March 9 - The 144,000

March 9 – The 144,000
Revelation 14:3-5

“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. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.”

While we are on Mt. Zion with the Lamb, we should get to know those who are nearby. There are 144,000 of them. Notice that Jesus didn’t lose any of these people. He went into the tribulation in Revelation 7 with 144,000 and at the end, there remain 144,000. Let’s learn about this group. I don’t know that I want to actually be a part of this group. It comes with a difficult entrance fee.

We’ve heard the new song before (Rev. 5:9), but this time only the 144,000 can learn it. This is a song of deliverance. The 144,000 represent the remnant of Israel. They will be offered as a first fruit offering and by the time we get to the end of Revelation 14, we will see the Harvest of the Earth.

In Leviticus 23:9-14, the Israelites are told to bring a sheaf of the first grain that they harvested to the priest. He would wave the sheaf before the Lord as a sign that the entire harvest belonged to the Lord. Do you see the connection? The remnant, the 144,000 will be the wave offering before the Lord. As He accepts this offering, He will then accept the entire harvest.

The only way they can be acceptable is through their actions. They are virgins. This passage isn’t condemning marriage. No, this group of people has set themselves aside for something far greater than their personal needs.

Israel is sometimes referred to as the virgin daughter of Zion in the OT.

Lamentations 2:13 “What can I say for you? With what can I compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? To what can I liken you that I may comfort you, O Virgin Daughter of Zion?”

Jeremiah 8:13, “Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘Inquire among the nations: Who has ever heard anything like this? A most horrible thing has been done by Virgin Israel.”

The purity of this group is in direct contrast to the harlot we meet in Revelation 17-18. Just prior to this we read about the idolatry and blaspheming of the beasts. In fact, Exodus 34:15 tells us that prostitution is associated with idolatry.

They followed the Lamb everywhere. In Matthew 19:21, Jesus says we are to give up everything and follow him. Mark 8:34, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” It wasn’t so simple to follow the Lamb. It required sacrifice of everything, including ourselves. This is not an easy choice to make.

God continues to fulfill prophecy. From Zephaniah 3:13, “The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lie, nor will deceit be found in their mouths.” Revelation 14 tells us that they are blameless and no lie is in their mouths. God is amazing.

This group not only worships with the Lamb on Mt. Zion, but as the offering of first fruits of the harvest, they stand as pure and holy. These are the ‘finest,’ the very best, the pure. Though we can never achieve the purity that these 144,000 have, we are covered by grace and mercy through the sacrifice of Jesus. They sacrificed everything in their lives to be the first-fruit offering of the harvest so that we can then be redeemed in that harvest.

Paul, in Romans 11:15-16 says, “For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead. If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.”

The 144,000 – first fruits, wave offering, holy, the remnant. Because of their gift, we are part of the great harvest.