TRIUMPHANT SAINTSRevelation 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. Introduction

I. Our society loves winners. A. Whether in

1. Politics, 2. Business, 3. Entertainment, 4. Sports, 5. Or war, 6. We idolize those who succeed.

B. On the other hand, we do not tolerate losers. 1. Coaches who lose are fired; 2. Players who lose are traded; 3. Executives who fail are replaced; 4. Politicians who fail are voted out of office.

C. Our heroes are those who overcome all obstacles and triumph in the end.

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II. While not at all endorsing the world's superficial definition of success, A. The Bible nevertheless speaks of the Christian life in triumphant

terms. 1. Paul writes

Romans 8:37 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

2. In his first epistle John wrote, 1 John 5:4-5 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

3. Paul exclaimed in1 Corinthians 15:57 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

a. He added another triumphant note2 Corinthians 2:14 14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

b. Imprisoned, abandoned, and facing imminent execution, c. Paul could still pen the following victorious epitaph:

2 Timothy 4:7-8 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

B. But believers' triumphs and victories in this life are incomplete and marred by setbacks and defeats.

C. The world, the flesh, and the devil take their toll on our best efforts.

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1. The same apostle Paul who ended his life in victorious triumph earlier described his Christian experience in the following mournful terms:Romans 7:14-24 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

2. Abraham, the "friend of God" (James 2:23; cf. 2 Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8),

a. Twice lied about Sarah, b. Claiming she was his sister and not his wife (Gen. 12:11-20;

20:1-18). 3. David, the man after God's heart (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22),

was guilty of adultery and murder (2 Sam. 11:1-17 ; 12:9). 4. Peter, the leader and spokesman of the twelve, denied three

times that he even knew Jesus (Matt. 26:69-75). 5. Believer's greatest triumphs are flawed because

1 Kings 8:46a 46 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) ......

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Ecclesiastes 7:20 20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

6. And thus no one can say, Proverbs 20:9 9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? III. The opening verses of Revelation 14 introduce the most triumphant

group of men the world will ever know. A. Scripture describes other faithful, godly, uncompromising,

committed men, such as Joseph, Daniel, and Paul. B. But never will there be such a large group at one time.

1. They will emerge from the worst holocaust in history, the Tribulation,

2. Battle weary but triumphant; they will be like 144,000 Daniels.C. Chapter 7 introduced this remarkable group of men. After the

horrific events of the sixth seal (6:12-17), 1. The terror-stricken people of the earth will cry out

Revelation 6:16-17 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

2. By that point in the Tribulation, the world will have experienced the unimaginable horrors of the first six seals.

a. There will have been widespread wars, b. Severe famines, c. Deadly plagues, d. And terrible earthquakes e. And other natural disasters, f. All of which will result in millions of deaths.

3. Sin will run rampant and unchecked over the earth, a. Fueled by Satan and his demon hostsb. Both those cast from heaven with him (12:9)

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c. And those formerly bound demons who will be released (9:1-11, 14-19).

4. Antichrist will unleash a. The most terrible persecution the world has ever known, b. And countless thousands of Christians and Jews will be

slaughtered.D. In light of that horrifying, unimaginable situation,

1. And the devastating trumpet and bowl judgments to follow, 2. It will seem impossible for anyone to survive.

IV. It is against that backdrop that the 144,000 are introduced. A. They will survive both Satan's wrath and persecution and God's

judgments on the sinful world. B. Nothing will be able to harm them, because God will seal them.

Revelation 7:3-4 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

1. They will be like the remnant of Malachi's day: Malachi 3:16-17 16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

2. Throughout history, God has protected those who belong to Him. a. He preserved Noah during the Flood

b. And kept Rahab safe when Jericho was destroyed. c. He preserved Lot from the destruction of Sodom

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d. And kept the children of Israel safe from the plagues that devastated Egypt. Psalm 37:39-4039 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

C. The 144,000 will not be the only ones redeemed during the Tribulation.

1. A great host of others, both Jews (Zech. 12:10-14; Rom. 11:26-27)Zechariah 13:11 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. Zechariah 13:9 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

2. And Gentiles (6:9-11; Matt. 25:31-46) will be saved. Revelation 6:9-11 9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. Revelation 7:9 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number,

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of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Revelation 7:13-14 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

3. Many, perhaps most, of them will die as martyrs during the savage persecution unleashed by Antichrist.

4. The rest, however, who will live through the horrors of the Tribulation will enter the millennial kingdom (Isa. 65:20-23; Matt. 25:31-36).

