Extracts and comments from Revelation Chps. 5,14,15 & 19
Saying with a loud voice, (a)“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing”.
(a) This great seven fold ascription (compound praise) to the Lamb, by the innumerable Heavenly host; by the sevenfold character acknowledges the perfection of the Lamb, for the purpose of the seal opening, and adoration due to Him for His faithfulness to the Will of Jehovah God!
And I saw, lo, (a)The Lamb standing on the (b)Mount Sion, and (a)with Him an (a)hundred forty and four thousand, (c)having His name and (c)His Father's name written (c)on their foreheads.
(a) "The Lamb"; unfortunately, the Church of England again diminish the original in the Authorised Version, by changing to "a Lamb", which could mean anything! The intent of the Holy Spirit was/is to convey "The" Lamb, (Str. Interlinear number 721). The origin of the meaning through various levels is, "a male, strong to lift or raise". It is interesting that the Authorised renders, "a Lamb", N.I.V., the Lamb both with a capital L, but both without the definite article The Lamb (New King James Version; NKJV, has footnote “The”). The Interlinear has Lamb without the definite article, but in the vernacular Greek used, the word (721) means the above. There is only One, which is The Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the World, (John 1:29 & 36); and Who also was found worthy to open the seals of the scroll in the sole timing of Jehovah Zebaoth (Rev. 5:9). The definite article gives the emphasis (force to the meaning from Jehovah God, My Son, (God's Only Begotten Son) of the Father, John 1:14 and 1John 4:9).
"With Him an hundred forty and four thousand"; (see Rev. 7:3-8); (144,000), the number we know is made up of 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel (12 x 12,000) see Rev. 7. The number 12 in Scripture means "Governmental perfection", (App. 10 Comp.). Here there is 12 x 12 = 144, which could indicate extreme Governmental perfection (or ultimate Governmental perfection), which can only mean Government by Almighty God is about to begin.
This therefore confirms that which was stated in Chapter (1:10) "in the LORD'S DAY", (as opposed to the day of man, which is the present case). An interesting aspect to this grouping is that they are "With Him". They are all male (Rev. 7:4, which confirms God’s order in the battle with Satan, where the Greek word "Huios", is son, or male, [Str. 5207]). There is a parallel to be drawn with King David's "Adullam", group (1Sam. 22:1, 1Sam. 23:13, 1Chron. 11:15 & Micah 1:15), so called, being a cave in enemy territory (Nephilim), and just prior to David attaining power.
But certainly a parallel can be drawn with David's early companions in arms (1Sam. 21), in light of V.4(a) where ceremonial cleanliness in David's men was required to be allowed the priests bread! (Shew bread) (1Sam. 21:1-6). It is clear from our Lord's statement in Matt. 12:3-6, when the Pharisees criticised His 12 disciples He referred them to 1Sam. 21:4, and by implication to Exodus 28:36-38, Lev. 15:15-30, and Lev. 24:9, which confirms the priestly function, the separation, and the Holiness (separation) of the Names on the foreheads of the 144,000.
This “separation” (holiness), is mostly not understood! “Holiness” in this context has the meaning “separated out from”; and as shown with David’s men who had not been with women for 3 days up to the Priest’s question in 1Sam. 21:4; and David’s answer in V.5. Showbread, makes them ceremonially clean and strengthened for a task to be undertaken. In this case, these 144,000 men are to be fighters with Christ Jesus in the task of retrieving Israel and Gentles from Satan; and the “bread” they will be given is from their “Great High Priest”, Jesus Christ in Power and Glory; which will be physical and spiritual.
An example of this among many in especially Old Testament Scripture, is that of Moses. Prior to his entry into service of God to negotiate the release of Israel from Egypt/Pharaoh, there takes place the startling and remarkable event when Zipporah his wife circumcised his son Gershom (Ex. 4:24,25). Had Moses not been forced into “Covenant correctness” by Zipporah; he would have been entering battle with Satan, unqualified; as Satan would claim his disqualification as default victory for him!
There are clear rules of engagement between Satan and God; allowed by God, from the moment of Satan’s challenge to Him. See: Zipporah and the Circumcision of Gershom.
These are in place to allow all Creation, both Heaven and Earth; to witness the eventual defeat of Satan, By God’s love. See: Love (Ultimate);
Another example from the New Testament is the Baptism of Jesus, when John the Baptist objected to Baptising Jesus, Jesus replied “let all righteousness be fulfilled” Matt. 3:15! This was just before He entered into His direct ministry against Satan; as evidenced by Satan’s attempt to obtain the worship of Jesus! As the “second Adam”, Jesus refused to follow the way of all men; and therefore become (as the sinless Man) the “propitiation” for the sin of Adam, and the world to God the Father.
