The 144,000 Revisited

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-13-2021

Revelation 14:1-5

 

Introduction:

 A.  Chapter 12 signaled the middle of the Tribulation Period.  3 ½ years of Great Tribulation has expired and the Abomination that maketh Desolate has taken place.

 

1.  We have seen the “falling way” in the day of Laodicea, both doctrinally and individually.

 

2.  We have seen the Delusion of those who have rejected Christ prior to the Rapture.

 

3.  We have seen the Introduction of the Antichrist and the setting up of his kingdom on earth.

 

4.  We have seen the Martyrdom of the multitudes who are saved during the Tribulation Period.

 

5.  We have seen the Abomination of Desolation and War in heaven.  Satan has been cast out and is now come down to earth with great wrath because he knows that his time is short.

 

B.  Chapters 13-15 are what is called in Theology a parenthetical.  It simply means that during these three chapters, no time has expired.  The Bible is simply explaining what has and is about to take place in the final 3 ½ years of Great Tribulation.

 

C.  Chapter 13 gives a preview of the two beasts that will arise in the last days: one that is political and the other a system of religion that honors the political system.  The religious system will “ride” the political system, but the political system will rule the religious system.

 

D.  Tonight, we will re-visit the 144,000 witness that were sealed in Revelation 7:1-8.  Evidently, through the preaching of these witnesses, a multitude of every kindred, nation, and tongue were saved and martyred.

 

E.  Verse 1.  In chapter 13, we saw that the beast will reign over the earth in the last 3 ½ years but here we see the vision of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, stand upon Mount Sion.

 

1.  He will, as creator, sustainer, and owner—stand upon what He has both created and purchased!  Mount Moriah of the Old Testament and Mount Sion of the New Testament.

 

John 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 

Colossians 1:16-17  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  (17)  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 

1.  He has descended to this earth and now stands on the very spot where He died for the sins of the world.  This verse shows the absolute sovereignty of Christ in its vision of the heavenly realm where justice will finally be realized, and all wrongs made right.

 

Abraham was offered there in type but was given the promise of God himself, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.

 

2.  Mount Moriah or Sion is the place where the New Jerusalem will descend out of heaven and rest for eternity.  Hebrews give a description that thrills my soul!

 

Hebrews 12:22-23  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  (23)  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

 

Micah 4:1-8  But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.  (2)  And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  (3)  And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.  (4)  But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.  (5)  For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.  (6)  In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;  (7)  And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.  (8)  And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.

 

F.  As the Lamb stands on Mount Sion, the 144,000 will stand with Him.  In chapter 7, these sealed Jews were on earth but here, they evidently descend with Him to the earth.  Possibly because that the 144,000 were martyred.  They have the name of the Father written in their foreheads.

 

G.  Verses 2-3.  The voice of God (voice … many waters … thunder – Revelation 1:15) is accompanied by the voice of harpers from heaven.  These sung a new song in heaven before God’s throne along with the beasts and elders that could only be learned by the 144,000 who were “redeemed from the earth.”  Their experience has been unique.

 

H.  Verse 4.  In this verse, we see a clearer picture of who these 144,000 Jews are.

 

1.  They are virgins.  Here the Bible uses the words “not defiled with women.”  They were both chaste and morally pure.  The word “defiled” is used because it is not only speaking of their physically chaste state but also of their morally chaste state.  Defiled with women is to have committed fornication or adultery as the man/woman relationship has the approval of God.

 

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

 

2.  They are faithful.  They follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth.  From their youth until now, they have chosen that which is better: following Christ.

 

3.  They are the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.  They are the beginning of the conversion of Israel in these last days. 

 

Romans 11:26  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:

 

4.  And their mouth sanctified for the Master’s use. 

 

John 1:47  Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!  (guile – to entrap, deceit)

 

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

 

1 Peter 3:10  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

 

J.  In chapter 15, we will see the Temple in Heaven from which the Tabernacle in the Wilderness was patterned open just prior to the Seven Vials of God’s Wrath to poured out in chapter 16.