D. But the 144,000 Jewish evangelists are unique because all of them will survive.

E. When Christ returns and stands on Mount Zion, they will stand with Him in triumph.

V. A brief overview sets the stage for the vision of the 144,000. A. We should recall that chapters 12-14 of Revelation form an

interlude in the saga of God's final judgments on the sinful world. B. The unfolding of those judgments is described in chapters 6-11, as

God will begin to take back the earth from the usurper, Satan. C. Chapter 11, verse 15, records the sounding of the seventh trumpet,

though the judgments associated with it will not begin to unfold until chapter 15.

D. Chapters 12 and 13 recapitulate the events of the Tribulation, this time giving them from Satan's perspective.

1. They expose Satan's efforts to destroy Israel (chap. 12) 2. And detail the careers of Antichrist and the final false prophet

(chap. 13). E. Chapter 14 returns to what God is doing.

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F. It contains three visions that give a general preview of the judgments yet to come that culminate in Christ's return.

1. Chapter 14 is a bright contrast to the darkness of chapter 13, a. Which describes Satan (the dragon),

b. Antichrist, c. The final false prophet, d. Deception, e. The unredeemed, f. Idolatry, g. And the mark of the beast.

2. Chapter 14 describes a. The Lamb, b. Angels, c. Redeemed saints, d. Genuine worship, e. And those sealed by God.

G. In chapter 13 there is 1. Falsehood, 2. Wickedness, 3. Corruption, 4. And blasphemy.

H. in chapter 14 there is 1. Truth, 2. Righteousness, 3. Purity, 4. And praise.

I. In addition to its prophetic significance, this passage yields important practical principles for triumphant Christian living.

J. Seven such features will characterize the 144,000: 1. Power, 2. Praise, 3. Purity,

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4. Partisanship, 5. Purpose, 6. Precision, 7. And Perfection.

______________________________________________________________________________I. POWER

Revelation 14:1 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.

A. The phrase I looked, or its equivalent and behold appears frequently in Revelation to introduce startling, dramatic events (cf. v. 14; 4:1; 6:2, 5, 8; 7:9; 15:5; 19:11).

B. What arrested John's attention was the awe-inspiring sight of the Lamb that stood on the mount Sion.

C. Revelation depicts the Lamb 1. As slain (5:6; 13:8), 2. Glorified (5:8, 12-13), 3. Exalted (7:9-10), 4. The Redeemer (7:14) 5. And Shepherd (7:17) of His people, 6. And the Lord of Lords and King of Kings (17:14).

D. The appearance of the Lamb on Mount Sion is a monumental moment in redemptive history.

1. The psalmist wrote of this moment inPsalm 2:6-9 6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

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9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

2. Psalm 48:2 describes Mount Zion as Psalm 48:2 (KJV) 2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

3. Isaiah wrote that

Isaiah 24:23 23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

4. The fulfillment of those predictions has now arrived.E. Strangely, some equate this passage with Hebrews 12:22-24 and

view it as a vision of heaven. 1. But the former passage describes the heavenly Mount Zion, the

abode of God. 2. This passage describes the return of Christ to the earthly Mount

Zion. 3. The whole point would be lost if Mount Zion refers to heaven,

4. Because that would mean the one hundred and forty-four thousand had died.

a. In that case, their sealing with the mark of God (7:3-4; cf. 9:4) b. Would be rendered meaningless.

5. Isaiah 11:9-12 and 24:23, Joel 2:32, and Zechariah 14:4 also support the identification of the Mount Zion in this passage with the earthly Mount Zion.

