THE 144,000 "These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins." -- 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 17 of 26
UNDEFILED
This phrase denotes spiritual purity, where the soul has not played the harlot with other gods. "Women," in this case, indicates competing influences, whether idols, the world itself, or self interests. "Virgins" describes the purity resulting from the refusal to become involved in such things. "Defiled" depicts a spiritual condition that makes a person or nation unacceptable to God.
IN PRIOR TIMES
In prior times, this could not be said of Israel. She was noted for her harlotry – for prostituting her affection for the Living God. How frequently God would cry out to them, "thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD" (Jer 3:1). The Lord said to Josiah, "Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot" (Jer 3:6). Through Ezekiel, the Lord said, "Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied" (Ezek 16:28). Even though God has solemnly commanded them, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me" (Ex 20:3), the history of Israel is spotted with repeated reversions to idolatry Judges 2:12; 1 Sam 8:8; 1 Kgs 14:9; Jer 1;16). I have often pondered his the professing church is viewed from heaven with its ever-expanding involvement with worldly influences.
With the conversion of Israel, however, idolatry is put far from them. In fact, after Judah's Babylonian captivity and the dispersion of Israel, their propensity to idolatry began to wane. That is one ministry the judgment of dispersion had upon the Israelites. They have not adopted the gods of the nations among whom they have been scattered.
THE REQUISITE FOR PURITY
One of the marks of regeneration is the absence of defilement. Moral and spiritual purity is an absolute requisite to walking with Jesus! The objective of redemption is to enable the saved to stand before the Lord "faultless" (Jude 24), "without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing" (Eph 5:27). Salvation extricates men from sin, cleanses them from its defilement, and brings them into harmony with the Holy God. The notion of the Lord countenancing defilement is absurd. Only the "PURE in heart" are promised they will "see God" (Matt 5:8). The "end," or aim, of the commandment is "love out of a PURE heart" (1 Tim 1:5). The "mystery of the faith," or the understanding of what faith grasps, can only be held in a "PURE conscience" (1 Tim 3:9). It is no marvel the exhortation is given, "keep thyself PURE!" (1 Tim 5:22).
THE PRELUDE OF PURITY
In this text we are witnessing the conversion of Israel, and a consequent worldwide awakening. Purity is a necessary prelude to that awakening. "These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste" (NASB). Those who earnestly long for a great spiritual renewal in the earth must know that it will never come until those who profess to know God are themselves pure. Revival cannot spring from ignoble vessels, chaff, and religious pretenders!
When Israel turns to the Lord, and the veil is removed from their hearts (2 Cor 3:15-16), they will not bring the defilements of the world with them – something that presently plagues the Gentile church, or Christendom as we know it. At that time, the promise will be fulfilled to them, "And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail" (Deut 28:13). Their purity will yield the harvest of headship and prominence in the earth being "filled with the knowledge of the Lord" (Hab 2:14).
As a matter of principle, no one will be used mightily by God who is defiled. God is not served by routine and contaminated affections. These are blotches upon the contemporary church that are reprehensible. No amount of institutional organization, evangelistic programs, or missionary initiatives will compensate for the presence of defilement. In my judgment, because the Gentile church has refused to address the matter of moral and spiritual contamination, its time is rapidly coming to a close, and its efforts are largely ineffective in matters pertaining to life and godliness.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I confess my abhorrence of corruption within Your church. I regret any of my own involvement in such things, and ask for grace to keep myself pure.