No.22.
The chapter under discussion deals with the future, the past, the present and the future, so we need to be prepared to go forward, backward and forward again.
We begin in heaven after the controversy is all over.
“And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, with him an hundred and forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.” Revelation 14:1.
The Lamb of course is Jesus, and He is standing on Mount Sion, which is symbolic of the New Jerusalem.
Speaking of the home of the redeemed, Paul wrote, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of angels.” Hebrews 12:22.
When David became the king of Israel, he and his army approached Jebus where the Jebusites dwelt. The inhabitants said, “Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless, David took the castle of Zion…” and it became his home. Thus Zion was called the city of David. 1 Chronicles 11:5.7. (Zion is the Hebrew spelling; Sion the Greek)
Of this place God said, “Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.” Psalm 48:2.
Jerusalem became the city where God dwelt, however, it was a symbol of the city where He dwelt in heaven. (Ezekiel’s vision speaks of Jerusalem symbolically, and you can see the similarities to the New Jerusalem in certain areas. Compare Ezekiel 48:31-34. Revelation 21:12.13. Ezekiel 47:1.12. Revelation 22:1.2)
Often God says He loves Zion, or the ‘daughters of Zion’, but in all cases, the endearing terms are for the people who live in the city, for He says, “… say unto Zion, Thou art my people.” Isaiah 51:16.
In our initial text, it says there are 144,000 who have the “Father’s name written in their foreheads”. Revelation 14:1. This means they are sealed and have the character of God and His Law in their minds.
Previously we saw that the “four winds” cannot be let loose until God’s people have been “sealed in their foreheads”. Revelation 7:3. This is speaking of the spiritual condition necessary to enter God’s kingdom, the same as above.
In the current chapter, the 144,000 are seen as enjoying the glories of heaven.
“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.” Revelation 14:2.
Imagine listening to an orchestra of harps! The wording is rather quaint, but I can hear the sound of perhaps millions of angelic harpists, all playing beautiful, melodious music on their harps. (Imagination is a wonderful gift from God isn’t it?)
But the 144,000 are not only listening, they are singing.
“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.” Revelation 14:3.
We now have some important points to discuss.
Notice that the 144,000 are the only ones who can sing this particular song. It is a new song, one not sung before.
Why?
According to the next chapter, it is a song of victory, and called “the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb”. Revelation 15:3. It is a song of praise and victory over “the beast… his image… his mark… the number…” Revelation 15:2.
Thus it is a song of experience.
Those who go through the “time of trouble such as never was” will certainly have an experience no other people on earth have experienced. Daniel 12:1. However, this is where there is some debate.
If the 144,000 are the ones who gain the victory over the beast, the image, the mark and the number, they must live at the very end of earth’s history.
But, this means that God’s people living in previous ages cannot sing the song, not the patriarchs, the prophets, the reformers, the martyrs, not even Moses himself!
Obviously this is not correct.
As has been suggested in a previous study, the 144,000 are symbolic of the redeemed of all ages.
In Bible numerics, number 12 is a symbol of the kingdom and it equally divides into 144,000. (Remember the 12 groups of 12,000 in Revelation 7) This number represents the completeness of all who will be saved.
Of course there are certain questions that arise from this understanding.
a) The twelve groups of 12,000 in Revelation 7 are men and women at the end of time, prior to the time of trouble, therefore they do not represent all the redeemed.
This is true and accepted. It is the number 144,000 that is representative, simply because it is a multiplication of 12, the ‘kingdom number’.
b) The Bible says “…” This implies that other men cannot learn it, showing that there are other human beings who are not part of the 144,000.
The Greek word is oudeis, meaning ‘not even one’. In the King James ‘man’ is used generically; no one else can sing it.
c) Those who go through the ‘time of trouble’ at the end are the only ones who can sing of the beast, image, mark and number.
This is true, however, there is one basic consideration.
The book of Revelation is particularly for those who will live at the end of time, giving them instruction, warning and comfort. Of course, all who have studied it over two thousand years have been blessed, but its main message is for the endtime remnant.
With this in mind, note carefully. It is not for Christians who died thousands of years ago. It is not for those who have been martyred in our day.
This might seem obvious, but think about it.
Will the patriarchs and prophets of old be challenged by the beast and his image? No.
Will the leaders of the Reformation be threatened if they refuse to keep the government Sunday law? No.
Will Daniel and John have to face the dark days of persecution ahead? No.
Why?
They are all dead and lying in their graves.
You see, the instruction, warning and comfort are for those who are alive at the end. This is why the book concentrates on those who will go through the experience.
