24 Aug Reflections on Revelation #243
Day 243
3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one was able to learn the song except the 144,000 who had been purchased from the earth. REV 14:3 (NASB)
Our text says that the 144,000 had to learn the new song. What qualifies them to sing in heaven is what they went through while on the earth. While the song is new, it wasn’t thrown together on the spur of the moment; they had been practicing for years already while on earth. Life today is a rehearsal. We are rehearsing for this song. If the boss is getting on your nerves, remember that it’s a rehearsal. You don’t have to respond in kind. When you find out that people are talking about you behind your back, you can hold your peace; it’s a rehearsal for that new song. When your feelings have been hurt you don’t need to strike back, make a rehearsal out of it instead! If the news is bad, think of the new song you will one day sing before the throne.
Many years ago, while I was passing through a hard time, I sat on a tomb stone in a cemetery in a place called Robertson. As I looked at the magnificent view, I also meditated on some of the issues of life. As I looked around me my conclusion was, “Where they now are, I will soon be, and in the light of eternity does it really matter?”
When you sing this new song in heaven, you will be harmonizing with people who hurt you, people who lashed out at you in their own pain, people who were difficult for you to get along with. Even people who were unfaithful to you! If you can’t “bury the hatchet” today, how will you sing then? The new song will be then; rehearsal starts now!
So, who does make up this group? I believe the answer to this question lies in the fact that God’s promises to literal Israel now apply to spiritual Israel. Since the year A.D. 34, the prophecies and attention of Scripture have focused on the children of faith-either Jew or Gentile. “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit.” Rom2:28,29 “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Gal.3:29.
Dealing with something literal in symbolic way, the number 144,000 is just the same as all the other symbols of Revelation. Built around the kingdom number (12) This group is God’s end-time people, surrendered to the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They will carry the message outlined in verses 6-12 of this chapter – The Three Angels messages – that goes to every kindred, nation, tongue, and people. It is called the everlasting gospel but, in its wake, comes the last warning message to the world. If it is your destiny to be amongst this group, then you need to join with the chorus of this final proclamation.
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