14 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
Here they are raptured to heaven and their merit is they did not defile themselves with women they remain virgins no lie was found in their mouth they are blameless
James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings..... Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
This is the gospel now , we are his firstfuits who believe of all 12 tribes and nations
Also, I don't believe the 144,000 number is meant to be taken literally. The numbers used in Revelation are symbolic. In this case we have a number equal to 12 times 12 times 1,000. The number 12 is associated with completeness, so I believe the 144,000 number symbolizes all the firstfruits in their completeness, regardless of how many there actually are.
No that’s not correct because the 144,000 take place at a specific time in the future evident in the writings about them
