Hello Jane A:
In order to determine the answer of Revelation 14:4, it requires us to examined it in the larger context. Twenty-two verses in the book of Revelation refer to Israel per se. One of those verses refers to Israel as "the twelve tribes of the children of Israel" -(Rev. 21:12). Ten verses refer to the 144,000 Jewish men by several designations: -(Revelation 7:3,4,5,6,7,8 and 14:1,3,4,5.).
The 144,000 are further identified as virgins who have not defiled themselves with women. The word "defiled" speaks of something impure, polluted, filthy. Therefore, it can hardly mean that all those 144,000 have never been married.
The Bible makes it clear that "marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled." -(Hebrews 13:4). On the other hand, many Canaanite, Greek, and Oriental shrines were all around the seven churches of Asia Minor. Many of these promoted fertility cults where sexual prostitution was carried on in the name of religion. Along with this was astrology, spiritualist mediums, and the occult. The Bible, in both the Old Testament and New Testament considered all these practices as "defiling". Some Bible scholars therefore, understand "defiled with women" to refer to spiritual and moral defilement.
That is, the 144,000 have not defiled themselves with the false cults and false religions that have arisen from time to time over the centuries and are multiplied to the last days of this age. Rather, they are faithful followers of Jesus Christ who have been redeemed through Christ Jesus and have been cleansed by His blood and made completely free from their old sins ad guilt. Then, as they have walked in the spirit of sanctification and submission, their lives have been characterized by holiness and obedience.
These 144,000 have separated themselves from the world and the apostate church -(2 Cor. 6:17). They have left all to follow God's Lamb, the Lord and Savior -(Mark 8:34; John 14:21).
They are completely dedicated to Christ Jesus, for they put no limits on how or where they will follow. They go wherever He goes.
Again, John emphasizes that they have been redeemed from among mankind. This time he added that they are the "Firstfruits" unto God and to the Lamb. "Firstfruits" came to mean "the very best", or "the highest quality". They are made "Firstfruits", special, because they are the redeemed. The price has been paid. They are cleansed. The general understanding of this term is often misunderstood or misconstrued.
Unfortunately, some Bible teachers have taught that the 144,000 represent the church. JW's claim the 144,000 were them, until they grew into the millions, and then they reserved it for the best of the best of JW's. This served to reinforced their "works-salvation" doctrine.
Many suggest there will not be exactly 12,000 from each tribe as so clearly stated in the passages. However, when the Bible takes such preciseness to describe actual Jewish tribes and numbers, it is best to take it for its literalness rather than to view through a symbolic one. The Greek text is very precise regarding a literal number.
These 144,000 are Jewish evangelists and are permitted to bear a strong witness for the Lord until about the halfway point into the Tribulation. In Revelation 14:1 they are seen in glory "standing on Mt. Zion" in heaven with the Lamb with the name of their Father "written on their foreheads". Because of what they have been through they sing a new song, and after their martyrdon, they "had been purchased from the Earth" in verse 14:3.
It is interesting to note the question about who these witnesses are and where they came from -(Ref. vs. 13). The answer given is that "these are the ones who come out of the Great Tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" -(Rev. 14:14) and because of the suffering these people endured on Earth, they appear to be given a special place in Glory before God's throne, where "they serve Him day and night in His Temple." -(Rev 14:15) never again will they go through what they did on Earth: hunger, thirst, and exposure to the elements -vs. 16).
An angel will seal these Jewish evangelists at the beginning of the Tribulation, and they will embark upon their ministry to those left behind. The Biblical text does not specifically call them "witnesses" but the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of their primary functions.
The Antichrist and his followers will be delighted to discover millions of Christian believers have suddenly vanished and removed from the midst of the world as a result of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. But others will be seriously shaken, particularly Israel and the Jews around the world, which numbers some 16-million people today.
When you take into consideration the collective text, the identity of this "great multitude" which no one can number, it is clear, these are the saints who have come out of the Great Tribulation after having made personal commitment to Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The very fact that they are "before the throne of God" indicates that they have died. This is further confirmation that becoming a Christian during the Great Tribulation will mean great persecution and probable death at the hands of the Antichrist and his minions.
The fact that today a court can rule against a Colorado maker of cakes and has been ordered to make a wedding cake for a same-sex sodomite marriage in Massachusetts is proof-positive or a foretaste of what is to come. The fact is the foreign policy of the USA is now based on the sodomite agenda, and I am referring to Obama's dictates to the country of Nigeria, a Christian government. The Colorado cake-maker has taken the stand by stating that he will no longer make cakes. The "Mark" of the Beast casts a very long shadow of ominous tyranny yet to come.
Before I forget, the answer to the last part of your question, is a definite YES! The Bride of Christ will precede the 144,000. The Apostle John paints us a clear picture of the order of extraction, first the believer, and second the martyred saints, including the 144,000. God is not going to commit spousal abuse by beating up the Bride during the Tribulation and then at the close, turn and say to the Bride, let's go on a honeymoon to Bermuda. God does not function that way. There is something demented in the minds of those that infer, or state, the church is going through the Tribulation. They need to rid their minds of their guilt for past sins and accept the unmerited grace of God!
God bless,
Pastor Bob