The Revelation-Re.14:3-7 “144, 000”

“ And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,“

We came across angels earlier. For example we have three instances each having to do with the everlasting gospel. “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book? (5:2) ” In the next instance it has to do with the seal of God. “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God”(7:1). Here was another:”And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud.”(10:1) . Here he held a little open book.

In this chapter we have another angel and it is with the gospel to preach. v6 Compare with the testimony of Jesus Christ, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.”(1:1) There is only only one gospel. So the two angels offer us two different perspectives one with regards to salvation and the other at judgment according to the gospel. The latter aspect of judgment we shall take up here and in the following chapters. This is from the standpoint of the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. This makes the significance of the verses 4-5 clearer. They are virgins. They are without fault before the throne of God.

These 144,000 mentioned here is not to be counted for numerical value. They represent the multitudes we already came across in Ch.7.

“And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb./ Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them./ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat./ For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”(7:14-17)

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.

⁵ And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

⁶ And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

⁷ Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.