Friday, July 27, 2012

Revelation 14:4-5


4 These are they who have not defiled themselves by relations with women, for they are [pure as] virgins. These are they who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These are they who have been ransomed (purchased, redeemed) from among men as the firstfruits for God and the Lamb. 
These 144,000 men could very well be true virgins as we know the term virgin. But they also could be 144,000 men, who have never known any church but the true church. Remember how Jesus showed John that the woman, the Church, was rescued away from the dragon. Either way, they are chosen by our Father to preach salvation to the children of Israel and our Father will be successful through them. 
5 No lie was found to be upon their lips, for they are blameless (spotless, untainted, without blemish) before the throne of God. 
Just a thought here, why does this verse just teach us of 144,000 men? John does not make mention that they were from the twelve tribes of Israel as he did in Revelation 7. We are shown that these 144,000 were taken from among men; the Holy Spirit does not have John write that they were taken from Israel? These 144,000 could be the same people mentioned in Chapter 7, Jesus does appear to John on Mount Zion, or they could be a different 144,000. 
But here is the thing; these men seem to be a leadership of the Church, who Jesus uses during the Great Tribulation. We are shown that they have not defiled themselves with women. Marriage and the physical relationship involved with it does not defile a man. Marriage and sex is an ordained instrument of our Father. It really doesn’t matter whether they are virgins as we know it, or if they have not been involved with any other church, the Truth is there are 144,000 special messengers of Christ who will be used like no others have been used to preach to the Children of Israel. Only they can sing their song! They may be true virgins, or undefiled by false religion, they may be from the twelve tribes of Israel or from among all men. The only thing that really matters is that Jesus has selected 144,000 special messengers for a special ministry and He uses them in truly a great way, a way unique to these men alone. 
Remember though that all true Christians have been washed clean by Jesus. We all now stand without spot wrinkle or blemish, this is how Jesus has made us, Ephesians 5:27. This is the power of His Blood for us; it is eternally working for us so that we are all saved to the uttermost. So just because Jesus tells us that these 144,000 are blameless, in no way means that all who are saved are not the same way. We are all one body, as Jesus is, so are we in this world, 1 John 4:17. So these men are not better or worse than any other child of God. They have just been chosen for this specific ministry. 
Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them. Hebrews 7:25 
We are just shown here that these 144,000 are used like no others have been used to minister to the children of Israel. Also remember the glorious Truth that the Gospel is being preached throughout the whole earth during these 3 1/2 years. The anti-christ and the false prophet cannot stop us. Even though huge amounts of us are being killed for testifying of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit still drives us, rejoicing and singing as we are used to preach to all nations, tribes, and tongues! 

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