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Read Introduction to Revelation

 

“Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God“

 

Chapters 14 and 15 introduce three scenes of victory of the Lamb with his 144,000. These scenes in heaven and earth lay the groundwork for the seven bowl judgments.

The first five verses introduce what will transpire with the 144,000 people (7:4-8) during the Great Tribulation.

14:1

Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.

This verse anticipates the triumph of the Lamb and the 144,000 evangelists at the end of the Tribulation.

Mount Zion is a place of worship (Psalm 2:6; Isaiah 24:23; 28:16; Joel 3:5; Hebrews 12:22) in Jerusalem.

John sets forth six characteristics of the 144,000. First, God separates them to Himself. They have the name of the “Father” written on their foreheads in contrast to the mark of the beast (Re 13:16;14:11). These are those whom God set apart as His own. They march to the step of the Father.

14:2

And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.

The 144,000 heard a voice like a thundering majestic waterfall.

There will be instrumental music in heaven. When we get there, God will delight us in the best music in the world. We have heard the saying, “Music charms the savage beast.” There will be great latitude for different tastes in music. I doubt that we will all have the same personality, the same physical looks, or the same interests in heaven. Some people falsely assume that there will be nothing but classical music in heaven!! Not only will we listen to music, but we will also make music.

14:3

They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.

Second, they constantly (Greek) sing a new song. The 144,000 evangelists sing a song on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. They have a different song than their generation.

14:4

These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins.

Third, they lived celibate lives. The evangelists could not live in a normal married state. This is only for a few and only for those under special duress. Unmarried people can devote themselves more fully to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:1-7).

These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

Fourth, they followed the Lamb where He goes.

These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

Fifth, they are the “firstfruits” to God and the Lamb. The term “firstfruits” may indicate that the 144,000 will precede others of a great harvest who become believers just before the Second Coming (Zechariah 12:10). This is an earnest of the triumph of the Second Coming.

14:5

And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Sixth, they did not deceive in their communication. The 144,000 did not deceive with their mouth. As God sees them, they were without fault before God’s presence (throne). They had nothing to hide. They were who they were.

The New Testament uses the Greek word translated “without fault” for sacrificial animals that do not have defects. These witnesses had no soul kinks or unconfessed sins.

Principle:

God wants us to sell out to Him and His plan for this world.

Application:

John Wesley said, “Give me a hundred men who love nothing but God and hate nothing but sin, and I will save the whole world for Christ.” Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

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