This week’s lesson is found in Revelation 14:1-5.

Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

John looked and heard these things from heaven. These scriptures tell us of God revealing a picture of heaven and its activity. Remember we learned that Jesus came so the blind could see and the deaf could hear. Who was there? Jesus the Lamb of God. And He was standing on His Holy Mountain in Zion, His Holy temple. All authority has been given to Him. The Lamb that was slain and all the living creatures (angels) and the Elders (people) were worshiping the Lamb with harps! We also are called to worship with loud singing and music. (a roar)

Most scholars differ on what the number 144,000 means. I believe its pointing to a “select” group, whoever they may be. They are believers who have the things of God written on their foreheads, seared in their minds, and in their hearts. The Lord told Moses in Deuteronomy 6:6-9, these commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. 

These people had a new song in them which was the gospel of Jesus. The song is revealed in Revelation 5: 9 9And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood, you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

 Is this song in your mouth? Do you know the work of God? What has God done? What’s in the Scrolls? God’s eternal word causes us to dig deeper and deeper into His understanding so His plans and desires will be known. It said they followed Him wherever the Lamb went. God takes us on journeys in life which could be long or short and most of the time they test our faith, but they always bless us. They can take us too far off lands and they can take us across the street to our neighbor. The point is, are we looking and hearing and following the Lamb wherever He takes us?

Defiled by women is a metaphor for being pure and devoted to Christ and not prostituting themselves to the culture or idols. Staying faithful to the Groom. Faithfulness is an important character quality on earth and heaven. Jesus is faithful even when we are not.

The last point I have underlined above is “they were purchased” or as it mentions, “redeemed”.  Do you understand that you were purchased with the blood of the Lamb? You were bought for a price with the Son of God’s broken body and the blood that was shed for the forgiveness of sin. Because of this knowledge, we have the truth in our mouth, and I may add, in our hearts as well. For Jesus has made us blameless in His sight.

Love in Christ, Pastor Jeff