For whom Christ will return

21 December 2008

Revelation 14:1-5

Read Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 13:16-18; 14:1-5

The book of Revelation describes two lots of people at the Return of Christ.

The Mark of the Beast

Rev 13:16-18

First there are those who bear the mark of the Beast. They bear his mark on their right hand or forehead.

To the prophet’s contemporaries ‘seal’ would have connoted the branding of cattle and the tattooing of slaves and soldiers, esp. those in the service of the emperor who could be recognised by this mark if they deserted. The marking of a soldier of the member of a guild on the hand, brow or neck to seal him as a religious devotee i.e. a member of the sacred militia. The mark in this case was the sign of consecration to the deity, it could refer to the mark prophets might have worn on their forehead, either painted or tattooed, or it could refer to the phylactery worn on the forehead and hand. (Ford in Reinecker, 829). Constantine forbade facial branding in the 4th century.

Mark = ownership.
Forehead = thought life.
Right hand = working life.
666 = man’s number (not 777)

1. The Mark of God

Another group – those sealed with the name of God – a group of 144 000 (Rev 7:3-6).
There are various theories about who they are.

Israel

Many take the passage literally to refer to the actual twelve tribes of Israel. This is a respected view but there are difficulties with it.

Revelation is a book of symbols (a revelation that was ‘sign-ified’ to John – Rev 1:1, KJV)
The numbers are obviously symbolic (exactly 12000 from each tribe). Compare references to 42 months = 1260 days. Yet 42 months actually = 12 778 days.
The number symbolism is of perfection – 12 x 12 x 10 x 10 x 10 = 144 000.
If we take the passage literally, the 144 000 only includes men (
The 144 000 represent all the people of God – go back to Rev 7:4, 9. The number John heard was 144 000, but he did not see them. The number he saw was actually beyond counting. Thay are representative of all the people of God.
The 144 000

On Mount Zion (1)

In Scripture the word ‘Zion’ has a developing series of meanings –

A fortress – 2 Sam 5:7
The whole city of Jerusalem (1 Ki 8:1; 2 Chron 5:2) including the temple area (Ps 2:6; 48:2, 11, 12, 13; 132:13)
The whole nation (Is 40:9; Jer 31:12; Zech 9:13)
Then the people of God (Is 60:14)
Then the church (Heb 12:22; Gal 3:7-9; 6:16). See also 1 Pet 2:9-10 where God’s promises to Israel are applied to the church

With the Lamb (1)

The term ‘Lamb’ helps us to focus on the atoning work of Christ (Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29). This is the simplicity of the Gospel: just to be with Jesus.

Sealed (7:1-8; 14:1)

Holiness (Ex 28:36-38)
The cross (Ezek 9:4 – the mark is the Hebrew letter tau, or ‘T’, which looks like a cross)
The names of the Father and the Son (14:1) = ownership.

A new song (2, 3)

This is a song that only the redeemed can learn. It sounds like thunder but it soothes like the music of a heart. It can’t be found in books or on the web or in a music store or on a CD. It is the song that only the redeemed can song – a song of redemption and freedom and deliverance. It is a song of salvation.

Before the throne (3)

These people are centred on the presence of God.

Redeemed (3, 4)

They are redeemed by Jesus through his work on the cross. Not what we have done but what Christ has done.

Pure (4)

They are virgins in spiritual sense – i.e. unsullied by sin – waiting for the great Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:7).

Firstfruits to God and the Lamb (4)

God comes first (Matt 6:33).

Truthful (5)

Jesus is the truth (John 14:6; 8:32; 1 Pet 2:21). In a world of lies, no deceit is found in their mouths. All around us there are lies telling us that fulfilment can be found in materialism, alcohol, sport, sex, drugs, ambition, money. The following statement comes from a Christian businessman in Zimbabwe – ‘We do not have to, and we will not, follow the same way of corruption, bribery, and now downright open robbery. We will live with our dignity and witness unblemished while all around us others are prostituting their values for the sake of a few (cursed) US dollars…’ This is following the Lamb wherever he goes.

