Revelation Sermon - 33

Revelation: The Mark(s) of a Christian

Revelation 14:1-5

1. Introduction – last week, we studying 13:11-18 – the famous passage about the mark of the beast.

a. We discovered that the mark of the beast is not a tattoo on the skin, or a microchip implanted under the skin,

i. To have the mark of the beast is to have the character of the beast implanted in your soul.

1. That passage stands in stark contrast to this passage. And they are intended to stand in contrast to each other.

b. John is juxtaposing between those who have the mark of the beast – his name or the numerical version of his name, stamped in their lives,

i. And those who have the name of Jesus and the Father stamped on their lives.

1. Revelation tells us that it is either one or the other. Either the name of Jesus is stamped on our lives and we exhibit his character…OR,

a. We have the name of the beast and we exhibit his character.

i. It’s either/or NOT both/and.

c. The opposing views ask a question – a discipleship question.

i. The question is never, “Will I be a disciple?” the question is always, “Whose disciple will I be?”

1. And the answer comes in Revelation – either humans will be a disciple of the beast and receive his mark and exude his character,

a. Or we will be a disciple of Jesus, receive his seal and exhibit his character.

d. In chapter 14, we come to another ending in Revelation. Remember the cyclical nature of the book – where the visions go around and around in a loop to loop, and multiple times throughout the Revelation we come to the end.

i. This cycle of visions started in chapter 12 with the anticipated birth of Jesu.

1. It continued with the dragon’s pursuit of Jesus, and then his people.

a. It continued with the emergence of the first beast – then the second.

ii. God’s people have been persecuted and pursued through this set of visions – pressured into compromise.

1. But once again, John gives his readers a glimpse of the hope, salvation and deliverance that awaits the faithful.

a. The vision of Jesus standing on Mount Zion with the 144,000 is a reminder to us of the victory we’ll enjoy through faithful and uncompromising commitment to Jesus.

i. That even though we’ll experience hardships and pressure in this life – a new song experience awaits us in the next life.

e. We’re studying an incredible passage this morning. It’s awe-inspiring; it should fill us with hope.

i. But more than that – this passage reminds us once again of what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus.

1. What it looks like to follow Jesus in that word that if actively rejecting him.

f. There are 3 aspects of this passage that I want to look at today. First, look at the location of the Lamb and the 144,000.

i. Secondly, look at the characteristics of th3 144,000.

1. Finally, look at the activity of the 144,000.

2. The Location – in chapter 14, we once again see the 144,000. This group was previously mentioned in chapter 7, where they received the seal of God.

a. There, we also learned that the 144,000 is not a literal number, but is representative of all of God’s people for all time.

i. Here, the 144,000, those who were sealed are now held in contrast to those in the previous chapter who received the mark of the beast.

1. In chapter 7, we’re told that the 144,000 endured tribulation and persecution. In subsequent chapters we saw that indeed God’s people did experience hardships.

a. But look, after the exploits of the dragon and his puppets – how many people did John see again? Not 143,999. No, he saw the full number 144,000.

b. John shows us once again that those God has sealed he will also protect, and he will bring them safely into their eternal rest.

i. This should be a great source of encouragement for us in that if God has written his name on our lives…

1. If God has sealed us with his name, THIS…Revelation 14, is our eternal destiny. Standing with Jesus, wearing a white robe, singing a new song before God’s throne.

ii. This is our future, and if we truly believed this, and if we keep this vision in our minds, it will help us through any hardship or persecution that comes our way.

c. Now, notice where the Lamb is standing – notice where the 144,000 are standing – where WE will stand.

i. On Mount Zion.

1. What is Mount Zion? Well, it’s referred to about 150 times in the OT. It can refer to Jerusalem or to the Temple Mount…

a. But here it has an eternal sense.

ii. In the prophetic tradition, Zion came to signify the location where the Messiah would deliver his people and gather them to himself.

1. Zion, this vision, is a place of deliverance and glory – celebrating the victory of the saints over the false trinity.

d. What a great location – Given what we’ve looked at the past few weeks.

i. The relentless pursuit of a determined enemy…

1. The beast from the sea manipulating political powers…

a. The beast from the earth manipulation religious institutions…

ii. Isn’t it reassuring to knew that even though these things will happen, the Lamb will still rule from Zion?

1. Isn’t it reassuring to know that not one of God’s faithful people will be left behind?

a. Take note of the location…on the victorious Mount Zion.

3. Character – Next, I want to look at how the 144,000 are described. Look at their character.

a. Now, I want to be clear – the 144,000 in this scene includes us. If we are faithful to God…this is our future.

i. But I’m going to refer to the 144,000 as ‘they’ instead of ‘we” – because at the end of this section I’m going to ask if we – you and me – are displaying these characteristics and walking in the way of Jesus.

1. How does John describe the character of the 144,000? How does he describe the character of Jesus’ disciples? I’m going to highlight 5 qualities.

b. First, John says that the 144,000 are purchased. Disciples know that they are not their own anymore.

i. Disciples know they have been purchased with a price.

1. Disciples have the name of Jesus written on them – this implies ownership.

a. The seal of Jesus’ name is his way of saying, “You belong to me!” Jesus puts his stamp of ownership on his disciples.

ii. Disciples recognize this – but they also recognize that what becomes of them is going to reflect on Jesus’ name.

c. Secondly, John says that the 144,000 are pure. John says pure as virgins.

i. Now there are 2 possible ways we can interpret and understand this phrase.