The Lord's statement about Himself in Matt. 12:6 - 8 stated the Truth about His person, and the importance of the grouping, of Himself and His disciples, (see Rev. 14:4, and compare with 1Sam. 21:1-6). The importance of being in a state of ceremonial cleanness for a priestly function, such as that by David, and his men, our Lord and his disciples and in Rev. 14:4 by the 144,000 with The Lamb, is essential in the plan and work of Jehovah Zebaoth towards the undoing of the work of Satan in the Garden of Eden. This shows that a great work is about to be accomplished with Christ leading the change/battle!
Eve's was the first sin, Gen. 3:13, but Adam's is the responsibility, Gen. 3:17, so that the persuasive effect of Eve upon Adam, and the weakness of Adam upon Eve must be eliminated for the cleansing service and function, because the order of Jehovah Zebaoth will be established upon the Earth, which Satan successfully reversed at the Garden of Eden. See: Eve and Adam; and see note V.4.
The Apostle Paul's teaching on this subject showed the mind of Christ as regards the male and female roles, and will be the case in the Millennial period. This is mentioned only to illustrate the Lord's statement above regarding Himself and His disciples, and the ceremonial cleansing of the 144,000 male servants.
When the Lamb and His 144,000 start their work all the order will start to be established, as it is in Heaven, i.e. first Jehovah God, Christ and the Holy Spirit, second man, third woman, then children, followed by animals. (This not to be confused with the position of men and women in Christ).
The Davidic example projects through to Rev. 14:1, where the "end time", grouping of Christ and His representative 12 (12,000 x 12) are stated, preparing and prepared for the purpose of Jehovah Zebaoth about to be enacted. As we know from Scripture that Christ is "great David’s greater Son", (Num. 24:17, Zech. 6:12-13, 2 Peter 1:19 & Rev. 22:16), and in Rev. 14:1 is here poised for action to take Jerusalem and rule, the Davidic account in Sam., Chron., and King's is significant, which of course His Greater Son will perform perfectly, to His Father's will. In Matt. 12:6, Jesus refers to Himself as "greater than the Temple", meaning that He is the Anointed One, The Christ, The One who is to come. Here, Jehovah Zebaoth in Christ is about to change the whole world, starting in Jerusalem.
15:3
And they sing (a)the song of Moses (b)the servant of God, and (c)the song of the Lamb, saying (d)Great and marvellous are His works, Lord God Almighty; (e)just and true are Thy ways, (f)Thou King of Nations.
(g)Who shall not fear O Lord, and glorify Thy Name? (h)For Thou only art holy: (k)for all Nations shall come and worship before Thee, (m)for Thy judgements were made manifest.
(c) “The Lamb”; “of God which takest away the sins of the world”, (John 1:20). The same “Lamb”, as (Rev. 13:8, and many other references). “The song of the Lamb,” (see Rev. 5:9). Clearly the two songs are related and linked to Israel's and some converted Gentiles deliverance as “Overcomers”, (Rev. 7:14, Psm. 86:9-12, Isa. 66:15-16-23, Zeph. 2:11 & Zech. 14:16-17 etc.) This servant suffered, knowing full well the cost. (See Gethsemane Matt. 26:38-39).
(b)And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and (c)His name is called The Word of God.
(b) The “vesture dipped in blood”; representing the “Blood of the Lamb”, “that takes away the sin of the world”! (Luke 22:44), (John 6:54), (John 19:34-35), (Col. 1:20), (Heb. 9.7, 9:12, 9:20, 9:22 & 10:19), (1 Peter 1:2), (1 John 1:7, 5:6), (Rev. 5:9, 7:14 & 12:11).
However; here He is shown to be ready for war and to judge! Christ Jesus is known for His gentleness, and that is what is mostly taught to children etc. The teachings that should be given to adults (but is not generally) is that Christ has a yet to be function of death and destruction of people and powers, to rescue remnant Israel, judge the Gentile Nations, divide people into “sheep and goats”; and to initiate the Millennial Reign! These events are all to be hard and ruthless, and are necessary for Righteousness to prevail, and to bring to fulfilment the O.T. prophecies, oft repeated. Hence the descriptions in vs. 11, 12 and 13.
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