The 144,000 of Revelation (Day 25)

 

 

REVELATION

           John had a lot of turns and events that took place in his vision. Events for the times that he was in and those that would occur prior to the return of Christ. There would be all kinds of wickedness taking place, which would bring about the wrath of God. The important thing for all believers to know and understand is that we never have to fear or be afraid of what’s to come.

            God has guaranteed that all who endure to the end will receive a reward. The events that John saw in his vision was not to make us afraid, but it was to inform us, so that we would not be caught off guard. Therefore, just as we prepare for other life’s events that may take place unexpectedly, we are to prepare our hearts and minds by wrapping ourselves in the glory of His Righteousness.

            Being in covenant with God is the only way that we will be able to stand. Jesus is waiting to get His bride. Who is that bride? All who believe, follow and trust in Christ is His bride. We are to wait with great expectation and prepare for the wedding that will one day take place.

            However, there are a lot of things that are going to take place on the earth prior to Jesus’ return. There will be judgments that will be handed out on the face of the earth due to the rebellion of the wicked. These judgments will not be mild, but will be the harshest that have ever been seen. The antichrist and his false prophet will ensure to cause a firestorm with the body of Christ. Those who will not take his mark will endure much persecution, but even if we must lose our lives, we will pick them up again in Heaven.

Quick Review from Lesson 7

 

a.)  A great sign appeared in Heaven with a woman who was clothed with the sun and the moon was under her feet wearing a crown of 12 stars.

b.)  The red dragon with 7 heads and 10 horns and 7 crowns swept 1/3 of the stars out of the sky with its tail.

c.)   The woman was about to give birth and her child would rule all nations with his iron scepter.

d.)  The dragon wanted to devour the child, but as soon as she gave birth, the child was snatched up to God.

e.)   John was told to measure the temple.

f.)    There was war in Heaven where Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his.

g.)  The saints triumphed over the dragon by the word of their testimony.

h.)  The dragon had been hurled down to the earth along with his angels and he pursued the woman, but God cared for her time, times and ½ a time.

i.)    A beast came out of the sea with 10 horns, 7 heads and 10 crowns on its horns with blasphemous names on each head.

j.)    One of the heads received a fatal wound that had been healed and they worshipped the dragon who gave the beast power.

The 144,000 and the Lamb

 Revelation 14:1-5 ⁽¹⁾Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. ⁽²⁾And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. ⁽³⁾And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. ⁽⁴⁾These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. ⁽⁵⁾No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

         John witnesses the Lamb standing on Mount Zion and the 144,000 were with Him who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. This means that that Jesus who is the Lamb that was slain was standing in Heaven, which is represented by Mount Zion. The 144,000 who were with Him represent those who were saved and had the seal of God written on their foreheads instead of the mark of the beast. 2 Corinthians 1:22-23 ⁽²¹⁾Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, ⁽²²⁾set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (NIV) There are going to be two seals in the last days. You will either be sealed with the mark of God or the mark of the beast, which is of the devil. There will be no such thing as being in the middle.

 

 

     John heard a sound like mighty water and thunders. It sounded like music to his ears. The 144,000 sang a song before the throne, living creatures and elders. This song is a song that the Saints of God will sing because they made it to Heaven. Oh what a day it will be to know that you have finally made it and will never have to endure pain, suffering and trials anymore. One can only imagine the beauty of the tune that will be heard. Imagine not being able to carry a tune on earth, but once you make it to Heaven, strings of great sounding melodies will come from your vocal cords all because of the Lamb that was slain. Psalm 96:1-6 ⁽¹⁾Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. ⁽²⁾Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. ⁽³⁾Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. ⁽⁴⁾For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. ⁽⁵⁾For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. ⁽⁶⁾Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. (NIV) This is a song that even the angels cannot sing. What a special song that it will be. The Bible says that no one could “learn” the song because it could only be sung by the redeemed. It makes you wonder will this be a song about the experiences that those living on earth had gone through, but had be triumphant over through the blood of the Lamb? If indeed so, then yes…the angels could not even sing this one. Only someone who had gone through the testimony could live to testify of God’s saving power.

 

 

     John says that they were virgins and undefiled. This seems to be in the symbolic sense that they were not defiled with the things of the world. They stayed pure unto God. They did not commit adultery against God and ruin themselves to the temptations of the earth, but remained true to God. This does not mean that they were perfect, but that they had overcome and had not been defiled by the things of the world. 1 John 2:15-17 ⁽¹⁵⁾Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. ⁽¹⁶⁾For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ⁽¹⁷⁾The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (NIV)

     John said that the 144,000 followed the Lamb wherever he went. God’s children will always be obedient to the will of God and will align themselves up accordingly. To be a Christian is more than just carrying the title, but it means to be Christ-like. Therefore, as a follower of Christ, we take on the characteristics of Jesus and this is done by listening to his voice and obeying him. John 10:27-30 ⁽²⁷⁾My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ⁽²⁸⁾I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. ⁽²⁹⁾My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ⁽³⁰⁾I and the Father are one.” (NIV) We belong to Christ because we were bought with a price. Jesus paid the price by the shedding of his own blood for our sins. We are the first fruits offered to God because He chose us first even though we did not choose Him. Due to Christ offering himself up for mankind, once we accept Christ, we are become that unblemished offering to be given to the Father. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ⁽¹⁹⁾Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ⁽²⁰⁾you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (NIV) There was no lie was found in their mouths and they were blameless. They did not succumb to the devil’s schemes and were found worthy in the eyes of the Lord.