Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. Revelation 14:1
Oh, for
crying out loud, there’s that forehead business again.
The scar on
mine, is healing fine. Thank you. It isn’t pretty, but it could’ve been a whole
lot worse. Last Sunday before Church, one of my friends pulled me aside and
said; “When they remove those bandages, if there's a 666—I’m gonna cut your
head off.”
I said, please
do.
(You can see how Divine Timing, used my wounded head as an object lesson for the beast and then the mark of the beast by clicking here: The beast from the sea; and here: What number does the devil dial instead of 911?)
Now, as we
flip the page from chapter thirteen to fourteen, the difference is night and
day—well, except for the forehead part, but even that’s different.
Chapter
thirteen, ends ugly. The beast forces himself on the people, they must worship
him, to live; they must receive his mark, on their foreheads (or right hand) to
eat.
But here, in the Son shining dawn of chapter fourteen, we see the Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, standing on beautiful Mount Zion with His friends, the 144,000, who have the glorious name of, The Father, written on their…foreheads. Not forced on them, but given to them as a great badge of honor, a crown of glory.
Perhaps my forehead can be used as an object lesson for the good guys, this time, for a change.
The Lamb, we know, of course is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Lamb, His favorite name for Himself, in Revelation.
Jesus is referred to as the Lamb, once in the Old Testament, Isaiah 53:7; twice in the Gospels, John 1:29, 36; once in the Epistles, 1 Peter 1:19; However, He is referred to as, the Lamb, around twenty-eight times in Revelation.
The Lamb bleeds Salvation to the very end.
Mount
Zion is Jerusalem.
But which one? Sometimes it’s referred to as in heaven, other times on earth.
There’s a difference of opinion among respected theologians. It can be
intelligently reasoned both ways. Let’s hold off on making a decision just yet,
and see if the Word, offers any further clarification. Remember the best commentary
on the Bible, is the Bible.
But really, it
doesn’t matter so much whether they’re standing on dirt or clouds, just as long
as their standing with Jesus. That’s really all that matters—for them,
and us. Amen.
2 And I
heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of
loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
The folks
that say they are standing on the earthly Mount Zion, use this verse as
evidence. They say, if they were in heaven, he wouldn’t say, I heard a voice from
heaven. We’ll talk more about this in a bit, but first, can you hear it? It sounds
like something awesome is about to happen.
The voice of
many waters, loud thunder, some translations say, “pealing”
thunder. And harpists, playing harps.
Many
waters, loud thunders, harps harping—from what we’ve seen so far in Revelation, when talking
about heaven, we know they are always ready at any moment, to drop whatever
they’re doing, to have a celebration of worship.
This sounds
like another flash-mob concert is about to break out in heaven.
3 They
sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living
creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred
and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
See. Concert
breaks out. And better yet they’re featuring the 144k song, debut.
This verse, seals the deal for those (like me)
who think the Mount Zion we’re talking about is in heaven. The voice is from
heaven, as noted in verse two; now, the 144,000 are in concert, singing their
new song, before the throne in heaven, before the four
living creatures, in heaven, and the elders, in heaven.
Furthermore,
this verse closes by saying they were redeemed, from, the earth.
4 These
are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are
the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among
men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found
no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Jesus is always the star, however, for the moment, the spotlight remains on the 144k.
They are sold out for Jesus during the tribulation. In a time when corruption
runs rampant, they keep themselves pure and their eyes on the Lamb.
They follow
the Lamb wherever He goes. Like Mary had a little lamb, in reverse. Instead
of the lamb following, they follow, The Lamb.
Notice, they
are before the throne of God (one more clue, that they are indeed in
heaven).
They
are called firstfruits. That’s a clue to what's coming. First fruits indicate
harvest time is here. The first pickings, are given, to the LORD of the
Harvest.
Speaking of
the harvest, Jesus is still knocking, reaching, calling, for any and whosoever
will, to come Home.
Since the 144,000 evangelists have crossed the Jordan, and are in their Promise Land, with the Lamb, in heaven; the Lord of the Harvest, still not willing for any to perish, dispatches a trio of Evangelist Angels.
