When the Battle Is Over |
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What a contrast we find between chapter 14 and chapter 13. In chapter 13, everything was dark and depressing. In chapter 14 everything is bright and encouraging. We move from tragic earthly scenes to thrilling heavenly scenes. Chapter 14 stands in stark contrast to chapter 13.
In chapter 13 the subject was the antichrist. In chapter 14 the subject is the real Christ. In chapter 13 we saw men bearing the mark of the false lamb. In chapter 14 we see those who bear the mark of the true Lamb. In chapter 13 we saw those who worshipped the antichrist and blasphemed God. As we move into chapter 14 we see those who worship the true Christ and praise God.
John Phillips writes: “In our study of the Apocalypse, God never leaves us to breathe for long the polluted atmosphere of the beast’s earth. He lifts us gain and again above it’s mists and miasmas so that we can breathe deeply the pure air of heaven.” (Exploring Revelation)
In the opening verses we see those for whom the battle is over. We are taken to the time when Christ rules and reigns upon this earth, having taken back that which belongs to Him. John writes in verse 1, “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion.” John saw “a lamb.” The Lamb he saw is the Lord Jesus.
John see the Lord Jesus standing on Mount Zion (or Sion). In the Bible, Zion always refers to the city of Jerusalem. Just as Israel is God’s chosen people, the city of Jerusalem is God’s chosen city. When the Lord rules and reigns over this earth, He will do so from the city of Jerusalem.
We read in Zechariah 8:3, “Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain.” Also, we read in Joel 3:17, “So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.”
There will come the time when the Lord will rule the earth reigning from the city Jerusalem and He will rule and reign for 1,000 glorious years. In chapter 14, John gets a glimpse of the time when Christ will reign. As he sees the Lord ruling and reigning from Mount Zion he sees a 144,000. As we look at verses 1-5 let’s consider this 144,000 and the triumphant hour that has arrived for them.
First, think with me of:
1. THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE 144,000
We have met this group earlier in our studies. We first met them in Revelation 7:3-4, “Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. [4] And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” In chapter seven we saw 12, 000 from each tribe of Israel making up this 144,000.
We saw them as Jewish converts and evangelists during the tribulation period. As in our previous studies, we see them bearing God’s mark upon them. Revelation 14:1 describes them as “having his Father's name written in their foreheads.”
Let me remind you of the purpose of this mark. First, let me say that it was:
A) The Seal of God’s Protection
Here we are told that this seal is the “Father’s name.” In chapter 13 we saw those who had on either their right hand or forehead the number of the beasts (666) which is the name of the antichrist. This 144,000 has on their foreheads the name of the heavenly Father.
As we saw in our earlier study this seal was a seal of divine protection. With this seal on their foreheads no one or nothing could harm them. They were sealed and safe. They will not be harmed or hurt by the judgments poured out on the earth. They cannot be stopped or silenced by the antichrist.
Although thousands will die during the tribulation and the world will be stained with the blood of martyrs, this 144,000 is the real untouchables. They will be hunted and harassed, but cannot be harmed. The seal of God on them is a mark of divine protection.
As we move into this heavenly scene in Revelation 14 the battle is over for them. Their race is run and they are now with the Lord, standing with Him on Mount Zion. As we come to chapter 14 we see the 144,000 and:
B) The Scene of Divine Preservation
When we first met them in chapter 7 the tribulation was beginning. Now we see them and the tribulation is over and they are safe in heaven. I find it thrilling that we read of 144,000 and not 139,999 or 139,998. They are all present and safe in heaven. It is a scene of divine preservation. Just as the Lord promised, He brought every one them through the horrors of the tribulation period and did not loose a single one.
I remind you that all of God’s people have been sealed by God. The Bible says in Ephesians 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” The moment we put our faith in Christ, we were sealed by God.
How long are we sealed? The Bible says in Ephesians 4:30 that we “are sealed unto the day of redemption.” In other words, God is going to get us all home safely. He will not loose a single one of His children. Heaven is our destination and nothing or no one can change that. That is the promise of the Father.
The story is told of a monastery in Portugal, perched high on a 3,000 foot cliff and accessible only by a terrifying ride in a swaying basket. The basket is pulled with a single rope by several strong men, perspiring under the strain of the fully loaded basket. One American tourist who visited the site got nervous halfway up the cliff when he noticed that the rope was old and frayed. Hoping to relive his fear he asked, “How often do you change the rope?” The monk in charge replied, “Whenever it breaks!”
Let me say that God’s rope never breaks. His seal is mark of security. Just as God sealed the 144,000 and brought them home safely, He has sealed us with the Holy Spirit and will bring us home safely.
When they call the roll in heaven there will not be one name called in which that person is not present. Jesus said in John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” That is the Lord’s promise!
Secondly, we not only see the identification of the 144,000, but also:
2. THE CELEBRATION OF THE 144,000
An unknown author has given us these words:
Think of stepping on shore, and finding it heaven! Of taking hold of a hand, and finding it God’s hand, O breathing new air, and finding it celestial are; Of feeling invigorated, and finding it immortality, Of passing from storm and tempest to an unbroken calm, Of waking up and finding it home!
