THE 144,000 -- 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).
Devotion 4 of 26
"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion . . . "
What is the significance of "Mount Zion?" First, this is where we have been brought in Christ Jesus. As it is written, "you have come to Mount Zion" (Heb 12:22). This is the place where God dwells (Psa 9:11; 76:2; Joel 3:21). It is the hub of heavenly enterprise – a term that describes Divine activity in the behalf of the saved.
Here, in Mount Zion, is where the "Corner Stone" has been placed. As it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste" (Isa 28:16; 1 Pet 2:6). This is another way of saying "heavenly places," where Jesus has been raised, and where believers have been made to sit with Him (Eph 1:20; 2:6).
The resurrection and enthronement of Jesus were prophesied by David in these words, "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion" (Psa 2:6). This is the realm of triumph and victory, being where the Lamb is. If people will, by faith, dwell with Christ, they will surely overcome the devil and all of his machinations. If they persistently remain "with Christ," where they were raised in regeneration (Rom 6:8; Eph 2:5; Col 2:20; 3:1,3), the victory will be theirs! There is no way Satan can prevail over those abiding in Christ (John 15:4,7; 1 John 2:27-28).
The point here is that Jesus remains in the heavenly places – Mount Zion. Our identity with Him involves remaining there ourselves, having our affection set on things above (Col 3:1-3). When we seek the things that are "above" we are coming to and remaining with Jesus.
Just as Jerusalem of old was called "Zion" (1 Kgs 8:1), so the Jerusalem with which we are associated is also called Zion, and is the "mother of us all" (Gal 4:26). We began our new life by being placed there. It is our business to stay there. All of the grace required to do this is supplied in Christ Jesus, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3).
THE 144,000
" . . . and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads."
We have already been introduced to this multitude. Before destroying forces were loosed upon the earth, a word went out from the throne. "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads. And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed" (Rev 7:3-4). Now we will see the outcome of that sealing.
This is the redeemed of the Lord who have come from among the ancient people. When we were introduced to them in chapter seven, a time of severe trial was at hand. Now we see them in a gloriously triumphant stance. Their position is a tribute to the faithfulness of God.
Nowhere is the Gentile church referred to "all the tribes of the children of Israel." Nowhere is it called "the twelve tribes of the children of Israel" (Rev 21:12). Those who insist this section of Revelation, as well as the seventh chapter, are referring to the redeemed of all ages, without reference to the Jews, are in great error. Imagining the Israelites have been summarily cut off, and excluded from the promises, such sophists insist on spiritualizing this text (although they are surely unspiritual in doing so). The notion that God has finished with the Jews betrays a condition of spiritual blindness that is inexcusable.
The Lord has gone out of His way, so to speak, to identify the 144,000. With remarkable clarity, He identifies them with the twelve tribes of Israel: Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin (Rev 7:5-9). Where is such a reference made to the non-Jewish church, or the body of Christ in general? It seems to me that the Lord is removing all doubt concerning the identity of the people John now sees in the vision given to him on the Isle of Patmos.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the revelation You have given concerning Your own immutable character and purpose.