65.0 They Follow the Lamb
Hubert F. Sturges, www.144000.cc, October 2009
Topics:
Revelation 14:1-5
The Lamb Stood on Mt. Zion
A New Song before the Throne of God
Virgins
Without Fault Before the Throne of God
Revelation 14:1-5
1 "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
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:
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.
4 "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 "And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God" (Revelation 14:1-5, KJV).
Revelation 7:1-4 introduces the topic of the 144,000. In Revelation 14:1-5 there is more information about this group. The 144,000 are a special group. Does God have special people? Yes!
We find that Adam was created as a "son of God" (Job 1:6).
"Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" (Genesis 5:24).
"Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations" (Genesis 6:9).
"Abraham believed God, ... and he was called the Friend of God" (James 2:23, KJV).
"David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will" (Acts 13:22).
"for thou (Daniel) art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, ... (Daniel 9:23, KJV).
"Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister (Mary), and Lazarus" (John 11:5, KJV).
"Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23).
"Then said Jesus, Let her
alone: against the day of my
burying hath she kept this"
(John 12:7).
This is a list of ten special people in the Bible, and there are many more. If God is not a respecter of persons, how can he have "special people?" The answer is that it was these people who made God special in their lives. And God responds to love, and that is what made them special. It is this also that makes the 144,000 special. They have each one come close to Jesus in a special way!
The Lamb stood on Mt Sion
Jesus is the Lamb of God. As the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, He has paid the penalty of sin for every man (Revelation 13:8). When the New Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven it will come to the mount of Olives which will divide into a great plain to receive it (Zechariah 14:4).
With Him are the 144,000, a group who are special to the Lord. They have demonstrated that Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary provided grace that is sufficient to save. The 144,000 is a gift to Jesus that makes all that He suffered worthwhile (Isaiah 53:11; Hebrews 12:2).
His Father’s name is written in their foreheads. A name represents identity and character. God’s people are again restored to the image of God and they reflect His character fully.
The voice from heaven is as the sound of many waters and as the sound of thunder. It is a glad thunderous welcome for the redeemed of all ages.
A New Song Before the Throne
After the children of Israel went through the Red Sea Moses and Miriam sang of this experience (Exodus 15:1-21). The 144,000 will sing a new song. They have had a new experience, that no one else has ever had. Thus no else can sing their song. This song is sung before the throne of God. The 144,000 are on the sea of glass which is before the throne of God (Revelation 4:6).
The four "beasts" are there; the lion, the calf, the man, and the eagle; representing the four divisions of the camp of Israel (Revelation 4:7). Twenty four elders are on thrones about the throne of God. Elders are "old men" of wisdom and responsibility. They are not definitely identified but the foundation of the living temple of God is made up of the Prophets and the Apostles (Ephesians 2:19, 20; 1 Peter 2:5).
It is in this setting that the 144,000 are seen in Heaven.
Virgins
They are virgins. Taken literally, this one qualification would severely limit the number of qualified people. However, Revelation is a book of symbols. A woman represents the church. The language here seems to point to individuals and for an individual to be a "virgin" indicates purity in life and doctrine, and loyalty to Christ alone.
Their loyalty to Christ is also indicated in that they "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." The most desirable place in Heaven is to be next to Christ. And those who are given this place are those who have sought to be next to Christ on this earth! Those who are privileged to converse with Christ are those who spend time conversing with Him on earth!
They are first fruits. In an agricultural community, it is recognized that the first fruits are the biggest, the sweetest and the best. These are those who most fully represent the power of grace to change the life, and who most fully reflect the character of Christ in their lives. This group is representative of all the redeemed who gratefully praise God for their redemption. For this, Jesus is satisfied.
Without Fault Before the Throne of God
In their mouth was found no guile! No deceit, no lying, only the absolute truth. This is a characteristic that all Christians claim. Yet ... How often will there be found subtle deceit in our words and actions? Sometimes to tell the truth will hurt (Psalm 15:4). Sometimes it will hurt others for us to tell the truth. Shall we then always tell the truth? This is not an easy matter. However, when a Christian always tells the truth, he is putting the results of that action in the hands of God. In saying this, one must realize that there is a truth that need not be said -- one that will unnecessarily hurt another.
It seems that this last characteristic is what it takes to be "without fault before the throne of God." Are we talking about perfection here? Maybe -- Yes! Perfect trust, perfect faith in Christ puts your life in the hands of Christ. He is the author and the finisher of your faith. He is responsible for your "perfection." Perfection then is in your trust and faith.
Is that person perfect without sin? Here you must be careful. We will each have the sinful nature and sinful propensities until Jesus comes again and "this corruptible must put on incorruption" (1 Corinthians 15:53). But will that person sin? 1 John 3:5,6; 5:18 indicates the person who is in Christ does not sin. That is reassuring, and scary.
How can a person arrive at that point? Remember that your faith and your perfection is in the hands of Christ. Yet 1 John 1:6-10 indicate that you will never be able to claim that you are perfect.
(There is much more that needs to be said about the process of salvation. Several articles on this subject are found on this website.)