Revelation’s counsel is for the living, not the dead!
So although the remnant at the end are called the 144,000, it does not mean those who have already died for their faith can not be a part of this number.
If John called those at the end ‘the church’, would it mean they are the only ones who constitute the church?
Of course not.
The greater portion of the church is at this moment dead and waiting the call of the Lifegiver. So at the end, part of the church will be dead and part of it will be alive. (Some are already in heaven – Enoch, Moses, Elijah and the firstfruits)
It is the same with the 144,000. Most are dead, but the remnant will live through the last conflict.
When God’s church is gathered on the sea of glass, every person will have a story to tell of his or her own personal suffering, for everyone has been through trial, tribulation, and suffering, with faith and obedience. Each person will be able to sing of their own experience -- victory over sin, the world, and the devil.
Thus all can sing the “song of Moses the servant of God, and of the Lamb”.
No angel can sing it.
No perfect being from another world can sing it.
Only the redeemed.
“There is singing up in heaven such as we have never known,
Where the angels sing the praises of the Lamb upon the throne;
Their sweet harps are ever tuneful and their voices always clear,
O that we might be more like them while we serve the Master here!
But I hear another anthem, blending voices clear and strong,
‘Unto Him who hath redeemed us and hath bought us’, is the song;
We have come thro’ tribulations to this land so fair and bright,
In the fountain freely flowing He hath made our garments white.
Then the angels stand and listen, for they cannot join that song,
Like the sound of many waters, by that happy,
blood-washed throng;
For they sing about great trials, battles fought and vict’ries won,
And they praise their great Redeemer, who hath said to them,
‘Well done’.
Words: Johnson Oatman Jr. 1894. Music: John R. Sweney.
(First three verses, not chorus)
When Jesus comes in the clouds of glory, the dead will be raised to eternal life. They will meet the remnant in the sky, and together the 144,000 redeemed from the earth will wing their way to the heavenly kingdom.
The kingdom is made up….
!----------------------------------144,000 redeemed from the earth --------------------------------------!
Adam - Patriarchs - Prophets - Apostles - Martyrs - Reformers - Today - The remnant
At this time, the entire church -- the 144,000 -- will be together, including Enoch, Moses, Elijah, the firstfruits, and our precious Saviour, surrounded by thousands and thousands of beautiful angels.
What a day!
Let us come back to the final remnant, the living 144,000.
They alone will face “a time of trouble, such as never was”, when all the forces of evil are combined against them. Daniel 12:1.
It will not be an easy time.
Jesus said, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13.
Let us now look at their characters.
“These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.” Revelation 14:4.
Many who have read these words have said, ‘Well, that counts me out’. Do not be discouraged. It is symbolism.
A woman in Bible prophecy represents a church, both the true and the false. Jeremiah 6:2. Those who have a relationship with any other woman other than their spouse commit adultery, and it is the same spiritually.
But if you have surrendered to Christ and are obedient to His Law, you are accounted as a chaste virgin.
Please note, if the church to which you belong is having an illicit relationship with either the immoral church (woman) or the state, you cannot be free from guilt once you are convicted. This includes ecumenical dialogue, involvement in the World Council of Churches, the World Parliament of Religions, and other such church-church and church-state ventures, including the majority of the TV evangelists with their prosperity gospel.
(Be aware that many charitable organisations are either Catholic or belong to the United Nations. If you give to AUSTCARE, you are donating to fifteen organisations, including the Australian Catholic Relief, the Australian Medical Association, UNICEF, the Theosophical Order of Service, the UN Assoc of Australia etc. FREEDOM FROM HUNGER operates on the same lines. The CHRISTMAS BOWL APPEAL is promoted by the WCC and the RC Church. The WCC sponsors FORCE TEN, WORLD CHRIST ACTION and INTERCHURCH AID.
The ACTION FOR WORLD DEVELOPMENT and COMMUNITY AID ABROAD are purveyors of Communism. The AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR OVERSEAS AID has 29 Australian agencies belonging to it, including all mentioned so far. WORLD VISION is a well known charity organisation. It is supported by the pope, with an appeal ‘Equal World, equal share’, which has non-Scriptural connotations that are being promoted today in such treaties as the Copenhagen Climate Treaty. The Red Cross is a Masonic-Jesuit front, “modern charitable arm of the Knights Templar Order; and the American Red cross is the second richest charity in the world, with assets of $1.07 billion.” Barbelon p227. P.D. Stuart. Apart from the final quote, the details are taken from an old pamphlet)
It is vital you make enquiries and follow them up with appropriate questions and requests for changes or withdrawal from them. No doubt you are where you are for such a time as this, and if you let your voice be heard – in compassionate concern – you may save souls.
