“These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.” (Revelation 14:4-5)
Revelation 14 opens by talking about the 144,000 who will choose to follow Jesus during the tribulation times. Verse 5 says of these men, “No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.” There is much debate as these men were referenced as virgins, whether they are young men who are not of age to be married yet, or whether it means virgin in the context of abstaining from the wicked ways led by Satan.
Regardless of which way you interpret it, let’s focus not on trying to determine the definition, but looking at what it is that makes these 144,000 different. During the tribulation, there will be all kinds of wicked acts going on. From violence, to sexual immorality, to any number of things. It will be increased from what it is now, but are these things we do not already see?
Sexual immorality, drug abuse, alcohol abuse — how common have these things become? For many, they are a form of worth and value. It is an escape mechanism. Maybe life hasn’t turned out the way we thought, or things aren’t going well. Turning to the bottle, or to a form of sexual pleasure, are ways to escape from the troubles of life.
But these are not the things you have to look to for your worth, value, and comfort. These 144,000 are a great example of what it looks like to deny these things and instead place your value in Jesus Christ. What these men have chosen is to spend eternity with Christ. It sure is not for the present moment, as we know the tribulation will bring all kinds of bad. But their worth is in something greater...someone greater.
So let me ask you, where is your value? Where is your worth? Is it in a form of escapism? Or is it in the one who holds your future in His hands?
Revelation 14 opens by talking about the 144,000 who will choose to follow Jesus during the tribulation times. Verse 5 says of these men, “No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.” There is much debate as these men were referenced as virgins, whether they are young men who are not of age to be married yet, or whether it means virgin in the context of abstaining from the wicked ways led by Satan.
Regardless of which way you interpret it, let’s focus not on trying to determine the definition, but looking at what it is that makes these 144,000 different. During the tribulation, there will be all kinds of wicked acts going on. From violence, to sexual immorality, to any number of things. It will be increased from what it is now, but are these things we do not already see?
Sexual immorality, drug abuse, alcohol abuse — how common have these things become? For many, they are a form of worth and value. It is an escape mechanism. Maybe life hasn’t turned out the way we thought, or things aren’t going well. Turning to the bottle, or to a form of sexual pleasure, are ways to escape from the troubles of life.
But these are not the things you have to look to for your worth, value, and comfort. These 144,000 are a great example of what it looks like to deny these things and instead place your value in Jesus Christ. What these men have chosen is to spend eternity with Christ. It sure is not for the present moment, as we know the tribulation will bring all kinds of bad. But their worth is in something greater...someone greater.
So let me ask you, where is your value? Where is your worth? Is it in a form of escapism? Or is it in the one who holds your future in His hands?
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