A Foretaste of Glory Divine

Revelation 14:1-5 

1 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

After John witnessed the serpent and his beasts to come which will draw worship away from Christ and lead many into unrepentant condemnation, a glimpse into heaven reveals the Lamb Jesus Christ standing on the place of worship, Mount Zion (Jerusalem).  There we see a multitude of 144,000 (12,000 from each tribe) with God the Father’s name marking them as His.  God’s thunderous voice is echoed by harps as the redeemed ones marked as God’s sing a song of praise to worship which only they know or can know.  Their audience included the Lamb on the throne, the four creatures, and the elders.  These redeemed who sing are undefiled, pure to their Lord, and follow Him around with such praise ringing out to their Savior!  These firstfruits of grace and mercy are made faultless to stand before the throne of God.  This consummation in some form awaits all who die in Christ as well, with different roles, but the same worship as consummated to Christ in His perfection of righteousness through enduring faith.  We may not be the firstfruits, but are fruits of His redeeming work, and shall ever worship Him when we all stand before the throne of grace forevermore.  What a foretaste of glory divine!