6. That a voice comes out of heaven (v. 2) also suggests that this scene is on earth.

F. Some commentators insist that the number one hundred and forty-four thousand is not to be taken literally.

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1. They argue that it symbolizes the church, 2. Or the Tribulation saints, 3. Or history's most outstanding Christians gathered together in

heaven for this scene. G. Some cults insist that it refers to them

1. Which poses a problem for the ones with more than 144,000 adherents.

2. But all such speculative personal alteration of Scripture is pointless;

3. And their identity is not in doubt. H. This is a group of 144,000 real, live people, 12,000 Jewish believers

from each of the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev. 7:4-8). I. The one hundred and forty-four thousand will be a group

unique in redemptive history. John Phillips wrote:No other age has produced a company like this, a veritable army of militant believers marching unscathed through every form of danger. It has been theirs to defy the dragon, to bait the Beast, and to give the lie to the false prophet. Their calling has been to preach the gospel from the housetops when even to name the name of Christ called for the most dreadful penalties. They have been surrounded, these latter-day Jobs, with impenetrable hedges, able to laugh to scorn all the grand inquisitors of hell. They have walked the streets in broad daylight, careless of the teeth-gnashing rage of their would-be torturers and assassins, true witnesses of Jehovah in the most terrible era of the history of mankind. The devil knows about this coming band of conquerors, and writhes already in an agony of anticipation. (Exploring Revelation, rev. ed. [Chicago: Moody, 1987; reprint, Neptune, N.J.: Loizeaux, 1991], 179-80)

J. The text also describes the 144,000 as having his (the Lamb's) Father's name written in their foreheads.

1. Unbelievers will receive the mark of the beast (13:16-17);

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2. The 144,000 will have the mark of God placed on their foreheads (7:3) for their protection.

a. Satan and the unbelieving world will desperately seek to kill these powerful, fearless preachers of the gospel.

b. But, having marked them as His own possession, c. God will not permit them to be harmed.

3. Throughout the cataclysmic outpouring of God's final judgments and Satan's final fury, they will preach the gospel.

a. They will confront unbelievers with their sins, b. Call them to repentance and faith in the Savior, c. And proclaim that the catastrophes taking place are God's

righteous judgments. 4. And despite Satan's best efforts,

a. All 144,000 will survive to meet Christ on Mount Zion at His second coming.

b. They will enter the millennial kingdom as living men. c. Most likely, the 144,000 will continue their evangelistic work

throughout that thousand-year period. d. While only redeemed people will enter the kingdom, the

children born to them will not all believe. 5. In fact, there will be enough unregenerate people by the end of

the Millennium for Satan to lead a worldwide rebellion against Christ's rule (20:7-10).

a. Scripture speaks of salvation during the Millennium a salvation the 144,000 will no doubt proclaim.Isaiah 60:3 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Zechariah 8:23 23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold

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of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

b. The story of these victorious survivors illustrates the divine side of triumphant Christian living:

c. God will preserve His own. d. The 144,000 will be living proof of the promises found in

Psalm 91:5-16 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

K. God will protect His own and bring them triumphantly through their trials.

1. That is true both of survivors on earth, like the 144,000, and of martyrs in heaven, like those depicted in 6:9-11 and 7:9-17.

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2. Jesus promised, John 6:37 (KJV) 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

3. Believers are eternally secure, Jesus declared, because John 10:28-29 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

a. To the Philippians Paul wrote, Philippians 1:66 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

b. While Jude offered praise Jude 1:24 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

c. Knowing that they are 1 Peter 1:5 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

d. Believers may both live confidently and minister boldly. 4. The majestic words of Romans 8:31-39 eloquently summarize the

marvelous truth that God protects and delivers His own:Romans 8:31-39 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that

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justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

II. PRAISERevelation 14:2-3 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.

A. Standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion, the 144,000 will join in the heavenly song of redemption.