Blameless (5)

This word is frequently mentioned in Scripture (Ps 119:1; Luke 1:6; Eph 1:4; Philip 2:15; 1 Thess 5:23; 1 Tim 3:2). It should be the aim of every believer.

Follow the Lamb wherever he goes (4)

This is the essence of it all. Wherever the Lamb goes, so they go. This is discipleship.

Challenge

In Lyons in AD 177 there was fierce persecution of Christians with unspeakable cruelty. Eusebius, fourth century historian records this story –

When, afterwards, they were brought before him, and he treated us with the utmost cruelty, Vettius Epagathus, one of the brethren, and a man filled with love for God and his neighbour, interfered. His life was so consistent that, although young, he had attained a reputation equal to that of the elder Zacharias: for he ‘walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless,’ and was untiring in every good work for his neighbour, zealous for God and fervent in spirit. Such being his character, he could not endure the unreasonable judgment against us, but was filled with indignation, and asked to be permitted to testify in behalf of his brethren, that there is among us nothing ungodly or impious.

But those about the judgment seat cried out against him, for he was a man of distinction; and the governor refused to grant his just request, and merely asked if he also were a Christian. And he, confessing this with a loud voice, was himself taken into the order of the witnesses, being called the Advocate of the Christians, but having the Advocate in himself, the Spirit more abundantly. He showed this by the fullness of his love, being well pleased even to lay down his life in defence of the brethren. For he was and is a true disciple of Christ, ‘following the Lamb wherever he goes.’

Zakaria Botross is a Coptic priest who had an encounter with Christ. He began to preach Christ in Egypt in a refreshing way and to teach verse-by-verse exposition of Scripture. Crowds flocked to his meetings. Then as Muslims began to come to the Lord, he was imprisoned in both 1981 and 1989 in harsh, cruel conditions.

Jealous Coptic priests constantly tried to bring him down. He was undermined by people in his own church. In 1989 he was exiled to Australia for a couple of years and then moved to England. Again, thousands came to Christ. Father Zakaria is a man of prayer. He is said to exist sometimes on as little as three hours sleep a night.

He is now retired and living somewhere in USA. He is witnessing to Muslims through the internet. There is said to be a greater price on his head than on that of Osama Bin Laden. Now 50 million people watch each episode of his four-times-a-day satellite TV programs. There are 3000 letters per month. In 2006, there were 64 000 hits daily on his website. 8000 files were being downloaded daily. There were over 7 million hits per month.

His life is under constant threat. ‘But’ he says, ‘the word FEAR is not in my dictionary.’ He believes that no one can shorten his life as long as God has work for him to do; and no one can lengthen his life when his work is done. He Too, is a man who follows the Lamb wherever he goes.

(See www.fatherzakaria.com for details.)

Charlotte Elliot wrote –

Just as I am without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me
And that thou bidst me come to thee
O lamb of God I come, I come.

Something to think or talk about

You don’t have to answer all the questions: choose those that seem most relevant.

Read Revelation chapters 7, 13 and 14

Biblical
1. ‘Revelation is largely a book of symbols. Most of it cannot be taken literally.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? Why? Why not? (Consider chapters 12 and 13 as examples.)
2. It has been argued that chapter 13 is about the combination of political power (the beast from the sea) and religious power (the beast from the earth). Why is such a combination dangerous? Give examples.
3. Read 7:5-8. Are all the tribes of Israel listed? Identify any discrepancies.
4. To what do verses 2 and 3 refer?
5. Why do you think no one could learn the song of the 144 000? (3)
6. What can you find out about firstfruits? (5)

Personal and practical
7. What is the challenge of verses 16 and 17 for you personally?
8. Which of the qualities of the 144 000 seem to you to be the most important? Why?
9. How does 14:3b relate to you personally?
10. How does verse 5 challenge you?

Christian Life