Are the fleeing Jews the 144,000?
No, the fleeing Jews described in this passage are not the 144,000. They represent a cross section of society—men, women, young women, and children—escaping from Jerusalem and its environs at the midpoint of the Tribulation, as God protects and provides for them.
Les explains that this fleeing group is not the 144,000 but a cross section of any society. He says these are men, women, young women, and children fleeing from Jerusalem at the midpoint of the Tribulation. He compares this to the escape out of Egypt, where God protected and provided for the Jews in the wilderness, and says He will similarly protect and provide for these escaping Jews. He also describes the urgent instructions: those in Judea should flee to the mountains, those on the housetop should not go down to take anything, and those in the field should not return for clothes. He illustrates with a retired, well-to-do individual who might want to take antiques or furniture but won't have time, and agricultural workers who must leave with only the clothes on their backs.