1. With all the devastation they have seen, a. With all the trouble they have faced, b. With all the rejection, hostility, hatred, and persecution they

have endured, c. One might expect them to be too sorrowful to sing

Psalm 137:1-4 1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

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2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land? 2. But instead they will joyously praise the Lord for their protection

and triumph.B. This is not the first time John heard a voice from heaven (cf. 4:1;

10:4, 8; 11:12; 12:10), nor will it be the last (cf. v. 13; 18:4; 19:1). 1. The voice he heard was very loud and continuous, as the voice

of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder.2. Ezekiel 43:2 likens the voice of God to

Ezekiel 43:2 2 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.

3. While Revelation 1:15 describes the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ in the same way. Revelation 1:15 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

4. But since Revelation 19:6 Revelation 19:66 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

a. Uses both of those phrases to describe the voice of a heavenly multitude,

b. It is best to understand them in that sense here.c. The song began in 5:9-10, when the four living creatures and

the twenty-four elders

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Revelation 5:9-10 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

d. The next to join in were myriads of angels, who began Revelation 5:12 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

e. Finally, Revelation 5:13 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

5. In 7:9-10, the Tribulation martyrs joined in the escalating chorus of praise: Revelation 7:9-10 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

C. The mighty voice was not mere noise; it had a musical quality, .........and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps....

1. The reference to harpists and harps suggests that the voice expressed not thunderous judgment but joy.

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2. Harps are frequently associated in the Old Testament with joyous praise (cf. 2 Sam. 6:5; 1 Chron. 13:8; 15:16, 28; 2 Chron. 5:12-13; Neh. 12:27; Pss. 33:2; 71:22; 144:9; 150:3).

3. Heaven will resound with loud praise when the Lord Jesus Christ returns in triumph to establish His earthly kingdom.

D. The song sung (in heaven) as it were a (song) before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders

1. Is the song of redemption (cf. Pss. 33:1-3; 40:3; 96:1-2; 98:1-2; 144:9-10; 149:1; Isa. 42:10).

a. The angels will join the Old Testament saints, b. The raptured saints, c. And the redeemed Tribulation martyrs in praising God for

salvation. 2. While angels do not experience redemption, they do rejoice

because of it.Luke 15:10 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

a. All heaven will overflow with praise b. Because God's redemptive work culminating in the return of

Christ is accomplished.E. Heaven's praise overflows to earth, where the new song is taken

up. John notes that ......no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

1. The unregenerate cannot, of course, sing the song of redemption;

2. It is only for the redeemed, those purchased by Christ's blood. 3. Why the song is restricted to the one hundred and forty-four

thousand is not stated, 4. But Henry Morris has offered a possible explanation:

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Although the words of the song of the 144,000 are not recorded, it surely dwells in part at least on the great truth that they had been "redeemed from the earth." Although in one sense all saved people have been redeemed from the earth, these could know the meaning of such a theme in a more profound way than others. They had been saved after the rapture, at that time in history when man's greatest persecutions and God's greatest judgments were on the earth. It was at such a time that they, like Noah (Genesis 6:8), had Genesis 6:8 8 ...... found grace in the eyes of the LORD. and had been separated from Revelation 13:8 8 ....all that dwell upon the earth, Not only had they been redeemed spiritually but they had been redeemed from the very curse on the earth (Genesis 3:17), being protected from pain and death by the guarding seal. (The Revelation Record [Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale, 1983], 260)

a. The 144,000 will join with the heavenly chorus in praising God for His marvelous work of redemption.

b. Some of the lyrics of their song may be found in Revelation 15:3-4 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

F. A mark of triumphant Christian living in any era is constant praise to God.

1. The 144,000 no doubt praised God throughout their time of trial and persecution.

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2. Because their ordeal is over and they are victorious, they will burst forth in praise to God for their deliverance.