We can only imagine what it will be like to finally be home. As we come to chapter 14 we find the 144,000 finally safe at home. What a glorious celebration it is! What a happy group they are!
As we look at this scene of celebration we see:
A) The United Sound of their Celebration
John writes in verse 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.” John describes their celebration not as voices (plural), but as one voice (singular), “as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder.” They all lift their hearts and voices to God in one united expression of praise and thanksgiving.
Their celebration was accompanied by heavenly music. As a background to their worship and praise, heavenly harpers played their harps. Harps are mentioned in the Bible some 60 times and they are always associated with joy. This is a joyous occasion, a joyful scene of celebration.
Their praise is like the roar of the Niagara. Their rejoicing fills heaven like the sound of thunder filling the air. All 144,000 voices are lifted in praise to the God was sealed, secured and saved them.
Furthermore, as you look at their celebration you see:
B) The Unique Song of their Celebration
We read in verse 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.”
On seven different occasions in the Old Testament a new song is referred to, six times in the Psalms. Whenever it is used it is always in reference to some wonderful and marvelous thing God has done. We read in Psalm 98:1, “O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.”
If you have been saved, the Lord gave you a new song. We read in Psalm 40:2-3, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. [3] And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” Praise God, there was a day when the Lord put a new song in my mouth.
In Revelation 14 we see the 144,000 singing a new song. John tells us that this new song is unique to them. They will sing this new song before the throne and in the presence of the beasts and elders, but none of heaven could understand the song. John says “no man could learn the song.” The word “learn” means to “understand.” This is their song. It is a song arising from their own personal experiences. We each have our own song to sing, a song reflective of our own particular experiences. As for the 144,000, it was their own unique song of praise and worship to the Lord.
Lastly, think with me of:
3. THE DEDICATION OF THE 144,000
There have been great saints and servants of God throughout the ages. But in my estimation, the 144,000 will be some of God’s choicest. They are in a class to themselves in the Book of Revelation. They will no doubt be in a class to themselves as related to all of history.
Their testimony during the tribulation stands as an inspiring testimony and model even to our own generation. Their salvation and service remains to be a reality, yet, even now and over the past 2,000 years they have stood as an example of dedication to God.
As we look at their dedication we see that:
A) They Were Not Defiled
We read in verse 4, “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.” Many believe that the reference to the 144,000 being virgins indicate they will have never been married. However, I believe it speaks of more a spiritual purity rather than physical.
Notice Revelation 14:8: “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” As we shall see in future studies, Babylon represents the false religion. Revelation 17:1 calls this false religion the great whore. The Lord Jesus has His church that is called the bride. The devil has his church and it is called the whore.
When John saw that the 144,000 were virgins, he no doubt was referring to the fact that they had not fallen to, accepted or had a part in the false religion. They had refused to sleep with the great whore. They had not committed fornication with the false religion of the devil, his antichrist or false prophet.
They had been faithful to God. They had bowed neither the knee nor the heart to this false religion. They had served and worshipped the only true God.
Secondly, we see:
B) They Were Not Disobedient
We also read in verse 4, “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” They had followed Christ, being obedient to His will. Wherever He led them they followed.
I love the word “follow.” It means “to be in the same way.” His way was their way. They walked in His footsteps. There were no reserves, no refusals, and no regrets. They had decided to follow Jesus and there was no turning back.
Thirdly, we see that:
C) They Were Not Deceitful
We read in verse 5, “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” The word “guile” means “deceitful.” The word was used to speak of a decoy. Of course you know what a decoy is. It is something that appears to be the real thing but is not. These were the real McCoy’s, not decoys. They were the real deal.
That there was no guile found in their mouth indicates that their life and lips were in harmony with one another. They claimed to be sons of God and they were indeed sons of God. They claimed to be servants of God and they were indeed servants of God.
Not only was their life on earth without deception, but even when they stood before God they were without fault. The word “fault” means “without blemish.” No one on earth could lay a single charge at their feet and not even God Himself could point out a flaw in either their life or service.
Now you think of everything this 144,000 will go through. It want be like being a Christian today where the worst we have to deal with is some knot-head laughing at us because we are Christians. No, this group of believers was marked for death and would have been killed if not for God’s protection. They were hated and hunted for their faith. Yet, they exemplified a great dedication to God. How inspiring their dedication.
I love the description given of them in verse 4: “These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.” The firstfruits carries the thought of the Jewish feast where they would bring a sheaf of wheat and wave it before the Lord as an offering of thanksgiving for all that was to come.
As firstfruits, they were the first in a long line of people that will be “redeemed from among men.” Their dedication to God will result in literally thousands coming to Christ during the tribulation.
John gets a glimpse of when the battle is over for this 144,000. No wonder there is such a glorious homecoming for them. They had fought a good fight and kept the faith. Such a homecoming was just part of the reward for the life they lived.
© 2005 by the Living Word |