1. We could understand it literally – John might be saying that the 144,000 were celibate.

a. He might be saying that the only way to make it into the kingdom of God…

i. The only way to receive the seal of Jesus is through celibacy.

1. Now really a viable option, considering how highly the Bible views marriage and the intimacy between a husband and wife within the confines of marriage.

ii. So, its best is we understand this phrase symbolically.

1. Throughout the OT, sexual intimacy is used as an analogy for our relationship with god.

a. Israel is often called God’s betrothed lover.

i. And when Israel worshipped other gods – they were compared to a cheating lover; an adultery. They lusted after other gods.

iii. The 144,000 are those who have not defiled themselves by going after other gods – they have kept themselves spiritually pure.

iv. But this wasn’t always the case – every one of the 144,000 at one point and to varying degrees, worshipped other gods.

1. They wandered like sheep, they gave their allegiance to the beast.

a. But one day, the Lamb broke through and rescued them from their idolatry – and the 144,000 left those gods behind.

d. Third – John characterizes the 144,000 as followers.

i. This is the heart of discipleship. To be a disciple of Jesus means to follow him wherever he is leading, whenever he is leading you there.

1. For the 144,000, Jesus’ way became their way – and even though the road is narrow, it leads to eternal life.

a. Following the Lamb involves belief in Jesus’ teaching, submission to his commands and a zealous promotion of his gospel cause.

ii. What’s the trademark call of Jesus? In the Gospels, as he is gathering his first 12 disciples to himself – he said to Peter, Andrew, James and John…what? Come, follow me.

1. It’s call that was extend to all of the 144,000 – and they followed the Lamb.

iii. Now again, that wasn’t always the case – Every one of the 144,000, at some point, followed their own path.

1. ALL we like sheep have gone astray. But one day, the Lamb, who John also calls the Good Shepherd – one day he came to us and called us by name out of darkness into his glorious light.

a. The 144,000 didn’t always follow the Lamb, but one day he broke through and won them.

e. Fourth – John says that 144,000 are a special offering to God. Other English translations call them a ‘first fruit’ offering.”

i. What does it take to be part of the 144,000? Live a sacrificial life for God.

1. As Paul says in Romans 12, offer your bodies as living sacrifices.

a. But John says the 144,000 are a first fruit offering…what is this? An offering of the first fruits of the harvest is a way of saying, “Here, Lord. You made this happen.”

i. “Take this as a sign that I know you own everything else, too.”

ii. The 144,000 don’t compartmentalize. They know that God owns everything and has a right to everything.

1. Sunday’s belong to God, but so does Monday-Saturday.

a. God own’s 100% - of your income or your possessions – but he only asks for 10% back.

i. The 144,000 are an offering, a special sacrifice and they live their lives sacrificially.

f. Fifth, John says that the 144,000 are blameless. They told no lie.

i. What we have to understand is John’s absolute abhorrence of anything deceitful.

1. Nothing is more abhorrent to john them people pretending to be something they are not.

a. John explicitly says at the end of the book that liars, those who deceive, will spend eternity in hell.

ii. Why the absolute disdain for lying? Because Jesus does not lie.

1. No deceit was found in his mouth, the Suffering Servant Song says.

a. So those who follow Jesus will also not lie.

iii. John says they are blameless. Perfect? No, doesn’t say that – doesn’t even imply that.

1. To be blameless means to walk in integrity.

a. It means recognizing they are sinners, but coming clean before God about that sin.

i. The blameless person is the person who has confessed his or her sin, puts it under the blood of the Lamb, so now no one can blame him or her anymore.

iv. This wasn’t always the case – every one of the 144,000 lied – walked in deceitfulness.

1. That is, until the Lamb broke through into their lives and washed them clean.

4. Is this you? – So, is this you? Remember the 144,000 is a picture of all of God’s people for all time, worshipping him before his throne.

a. I’ve described them as ‘they’ so I’ll ask a pointed question…are you exuding these characteristics?

i. Do you recognize you’ve been bought with the precious price of Jesus’ blood?

1. Do you recognize that the life you live in the flesh you live it for God?

b. Are you pure? Not worshipping at the altar of other gods? Are you solely giving your allegiance and worship to God? Are you zealous and passionate for his ways?

i. Are you following the Lamb wherever he takes you whenever he takes you there?

1. Or are you trying to make Jesus follow you?

a. Are you offering all you have and all that you for God’s service?

i. Or are you resisting and holding back?

1. Do you recognize that all you have and you are belong to him already?

c. Are you walking in integrity? Blameless?

i. Do you know yourself to be part of the 144,000?

1. If not, you can settle that matter right now and invite Jesus to come into your life as your Lord and Saviour.

d. If you do know yourself to be one of the 144,000, my question to you is this – are you living out your identity? Are you exuding these qualities now?

i. If you are – pray that God will give you strength to continue doing so in the coming days.

1. If you are not displaying these qualities – pray that God will deepen your resolve as you seek in publicly live out your identity in this world.

5. Their Activity – One last thing as we close today.

a. Notice the group’s activity. They are known by the song they sing. The song we sing gives us away – the song we sing reveals what is in our hearts.

i. In a couple weeks, when we study chapter 15, we’re going to read and study this song – it’s a song of redemption, deliverance and salvation.

b. God’s people have always been a singing people – and that won’t even change in eternity.

i. God’s people have always been writing new songs – new music to state old truths about who God is and what he has done in our lives.

c. Perhaps the hymn writer describes this new song the best when she writes…

i. And when in scenes of glory I’ll sing the new new song…and what will that song be???

1. Twill be the old old story, that I have loved so long.