Standing on Mt. Zion - 36

It seems the nature preaching through the book of Revelation is once you get past one controversial passage. There's not a respite you can't say move got past that the next passages something else that brings challenges, but I trust that my approach tonight is pretty easy to follow and very straightforward work.

There's five verses that were going to consider tonight and our approach is going to be this way going to examine three things are going to examine number one what John saw in verse one were going to examine what John heard in verses two and three and were going to examine what he describes the end of verse three through verse five, so I think that's pretty easy to follow what John saw what John heard and what John describes. Let's get into it. What John saw verse one then I looked, and behold a lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000, having his father's name written on their foreheads. What did John see John saw a Lamb standing on Mount Zion. While there is considerable debate as to whether this is an earthly scene or whether this is a heavenly scene is John saying the Lamb standing on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem the capital of Israel, or is John seeing something in the heavens. That's the question that's the issue of controversy. Is this an earthly vision, or is this a heavenly vision well without getting into all the details of the various arguments. I hope you will be to put off by me simply staying saying that I believe what John is saying is a heavenly vision and let me give you five reasons that I think that that is true. I believe John is seeing a heavenly vision as opposed to an earthly one. Reason number one that each time in the book of the Revelation when the Lamb is seen. He is always in heaven when the Lamb was portrayed in the book of the Revelation. He's always portrayed in heaven. Reason number two is not just standing on Mount Zion, but with him are 144,000 who are described as having his father's name written on therefore heads. He is with the hundred and 44,000. John refers to them in verse three as those at the end of verse three as those who were as those who were redeemed from the earth the very last phrase of verse three, he refers to the hundred and 44,000 as those who work redeemed from the earth, and it seems to me that what John hears in verse two and what what John hears in verse two interprets what he saw in verse one, that makes sense to you what John hears in verse two I heard a voice from heaven. That's what he heard. So what John hears in verse two interprets what he sees in verse one. He says I heard a voice from heaven, and consistency suggests that what he saw in verse one was also in heaven. Reason number four Hebrews chapter 12. I want to read a couple of verses there.

Hebrews 12 in verse 22 speaks of Mount Zion as the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. Let's turn to Hebrews 12 I'll begin to read in verse 18. For context, say just the writer of Hebrews is writing pieces for you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and Tempest, and the sound of the trumpet and the voice of words so that those who heard it bag that the work that the word should not be spoken to them anymore, for they could not endure what was commanded and if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow and so terrifying was the site that Moses said, I am exceedingly afraid and trembling, but but you have not but you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem to an innumerable company of angels to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven to God, the judge of all the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant into the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

Verse 22 is the verse that is pertinent to our consideration. It speaks of Mount Zion as the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. I have the benefit of knowing what I'm going to preach, so I'm worshiping and singing with you the hymns that have been chosen, a hen the hymns that we signed tonight are consistent with this understanding Jesus is raining in heaven right now, not someday, and let's turn to Psalm two for further support of that song to says. Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, let us break their bonds in pieces, and cast away their cords from us.

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh. The Lord shall hold them in derision, then he shall speak to them in his wrath and distress them in his deep displeasure. Notice verse six and seven.

Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion I will declare the decree. The Lord is said to me you are my son, today I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the end of the earth for your possession.

God has set King Jesus on his holy hill of Zion so there are five reasons that I believe what John is saying is a heavenly vision, King Jesus is standing there back to Revelation 14 behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, a picture of Majesty of victory of conquering, of overcoming saints tonight of all the ages should take heart, and not despair, for we share in the victory of the Lamb.

So the location of Mount Zion in heaven is where the hundred and 44,000 reside is redeemed of the earth. According to verse three. Why think John is been given this vision at this particular time is because the discussion in chapter 3 was about the beast and his persecution in his hatred and his opposition to Christ and to his church and to any who would follow him. And if were not instructed properly. We might think that were on the losing side. John says in contrast to the beast who was raging in anger and wrath, and opposition to God and to the church here in verse one, the land is standing on Mount Zion, victorious the rule of the Antichrist will end because the Lamb is standing on Mount Zion. He is the triumphant conquering King ruling over his world and power and dominion, and in might so that's what we see initially is in terms of what John saw that he didn't just see a Lamb standing on Mount Zion. He says and with him 144,000, having his father's name written on.

Therefore, it hundred and 44,000. Well, this isn't the first time that we've encountered the hundred and 44,000. You remember we were first introduced to them in chapter 7.

