Daily Bread 2011 - Revelation 14
The Lamb and the 144,000
1 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 kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
What Does This Means?
This is one of the places where interpretation of the numbers and symbols of this book becomes very tricky, and we must be careful to be sound in it. Some have gone as far as to say that there are only a literal 144,000 that will make it into heaven. (Such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses – Watchtower Organization). For the fact that these 144,000 have not defiled themselves with women, others use those who have been celibate as a lithmus test. Finally many believe the 144,000 to be those who have been martyred for their faith which could confirm the impressions of ch. 7.
Since they are mentioned as “firstfruits” in verse 4, they mustn’t be seen as the totality of those who are saved which would untenable for many other reasons anyways. Another figurative way to take this passage is since 12 is the number of completeness and 12,000 is another fuller expression of it, the full number of Jews which make up the 12 tribes of Israel could be a representation of the first-fruits of salvation, though the context of the qualifications previously mentioned seems to make this doubtful.
What Does This Mean For Us?
This is a case where we must be extremely careful not to interpret beyond what we are given in the text, and also what is taught in the rest of the bible. Clearly throughout the bible, there is ample evidence that there will people from every, nation, tribe and people group gathered back to God in the end through Christ who will come again to judge the living and the dead. Clearly there will be both Jews and Gentiles, who will be the first fruits of this harvest that is to come.
While there are passages that give special mention to martyrs and the faith they have to give up their live for the sake of the gospel, it does not diminish the salvation that all believers receive in Christ. In fact throughout the bible we are called to “give up” our lives and follow Jesus. Whether we become literal martyrs or not, is not for us to decide, we are only called to be His witnesses whenever the Holy Spirit calls us to give a reason for the hope we have within us. It shouldn’t take a number to get us motivated to share the Gospel with others, but as we have been forgiven much, we love much. We share the hope of the Gospel out of our conviction and our own need for God’s grace, as well as wanting to extend that grace to those we love and those God’s call us to share this same grace with.
Jesus, thank you for purchasing us by your life giving sacrifice at the cross. As we have received this indescribable gift, may we be willing to share it will all whom you call us to share it with. We give thanks for those who have gone before us, especially those who were willing to give up their whole lives for the sake of the gospel. May they inspire us to greater levels of service to You who belongs all glory and praise forever and ever. Amen.
1 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 kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
What Does This Means?
This is one of the places where interpretation of the numbers and symbols of this book becomes very tricky, and we must be careful to be sound in it. Some have gone as far as to say that there are only a literal 144,000 that will make it into heaven. (Such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses – Watchtower Organization). For the fact that these 144,000 have not defiled themselves with women, others use those who have been celibate as a lithmus test. Finally many believe the 144,000 to be those who have been martyred for their faith which could confirm the impressions of ch. 7.
Since they are mentioned as “firstfruits” in verse 4, they mustn’t be seen as the totality of those who are saved which would untenable for many other reasons anyways. Another figurative way to take this passage is since 12 is the number of completeness and 12,000 is another fuller expression of it, the full number of Jews which make up the 12 tribes of Israel could be a representation of the first-fruits of salvation, though the context of the qualifications previously mentioned seems to make this doubtful.
What Does This Mean For Us?
This is a case where we must be extremely careful not to interpret beyond what we are given in the text, and also what is taught in the rest of the bible. Clearly throughout the bible, there is ample evidence that there will people from every, nation, tribe and people group gathered back to God in the end through Christ who will come again to judge the living and the dead. Clearly there will be both Jews and Gentiles, who will be the first fruits of this harvest that is to come.
While there are passages that give special mention to martyrs and the faith they have to give up their live for the sake of the gospel, it does not diminish the salvation that all believers receive in Christ. In fact throughout the bible we are called to “give up” our lives and follow Jesus. Whether we become literal martyrs or not, is not for us to decide, we are only called to be His witnesses whenever the Holy Spirit calls us to give a reason for the hope we have within us. It shouldn’t take a number to get us motivated to share the Gospel with others, but as we have been forgiven much, we love much. We share the hope of the Gospel out of our conviction and our own need for God’s grace, as well as wanting to extend that grace to those we love and those God’s call us to share this same grace with.
Jesus, thank you for purchasing us by your life giving sacrifice at the cross. As we have received this indescribable gift, may we be willing to share it will all whom you call us to share it with. We give thanks for those who have gone before us, especially those who were willing to give up their whole lives for the sake of the gospel. May they inspire us to greater levels of service to You who belongs all glory and praise forever and ever. Amen.
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