In Revelation 14 we are introduced to a revelation of Jesus Christ that produced worship in those who were given insight into the mystery. Then I looked and behold a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
Category Archives: Heaven’s Worship
The Activity of Worship
There is one aspect of the worship John witnessed in heaven that we would be amiss to neglect. Heaven’s worship is loud. No where in the Revelation of Jesus Christ do you read that anyone silently worshiped. According to John’s account the worship was so loud at times it would have been difficult to hear anything else. At times the volume of worship was determined by the shear number of worshipers, however, most of the time we find that the worshipers were worshiping loudly.
The Song of the Lamb
The singing of the new song and subsequent judgment of Babylon led to the singing of another song in heaven. In Revelation 15 John shares his vision of another group of worshipers singing the awesome acts of God.
Worship and Integrity
For in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
(Revelation 14:5)
In the description of the 144,000 standing with Jesus on Mount Zion we find two vivid characteristics of a true worshiper; no deceit was in their mouth and they are without fault before God.
The New Song
We live in a day when our world is inundated with song. Song is a common thread that runs through every global civilization. Here in America alone we have Rock-n-Roll, Rap, Country, Pop, Head Banger, Heavy Metal and others I don’t have names for. Each of these song classifications carries with it a certain message and the power to drive that message into the hearts and minds of its listeners.
Worship and Redemption
These were redeemed from among men being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
(Revelation 14:4)
The portrayal of the 144,000 servants of God, standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion, gives a vivid description of the true worshipers of God. Two characteristics stand out in this portion of Revelation 14:4. One is that these servants were redeemed from among men. The second is that these worshipers were firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
Worship and the Cross
These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. (Revelation 14:4)
It was established in the earlier chapters of John’s revelation that Jesus is the Lamb standing in the midst of the throne of God. To find the 144,000 standing with Jesus in the
place of worship (Mt. Zion) is fitting of their character. For all those who desire to be true worshipers will always be in the place of worship, in the presence of the Lamb. However, there is a requirement for one to be in that place of worship.
Worship and Purity
One description of the 144,000 servants of God given to us by John is that they were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. Several times in scripture we read where God describes his people as virgins. The meaning of the word virgin in The Revelation and the Old Testament goes beyond one who has not participated in sexual activity. It refers to a person or in Israel’s case a nation, who has served only one God; one who has forsaken the works of the flesh and kept himself unspotted from the world. The following scriptures give us an idea of how God addressed his people.
The Seal of the Worshiper
Then I looked and behold a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. (Revelation 14:1-3)
Worship and God’s Holiness
In the not too distant future we are going to find ourselves in eternity. The way we prepare now is vital in determining our status when we are in the presence of the God of the universe. The popular song “I Can Only Imagine” probably best describes our human capacity to grasp what it will be like then and the way in which we will respond.