After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried, with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 7: 9-12, NRSV.
Merciful God, here we are again in Your holy presence. Please teach us, and help us to hear, and internalize Your teachings. This we pray, in the blessed name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!
Today we will continue to witness the great home-coming of God’s people. Attending this event, will be people from every walk of life, and from all “nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.” Again, we observe, that this group is numberless! I have purposely decided to place emphasis on the “numberless” multitude that will be saved, because of the fact, that so many Christians are concerned only about being a part of the one hundred and forty-four thousand. I can appreciate the fact that “following the Lamb wherever He goes,” is something that all of us would desire. Nevertheless, I would like to encourage us, each of us, to begin to do that right now, here on earth, by obeying Him.
Let us notice some of the characteristics of this group. The first and foremost characteristic, is that they bear the Father’s name in their foreheads. That suggests to me, that they have, “the mind of Christ!” And that is a recommendation that Paul makes to every Christian in Philippians 2: 5. They obviously think His thoughts, which leads them to walk the way He walked (1 John 2: 6). It is more than likely, that they love the way Jesus loved, and even here on earth, people could recognize them as “followers of the Lamb” (disciples) because of that love (John 13: 34, 35)!
It is also said of them that, “They sang a new song before the throne,” that no one but they “who were redeemed from the earth,” could sing. That is rather interesting! What do You believe they might be singing about? I believe that in heaven there will be no limitations. Therefore, if their song is known only to them, I submit to you the possibility that they could be singing about their personal story of redemption; the unique situations through which the Lord brought them, in order to save them! Do you have a personal story about how Jesus saved you? Perhaps it would be a good idea to begin singing about it now, and inspire others to become followers of the Lamb, right here, and right now!
We read further, that, “These are the ones who were not defiled by women, for they are virgins.” In prophecy, the church is usually symbolized by a woman. It would seem to me that their virginity has more to do with their spiritual experience, than a physical experience. You will remember, that Jesus denounced the Pharisees as hypocrites, by quoting Isaiah, “These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15: 8, 9). I submit to you today, the following: This could be a people who have not allowed any religious institution to defile the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ in their personal experience. They have decided to “live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4: 4)! The commandments of human beings have no place in their experience.
Finally, it is said of them, “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. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14: 4). This is the same place we find the numberless multitude, “before the throne and before the Lamb.” Also take note, that they are clothed with white robes, they have been made pure, by the blood of the Lamb! By the grace of God, they stand victorious (palms in their hands). They have been “saved by grace, through faith, and that not of themselves, “it is the gift of God, not of works, lest [anyone] should boast” (Ephesians 2: 8, 9).
I do not pretend, to know who the one hundred and forty-four thousand are, and whether the number is a symbolic, or literal, number. But this one thing I know, that anyone, and everyone, who make it into the kingdom of God, will be able to boast in only one thing, the cross of Christ (Galatians 6: 14)!
May God help you and me to be ready, by the grace of God!