THE 144,000 In the book of Revelation, gaining the victory over Satan's devices is related to harps. The language is very precise, and is worthy of our attention. "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God" (Rev 15:2). This is a victory that is thorough. It involved prevailing over Satan's perpetrator of opposition – "the beast." There was also victory over the one vice-regent of evil who came with the same motive as the first beast, but appeared docile and peaceful – "his image." There was also victory over being identified with the number of the deceived ones, who bore the traits of the enemy – "his mark" and "the number of his name." This multitude of redeemed ones had lived their lives in the place where the arch-foe of Jesus reigns – "this present evil world" (Gal 1:4). Yet, by the grace of God, they had escaped from his clutches, his delusions, and being identified with his camp. -- 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 14 of 26
Now, they stand on a sea of glass – a quiet and placid sea that has no roaring and disquieting waves, like the murky deep of the earth. That sea is mingled with fire, which speaks of the indignation and wrath of God that will be hurled against all of His enemies. These holy ones, however, are standing on that very sea, walking upon it with dexterity and with no danger. They are treading where the very wrath of God is being reserved, and yet the fire does not harm them, even though they have harps, and are playing on them while they follow the Lamb. For many of the Jews, that victory involved triumphing over the vain religion they received by tradition from their fathers (1 Pet 1:18). Perhaps it will be the same for you.
David declared he would express the joy of being delivered by the Lord upon the harp (Psa 43:1-4). "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, UPON THE HARP will I praise thee, O God my God" (Psa 43:3-4). The unchanging God was not offended by David's commitment. One can only imagine how David would hold in derision those who would dare to chide him because he praised God "upon the harp."
"The voice of harpists playing their harps," therefore, is nothing less than the offering of praise to God for having been delivered. Just as Israel "sang" on the banks of the Red Sea (Ex 15:1), so will Israel sing joyfully upon their deliverance from spiritual blindness and alienation. This text, however, is not speaking of a triumph that took place under the Old Covenant. This is New Covenant deliverance that resulted in following the Lamb wherever He goes, and standing on the majestic sea that is before the throne of God. If anyone wonders why the Lord Jesus would speak of such a triumph by referring to harpists playing their harps, the answer is really quite simple. It was appropriate in the eyes of the Lord to do so. Such did not offend Him, and it certainly ought not offend any of His children. That would indicate they had a nature unlike His own, which circumstance contradicts the very concept of the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Here, also, Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled. "So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; Sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isa 51:11).
May the Lord hasten the day when the Deliverer comes out of Zion and turns away ungodliness from Jacob! It will be a glad day, indeed, and the occasion of most unusual praise, when the redeemed of Israel stand with the Lamb in the heavenly places! What praise will be heard at that time. Lord, tune our hearts to so sing now! By Your infinite grace bring honor to Your name through us.
Is it not refreshing to consider the powerful effects of the Gospel upon those who gladly receive it? How great is this salvation!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a liberating salvation that allows us to traffic in Your presence.