WEDNESDAY
We see the 144,000 show up later in the book, as well. Let’s zoom ahead to chapter 14. Obviously a lot happens between now and then. We will fill in the gaps as we go, but for now let’s see what this passage reveals about the sealed people of God.
This vision now moves from the earth to heaven, symbolized by Mt. Zion (this is not only the church in Lake Geneva that I grew up at and my dad pastors, but it is here symbolizing the heavenly Jerusalem).
Revelation 14 (ESV)
The Lamb and the 144,000
1 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.
I think these are the same 144,000 sealed people of God. Note that they have the name of God and the Lamb written on their foreheads. In chapter 7 they are sealed for God. This is the further explanation of what it means that they are sealed—they belong to God and the Lamb. This is contrary to the mark of the beast from chapter 13. We will devote a whole day to this tomorrow, as there is much speculation around the mark of the beast. They are also those who had been redeemed from the earth (v. 3). As we discussed yesterday, these are the believers—all believers—from Christ’s ascension to his future return.
Believers are singing and making music with the harp. There is beauty and joy in heaven with Jesus. After the defeat of Babylon there will be no more singing and joy in that city. There is now, but after the judgment of God there will not be. They are singing a new song that only they know. Only the redeemed people of God know this song because only they have experienced the redemption and salvation of God through his punishment. The word redemption refers to being set free from slavery. Only the people of God, believers in Jesus, are set free from slavery to sin and death on the earth. They are purchased by Christ and his blood, therefore they now belong to God.
The 144,000 are said to be virgins. It is best to take this figuratively as well. The Old Testament often refers to idolatry as adultery. The people of God are to belong to God exclusively. So the virginity reference here indicates believers who are exclusively devoted to God and Christ. These believers have not given their allegiance to the Roman empire, to Caesar, and the gods of Rome. They have maintained their loyalty and faithfulness to Jesus.
The people of God “follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” This is a small simple picture of discipleship to Jesus. Following Jesus is a key theme in the gospels and this is beholden upon every believer throughout the centuries. They are again said to be redeemed from the human race. The idolatry, lies, and sin are no longer upon them because they now belong to God.
Believers are said to be firstfruits. This likely references the Old Testament practice of offering one’s firstfruits to the Lord. The symbol means God gets the first and the best of your produce. Believers are the redeemed firstfruits of humanity. They are chosen specially from humanity to be the Lord’s.
*Some take this virginity literally, especially in the historical church of the Middle Ages. This, in part, along with Paul’s teaching on the value of singleness, has led to priests’ requirements not to marry. However, we have to take all of Paul’s teaching into account and in 1 Timothy 4:1-4, he calls teachings that require virginity and asceticism demonic.
Additional Content
I’ve been diggin (I think the kids still say that…actually it would be this song is fire, or lit) this song from CeCe Winans. I didn’t know she was still making music…what a treasure.
Reflection
I love the image of believers having the name of Jesus and Yahweh stamped on their foreheads with a wax seal! If you believe in Jesus you belong to God.