6 Then I
saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel
to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue,
and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory
to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him
who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
This first
angel may sound a whole lot like Billy Graham. He preaches the simple gospel
all over the entire globe. Wonder if they’ll have an angelic flash mob altar
call, singing, Just as I am…
For the most
part, in human HIStory, God has put humans in charge of spreading the gospel.
But now, He dispatches angels. Why?
Perhaps
there’s not many Christians left. It’s likely that the media will be destroyed
or controlled entirely by the antichrist (kind of like now, in communist countries,
like China, Iran, Russia…like much of the regime in America is trying hard to
be).
Remember, Jesus
words, “If these are silent, even the rocks will cry out.” Perhaps the angels are
chosen—because rocks can’t fly.
Notice the simplicity of the eternal Gospel:
1. Fear God.
I must decrease. He’s God.
I’m not.
2. Glorify Him.
He must increase.
3. Judgement
has come
Urgency. Days are numbered.
4. Worship, the Creator.
The earth is the Lord’s. Even
me. Follow the Lamb wherever He goes
8 And
another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city,
because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her
fornication.”
Notice the first
angel, starts with the simple gospel message to the whole wide world; it’s an
invitation, but make no mistake, it’s not a suggestion, it’s a command.
Now the
message starts to narrow; making it real, driving it home. Stepping on toes.
Real life scenario. Consequences for not following the first invitation, the first
command. Economies collapsing. Government corruption exposed. Fake Religion
failing…
HIStory
proves over and over again, corruption crumbles powerful entities, whether,
nation, or city, or economy. We see it happening exponentially, right before
our very eyes, today. This will continue until all governments fail…except one,
which will be run by One. And the government shall be upon His shoulders.
Our
Salvation is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ and His Righteousness.
For every trampling boot of battle and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:5-7.
9 Then a third angel followed them,
saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and
receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself
shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out
full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented
with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence
of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and
ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image,
and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Now it gets
very personal. He’s not just broadcasting a broad message to the whole world,
or to a city, but right inside our neighborhood, living room, heart, motive,
thought life.
This passage
indicates that whoever takes the mark, willingly sells their soul, to feed the
flesh for a moment, and inherit an eternity of torment. There will be no
repentance after this, no do-overs, no take-backs; like Esau, when he sold his
birthright for a bowl of soup—found no repentance although he sought it
earnestly.
Listen, this
is serious.
The word for
indignation, in the original text, is, orge; which reflects anger
from a settled disposition. This is the word most commonly used describing
God’s settled opposition against sin. However, the Greek word for wrath
is thymos; which describes passionate anger. This is used eleven times
in all of the New Testament; ten of which, are in Revelation.
He is
serious.
12 Here is the patience of the saints;
here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Here’s where
the rubber meets the road. The leather meets the hide. Where we separate the
men from the boys. The sheep from the goats. Here’s where we see what real
Christian’s are made of.
13 Then
I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead
who die in the Lord from now on.’ ”
“Yes,”
says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow
them.”
Here we eavesdrop
on a heavenly conversation. It takes an eternal perspective to grasp.
We have a
comment about the endurance of the saints; but victory, in this case, isn’t
staying alive physically, but Spiritually. Blessed are those who die, in
the Lord.
This
conversation is so important, that the Spirit speaks up, and adds a little
clarification, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow
them.”
Works matter.
God notices. The things we do, for Christ, no one else may see, the world won’t
give you credit, but God sees, He knows…and that, is enough.
Life is but
a dream…and when we die, that’s when we really wake up. The important question
is; where will we wake? Heaven? Or hell? The decision must be made, before we
sleep.
Let’s pray,
Lord Jesus, we pray these
words will be like one of Your preaching angels, reaching the world, pointing
to You. If anyone, hears these words and does not know where they’ll wake, help
them to know, here and now. We call out to You, for them, that they not delay
in asking You to come in, and live with them, so they can live for You. And be
assured that when they wake, they’ll hear You say, “Well done.”
NEXT: Lord willing, we'll finish chapter 14 by walking a harvest field, and a battle field.
Remember, we love you.
Most importantly,
Jesus loves you.
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