Revelation Chapter 14:1-7 Lesson 20 Christ Independent Methodist Church 4078 Silver Lake Drive, Palatka, FL 32177 June 1, 2011 Michael K. Hudson Sr. Senior Pastor One of the hardest things to do is to day after day is going through a difficulty with no perceived end in sight. It tends to wear down the body and the spirit of the person. Right now, our community is living under very dry conditions and because of these conditions wild fires have broken out in several different places. The smoke from these fires has an overwhelming presence where it gets hard to breath. After so many days of smelling smoke, you wish for a breath of fresh air. The same is true of the book of Revelation. You read about destruction, devastation, depression, lawlessness, idolatry, lies, and so much Aerial view of Mount Zion, the western ridge extending south of the Old City walls (see also Figures 12 and 13 below). The Hinnom valley is visible at the far left. In the upper right-hand corner are the Tyropoean valley (covered in shadow), the eastern ridge known as the Hill of David, and the Kidron valley (also partially covered in shadow). more. It begins to wear down the soul. It becomes depressing and discouraging to the reader. However, the Lord knows that the reader needs a breath of fresh air, needs encouragement. And, He gives just what is needed because chapter fourteen is a breath of fresh air. It lifts the heart of the believer as he reads and studies this chapter. Chapter thirteen is depressing; chapter fourteen is uplifting. Chapter thirteen is full of idolatry and lies; chapter fourteen is full of true worship and truth. Chapter thirteen is full of Satan s men; Chapter fourteen is full of God s men. Chapter thirteen is full of deception; Chapter fourteen is full of the Gospel. Chapter thirteen is full of bloodshed; Chapter fourteen is full of victory. Chapter thirteen is full of hopelessness; Chapter fourteen is full of hope. Chapter fourteen is a refreshing breath of encouragement and hope. It contains seven refreshing visions for the Christian, which renews one s hope and trust in the Lord. Vision one Refreshing view of man Vision two Refreshing view of the Gospel
Vision three Refreshing view of God s victory Vision four Refreshing view of the judgment of the Beast-worshippers Vision five Refreshing view of those who die in the Lord Vision six Refreshing view of God s harvest of the earth Vision seven Refreshing view of God s judgment on the ungodly One might ask how can it be refreshing that God is going to judge the ungodly? If one only read the previous chapters, it might appear as if Satan is winning the war. It looks as if he is bringing about his plan to usurp the place of God. But, chapter fourteen reiterates that God is still on the throne and will judge the wicked on the earth. God will complete His plan of redemption. This is refreshing to the Christian who is going through severe persecution in knowing that God is still in control and even though the Christian might lose his life because of his faith, he is still victorious because God will complete his redemption. I. Refreshing view of man Revelation 14:1 5 KJV 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. 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: 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. 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. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Chapter thirteen reveals men who follow after the Beast and False prophet. It reveals the cruelty, wickedness, and idolatry of man. It shows how the vast majority of the world will fall down and worship the Antichrist, the Beast. It shows that the world will rebel against the Lord. However, chapter fourteen reveals a remnant of individuals who remain true to the Lord. It gives encouragement that there is still a group of people who love the Lord and worship the Lord. When Elijah was so discouraged, he thought he was the only one who was still worshipping the Lord. He felt alone. Yet, the Lord reminded him that there were still seven thousand individuals who have not bowed down to Baal; they remained true to the Lord. This is so encouraging to know that there are others who love and serve the Lord. It is so refreshing to see God s people still on the earth even when the majority of the world has rebelled against the Lord. A. The Lamb on Mount Zion Revelation 14:1 KJV 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. There is no doubt that John s vision was of the Lord Jesus Christ at the beginning of the millennial reign of Christ. Throughout the book of Revelation, Christ is seen as the Lamb of God. He is the one who gave Himself as a ransom for many. He is the Passover Lamb. Revelation 5:6 KJV And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. Revelation 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain 2
to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 6:1 KJV And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. Revelation 17:14 KJV These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. When Christ returns, He will be at Mount Zion. This is referring to Jerusalem. The Lamb of God will return to Jerusalem and set up His kingdom. Psalms 2:6 KJV Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. Isaiah 9:6 7 KJV For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. B. The 144,000 There has been so much difference of opinions as to the identity of the 144,000 mentioned here. Different groups have claimed to be the 144,000. Different scholars have identified the 144,000 as being different from the first 144,000 mentioned earlier in Revelation. But, what is the truth about the 144,000 mentioned here. The 144,000 are not the church, nor do they represent all the saved. The 144,000 are Jews that were saved during the Tribulation Period that God called to a specific work, spreading the message of the coming Kingdom of Christ. They were preserved throughout the entire Tribulation Period. 