The Glory of the Saints and the Judgment of Sinners (Part 1)

Psalm 2 (ESV)

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together,

against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart

and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs;

the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Revelation 14:1–2 ESV

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. 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,

Revelation 14:3–5 ESV

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. 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, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.

Juxtapose the Lamb STANDING on Mt. Zion & the dragon STANDING on the sand (12:17).

Mt. Zion is strategically important, here.

Standing on Mt. Zion means that the victory is already won/accomplished.

Is this earth or heaven?

Both — back & forth

Who are the 144,000?

What is in view, here, is the universal Church. The Church from every age.

144,000 is probably symbolic.

Is this futurist?

Already-but-not-yet

MAIN IDEA The people of God are allowed to participate in the victory of Christ over the dragon and his beasts.

The saints are given a VICTORIOUS NAME.

Verse 1

The saints sing a VICTORIOUS SONG.

Verse 2-3

The saints possess a VICTORIOUS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Verse 4-5

Characteristics of the saints…

The repeated call to remain faithful.