Part VI. The Vision of the 144,000 on Mount Zion (14:1-8)
LET US REMEMBER that, in Revelation 11:16-15:4 we have the "great parenthesis" in the book, which is placed between the blowing of the sixth trumpet and that of the seventh. In these studies we have already seen that the middle of the Tribulation is reached with the blowing of the sixth trumpet. The seventh, however, brings in the events of the latter half of the Tribulation, which are set forth in symbolical form in chapter 16. Now, having our bearings, we are ready to study the vision of the 144,000 who appear on Mount Zion in association with the Lamb.
Is this company of 144,000 the same as the group set forth in Revelation, chapter 7? There are some who say that they are the same. The sole reason for such identification is that the number, 144,000, occurs in both passages. But other marks are such that they prohibit an identification of the two groups. Those in chapter 7 are all Jews--12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel--and they are serving the Lord, especially in conducting the revival in the first half of the Tribulation.
But those constituting the 144,000 seen on Mount Zion in Revelation, chapter 14, are the ones who "had been purchased out of the earth." These were purchased from among men, to be the first fruits unto God and unto the Lamb. It is clear that these are taken from among all nations. These facts are sufficient to establish the position that an identification of the two groups cannot be made.
In Revelation, chapter 13, as we have already seen, the Antichrist goes to Jerusalem and puts on the greatest demonstration of superhuman-satanic-power that ever is staged in all the history of the world. This he does in the middle of the Tribulation and convinces--by the Satanic miracles that he performs--the wicked of the world at least that he is God. And they begin to worship him as God
In contrast with the Antichrist and his cohorts, who go to Jerusalem and stage an unbelievable demonstration of super-human power, we see a vision of the Lamb of God, the Son of God, and the 144,000 who are purchased from every nation on the face of the globe, and who have lived spotless, sinless lives.
The Lamb of God and the 144,000 Sinless Ones
"And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 8 and they sing as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders: and no man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand, even they that had been purchased out of the earth. 4 These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, to be the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no lie; they are without blemish" (Rev. 14:1-5).
The Lamb appearing here is the same one who is seen in chapter 5, verse 6, and who is likewise presented in the same passage as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Root of David (5:5).
When the vision of the 144,000 upon Mount Zion was presented to John, suddenly there was heard a voice from heaven, which reminded him of the noise made by many waters and the noise of thunder. Then John explained that this voice which he heard was as the voice of harpers "harping with their harps." And they sang, as it were, a new song before the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. When this scene is viewed in the light of other passages, it becomes evident that it is the heavenly choir, consisting of seraphim, cherubim, and all ranks and orders of angels that sing the praises of the Lamb and of those who have triumphed through the power and blood of Christ and have lived exemplary lives.
No one is able to understand this song except the 144,000 upon the earth.
These 144,000, taken from among men, have lived pure, clean, holy, spotless lives. They are said not to have been defiled with women, for they are virgins. These words mean exactly what they say. They have never told a lie. They are without blemish. It is needless to say that these have lived such pure, blameless lives only by and through the power of the Son of God. The Apostle Paul could declare, in the Thessalonian Epistle, that he and others associated with him were living blameless, spotless, sinless lives. Thus he declared, "10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and righteously and unblameably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe" (I Thess. 2:10). This does not mean that they had an experience which rendered it impossible for them to sin. No, far from that. But they were living so close to Christ, and Christ was living His life in them so that they could live without spot and blemish.
Wherever Christ goes after the fulfillment of this vision, these 144,000 will go and be in attendance upon Him.
The Message of the Angel Flying in Mid-heaven
"6 And I saw another angel flying in mid heaven, having eternal good tidings to proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7 and he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters" (14:6,7).
An examination of Habakkuk 3:2 shows that the work of God will thrive during the first half of the Tribulation, the period of God's wrath, when He is pouring it out upon the world. In the middle of those years of wrath, the work of God suddenly comes to a standstill. The prophet sees this situation and prays for God to revive His work in the middle of the Tribulation. When we compare the information gathered therefrom with Revelation, chapter 7, we see that the work of God referred to in the Habakkuk passage is the world's greatest revival that sweeps the globe and brings countless myriads to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Those conducting this revival are none other than the 144,000 Jewish people to whom we are now giving the truth of God. They do not accept the gospel now; but when the judgments of the Tribulation are in the world, then they will learn righteousness (Isa. 26:9). These 144,000 Jewish converts will then take up the banner of Prince Immanuel, which is laid down by the ascending Church at the time of the rapture, will go into every nook and corner of the world, will proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ, and will bring about the world revival. The Antichrist stops this mighty back-to-God movement in the middle of the Tribulation. This fact, the prophet Habakkuk sees. He prays that God will revive His work. Revelation 14:6 shows that this work of preaching the gospel is revived and is carried on during the latter half of the Tribulation.
The Overthrow of Babylon the Harlot
"8 And another, a second angel, followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that hath made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Rev. 14:8). Let us remember that the standpoint of this great parenthesis in the Book of Revelation (which we are studying) is the middle of the Tribulation. At this time the announcement is made that "Babylon the great" is fallen.
What is meant by Babylon? There are two Babylons that are mentioned in the Book of Revelation: First, Babylon the harlot, appearing in chapter 17; and secondly, Babylon the city, which is described minutely in chapter 18. This latter Babylon is none other than literal Babylon--rebuilt in the end time. That the city of Babylon will actually be rebuilt and will be the capital of the world empire of the end time is seen by a careful study of Isaiah, chapters 13 and 14. Also Jeremiah (chaps. 50 and 51) foretells Babylon as being in existence in the end of the age. If we are to allow these passages to give their messages without distortion, we must take them at what they say. When we do that, we cannot avoid the conclusion that Babylon the city will be rebuilt in the end time.
But there is another Babylon, upon whose forehead there is "a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of the Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth" (Rev. 17:5). This Babylon is an ecclesiasticism, a politico-religious octopus that will send forth its tentacles throughout the whole world and will have control of all nations from a religious standpoint. Reference is made to this Babylon in Isaiah 57:3ff., Nahum 3:4, and, as stated above, in Revelation, chapter 17. When the true Church of God is removed by the rapture before the Tribulation, the professing church will be headed up into one great ecclesiastical octopus, which will control the religious life--or attempt to do so--of all peoples. It will be supported by the civil government--by the Antichrist and his regime--during the first half of the Tribulation.
By the time the middle of the Tribulation is reached, however, the Antichrist will have become so very egotistical and will have so yielded himself to the deceptive powers of Satan that he will come to the conclusion that he is God. Then, in the middle of the Tribulation (II Thess., chap. 2) he will go to Jerusalem and present himself as God and demand that men no longer worship God or Christ, but that they worship him, the Antichrist.
The announcement in Revelation 14:8, "Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the great," is speaking of Babylon the harlot.
But Babylon the city, rebuilt and standing in the end time, will fall at the end of the Tribulation, as we see from Revelation 16:19.
