THE 144,000 "These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb." -- 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 20 of 26
The conversion of the Jews will take place through the ordained means OF the Gospel of Christ. They will embrace the Savior through faith, just as everyone else who is found in Him. Their turning is special, but the means through which it is accomplished are ordinary. The Gospel of Christ "is THE power of God unto salvation, TO THE JEW FIRST" (Rom 1:16). Our text confirms the effectiveness of that "power."
THEY WERE REDEEMED
By saying they were "redeemed," the accent is placed on Divine activity rather than human decision. They were repossessed, or reclaimed – and that at great cost. Justification by grace is ever "through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom 3:24). Sin thrust men from God, redemption brings them back to Him! It reclaims the soul that was "sold under sin" (Rom 7:21), like Joseph was sold into Egypt.
Redemption involves paying a price – an awesome price. In this case, it is "redemption through His blood" (Eph 1:7; Col 1:14). The price was paid BY Christ TO God. Redemption was made effective when Jesus entered "heaven itself" with His own blood (Heb 9:14-17,24). Thus men are redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet 1:18).
For the 144,000, like all other who experience it, redemption is realized by acceptance. God is satisfied with Christ's sacrifice (Isa 53:11). It is only realized, however, when men are also satisfied with that blessed offering. This is what Scripture calls, "receiving the atonement," or reconciliation (Rom 5:11).
"UNTIL"
What we have before us is an immense throng "from all the tribes of Israel" renouncing their former ways in favor of the Lord's Christ. The very day that occurs, their spiritual blindness and hard heartedness will come to a grinding halt. Jesus pointed to this time when He cried, "For I say to you, from now on you shall not see Me until you say, BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'" (Matt 23:39).
The word "until" is an expression of expectation and limitation. It is used 129 times in the New Testament writings, and is always a line of demarcation between two appointed events. Jesus used the word sixty-six times in this manner (examples: Matt 10:23; 11:12; 22:44; Mark 14:25; Lk 21:24; John 13:39). Apostolic writings use the word in the same way (examples: Gal 3:19; Phil 1:10; 1 Thess 4:15; Heb 9:10; 2 Pet 1:19). To my knowledge, the word "until" is never used of something uncertain or impossible.
FROM ALL INIQUITY
Redemption is not only "UNTO God," it is "FROM all iniquity" (Tit 2:14). The redeemed are no longer enslaved to sin, and thus do not continue in it. They are made pure by cleansing, and maintain that purity by preference and with resolution. Jesus "gave Himself" to "purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." Purifying and removing them from all sin is requisite for being His "special people." Thus, again, Israel is seen partaking of the very salvation that has been accomplished for "all men."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that You fulfill your ancient promise to Israel by taking away their sins.