THE 144,000 Even in the book of Revelation, care is taken to maintain Divine priorities. The Lord will not allow the introduction of mere intellectual novelties! The perceived multitude are redeemed from among men "TO GOD." They are brought back to Him, and will be used in His purpose. After all, Jesus did reconcile us "UNTO GOD" (Rom 5:10). Those in Him are made "free from sin" and become "servants UNTO GOD" (Rom 6:22). There is no such thing as a person in Christ who is not God-conscious, or is not employed by God. Spiritual Babylon has introduced this kind of disjointed concept, but it is not honored in heaven. -- 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 22 of 26
TO GOD
AND TO THE LAMB
The multitude of our text has also been redeemed to the Lamb. They are in His care and employment; protected by Him and used by Him. God has no work that is not accomplished through the Son. There is no Kingdom endeavor that is discharged independently of the Son. Those who are redeemed to God are also redeemed to the Lamb. The Father gives them into the hand of the Son. Not only will the Lamb bring them to glory (Heb 2:10) and to God (1 Pet 3:18), He will accomplish His reign through them!
On one occasion Jesus said, "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they WILL hear My voice; and there WILL be one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16). He was speaking of the Gentiles, or nations. And how will Jesus bring these multitudes to Himself? How will the "one fold" under "one Shepherd" be realized?
It will be through those who have been redeemed from the earth, and have chosen to follow Him wherever He goes. Those in such a condition confess, "for me to live is Christ" (Phil 1:21). He is everything to them, and they refuse to follow another. This, of course, is the manner of the Kingdom. Christ has no people who do not maintain this attitude.
THE IMPACT OF REDEMPTION
"And in their mouth was found no deceit . . . " The Lord continues to describe this great multitude that will be instrumental in His work. Redemption has an impact upon those who experience it. It is not a mere formality that leaves people fundamentally the same as they were before. Much of Christendom acknowledges there is no basic difference between it and the world. Trite little sayings have been created to make sinners comfortable in Zion. "After all, we are all sinners, "Christians are the sinners that get up after they fall," etc. However, this is not heaven's perspective at all.
A very real transformation takes place in the new birth. The redeemed partake of Christ and the Divine nature (Heb 3:14; 2 Pet 1:4). Old things do pass away, and all things do become new (2 Cor 5:17).
The 144,000 possess the very trait of Jesus: no guile or deceit is found in their mouth! It is said of Jess, "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth" (1 Pet 2:22). He never misrepresented Himself, His God, or the Word. He never made men feel comfortable in sin, or the contrite feel uncomfortable. Only truth came from His lips.
"Guile," or "deceit" is a devilish trait. It speaks of subtlety and craftiness. It brings people to an undesirable state by deception and trickery. Satan used this tactic in deceiving Eve (2 Cor 11:3). His ministers use this approach to beguile unstable souls, bringing them down to destruction (2 Pet 2:14; Eph 4:14). Such tactics were never employed by our blessed Lord.
Nominal Christianity is, unfortunately, noted for its craftiness. Legion is the name of teachers and leaders who snare people with the words of their mouth. They offer more than they can deliver. What contrite soul is there who has not experienced the impact of such delusion – who has not tasted of a religion without power. Satan's messengers, camouflaged as "ministers of righteousness" (2 Cor 11:15), speak with guile. In so doing, they have separated themselves from Christ, who will have nothing to do with misrepresentation, exaggeration, or sinful embellishment.
See, the 144,000 have the mouth of the Lamb as well as the mind of Christ! Redemption has affected their speech. Once the "poison of asps" was under their lips, and their throat was like an "open sepulcher" (Rom 3:13). But now they have "the lip of truth" (Prov 12:19). They represent the Lord truthfully, and their words are accurate and reliable. They will not misrepresent themselves, the truth, God, or Christ. This is another way of saying they "speak the truth in love."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus I thank You for the reality of moral and spiritual change.