Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

V.1:

This chapter provides another interlude in the book of Revelation. It gives believers a vision of hope and victory.

Mount Zion is in Jerusalem, which will be the place of Jesus’ earthly throne.

Psalm 2:6

Psalm 2:6 NKJV

“Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”

Christ on the mountain is also a symbolic contrast to the dragon rising from the sea.

Revelation 13:1

Revelation 13:1 NKJV

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.

Christ is a firm foundation. A rock, immovable like a mountain.

Isaiah 28:16

Isaiah 28:16 NKJV

Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.

Satan, on the other hand, will not stand for long. He is like the shifting sands of the sea shore, quickly eroding, being swept away.

The 144,000 are 12,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel.

They are simply God's witnesses on earth, and will be instrumental in the salvation of many Jews and gentiles.

They will be the firstfruits of a new and redeemed Israel.

Finally, Israel will be the witness nation she refused to be in the OT.

These 144,000 will be sealed and spared judgment during the tribulation.

They are absolutely secure, because they are sealed with the Father’s name (in contrast to the mark of the beast).

They are firmly planted on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. They will all be drinking the same spiritual drink:

1 Corinthians 10:4

1 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV

and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

Their protection and perseverance during the tribulation is further proof of the security of salvation.

They are sealed with the Holy Spirit. . . the King’s seal, and the King’s seal cannot be broken by any man!

All believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13-14

Ephesians 1:13–14 NKJV

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

All believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Whether you are saved during the tribulation or saved in this present age, you have eternal security, if you have trusted Christ.

Salvation bought by the perfect blood of Christ, cannot be lost.

John 10:28-30

John 10:28–30 NKJV

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

VV.2-3:

This voice unidentified, but likely a heavenly chorus, the same who are singing this new song. This song of praise is accompanied by harps.

This is the second mention of harps in Revelation. Perhaps that’s where we get the image of people in heaven playing harps.

But this new song is one that can only be sung by the redeemed 144,000.

Their experiences are unique. Not many, even among our Biblical heroes, have walked through such tribulation as God’s untouchables.

There has been a Shadrach, a Meshach, an Abednego, perhaps, and a Daniel in the lions’ den.

According to Hebrews 11:33-34, there were certain saints

“who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens”.

There have been a few, but only a few. Never before has there been an army of saints like this, marching unharmed through all types of terror.

They will have preached the gospel in the face of unimaginable dangers.

They will be surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of protection, and they will be victorious.

They will celebrate that victory in a new song before the throne of the Lord. The words of that song will be theirs, and theirs alone to sing.

No one else will be able to learn its words, because no one else will ever have their unique experience.

V.4:

The conduct of these saints shows us that God is able to keep believers remarkably pure in the midst of even the greatest of difficulty.

They will have resisted the evil system of the antichrist.

They will have resisted all forms of sexual temptation.

They will not marry, most likely due to the very unique circumstances of the great tribulation, and the need to be totally set apart to God.

In contrast to others of their day (and even today), they will follow Christ. . . wherever He goes. Only a few can can ever make such a claim.

We like to say that where He leads me I will follow, but will we really?

Will we actually go anywhere He leads? We tend to pick and choose.

V.5:

These saints are truly amazing. They are 100% genuine, not deceitful in any way.

They have learned from the Word of God, and God's Word is truth.

The Word of God is truth.

Romans 3:4

Romans 3:4 NKJV

Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”

Proverbs 30:5

Proverbs 30:5 NKJV

Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

However, for all of their great attributes, keep in mind that they are blameless, not sinless.

No one is sinless.

Romans 3:10

Romans 3:10 NKJV

As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;

Romans 3:23

Romans 3:23 NKJV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

The good news is that Christ will present all believers as blameless.

Christ will present all believers as blameless.

Ephesians 1:4

Ephesians 1:4 NKJV

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

Colossians 1:21-22

Colossians 1:21–22 NKJV

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

However, you must be willing to follow the Lamb. . . wherever He goes.

These saints will speak the truth of God's Word with the utmost precision.

There will be no exaggeration and no understatement.

Zephaniah 3:13

Zephaniah 3:13 NKJV

The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid.”

Because they will place their trust in God, He will be a shield to them, just as His word promises.

No matter what you are going through, God will be a shield to those who place their trust in Him.

Psalm 18:30

Psalm 18:30 NKJV

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

Just as He put a hedge of protection around Job and these 144,000, He can do the same for you.

This can't happen apart from faith in Jesus Christ.

No amount of good deeds will be enough to earn God's favor.

We must place our faith in Jesus Christ.

John 14:6

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Romans 10:9

Romans 10:9 NKJV

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

If you have done that, then trust Him. Trust Him to be your provider and your protector.

With Christ, you won't have to fear the trials and tribulations. You won't have to fear the difficult times.

With Christ, you already have the victory.

Romans 8:31

Romans 8:31 NKJV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?