1. Sealed with God s name These 144,000 are the same as seen in chapter seven. They have made it through the Tribulation period because God has protected them. They spent the seven years of the Tribulation Period preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Though their ministry, a large multitude of people from all nations come to know Christ. God seals them because God places His name upon their foreheads. God does not lose a single one. At the end of the Tribulation period, there are 144000, exactly how many God called to preach the Gospel to the world. 2. Sing a new song Revelation 14:2 3 KJV 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: 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. They have a song of redemption that they sing before the Lord. This is not a song sung by the angels but by these redeemed. The angels cannot sing of redemption because Christ did not die for them on the cross of Calvary. He died for mankind. And, these 144000 have a new song singing about the goodness, grace, mercy, and redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice that there will be the harps playing and heaven and earth will be worshipping the Lord. What a glorious times await for those that worship the Lord. A time when both heaven and earth will sing praises to God. This is a wonderful picture of the beginning of the millennial reign of Christ. 3. Their character Revelation 14:4 KJV These are they 3
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. a. Not defiled with women virgins There is a lot of discussion on whether this is a physical or spiritual condition. I believe that both conditions apply to these Jews. They were physically pure. They did not marry. They remained chaste, pure in their lives. They lived during the darkest hours of the world s history so they remained single. Even the Bible gives a warning to those that are with child during this time. Matthew 24:19 KJV And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! Sexual sins like fornication and adultery will be rampant during this time. But, these 144,000 will keep themselves pure in a sin-filled world. Jeremiah lived during a dark hour period and God told him not to marry. Jeremiah 16:1 4 KJV The word of the Lord came also unto me, saying, Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place. For thus saith the Lord concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land; They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth. They were spiritually pure. They did not believe the lie of the Antichrist. They did not defile themselves with the things of this world. 1 John 2:15 17 KJV Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. They did not worship anything other than the Lord Himself. They kept their hearts and minds pure before the Lord. They were men of purity. b. They followed the Lord They followed the commandments of the Lord. They kept the Word of God. They followed His will for their lives. c. They were the firstfruits This means that they were the first saved during the Tribulation Period in Israel. They were the first ones to come to Christ. They were the first ones to recognize Christ as the Messiah. d. They were truthful Revelation 14:5 KJV And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. In a world filled with lies and idolatry, these told the truth. Even though the rest of the world believed the lies of the Antichrist, these 144,000 preached and taught the truth. They told the truth. They did not lie. They did not sway the people with cunning words or eloquent speeches. Rather, they taught the whole Word of God. e. They were without blame There was not fault found in their lives. In other words, they lived holy lives. They lived for the Lord. They obey the commandments of God. They lived what they believed. They lived what they taught. They lived what their faith. Even though others might accuse them, before the Lord they were without fault or blame. C. Their ministry 1. Evangelistic sought to bring 4
others to Christ 2. Pure holy, without blame 3. Truthful without guile 4. Blameless Romans 6:13 KJV Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 1 Corinthians 6:19 20 KJV What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God s. 2 Corinthians 6:17 18 KJV Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. II. Refreshing view of the Gospel Revelation 14:6 7 KJV And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Matthew 24:14 KJV And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. The message of God, His Gospel, will be preached to the entire world during the Tribulation Period. The 144,000 Jewish evangelists will preach to every nation, kindred, and people. Through their ministry, a vast multitude will be saved. The two witnesses carry out the Gospel message. However, the Great Tribulation Period will be so intense that even the angels will be used to carry the Gospel message to the world. The message is to fear the Lord and give Him the glory. It is a message for men and women to repent and turn to God. It is a message that the hour of judgment is coming very quickly. It is the last message of repentance given to the world. Remember Solomon s message for man. Ecclesiastes 12:13 14 KJV Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. The Day of Judgment was at hand and here was the last chance for man to repent. III. Lessons A. 144,000 is an example to us what our ministry should be like evangelistic, pure, truthful, and without blame. 1 Peter 2:9 KJV But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: B. Gospel message is to go out into world and we need to do our part in sharing Christ 5