This is the company of the redeemed throughout the ages. This is not a literal number but a representative number symbolizing completeness. It's a number of the 12 tribes in the 12 apostles multiplied by a thousand you do the math. 12×1244 times a thousand is 144,000 but it is the same number of those who were sealed in Revelation chapter 7 verse four. Listen to this. John says and I heard the number of those who were sealed. 144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed again. Who are the hundred and 44,000. They are the saints of all the ages there in verse four were told that the seal is on therefore heads heard the number of those who were sealed. It says in verse two it says I saw another angel ascending from the earth, having the seal of the living God, and he cried and cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea. So these hundred and 44 are sealed.

What is the idea being sealed here. Well see being sealed here is being sealed, protected against the judgment that is going to come upon the earth. Their names are written on therefore heads. It says in chapter 14 in verse 144,000, having his father's name written on therefore heads.

What is that convey what conveys ownership.

They are the redeemed.

They are those who been purchased out of the earth. I think a lot of the easy believe is him would fall away in our world to lease the understanding of it. If we simply would understand what the word redeemed means we sing that church is saying that, but very few fully understand what the concept is to be redeemed is to be purchased by blood. We are, Christ purchased possession, and if we are his purchased possession. He has redeemed us that our life is not around anymore were not in charge.

He is, he's the one who tells us power to live and what were doing or not to do so many people have this idea that they can believe in Jesus and saying I am redeemed I am redeemed and yet think that their life is still under their control that their autonomous they can do with their life as they please at its it is a contradiction so can it communicate to conveys ownership and it says hundred 44,000, having his father's name written on therefore heads. They are with the Lamb on Mount Zion.

It's speaking of identification that the God the father and God the son are not ashamed to own us, as their children.

We are the redeemed. We have this identification certainly fellowship and communion is also being conveyed in that imagery. Notice that the two groups. The group in Revelation 74 in the group here in chapter 14. They are identical. The same group, not two different groups the same group. Their total number hundred and 44,000.

I don't one of totally minimize that number. What's the significance of the number well the hundred and 44,000 that were sealed in chapter 7 and verse four are the same hundred and 44,000 that are with the Lamb on Mount Zion.

What is that me, all who were sealed were kept.

Not a single one was lost is not good news tonight in a world that is becoming more hate and hateful toward us more against is supposed to us in our Christ and the church in his gospel. He will keep us not one will be missing everyone for whom Christ died will end up in glory.

That's the good news. The total number indicates that not one is lost of all the people. The father has given to the sun on 10 verse 29, the Antichrist, and all of his power and all of his wrath was unable to lead a single one of the hundred and 44,000 away for their names were inscribed in the palm of God's hand read about that in Isaiah 49 verse 16 fact we sign about that this morning. Corporate worship so that's what John saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him the hundred and 44,000. Now let's examine what he heard, what did John hear notice verse two and I heard a voice from heaven, he heard a voice from heaven. And then there were these two descriptive phrases heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters and like the voice of loud thunder why the emphasis of loudness, like the voice of many waters for the experience of being one of the seven wonders of the world Victoria Falls and if you're there you cannot hold a conversation with the person standing beside you because of the sound of the water coming over the fall. It is loud when John says I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters that imagery comes to my mind, and like the voice of loud thunder so loud because of the sheer number of people who are contributing to that voice that John heard a large is that number. John says in chapter 7 and verse nine after these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, people, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands. A great multitude, which no man can number in the second thing he heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. The end of verse two.

So he heard a voice from heaven, and he heard the sound of harpists playing with their harps and enters 1/3 thing that is implied that he heard and that is a new song being sung before the throne in verse three they sang as it were a new song before the throne of John doesn't say he heard it, but I think by implication with got to conclude that he heard that as well. They sang as it were a new song before the throne.

I doubt that this is another new song different than the new song that was sung and referred to in chapter 5 in verse nine. So let's look back there.

Chapter 5 in verse nine it says and they sang a new song, saying you are worthy to take the scroll and open it seals, for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and it made us kings and priests to our God and we shall reign on the earth, so I think the new song for the song John says they sang as it were a new song. I don't think new, as opposed to different from the new song of chapter 5, verse nine with the same song because the context is the same for the singing to her singing praise and worship to him who redeemed them. It is a picture of exuberant worship.

The scene of the redeemed of all the ages singing praises of Christ to Christ for his work of redemption. I've had people comment about the exuberant corporate worship that they observed when they come here as visitors.

Same with people really sing with a few redeemed. How can you not sing right not been in churches.

It was pitiful. I mean literally pitiful.

As I looked around I saw men worked and didn't have a book opened another hymnbook open had no intentions of singing I thought what is what is being conveyed here, here, people are going through the form of worship, but denying the power thereof. They they have no interest.

They have no desire they've not been taught. This is the opportunity to raise your voice and praise and worship to him was worthy. I'm glad that that is very conspicuous around here and what it says is we are the redeemed and let the redeemed of the Lord say so. We do like to do that. Well, we've examined what John saw and what John heard. Now let's examine what he describes what is he going to describe for us when we read verse three and we get to the end of verse three. He's going to make mention of the redeemed from the earth and in verses four and five.

