WEEK 33
The Lamb and the 144,000
Date: March 26, 2003
Place: Allendale Baptist
Text: Revelation 14: 1-13
Introduction
I want to try to give as much information as I can within the time we have tonight.
Let me say this as we begin, the overall subject we have seen and studied in the book of Revelation is Jesus Christ appearing in glory.
Jesus came the 1st time in humiliation; the 2nd time He will return in exaltation.
We ended last weeks study with the beginning of the 2nd half of the tribulation what the Old Testament calls the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble”.
As we begin I want to tell you we will see a great contrast between the last chapter and chapter 14.
Chapter 13 Chapter 14
on earth in heaven
beast like a lamb Lamb of God
False teaching Truth/ everlasting Gospel
The mark of the beast The mark of God
Chapter 13 is a preview of the 2nd coming of Christ.
In chapter 19 we will see the actual 2nd coming.
I believe the one thing that gets people confused and makes folks give up on their study of Revelation is the misunderstanding of the book is not in chronological order.
Let’s begin…
Verse 1
“Then I looked and behold a Lamb”
This is speaking of Jesus Christ.
It is indirect contrast to the 2nd beast we saw in chapter 13 that had horns like a lamb and spoke like the dragon.
“Mount Zion”
There seems to be many different view and interpretations of what this means.
Mount Zion often refers to the city of Jerusalem.
Zechariah 14:1-11 tells us that at the 2nd coming of Christ He will come and establish His kingdom in Jerusalem.
Hebrews 12 :22 tells us; “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,”
I believe this is speaking here of a spiritual reality, and is referring to a gathering place of the saints; not a geographical location.`
“One hundred and forty-four thousand”
These are the same as the remnant in chapter 7 verse 3, which we called the Jewish evangelists.
Remember they were sealed at the beginning of the Tribulation.
“With Him”
He started out with 144k and finishes with 144K
This reminds us of God’s keeping power.
John 10: 28-29 says; “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”
This reminds us of our eternal security as a believer.
“having His Father’s name written on their foreheads”
This is in contrast to the mark of the beast in chapter 13.
This is the stamp that will identify the 144k as belonging to God.
As I read this passage of Scripture I am encouraged that God takes special care of those who evangelize; those who spread His Gospel message.
Verse 2
“harps”
Harps were used in the midst of joy.
Psalms tells us that during captivity the Israelites “Hung up their harps on the willow trees.”
Not only will it be a joyful time when Christ returns, but it will be a joyous time when we all get to heaven.
One preacher says that those “harping” are the women. But I would never say that.
Verse 3
“They sang as if it were a new song”
There will be a song of redemption, which will be sung by all the saints in heaven, one gigantic choir.
The redeemed will be rejoicing over the finished, accomplished work of God.
But this song will be sung by these who have endured through the tribulation.
Their song will be different from those of the Old Testament and from those redeemed during the church age.
Verse 4
Four things we should see here in this passage about this godly remnant from Israel.
First there unashamed testimony. They bore the name of God on their foreheads. This should remind us as Christians we never remove the name of God from us no matter where we go.
Second they keep themselves separated from the defilement of the world.
The word virgin is a correct, literal translation; but the connotation or implication is misleading.
There is no intent to advocate celibacy over marriage, but only to emphasize their chastity in life as virgins.
They keep themselves pure to God.
Third: they have chosen the greatest fellowship; they are constantly in the presence of the Lamb.
How many of us can say that.
Forth; they are honored to be called first fruits to God and Christ
As in the OT offering, the first fruits were set aside for a special purpose.
Verse 5
These 144k speak God’s truth in contrast with those that worship the beast in chapter 13.
“Without default”
This does not mean sinless, but sanctified.
My Liberty Bible Commentary says of this verse; “In a day of wholesale falsehood and deception perpetrated by Satan and the Antichrist, they keep themselves unblemished by avoiding lying.”
Verse 6-13
I would like to stay here and preach for a while but we need to move on.
Let me just give you several thoughts.
There is a first angel that proclaims the…
“everlasting gospel”
Some would say this is a new or different gospel.
The word everlasting means perpetual, unchanging, of unlimited duration, eternal and unending.
But Paul says if anyone preaches any other gospel other than what we preach, Jesus and Him crucified let him be accursed.
People in the tribulation will be saved the same way folks in the OT & NT are; the same we you & I are saved; by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is a last urging of God for those that dwell on earth to repent, worship the One true God, not the beast.
The whole world will hear this preaching by the angel as God graciously calls all to salvation.
Let me tell you what you can do for me as a Christian; during the invitation time some of you could come to the altar and pray for those who need to be saved. You can pray for the message to penetrate hearts and that all would respond with obedience to God’s call.
Second angel’s message
“Babylon is fallen, that great city,”
* Babylon is a symbol of the satanic world system; the political, economic and religious kingdom of the devil.
“drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication”
This pictures Babylon causing the world to become intoxicated with her pleasures and enter an orgy of rebellion, hatred and idolatry toward God.
Verses 10-11
This is a reference of the eternality of hell.
Folks I can never stress this enough; the Bible says hell is a real, literal place and we have the great responsibility of telling and warning folks of it.
Verse 12
John MacArthur says; “This is excellent scriptural support for the doctrine of perseverance, which assures all true believers in Christ that they will never lose their faith. The regenerate, the redeemed will continually endure right to the end, in obedience to the truth, no matter what may come against them.”
Verse 13
This verse reminds me of what Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21; “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
These last words…
“And their works follow them”
* Reminds us that everything done for the sake of Christ and for others in His name will be richly rewarded.
