Decision Time Series

The Book of Revelation

“Decision Time”

Revelation 14

Years ago, I use to love watching “The Wide World of Sports.”

What always got my attention though was the opening, especially when it illustrated the words, “And the agony of defeat” with a ski jumper crashing and burning on the ski ramp.

What I never knew until later is that he chose to fall rather than finish the jump. Now to us that seems a little or a lot stupid, but to him it was the smart move. You see, the surface on the ski ramp had become too fast, and midway down he realized that if he completed the jump, he would land on level ground and not the landing slope, and that could have been fatal.

Deciding to bail, the skier only suffered a headache, which is absolutely remarkable considering it looked like he would have been seriously injured.

The point I’m trying to make is that to change your course in life can be just as dramatic, and sometimes a painful undertaking, but change is infinitely better than a fatal landing at the end.

What we’ll see today is that it’s decision time for all those left upon the earth.

This chapter is basically an outline of God’s dealings with humanity during these last 3½ years as Jesus gives to John in rapid succession six events and statements that literally stagger the imagination.

Read Revelation 14: 1-5

We see the same 144,000 we discussed earlier in chapter seven. To review, these are 144,000 Jewish male virgins, 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, who believe in Jesus Christ during this time of Tribulation. Each have been specially sealed by God with God’s name upon their foreheads to keep them safe from the Antichrist and God’s judgments upon the earth and her inhabitants.

They’re now standing on Mount Zion with Jesus Christ. There are varying views of this event.

Some view this as these 144,000 are now in heaven with Jesus. This is seen in that Mount Zion often refers to heavenly Jerusalem, and this is where Jesus resides during the Tribulation. Further they hear the voice of God and heavenly music and are given a new song to sing.

However, to accomplish this would mean that a separate Rapture has taken place, something that the Scriptures never contemplate, and it would seem to negate the special sealing God places upon them keeping them from the horrors of the Tribulation.

Others see it as a scene from the ultimate triumph of Jesus at His second coming where He is joined on Mount Zion with these 144,000 who had been kept through the Tribulation and who will begin with Jesus in His millennial reign.

Whichever view is taken, it’s probably best to view this scene as the preservation and triumph of these Jewish believers because of their faith and commitment to their Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

There’s a lot to talk about in this section, like when you come into that saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, like these 144,000, you also are sealed by God, not just with His name, but with the Holy Spirit that God gives as that foretaste of what to expect in heaven with Him.

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesian 1:13-14 NKJV)

There’s also the voice of God like many waters, as mighty and powerful as Niagara Falls many times over, or as soothing and peaceful as many quiet brooks bringing comfort and solace.

Yet, no matter what the sound is like, we need to be attentive to it, whether it’s though outward circumstances, inward promptings, an audible voice, or His word. The point is we need to be listening, something most of us aren’t very good at doing, especially with all the busyness in our lives.

However, what I believe the Lord would like for us to concentrate upon is these men’s commitment.

First they are virgins, that is, they will never marry.

Horror after horror fills these last days known as the Tribulation as natural catastrophes and violence engulf the earth, along with the worst holocaust the world has ever witnessed as millions upon millions will be killed for their belief in Jesus Christ.

Only a special and sincere commitment to Jesus Christ will be needed in order to stand up for Him during these times. Something these 144,000 Jewish believers do as they make this vow to commit their lives wholly to Jesus, and never involve themselves in the affairs of this world and deny Him.