THE 144,000 The first three chapters of the book of Revelation are devoted to an assessment of the churches. It was no novel or casual appraisal, but one which summoned believers into fellowship with the Lamb. Dwelling at a distance from Him, there is no hope of surviving the onslaught of the wicked one. -- Tomorrow:
"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. 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: 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. 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" (Rev 14:1-4).
SPEAKING TO THE CHURCHES
Thus Jesus works in power to convince those who are distant from Him of the unacceptableness of their condition. He warns them to repent or suffer the consequences of exclusion from the book of life. He will not overlook piety without love, or the godless toleration of false doctrine that pulls men into the flesh. Nor, indeed, will He allow for a lukewarm condition where those professing His name are neither hot nor cold. Such conditions are completely at variance with salvation, and must be abandoned forthrightly and quickly.
On the other hand, those who are fighting a good fight, yet whose strength is dissipated, are encouraged to hold on. They are promised strength, and an open door. With passion, the Savior informs such that He is with them, knows them, and will provide for them. He holds out to them promises that are a challenge to the most disciplined spiritual thinker. Hear Him speak of a reign, of being given power, made a pillar in God's temple, and going no more out. What marvelous incentives the Lamb holds out to his people.
But if you take away the matter of salvation, these words have little or no weight. They are nothing more than law which brings an even greater burden to the saints. Those who take this book and spend their time telling us of a ruthless political ruler, times of economic scarcity, and the oppression of those excluded from the mythical rapture, have betrayed their stunted view of salvation. They have allowed the flood of Satan to wash away a clear view of "the Lamb." Remember, "the Lamb" has to do exclusively with redemption – its initiation and conclusion.
THE LAMB AND REDEMPTION
The "four living creatures" and the "twenty four elders" fall down and worship the Lamb (Rev 5:8) but it is the church that He loves and nourishes! "The Lamb" has no immediate relevancy for angelic hosts. That is a reference to his capacity as the Savior of mankind. He was not sacrificed for angels even arch angels, or cherubim or seraphim. He was "slain" for men, and has received "power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing" for them (5:12). "The wrath of the Lamb" is particularly directed toward those who have rejected His great salvation (6:16; 14:10). The blood that saves is the "blood of the Lamb" (7:14). The book in which the names of the saved are written is "the book of life of the Lamb" (13:8). The most significant marriage is "the marriage of the Lamb" (19:7). The most extensive banquet is the "marriage supper of the Lamb" (19:9).
All of this is to affirm that "the Lamb" is a consideration of the Son in His redemptive capacity. Until the heavens and earth pass away, heaven is preoccupied with getting the sons of God to glory. All of the resources of heaven have been marshaled for this work. They do not work for the political stabilization of a favored nation. Nor, indeed, are they devoted to the development of domestic and economic excellence. Whatever value may be attached to these things, it is but a weightless mote on the balances of eternity.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for revealing the nature of Your great salvation.