Experiencing Blessing

“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.” (Reve- lation 14:4-5)

Do you want to experience blessing? You probably think that is a trick question — of course you do! Who doesn’t want to be blessed by God? The problem is, while we say we want to experience blessing, sometimes our actions show different. Revelation 14 describes the 144,000 and talks about them in a different light.

I believe these men stood out like a bright shining star in the darkest of the night because they were young people choosing to do things God’s way. They followed the Lamb. Whatever the Lamb said, they did. If you want blessing and revival in your life, it is simple. Do what the Lamb says. And who is the Lamb? Jesus.

We all want blessing, but when our lifestyle contradicts what the Bible says, we can’t experience blessing. For these individuals, the 144,000, they did exactly what Jesus told them to do and the Bible says they were the first fruits. What does this mean?

Any time there was a grain harvest, they would take a tithe from the produce, and they would bring it into the temple and wave it before God as a statement of gratitude and thanksgiving. They brought the tithe into the storehouse because in the giving of the tithe, it blesses the rest of the harvest. Who was the first fruits of salvation in the seven years of the tribulation? It was the 144,000.

If you want to be the “first fruit” and experience God’s blessing, you must be obedient to God. It sounds simple, but it can often be so difficult. We get tempted with things of this world, things other people are doing, and we worry we are going to miss out. But if you will stay obedient and honor God with your life, you will experience the blessing you so desperately desire!