I'll take a stab at chickenman...um, I mean at this question.
I believe the 144,000 to be the "man child" caught up to the throne of God at the midpoint of the 70th week, before the "Great Tribulation".
Rev 2
24: But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25: But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26: And
he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to
him will I give
power over the nations:
27: And
he shall
rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev 3
10: Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,
I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Here we see their catching up
Rev 12
1: And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3: And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4: And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
5: And
she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
And, then, "he" is in heaven
Rev 14
1: And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an
hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
2: And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were
redeemed from the earth.
4: These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were
redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5: And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault
before the throne of God.
Significance: first fruits of the Kingdom of Heaven