Beginning our investigation of chapter 14 of Revelation. A week or so ago I stated that I had been given a new book written by a chap that I did not know, titled, "Revelation Pure and Simple." His approach says nothing at all to the point of our being joined to Christ by the humanity of flesh and blood that we share with Christ Jesus, as Lord. But it does substantiate the historical records of events that have taken place over the past 2000 years, as prophesied by the Psalms and Prophets and Jesus with the writings of Paul, James and John. But then I am currently looking at chapter 9 in this small book. Okay, lets get into chapter 14.
Revelation 14:1-5 "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. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." (KJV)
Revelation 14:1-5 "Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless." (ESV)
Revelation 14:1-5 "Oh wow! You've got to see this! The little Lamb, standing on mount Zion and with Him a hundred and forty four thousand(s) with the Lamb's Name and the Name of His Father written on their foreheads. (Sonship redeemed! Hebrews 1:1-3. Note the 144,000's in plural, representing the symbolic value that includes the entire prophetic significance of the Jews as well as the prophetic context of their representing the entire human race. In You, all the nations of the earth will bless themselves. See Extended Notes at the end of this chapter, From Mnt. Sinai to Mnt. Zion!) And I heard a voice emerge from the heavens. It was like the sound of a thunderous torrent of cascading waterfalls. Then arose a choir of voices accompanied by stringed instruments which sounded like harps. (The word (G2790 from G2788) κιθαρῳδός - kitharōdos, is from (G2788) κιθάρα - kithara, a [guitar] harp - a triangular shaped stringed instrument with 7 and later 10 strings traditionally associated with joy and gladness in worship [Ps. 33:2, 98:5] and (G103) ᾄδω - adō, a singer. Rev. 5:8-13) There was a strange yet familiar newness to their song; Almost as if it was reflected in the face of the Throne and echoed in the faces of the living creatures and the Elders - a song which could not be taught or learned. It is the song of the redeemed - represented here in the 144, 000 ('s) who were [1] bought from the claim and clutches of the earth's religions. (The word [1, G59 agorazō, from G58 ] agoratso, to buy in a typical market context - apo tes ges, away from the earth. Just when it seemed that on one could buy or sell any longer unless they were worshiping the Beast, [Rev. 13] a transaction takes place in a superior currency and realm that frees the human race from their slavery! Just like in the prophetic picture of Israel's freedom from Pharaoh! Isaiah 29:13, And the LORD said: 'Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, while their hearts are far from Me, and their fear of Me is a commandment of men learned by repetition.') These boldly exhibit the [1] first fruits of the Lamb's doing! here we have blameless innocence on display and redefined. What the Law of performance failed to do, the Lamb Did! They are pure and unblemished in their [2] close association with the Lamb - [3] purchased and rescued out of the grip of an enslaved, fallen humanity; Representing the entire human race as first fruits to GOD and the Lamb! These 'first fruit redeemed ones' have witnessed humanity's joint association in the [4] full range of the Lamb's journey. They are all marriageable maidens with their virginity intact! Their default settings are fully rebooted! (The word, [1] akolouthentes is the Present Participle in the Nominative case of (G190 from G1 (as a particle of union) and κέλευθος keleuthos) akoloutheo, with (G1) a from hama, as a particle of union and keleuthos - a road; thus, travel companions, to be in union, in the same way with, that is, to accompany closely - to be in immediate association with someone. The present Participle describes an action thought of as simultaneous with the action of the main verb, which, in this case is [2] egorasthesan which is the Aorist Passive indicative of (G59 from G58) agorazo , to go to market, that is to purchase; Specifically to redeem: - buy, redeem. Thus in the Aorist Passive it means, having been redeemed - redemption is a done deal! The word [3, G536 from a compound of G575 and G756;] aparche means first fruits. See 1Corinthians 15:20-22, "However this very moment the risen Christ represents everyone who has ever died; exactly like the first fruit represents the complete harvest. The same humanity who died in a man were raised in a man. In Adam all died; In Christ all are made alive."
The words, [4] hopou an hupagei - means wheresoever He travels - the comprehensive range of His journey! From being the Logos, face to face with GOD before time was and announced as the slain Lamb and Messiah since the fall of the world; Throughout every messianic, prophetic record of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms, to the incarnate man Jesus Christ; In His life, ministry, message and betrayal, His trail, His crucifixion, his burial, His descent into (our despair) hell, His triumph there and in His taking captivity captive (Mat. 27:51-54) in His resurrection and glorious ascent and leading humanity as his trophies into the Throne room where we are Now co-seated together with Him! See Extended Notes on the 144, 000 Virgins at the end of this chapter.
In the imagery that follows, John sees how the triune religious counterfeit system, the Dragon, the Beast and the False Prophet are thoroughly stripped of their influence and dominion and brought to naught.) This is not "make-believe" or "wishful-thinking" mode! No trace of deceit nor any form of blemish was found in their conversation." (The Mirror, with editing.)
Now may the LORD of All bless both you and yours with His knowledge.
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