REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 14.4

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

                                                                           

Chapter Fourteen

The Great Tribulation

A Parenthesis

The Seven Trumpets

Trumpet Number 7: Woe Number 3

 

 

Preface

Constituting the first fruits of the harvest out of Tribulation are 144,000 sealed Israelites. The Lamb of God is observed standing victoriously with them in the New Jerusalem (Zion) on earth at the commencement of the Kingdom Age. The 144,000 are pictured having their Father’s seal on their foreheads, signifying they had been protected by God throughout the perils of Tribulation, and their works are complete. Having lived in Satan’s empire they are overcomers – Loyal and blameless.

 

 

(Verse 4)

 

These are they (the 144,000) 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.

(Verse 5)

And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the Throne of God.

 

Verses 4 and 5 delineate seven major characteristics of the 144,000 (12,000 from each tribe):

1. They are not defiled by women

2. They are virgins

3. They follow the Lamb everywhere

4. They have redeemed firstfruits unto God

5. They have redeemed firstfruits unto Christ

6. They have no guile in their mouths

7. They stand without fault before God’s Throne

 

1. They are not defiled by women.

 

These are they (the 144,000) who were not defiled with women

At first glance, the beginning sentence appears awkward to the text. The word defilement can be construed in five ways having different nuances. However, in this instance, molunō (Strong’s G3435) connotes one being besmeared as with mud. For example, believers who kept their garments from being stained are those who have not soiled themselves from fornication or adultery. Thus, the word is not being used here in a ceremonial or ritualistic sense.

 

2. They were virgins

 

For they are virgins

When properly utilized in the context of this verse, virgins do not mean they were not married or celibate. On the other hand, virgins are those who have not been led astray by tempters who constitute spiritual harlots. The indication is 144,000 men have not prostituted themselves as such and have remained spiritually chaste from the false religion or the world’s religious system of the Antichrist.

 

Old Testament Israel is sometimes referred to as “the virgin daughter of Zion.”

For instance:

2 Kings 19:21 – This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him (Assyrian King Sennacherib); The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn.

 

Isaiah 37:22 – This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn.

 

Lamentations 2:13b - O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion?

 

However, frequently Israel went a-whoring after strange gods and succumbed to spiritual fornication. Some examples include:

Exodus 34:15 – [Do not make] a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice.

 

Deuteronomy 31:16 – And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake Me, and break My covenant which I have made with them.

 

Hosea 9:1 - Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor (grain-threshing floor).

 

Notwithstanding, it is not that the 144,000 were never married, but they remained pure from spiritual adultery during Antichrist’s reign. This principle is aptly addressed by James:

James 4:4 - Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

 

Therefore, regarding His pure code of conduct in presenting the Church as a bride, the Lord is very clear and specific:

2    Corinthians 11:2 - For I am jealous over you (the Church) with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

 

3. They follow the Lamb everywhere

 

These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth

The 144,000 remained completely allegiant to Christ during the Tribulation. The function of a Christian disciple who follows Christ is distinct when Jesus said to follow in His footsteps:

1. To Philip Jesus said:

John 1:43 – The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow Me.

 

2. To Matthew Jesus said:

Mark 2:14 - And as he passed by, He saw Levi  (Matthew) the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow Me. And he arose and followed Him.

 

3. To the rich young ruler He said:

Mark 10:21 - Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.

 

Virgins who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth exhibit having a spiritual relationship with the Lord rather than following a religious system. In the past, Israel started and ended their day [with a lamb being slain] to preserve the relationship – A daily challenge for every believer.

 

4. They are the redeemed firstfruits unto God

 

These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God

The redeemed 1144,000 are considered God’s very finest (first fruits) out of Israel at the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom.

 

First Fruits

 The practice of firstfruits is an Old Testament sacrificial concept. It is an act of dedicating the first part of one’s harvest and setting it apart as holy unto God. At harvest time for any crop, the first part was dedicated via a special offering. The act simply stated:

Exodus 23:19a – The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God.

 

Proverbs 3:9 - Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.

 

Therefore, at the end of the Tribulation, the 144,000 are denoted as the first fruits of the harvest. These men are uniquely dedicated to God in several ways:

1. By being sealed

2. By being sanctified

3. By being spiritual

4. By being blameless

5. By being undefiled

6. By being faithful

7. By proclaiming the Gospel

 

5. They have redeemed firstfruits unto the Lamb

 

These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits …to the Lamb

Specifically, the 144,000 are redeemed Israel unto the Lamb prophetically ushering in the Kingdom. Again, they are His loyal followers.

 

Old Testament Prophecy

Isaiah 11:11 - And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left.

 

New Testament Prophecy

Romans 11:26 - And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.

 

6. They have no guile in their mouths

 

And in their mouth was found no guile

The phrase demonstrates they have not perjured themselves. Guile means deceit or falsehood, turpitude that keeps someone from entering Heaven (cf. Revelation 22:15). This is a direct fulfillment of Zephaniah’s prophecy as well:

Zephaniah 3:13 - The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

Thus, by keeping their tongues and not participating in the great lying wonders of the beast they were not deceived. And they also remained faultless…

 

7. They stand without fault before God’s Throne

 

For they are without fault before the Throne of God

Being without fault does not mean someone is sinless, but it is characteristic of a person who has nothing to hide. It also describes someone who is above reproach or blameless. Of such, Paul encourages and articulates:

Colossians 1:22 - You used to be far from God. Your thoughts made you His enemies, and you did evil things. But His Son became human and died. So God made peace with you, and now He lets you stand in His presence as people who are holy and faultless and innocent. (CEV)

 

Postface

144,000 first fruits of Tribulation are viewed in all of their unblemished glory with their imputed righteousness in Christ Jesus. They led holy lives and ministered the Gospel effectively for Christ. Similar to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego appearing out of the fiery furnace without even the smell of fire (cf. Daniel 3:27), the 144,000 now stand in the sight of God clarifying their goal as the mark of triumphant Christians. The account of their lives articulates an ideal of Christian living for all believers to replicate.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   Was the 144,000 celibate?

2.   To whom does the term virgins apply?

3.   In what respect does a person follow the Lamb?

4.   How does the practice of first fruits apply to the 144,000?

5.   How serious is lying in the eyes of God?

6.   What does having no-fault mean?

7.   How can believers apply 144,000’s attributes today?

 

 

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