3. Joy is the proper outflow of a heart that trusts in God's sovereign power.Philippians 3:1 1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Philippians 4:4 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 16 Rejoice evermore. James 1:2 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 1 Peter 4:13 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

III. PURITYRevelation 14:4a 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.

A. The worship of Antichrist during the Tribulation will be unspeakably vile and perverse.

1. As it did in the fertility cults of ancient times, a. sexual sin will apparently run rampant. b. Even in the current grossly immoral day, c. We can hardly imagine what the deviant sexual perversion of

the Tribulation will be like. 2. With all divine restraint removed

2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

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7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

a. And the unbelieving world judgmentally abandoned by God Romans 1:24 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Romans 1:26 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: Romans 1:28 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

b. Sin will be released like a flood, inundating the world. c. And fanning the hellish flames of wickedness will be Satan

and his demon hostsd. Both those cast from heaven with him

Revelation 12:9 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

e. And those vile demons newly released from imprisonment(9:1-11, 14-19).

B. In the midst of the darkness of the Tribulation period, the 144,000 will shine forth like beacons of purity.

1. Despite the rampant sexual sin that surrounds them, they will not be defiled with women, for they are virgins.

2. Or they will keep themselves pure.C. That the specific sin that they will avoid involves women

1. Indicates that sexual purity is in view here, 2. Not detachment from the corrupt world system.

D. That the 144,000 will be separate from Antichrist's empire has already been made clear;

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1. They bear God's mark, 2. Not the beast's

Revelation 7:3-43 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

E. Nor does this passage teach that they will all be unmarried, 1. Since sex within marriage does not defile anyone.

Hebrews 13:4 4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

2. What it means is that they will stand apart from the sin of their culture;

a. 144,000 morally pure preachers amid the defilement that surrounds them.

b. Sexual purity is essential to triumphant Christian living.

c. Paul writes1 Thessalonians 4:3 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

d. The apostle admonished the young pastor Timothy to 2 Timothy 2:22 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

e. To the Corinthians Paul wrote, 1 Corinthians 6:13 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

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1 Corinthians 6:18 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

F. Those who would serve God effectively must lead holy, pure lives. G. The godly nineteenth-century Scottish preacher Robert Murray

McCheyne gave the following words of advice to an aspiring young minister:"Do not forget the culture of the inner man—I mean of the heart. How diligently the cavalry officer keeps his sabre clean and sharp; every stain he rubs off with the greatest care. Remember you are God's sword, His instrument—I trust a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God. (Andrew A. Bonar, Memoirs of McCheyne [Chicago: Moody, 1978], 95)IV. PARTISANSHIP

Revelation 14:4 4 ...... 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. The 144,000 are further characterized as they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.

1. They will be partisans to the party of the Lamb. 2. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a partisan as

"One who takes part or sides with another; an adherent or supporter of a party, person, or cause... a devoted or zealous supporter... One who supports his party 'through thick and thin'; a blind, prejudiced, unreasoning, or fanatical adherent."

3. The triumphant 144,000 will be completely loyal to the Lamb, no matter what the cost.

4. In the words of John Phillips,They allow no rivals, no refusals, and no restraint to mar their dedication to Him. Does He need someone to stand upon the steps of the Vatican and cry

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out against the marriage of Christendom to the Beast? There are 144,000 ready to go! Does the Lord need someone to beard the Beast at some high function of state and roundly denounce him, his policy, his statecraft, his religion, his economic boycott, his mark, his ministers, his alliance with Satan? There are 144,000 eager to go! Does the Lamb need evangelists to proclaim to the untold millions the gospel of the coming kingdom of God? to climb the highest Himalayas, to cross the desert sands, to blaze evangelistic trails through steaming jungles, or to mush huskies across wide arctic wastes? There are 144,000 ready to go! And though the Beast's gestapo [sic] dog their footsteps and wreak upon their converts his direst vengeance, yet on they go undaunted and undeterred. That was the very spirit of their consecration as they followed the Lamb whithersoever He led them on earth, and their reward is in kind. (Exploring Revelation, 180-81)

B. It is such loyal, devoted followers that Jesus seeks. 1. In Matthew 16:24 He said,

Matthew 16:24 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

2. Jesus also said inMatthew 19:21 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

3. Jesus told the unbelieving Jews that they were not His sheep, noting that John 10:27 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

