Revelation 14:1-5

Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.  And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.  It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.

There is a huge contrast between the description of the beasts and dragon of the previous chapter and this one.  Here, once again, we are presented with the 144,000 descendants of Abraham that have been sealed and commissioned to further the mission of God on the earth.  They now appear alive and well as a demonstration of God’s power.  This passage describes their characteristics.

PROTECTION: With all the persecution and targeting of Christians going on during the tribulation, it is nothing short of miraculous that all 144,000 testimonies from Israel are still alive.  God can protect His children and followers in the direst of circumstances.  That does not mean He always will do it.  In His sovereign wisdom He allows His disciples to face persecution, suffering, and even martyrdom.  It is not for us to understand why He allows these things.  We must simply trust Him.  He has a special purpose for these 144,000 during the tribulation and His plans will not be thwarted.  

PROCLAIMATION: These special heralds of the Gospel gather on Mr. Zion preparing for the return of the Lord, they sing praises to the Lord.  It is a unique song, perhaps in a unique language that these chosen men of God will sing in a loud voice.  This choir proclaiming the greatness of the Lamb will be an astounding sight and amazing experience to hear.  The followers of Jesus sing.  We do it now.  It will be done during the tribulation.  It is happening right now in heaven.  It will happen throughout eternity.  What a blessing it will be to participate in this worship.

PURIFICATION: The key characteristic of these 144,000 servants is that they are sanctified unto the Lord.  They are certainly not sinless and will have all placed their faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sin.  They have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb and have now consecrated themselves for the ministry to which they have been called.  None of them are married and they have all maintained themselves sexually pure as they are virgins.  They are honest and upright in all their dealings.  There is nothing wrong with marriage and the sexual relationship within marriage.  These special men will not be married, much like Paul, because of the urgency of these final days before the coming of Christ.  We are all called to live a consecrated life before the Lord our God.

APPLICATION: Trust in the protection of our Lord.  We need not fear the difficulties we might face in advancing the Gospel.  As we contemplate the greatness and grace of the Lord Jesus, our hearts should overflow with song.  Live honest and sexually pure lives so we do not hinder the advancement of the Gospel.