A Study of The Book of Revelation, Part #48

Earl Gillespie

A Study of The Book of Revelation

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Revelation 14:1-5:

1. And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him a 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.

What a refreshing sight after the horrors of Revelation 13! John sees the Lamb and 144,000 redeemed, standing on Mount Sion, and there is much rejoicing and much music.  The number 144,000 repersents a number greater than any man can number.  In chapter 13, truth had fallen in the streets, and the saints’ blood ran like water; at the close of chapter 13, good had been almost banished from the earth (Psalm 4:6) and faith was almost unknown (Luke 18:8). The Beast proudly proclaimed himself to be God and dictated both political and religious policies. The few faithful ones were going through such terrible persecution as was never known upon this earth, and except the Lord had shortened those days, “there should no flesh be saved.”

There are seven outstanding things to be noted in our present chapter:

1. We see the 144,000 sealed ones on Mount Sion - verses 1-5.

2. God’s closing testimony to earth: “the everlasting Gospel” - verses 6 and 7.

3. The announcement that Babylon is fallen - verse 8.

4. The terrible doom of the Beast-worshippers - verses 9-1l.

5. The blessedness of those who die in the Lord - verse 13.

6. The harvest of earth is reaped - verses 14-16.

7. The fullness of God’s wrath and vengeance is poured out - verses 17-20.

Who are the 144,000 in verse one? Are they a separate group from the 144,000 sealed in Revelation 7? I believe them to be the same. These were sealed between the sixth and seventh seals. They are still alive after the sounding of the seventh trumpet - the third woe - and the revealing of the man of sin. They live through it all. They were mature persons when sealed; and they are still alive, not having died during the course of the last half of the Great Tribulation. This fact teaches us that the period spoken of as days, months, and years are actual measurements of time just as we know time today. There have not been thousands of years of fulfillment, as some teach and preach in an attempt to spiritualize these things.  Yes, the 144,000 here are the same as those in Revelation 7. They are conspicuously marked, having the names of the Father and of the Lamb in their foreheads. They are redeemed from the earth and are no longer part of the ungodly world systems. They are a segregated group, separated from all earth’s inhabitants. They are redeemed from among men. They are pure they are virgins. In their mouth was found no guile. These attributes spell perfection.

The time when the 144,000 witnesses testify and live is the time when hell’s worst is taking place on earth. The world has gone completely mad over the miracle-working Beast, with the exception of those who refuse to receive his mark. The entire order of society is a lie. The religious system of the day is a lie. The god in charge of all of earth’s affairs is a god of lies - “Anti-” means opposite - counterfeit. Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). The Antichrist will come; he is the Lie - and all who believe him will be damned.  The things that John spoke of is happening today but this is only a prelude of what is to come.

These 144,000 are of The Truth in the midst of gross untruth. They stand blameless before God. A singular thing about these witnesses is the song they sing . . . a song no one but themselves could learn. They sing this song in the presence of the living ones (creatures) and the elders who are wearing golden crowns (the Bride, those of us who are believers and make up the Church). This expresses a lesser heavenly dignity. These 144,000 do not hold the same position as the Bride of Christ or (Church), the Pearl of Great Price. The Bride will be displayed in the heavenlies throughout the eternity of eternities (Ephesians 2:6,7). The Word of God does not say that these 144,000 have crowns. They sing before the throne, but are not said to be connected with the throne. Read Revelation 4:9-11, where the elders who represent the Church fall down around the throne and cast their crowns before the throne.

These 144,000 are not of the highest order of the saved and glorified: “In my Father’s house are MANY mansions” (John 14:2). In the Father’s house there are many mansions, many degrees of reward, many degrees of glory. Study carefully I Corinthians 3:11-15. Angels cannot join in the song of the redeemed. Angels never knew the joy that our salvation brings, because angels have never been lost. They were created righteous, perfect, untouched by sin. It is true that some of them went astray, but they are reserved in chains now. No one can join in the singing of the song sung by the 144,000 - not even the Church-because only this singular group can learn it. They have a song to sing which no other group can sing. They stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion. The Bride will be at the marriage supper in the sky and will dwell with the Lamb in the Pearly white City.

This is the part the pious prelate love to spiritualize.  One day Jesus will stand on Mount Zion. One day He will reign from the city of Jerusalem in Mount Zion (read Isaiah 35:10, Jeremiah 3:17, Isaiah 24:23 and Psalm 2). The 144,000 are a “firstfruit to God and to the Lamb.” What the living ones and the elders are to the Bride, these 144,000 are to the redeemed sons of Abraham. John saw this great company standing on Mount Zion with the Lamb of God.

After studying the first five verses of Revelation 14 we must admit that this group is a special, singular group. There is no other group in Heaven or on earth like them.

THE ANGEL WITH THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL

Revelation 14:6-7:

6. 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,
7. 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.

In verse 6 an angel flies through the midst of Heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth - every nation, kindred, tongue and people. This everlasting Gospel is to be preached to the peoples on earth at the end of the Great Tribulation period, immediately preceding the judgment of the nations when the sheep will be divided from the goats (Matthew 25:31-46). The everlasting Gospel is not the Gospel of the Kingdom; it is not the Gospel of the grace of God. The message is judgment - not salvation; however, even though the message is judgment, it is good news to the elect (Israel) and to the saved nations, because they have gone through – and are now in - great tribulation. The saved ones will rejoice to hear the message of the everlasting Gospel.

Verse 7 records the message of the angel: “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.”

To Be Continued