4. Paul declared himself to be a follower of Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 11:1 1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

5. While in his first epistle, John reminded his readers that

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1 John 2:6 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

V. PURPOSERevelation 14:4c 4c ...These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

A. In redemptive language reminiscent of 5:9, 1. John explains that the 144,000 have been

redeemed from among men. 2. But while all believers have been purchased by God

a. In redemptive language reminiscent of 5:9, b. John explains that the 144,000 have been redeemed from

among men. 3. But while all believers have been purchased by God

Acts 20:28 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 6:20 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 7:23 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 1 Peter 1:18-19 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

a. The 144,000 were purchased for a special purpose.

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b. They will be redeemed as the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

4. In the Old Testament the first fruits, the first part of a crop to be harvested,

a. were offered to God (Deut. 26:1-11) to be used in His service (Deut. 18:3-5).

b. The 144,000, like the first fruits offering, will be set apart for divine service.

5. As previously noted, a. The number 144,000 does not symbolize all the Tribulation

saints, b. But rather designates a group of Jewish evangelists.

6. The purpose of their lives will be to serve the Lord by proclaiming the gospel to the lost, perishing, Christ-rejecting world.

B. It is also possible 1. To view the 144,000 as first fruits in the sense that they

represent 2. The first of many others who will be saved. a. Paul used the term in that sense when he noted that

1 Corinthians 16:15 15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

C. The 144,000 may legitimately be viewed 1. As the first fruits of redeemed Israel, 2. Foreshadowing the nation's salvation when Christ returns.

Zechariah 12:10 10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

3. Of that day Paul wrote:

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Romans 11:25-27 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 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: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

D. The 144,000 will exemplify the 1. Purpose, 2. Decisiveness, 3. Dedication, 4. And clarity of life goal that marks triumphant Christians

Romans 12:1-2 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

VI. PRECISIONRevelation 14:5 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: ..........

A. The 144,000 will not propagate Satan's lies, 1. But will speak God's truth. 2. They will be like those of whom Zephaniah wrote:

Zephaniah 3:13 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.

B. The unbelieving world will be consumed with2 Thessalonians 2:9-11

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9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

C. But the 144,000 1. Will accurately proclaim the Word of God without wavering,

equivocating, or altering it. 2. They will be like their Lord, of whom the Bible says,

1 Peter 2:22 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

3. In all generations, triumphant Christians are characterized byEphesians 4:1515......speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ephesians 4:25 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

4. Knowing the vital importance to2 Timothy 2:15 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

5. They will never be guilty of2 Corinthians 4:2 2 .......... walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. VII. PERFECTION

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Revelation 14:5 5 ........... they are without fault before the throne of God.

A. Because they will trust in God's power 1. And lead lives characterized by

a. Praise, b. Purity, c. Devoted loyalty, d. And singleness of purpose,

2. The 144,000 will be without fault. B. That does not, of course, mean that they will be sinless

Job 15:14-16 14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? 15 Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight. 16 How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water? 1 Kings 8:46 46 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;

Psalm 143:2 2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.Proverbs 20:9 9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? Ecclesiastes 7:20 20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 1 John 1:8-10 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

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9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1. But they will be sanctified. 2. They will be above reproach, 3. Leading godly lives before all who see them.

C. Like the 144,000, all Christians are called to holiness. 1. Paul writes

Ephesians 1:44 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Colossians 1:22 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

2. To the Corinthians the apostle wrote, 2 Corinthians 11:2 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. Ephesians 5:27 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

3. Peter exhorted believers to 1 Peter 1:15-16 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

4. Jude reminded his readers that God Jude 1:2424 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

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D. The 144,000 deserve a place in the "Hall of Fame" of the Christian faith (Heb. 11).

1. They will lead holy lives 2. And minister effectively for God during history's darkest hour.

3. Their exemplary efforts will spearhead the greatest spiritual awakening the world will ever see (cf. 6:9-11; 7:9).

E. The inspired account of their lives and ministry provides a pattern of triumphant Christian living for all believers to follow.

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