Cecil A. Fayard
Elliott Baptist Church
August 1, 2004
The Savior, The 144,000 Servants and the Song
Revelation 14:1-5
INTRO: Chapter thirteen was about the Mark of the Beast and about the torture of the saints. The thirteenth chapter was one of gloom and of doom. Now in the first five verses of chapter fourteen, we have the Saviour, the saints and the song. In this chapter, we have hope and we have victory.
Chapters 13 and 14 are contrasted as follows:
|
Chapter 13 |
Chapter 14 |
|
The Antichrist is in view (13:11) |
The real Christ is seen (14:1) |
|
The mark of the beast in the forehead (13:16) |
There is the real Lamb (14:1) |
|
The Beast is worshiped (13:15) |
The mark of God in the forehead (14:1) |
|
Speaks of going down into perdition (13:10) |
Speaks of going up to Mount Zion (14:1) |
|
We see 666 (13:18) |
We see the 144,000 (14:1) |
In chapter thirteen, we have a scene that can only be described as hopeless. Then in verses 1-5 of chapter fourteen, we have victory with Christ standing on Mount Zion. Throughout the Revelation, this is the pattern. Just as all seem lost, just when the clouds are the darkest Christ shows up on the scene to conquer and bring victory:
1. In Chapter 12 when that old serpent the devil stood by ready to kill the man child when it was born, God intervened and the child was caught away into heaven.
2. When Satan fought against Michael up in heaven, it was Satan who was cast out.
3. Chapter 13 tells us of the Antichrist who seeks to rule the world-but the Bible tells us that “the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord” (Rev. 11:5).
4. Also in chapter 13, we see the false prophet, like a lamb, but with horns. Now in Revelation 14:1, we have God’s Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ victorious standing on Mount Zion.
I. VS. 1a, The Saviour Standing
A. The Lamb standing on Mount Zion. After the resurrection and ascension of our Lord, we find Him seated at the Fathers’ right hand (Matt. 22:44). Throughout the centuries, He has been seated in the place of High Preistly authority. Yet, we do on important occasions find Him standing.
1. When Stephen was being stoned to death, he looked into heaven and saw the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:55-56). He stood to receive Stephen into His presence.
2. In Revelation 5 when the sealed book is offered to anyone worthy to open it, we see Jesus standing as the One who has prevailed when all others have failed (Rev 5:6).
3. Then here in our text, we find the Lamb standing with the 144,000. We see Him standing against the Devil, against the beast, against the false prophet. We see Him standing with His redeemed servants.
a. When He stands this time, He doesn’t sit back down. His enemies are His footstool (Matt 22:44).
b. He is victorious and the saints are victorious through Him (12:11). “A Lamb stood on the Mount Zion.”
B. Here we have a preview of what is going to take place in Revelation 19 when Jesus returns to rule and reign (Psa. 2:6).
1. Zion, Jerusalem, is the seat of royal power. Here Jesus will sit on David’s throne as King of Kings!
2. Isaiah 2:3
II. VSS. 1b-3, The 144,000 Saints That Are Sealed
A. Vs. 15, These folks with whom Jesus is standing are none other than the 144,000 servants sealed in chapter seven. They are sealed to preach the Gospel by which multitudes will be saved in the tribulation (7:9).
1. Not even one of these 144,000 are forsaken. They are all sealed physically and spiritually.
2. You and I who believe are sealed and guaranteed a permanence (John 10:28; Eph. 4:30).
B. Vs. 3, This is a grand choir made up of folk in heaven singing and playing harps and the 144,000 on earth singing with them.
1. “A voice from heaven”, speaks of praise given to the Lord for what He has accomplished through the Gospel preaching of the 144,000 evangelists.
2. “Voice & many waters”, angelic hosts singing, sounding like a waterfall.
3. “Voice of great thunder” the sound of authority. Thunder speaks of the warning of the coming storm.
4. Harps-great stringed orchestra accompanying the choir.
C. Vs. 3, This song is borne out of their tribulation experiences, out of their blood bought salvation and protection. Their song is special, exclusive to them. It is a song of praise too for the Gospel.
1. They sing before the four beasts, before the elders who represent the redeemed. A. R. Fausset, in commenting on this new song says: “The song is that of victory after conflict with the dragon, beast, and false prophet: (it was) never sung before, for such a conflict had never been fought before: (it was) therefore new: till now the kingdom of Christ on earth had been usurped. They sing the new song in anticipation of His taking possession of His blood-bought kingdom with His saints.”
2. I don’t know what their song is but I do know mine: ”Redeemed how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am.”
III. VS. 4, The Saints Separated Unto God
A. During the tribulation, marriage will be difficult. They, the 144,000, are unmarried and given completely to ministry. They are unmarried and undefiled by fornication.
1. This verse also refers to spiritual purity.
2. The church is to be a chaste virgin, undefiled with the world (2 Cor. 11:2).
a. We are to be separated from the world, from its pollution and corruption.
b. John 17:14-19
3. They “follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth”. They are completely dedicated to the Lamb.
4. “The first fruits”-the 144,000 are called first fruits because they were the first Jews saved and sealed (Rom. 11:16).
B. VS. 5, They do not believe the lie of Satan (2Thess. 2:11). They follow the Lamb; that’s the only way to stay undefiled.
1. This does not mean they are not sinners, “all have sinned.”
2. “In their mouth was found no guile” means that their doctrine was pure. They preached the Gospel; they preached the Word in purity and truth.
CONCLUSION: The 144,000 stand with the Lamb because they are redeemed. Will you stand with Him in eternity?
For additional copies of the sermon CD's, please contact the church office:
Elliott
Baptist Church
566 Nat G. Troutt Road
Elliott, Mississippi 38901
Phone: 662-226-4425
Pastors Email: cecilafayard@msn.com