True followers of Christ stay the course despite not knowing when He will return
Revelation 14:1-5 True followers of Christ stay the course despite not knowing when He will return
Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.
Background
When Christ broke the sixth seal (see Revelation 6:12), the members of the 144k are given a seal of God’s name on their foreheads. The seal protects them from the calamities as well as attacks from the Satan. When the seventh trumpet sounds, God raptures the members of the 144k and exalts them. Today’s devotion reminds us to emulate the members of the 144k. As true followers of Christ, they stay the course despite not knowing when He will return.
Observation
John saw an assembly of the 144 thousand with the Lamb standing on Mount Zion; the celestial city in God’s kingdom. This is the scene where members of the 144 thousand are caught up into heaven. The 144 thousand does not represent quantity, it is a collective of people whose quantity is much more than 144 thousand. Members of the 144k have God’s name and the Lamb’s name written on their foreheads (see Revelation 7:3). Having God’s name written on the foreheads signifies full allegiance to God. And His seal protects them from all evil and harm.
They are seen singing a song that only they can identify with because of the tribulations they go through. John added a commentary concerning the 144k: they are chaste and undefiled by immorality having become enemies with the world and friends with God (see James 4:4). They have been purchased as first fruits to God and have been faithful to all that Christ the Lamb had commanded them to do. First fruits refers to the first portion of the harvest that holds the promise to the rest of the harvest. Because of their faithfulness to God, they are given eminence in the kingdom of God.
Truth
True followers of Christ stay the course despite not knowing when He will return.
The members of the 144k have been given the mission to evangelise the world after the first rapture. Thus, they are sealed by God being shielded from the calamities as well as the attacks of the devil. That said, the second rapture at the 7th and last the trumpet is unlike the first rapture which happen at the breaking of the 6th seal. The first rapture is administered by Christ where He foretells His plans to His prophets. But concerning the time of the sounding of the 7th trumpet that heralds the kingdom of God, no one (including Christ) knows except the Father.
Thus, the members of the 144k stay the course of the mission and do not grumble should Christ delay His return. For their mainstay is the divine mission and the work of the kingdom. More importantly, they see Christ’s face continually. Hence, they are not shaken. In addition, they are endowed with the divine capacity for steadfast hope and joy amid the tribulations. Such are the qualities of the members of the 144k.
The psalmist said concerning the true followers of God:
I have set the LORD continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. – Psalm 16:8-11
Therefore, those who possess the same qualities as the members of the 144k will likewise be rewarded and given a place of eminence in God’s kingdom.
Application
How do we stay the course of our mission?
a. We follow the Lamb wherever He goes while making no plans of our own.
b. We keep ourselves pure and do not entertain the slightest thought of evil or lust.
c. We are uncompromising concerning what is right.
Prayer
Dear Lord, reveal your mission to me clearly so that I may do things that are consequential to the kingdom. Cause me to hear Christ’s voice clearly so that I may lock steps with Him. Help me keep myself pure from all evil thoughts and desires. And give me wisdom and courage to stand for what is right and protect me from evil. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.