Perfect Worship

Revelation 14:1-5 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. 2 And I heard a sound from Heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
 
SINCE the church began, those marked in Christ have known persecution. Countless people have died for their faith. But then comes the church’s reward. Who are the “blameless” 144,000? Could they be special people who never sinned? No, they are all who believe in Christ. This is a vision of Jesus’ entire church in Heaven. The 144,000 here is a number of completeness. Jesus’ church are people the Holy Spirit has set apart from sin. He makes the saints holy – blameless – in the blood of Christ. Those who did not defile themselves with women refers to those who did not worship idols.
   Jesus has nailed the sins of all believers to the cross. The sacrificial Lamb of God will one day welcome all who believe into his presence for eternal worship.
   Note, too, the church is on Mt. Zion. This is an image of a new Jerusalem, a vision of the perfect city on the height and strength of God’s holy mountain.
   Throughout the Bible God often manifests his glory on a mountain. This is in contrast to the beast’s reign along the shore and in the ocean. The devil is of the world. God is of the heavens.
   Then note the worship. In response to their salvation, the church sings a new song. It is a triumphant chorus, one the living creatures and elders do not know because they have not experienced trial, suffering and death. The new song is a song of victory, joy, praise and salvation. Only those saved from the beast’s temptations into God’s perfection know such joy.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for showing to us this holy worship for your church. We rejoice yours is the kingdom, power and glory forever. Amen.