1 Then I looked and saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads.

4b … They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

— Revelation 14:1, 4b

Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.

— 1 Samuel 12:24

9 And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”

— Revelation 5:9-10

On the day of firstfruits, when you present an offering of new grain to the LORD during the Feast of Weeks, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.

— Numbers 28:26

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, peace and joy from Christ to you.

The 144,000 God’s people in Revelation 14 follow the Lamb wherever He goes like the Lamb’s army, completely faithful to Him. We, God’s people, are called to absolute loyalty to Him, His truth and His ways. Around God’s people may rage the great spiritual battle, but our leader is worthy of allegiance. The Lamb’s 144,000 are called to serve the Him the King of kings. They, standing with the Lamb, were purchased from among mankind. The Lamb paid the price to redeem His people. The Lamb purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people and nation. The Lamb has made the people He purchased to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God and they will reign on the earth.

The 144,000 are also offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. Under the law of Moses, the people offered the Lord the first portion of their harvest. This thanksgiving offering acknowledged that every good gift comes from God, and He deserved their best. This may mean the 144,000 are the first of the great harvest of all of God’s people who will be gathered to Him when Jesus returns to earth. However, because the first fruits symbolized the hope of a whole harvest, the 144,000 may be a picture of a great, complete praise offering to satisfy and glorify God.