Revelation, Part 25
Chapter 14:1-5
Introduction
When we last looked at the book of Revelation, we were at a point in history where the anti-Christ had been given full authority to control the living on this Earth, and to have absolute power over everything. We saw that he would be given power to control the world’s economy and how no one who did not accept his mark (pledge total allegiance to him) would be able to buy, sell, or even eat to survive.
We discussed how this world would blindly follow after him and even in this time of complete despair, people would still turn away from God and curse the name of Jesus Christ. With all the destruction that has happened, it should amaze the believer at how hard the heart’s of people have become and that they truly need a Savior – which is no different from people needing a Savior today – We are called to reach out NOW.
Studying the book of Revelation is a sneak peak into the future, and being prepared is the Christian’s duty in this world which is declining so rapidly.
Tonight, we turn to Revelation Chapter 14 for more guidance and understanding about this world and the need for Jesus Christ to be in it, always.
I want us to see that these verses tonight are a model of Christian living -- if these sould can live in this time ... how could we live today?
Read Revelation 14:1-5
Pray
Point 1 – The 144,000 on Mt Zion
Note again that John is seeing these things with his own eyes, as the Lord is revealing to him so he can understand it. John sees a Lamb sitting on Mount Zion – and this is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb given for this world, and John is now seeing the authority that He possesses.
Look how God’s Word ties together as John is seeing the result of Revelation Chapter 7 – these 144,000 are the ones who were rescued from this Earth due to the testimony of the 2 Witnesses. They represent 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Judah – and before the Throne they sit in awe of the One who sits there.
You see, they are having church before the Throne of God!
There is some discussion who the 144,000 are throughout history, but I believe they are the 12,000 from each tribe – representing each of God’s people, from every tribe, nation, and tongue from the world. Remember that Israel is the center of it all, and they were scattered throughout history. This is the biblical coming together again of God’s people – at the Throne of Grace and Mercy.
These 144,000 are to be understood as the laborers who were killed in Chapter 7 for God’s Word, and they are about to receive their reward for their faithfulness to Jesus Christ and His testimony. Today, we have an opportunity to accept the Lord and receive our reward in eternity – but these are those who accepted Jesus after the rapture – and they are about to be called into God’s work. (More than 144,000 will be saved after the Rapture, but we will see in a moment why these are so very special to Jesus.)
We have already received our calling and we get to decide if we are going to work for the Lord or not – but these souls are overjoyed, privileged and honored to serve – Oh that we would have that kind of devotion to Jesus Christ today. “It is amazing what can be done when we do not care who gets the credit”.
Let’s look for a moment at their joy before the throne …
Point 2 – There is Worship in Heaven
John is hearing these 144,000 signing a new song before the throne. These souls have given their lives for the King of Kings, and before the Throne they sing a new song to Jesus Christ for He is so worthy. Of importance is that no one else can sing this song – today we have the opportunity to learn any song and sing praises … but do we? These souls stand before the Lord, singing and professing their love to Jesus in a way that only they are privileged to do … imagine the worship in their hearts for a moment …
If that does not give you pause to want to worship like that – I believe nothing will!!
Go with me to Psalm 149:1-9 (Read)
In God’s Word, He gives us examples of new songs being sung to Him 9 times – and what I want us to see is that with each mention, there is newer understanding as to who God is and how amazing His Grace really is! Tonight, we have to model this worship in our hearts – we have to see that God is really THAT amazing and WE should have a need (or desire) to get this close to Him!
--> Something I want to make very obvious is that these first 56 verses contain SO much information about living faithfully that I could preach months on them -- but tonight we are merely examining some of the information from them.
These 144,000 are the FIRST FRUITS of those redeemed from Israel … they are Jesus’ best being offered first to the Father! (Challenge) Do you offer your first fruits? Is what you give God the absolute best or the best of what is left over? I believe this is why it is so important to have a quiet time – especially in the morning – when you are fresh, and your mind has NOT had the chance to be filled with the day!
A great example of worship and singing to the Lord is found in Revelation 5:9-10: “And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
These souls praising God were not filled with sin (defiling themselves with women, keeping their souls pure). These 144,000 protected their hearts, and their eyes from what entered their body. There is an old adage that you can never un-see what you have seen … but you can certainly control what you put in front of your eyes!
Note: John is not writing that marriage is a bad thing (to biblically “be” with a woman), but he is writing that these souls were faithful in their testimony and servitude to the Lord. It is good for man to not be alone, but Jesus himself said (Matthew 5:28), “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – These 144,000 were faithful to even guard against that – to keep their minds pure, and this ought to be a testimony to us as well!
Conclusion
These souls follow the Lamb in death – just as they had in life – and they are before the throne for the commitment to Jesus on this Earth. These are seeing the same reward as we will see when the rapture happens (1 Thess 4:17, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”) These souls are with the Lord forever – just as we are promised to be IF we are FAITHFUL on this side of death.
I want to leave you with one more important fact about these 144,000 for the night – I want you to see that God’s Word says that they are without fault before the Throne.
Because there is no sin found in them – and we know that there is NO perfect man or woman – this should reinforce that Jesus wipes away all sin. They are before the Throne, giving glory to God, and they are being offered to the Lord as a sacrifice to the Father.
Would you be willing to be honored by the Lord and be offered as a first-fruit? Imagine for a moment, that Jesus is so proud of your life and the way you have lived, that He offers you as a living sacrifice to His Father. These souls lived a life honorable to God following the rapture and disappearance of millions – their lives were lived in a sick and sadistic “it is feels good do it world” that they were offered up to God first.
Can that be said about you? Can your life be offered to the Father as a first-fruit by His Son? Would Jesus be proud to give you as an offering? We have this example to live our lives by, and if we are failing to live this way – we need to change.
It should not be a far off thought to live this way … if only we would be obedient.
Pray
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