No one is guilty until he is shown the truth and does nothing about it.
We have the freedom of religion today because someone was willing to speak up. We can not change the prophetic future, but we can save our own souls and those of others.
“These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth…. And in their mouth was no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Revelation 14:4.5.
The standard of the Christian is high, as high as that of God Himself.
Does this surprise you?
It is not just a little higher than the world. There is a deep chasm between the two.
Unfortunately, many Christians look at their own lives and despair of achieving the standard. A large number have left in discouragement; others have changed their beliefs to fit their own sinful condition…. No one can keep the Law. We will be sinning until Jesus comes.
Is this what you believe?
Many say Jesus died on the cross because we could not keep the Law. This is partly true.
Jesus did keep the Law because we could not keep it, but if we think we can continue to break it and claim heaven too, we are totally deceived.
No, Jesus kept the Law perfectly as the Head of the human race. He was the “second Man”, the “last Adam”, and His death paid the penalty for our sin. 1 Corinthians 15:45.47.
When we accept Christ as our Saviour, righteousness is credited to our account – on condition that we now live as Jesus lived.
Note well these verses.
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.” Romans 6:16.
“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” 1 John 3:10.
But this is not possible in our own power.
We must be born again and receive Christ’s Spirit to indwell us. This is God’s promise. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them.” Ezekiel 36:26.27 (This is a promise to all who accept Christ. See also John 3:3-7. 2 Corinthians 3:3. Galatians 3:27-29)
It is through Christ’s life and death we are saved, but there are two aspects.
a) Justification is righteousness imputed to the believer.
It is like a rich donor crediting your account with the full amount owing. All you can do is give thanks because it was wholly the work of someone else.
b) Santification is righteousness imparted to the believer by the gift of the Spirit.
It is Christ’s life in us, and this prepares us for heaven.
(Christ is not in the believer physically, but by His divine omnipresent Spirit. Revelation 3:20. Galatians 2:20. Romans 8:9-11)
We can give thanks for the wonderful gift – “Christ in you, the hope of glory”. Colossians 1:27.
Justification required Christ’s obedience; Sanctification requires ours.
Both are by faith.
So whether you and I go through the time of trouble, or are laid to rest before probation closes, the standard is always the same – 100% surrender and obedience to the Law of God.
In Christ we are “without fault”, for our sins are forgiven. In ourselves we are still sinners, however, it must not be wilful sin. When we make mistakes, we must repent as they are brought to our notice. 1 John 2:1.
And in our mouths is “no guile”.
According to the dictionary, guile means ‘no treachery or deceit’. It is a simple explanation, but involves far more than meets the eye. The thesaurus says guile is ‘craft, cunning, artifice, duplicity, deceit, double-dealing, dishonesty, trickery, fraud, wiliness, cleverness, artfulness, craftiness, astuteness, slyness, subtlety, dissimulation, deception, imposture, stratagem, hypocrisy, treachery.
To make it absolutely clear, here are the antonyms. ‘honesty, openness, candour, fair-dealing, frankness, fairness, sincerity, truthfulness, uprightness, genuineness, artlessness, integrity, rectitude, rightness, straightness, reliability, plainness, simplicity, fealty.’
Those living at the end of time will “have no guile in their mouths”. This means their minds and hearts, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7.
But this is the same for Christians in all ages, even for you and me this very day. “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking.” 1 Peter 2:1.
The only difference between us today and those living during the time of trouble is that they will need to be closer to Jesus than most of us are today.
If you and I are to go through the troublous time ahead, we will need an experience we do not now possess.
Why not?
Most of us are comfortable Loadiceans.
Jesus, the divine Merchantman, offers to all afflicted with this deadly disease His heavenly wares, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:18.
We cannot go to heaven if we do not purchase these goods.
You may be surprised that Christ is ‘selling’ His healing products – Isn’t salvation free?
Yes, it is free, but because it cost Jesus His life, we must be willing to give everything to receive it.
The prophet Isaiah said, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1.
This is the gift of salvation.
It cannot be bought with money, but neither can it be received for nothing.
Are you willing to pay the price?
The majority of the human family completely underestimates the price paid by God and His Son, and they think their lives too valuable to give in exchange for salvation.
