eschatology, Vision of the 144,000 (Rev.14:1-5)

The vision below shows a scene with Jesus and the 144,000 who were sealed in order to make it through the Tribulation alive - in order to enter the Millennial kingdom.  We already know that all tribes of Israel are represented in this group - so they can see all their covenants fulfilled as promised.

In the verses below, we learn that:

- - - this group will have been set apart in order to closely follow Jesus (maybe almost like disciples) in order to serve in some over-and-above way.

- - - this group will have "kept themselves chaste" and will "not be defiled by women" so we can assume that they will all be men.  What we do not know is if they will be married.  Being "chaste" can mean either that they have abstained from sex completely, or it can mean that they have not committed fornication or adultery.

- - - we do know that this vision jumps ahead.  It is a scene which will take place either at the end of the Tribulation, or somewhere in the Millennium, or in heaven.  I say this because Mount Zion is in Jerusalem, but there will also be a "new Jerusalem" in heaven one day.

Being in heaven with glorified bodies would explain how the 144,000 could be considered "blameless" although as Christians, Jesus forgives all sins and God chooses to remember them no more.

I'm leaning towards this taking place on earth (either at the end of the Tribulation or the beginning of the Millennium) because John is "at the scene" with Jesus and the 144,000 - and then he hears a voice FROM heaven (not IN heaven).  And who says that once Jesus has the victory at the Battle of Armageddon that the people on earth will not be able to clearly hear God and the angels (etc.) from heaven???

I don't think we need to dissect this scripture all that much in order to understand the essence.  Jesus will protect the 144,000 until the end!  And there will be an extra reward and position for them.  And because of their unique experience/s they will have a song that only they can sing and relate to...

(Revelation 14:1-5)  Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. 4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.

Today's takeaway:  we can hear "God's voice" even now.  He speaks to us through creation.  He speaks directly to us through His Word, the Bible.  He speaks to us through other Christians.  And God speaks to us as He answers our prayers!...

(Romans 1:18-20)  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

(Psalm 19:1)  The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

(Jeremiah 33:2-3)  “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it, the Lord is His name, 3 ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’..."

(John 10:27)  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me..."

(Romans 10:17)  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.