Last 5 Days
HOLY
1 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.
This chapter contrasts with the earlier chapter, which described the second beast, the false prophet. It had great power and made everyone put a mark on their forehead to trade. Here, we have the lamb; with him are 144,000 with his name written on their foreheads.
No magical power is mentioned here. It just talks only about the voice from heaven and the new song they sang. It testifies that these 144,000 have not defiled themselves and are blameless.
Indeed, the people of this world are attracted to great power. People like power, and their choices of worship are the ‘gods’ that display great power. The Chinese called it ‘Leng’ (it means the magical power works). They compare the power of one ‘deity’ to that of another. They are not bothered by the content of their teaching. They only care if it gives them success. They call that being pragmatic. Otherwise, it is impractical.
Those who keep themselves pure are neither threatened by the circumstances nor attracted by its power. They just focus on God and keep themselves pure. Yet, their joy is so great that they sing a song that the world does not understand. They willfully submit themselves to God and have their foreheads marked with God’s name.
Perhaps, we should ask ourselves, what are we seeking in the Lord? A God who gives us success or a God of Truth and Righteousness?