“It was to redeem us that Jesus lived and suffered and died. He became a ‘Man of Sorrows’, that we might be made partakers of everlasting joy. God permitted His beloved Son, full of grace and truth, to come from a world of indescribable glory, to a world marred and blighted with sin, darkened with the shadow of death and the curse. He permitted Him to leave the bosom of His love, the adoration of the angels, to suffer shame, insult, humiliation, hatred, and death….
Behold Him in the wilderness, in Gethsemane, upon the cross!
The spotless Son of God took upon Himself the burden of sin. He who had been one with God, felt in His soul the awful separation that sin makes between God and man. This wrung from His lips the anguished cry, ‘My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?’ Matthew 27:46.
It was the burden of sin, the sense of its terrible enormity, of its separation of the soul from God – it was this that broke the heart of the Son of God.” Steps to Christ p13.
Everyone will have the choice, for all must decide – What will I do with Christ?
There is little time to prepare, but prepare we must. The time of trouble is hasting on apace.
“Many who are already members of God's great family know little of what it means to behold His glory and to be changed from glory to glory. Many have a twilight perception of Christ's excellence, and their hearts thrill with joy. They long for a fuller, deeper sense of the Saviour's love. Let these cherish every desire of the soul after God. The Holy Spirit works with those who will be worked, molds those who will be molded, fashions those who will be fashioned…
You have seen but the first rays of the early dawn of His glory. As you follow on to know the Lord, you will know that ‘the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day’. Proverbs 4:18.RV.” Ministry of Healing p503.2.
Let us praise God for His promises.
“These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.” Revelation 14:4.
Some have suggested that this text proves the 144,000 are a separate group to the rest of the redeemed. However, the term firstfruits is used quite widely.
In the sanctuary service, the priest took a sheaf of barley grain and waved before the Lord as a thank offering. It was the firstfruit of the crop. The same was done with the wheat, but then it was two loaves of wholegrain bread. This was not the full crop, but the first portion taken.
God also speaks of Israel as being “the firstfruits of his increase….” Jeremiah 2:3.
A natural question to ask is – If Israel is the firstfruits, where is the rest of the crop?
Paul wrote, “Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming”. 1 Corinthians 15:23. (Remember that those who rose with Christ were also called the “firstfruits” )
As all who have lived surrendered lives will be resurrected at the return of Christ, this makes every believer the rest of the crop.
James, when speaking to Christians, calls them a “kind of firstfruits”. James 1:18. (The letter is addressed to the “twelve tribes”, however, as this is New Testament, it is used symbolically of Christians, as in Revelation 7)
Obviously, the term firstfruits can be used rather loosely.
However, it is possible that the living remnant of Revelation could be called “firstfruits” because they are the first of the redeemed to have perfected their characters, and lived in the world without committing any sin. God may be seeing them as the first ripe fruit of all who will be saved. (By the way, Enoch and Elijah perfected their characters and God took them to heaven without seeing death. Those who live after probation closes will have perfected their characters also, and will not see death either, but they are the first group to have done so)
In the last days of earth’s history, Jesus will be judging the living in the heavenly sanctuary, so they must be totally victorious over sin.
Why has the 144,000 been dealt with in such detail?
Simply because it is confusing to so many people. One group believes these are the only ones to go to heaven. Others believe they are so special, no one else can attain to their standard of character. Some are looking for a literal number on the earth, others believe the number will include those who died from 1844 on unto the end.
My friend, you need to know that you can be a part of the 144,000, whether you live through the time of trouble or not. And you can sing the song of victory over sin too – if you choose Jesus and strive with faith and God-given strength to prepare for heaven. So take courage.
God’s promise is, “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” Psalm 138:8.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.
Chapter 14 ends with the return of Christ.
“And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle….
And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice… Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle… and the earth was reaped.” Revelation 14:14.15.16.
You will remember Jesus referring to this time when He responded to Caiaphas under oath, “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64.
The wheat is taken to the heavenly garner and the tares are cast “into the great winepress of the wrath of God”. Revelation 14:19. (We will study this further on in Revelation)
When Christ returns, it is not to set up His eternal kingdom on the earth, but to take His children home.
“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16.17.
Those left on earth will die.
Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am ye may be also.” John 14:2.3.
Dear Reader, if you are one of God’s children, this is your eternal home.
It is “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:4.
We all need to ask as the hymn says,
“Is my name written there?
On the page white and fair?
In the book of Thy kingdom,
Is my name written there?”
Words M.A.K. Music Frank M Davis. Chorus only.
The inheritance is offered to all, but we must choose to accept it as individuals.
If you have not done so, will you accept your inheritance right now?
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