“Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.” (Revelation 14:1, NIV). Mount Zion is the New Testament name for Heaven (Hebrews 12:22). Around the throne of God in Heaven are the 144,000 glorified saints. These are the same number sealed in chapter 7, verse 3. We now know the essence of their sealing: They had the name of the Lamb and the Father's name on their forehead.
"Now we see precisely the number that were sealed appearing in heaven with their Savior. No text in Scripture could more clearly teach the security of the true believer’s salvation than comparing the two passages in Revelation which present the 144,000. If God will keep safe the tribulation believers that must endure the most furious satanic onslaughts of all time, then he will keep safe his people that have followed him during less desperate days." [1]
The voice of God and the voice of the redeemed blend together in great praise (Revelation 14:2–3). "The new song celebrates God’s triumph over sin through the Lamb (5:9; 15:3), just as the Lord’s prior victories were celebrated in new songs (Ps. 96:1; 98:1; 144:9). Their song belongs only to those who have experienced the Lamb’s redemption (Ps. 107:1–3), into whose salvation angels “long to look” (1 Pet. 1:12). This is another indication that 144,000 should not be taken as a literal number; they represent those who have been redeemed (see notes on Rev. 7:1–17; 7:4–8)." [2]
We are then given further description of the glorified saints: “These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.” (Revelation 14:4–5, NIV)
Most would take the sexual metaphors as symbolism of purity. "These 144,000 are virgins, that is, they are not defiled. They did not become unfaithful to Christ. They follow Him wherever He goes (cf. 2 Cor. 11: 2)." [3]
These glorified saints are called, using biblical descriptions, firstfruits. They are those presented and belonging to God. "The Epistle of James expressed the same idea, though with the notion that all Christians are firstfruits: “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created” (Jas. 1:18)." [4]
They are blameless. No longer can any accuse. No longer is there condemnation. They are forever clean. "Like their Lord; they reflect His character and fidelity."
Father, as the hymwriter wrote, "And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,Even so, it is well with my soul."
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1. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (246). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
2. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2482). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles
3. Hendriksen, William (1998-06-01). More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (p. 152). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
4. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (248). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
5. Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Re 14:5). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
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