He's going to give us a fourfold description of the redeemed saw me reading in verse three 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 44,000 who were redeemed from the earth. 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 and in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. As I was reading verse three I I was reminded that I did not make mention of that phrase. No one could learn that song except the hundred and 44,000 preps I did speak to it without directly tying into this.

It's those who don't know the Lord. They don't have desires and they don't say no don't even know the very fundamentals of what corporate worship is its worshiping to the Lord first and foremost, and it is what only the redeemed. Do but John is going to give us a fourfold description of the redeemed and what is that description for characteristics for descriptions and then will speak to them.

Number one, they are pure, number two, they are followers of the Lamb number three. They are firstfruits and finally, they are blameless. So let's take them one by one.

Notice he says these are the ones who were not defiled with women for they are virgins in the first thought we would think that he is speaking of moral purity of sexual purity, but most commentators do not think that that is what is being referred to here is getting closer to this idea.

You remember when Paul was writing to the Corinthians.

He said this in chapter 11 verse two. I promised you to one husband to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. So what is meant here by this description. They are the ones who were not defiled with women for they are virgins. It means purity of spiritual dedication to the Lord to live without being seduced and deceived by this antichrist philosophy that pervades our culture. That's what it means being dedicated to the Lord, striving to be loyal in our relationship to the Lord. Secondly he says these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. Jesus said in Mark chapter 10 and verse 3038 anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He said in John chapter 10 I know my sheep. They hear my voice, and they do what they follow me. They follow me. The second characteristic of the redeemed is that they are followers of the Lord. John uses the present tense use of the verb there when he says they are the ones who follow the Lamb present tense.

That is, there life habit that is there life is characterized by this stressing the ongoing consistent commitment to a life of obedience is describing the redeemed and I think we come to a passage like this that is giving us a description of the redeemed, it behooves us to lay aside our pre-preconceived notions any sense that we think that we are right with God and say, okay, here is an objective standard that can measure my life by, and I want to really know.

I really want to know, not because someone says I'm saved not because I think I want to be saved, not because I help him say, but am I really love the redeemed so measure your life by this.

Do you have a fundamental commitment to obey the Lord Jesus Christ and his word.

Regardless of where it leads you. That's what it says these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes wherever he goes.

Not know young people little talk about wanting to know the will of God for their life Lord if you tell me what it is you want me to do and I'll I'll do it no Lord I'm committed to doing whatever it is your will is for me to do not let me know what it is and then I'll decide what I'm going to do no this fundamental commitment to obedience now.

The steps of a good man ordered by the Lord, and though he falling he will fall but he won't stay in that state for the Lord upholds him with his right hand work. We were not. I'm not the standard here the description here is not of sinless perfection, but it is the commitment to a life of obedience. I want to be known as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ will follow his word want to follow his precepts to be known as one of his followers. I'm not ashamed to be known as one of his followers. That's what it means.

The third description. He says these were redeemed from among men being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

Firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. I think there's a connection between the first two descriptions in this one and let me explain what I mean. You recall, in the Old Testament, the firstfruits of the harvest were offered to God.

God commanded the firstfruits people would offer those to God to acknowledge God's ownership and their stewardship of all that he had given to them and in like manner, the rest of the harvest was his as well and was to be used and employed with a desire to please him in its use. So what is it mean that we are firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. That means that we belong to him in totality were to live for him who died for us, not just for season of life, not for period of life, but the totality of our life is surrendered to him.

We live for him were no longer living for ourselves and our own desires. I think that's what it means and then what is he say the last description in verse five, and in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God which this fourth description. It's blameless, blameless you say wow. I'm not sure I in all honesty can stay on blameless. But how can a redeemed child with a clear conscience willing to examine their life in the light of this text. How can we say we're were blameless. Well, we are notice it says without fault before the throne of God. We are blameless as redeemed children of God before the throne because the ground of our profession is not our record. Our work record our merit.

It is Jesus and his blood weakened, we can with a clear conscience say I am blameless before the throne of God because I am trusting him and I am trusting my never dying soul to him and him alone who live a blameless life in my place right that is and that's it. That's the only way we can speed blameless before the throne of God is through the imputed righteousness of Christ.

He live the life we did not live. He earned a righteousness for us and his perfect life of obedience is been credited to our account and therefore before God were blameless and that is an amazing amazing gospel truth that not a lot of Christians understand if you don't understand that you will find yourself on a performance treadmill working working working working working working working trying to earn acceptance before God doesn't mean we quit working doesn't mean that we don't have anything to do here. Philippians chapter 2 and verse 12 tells us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, but the next verse says, for God is working in us both to will and to do according to his good pleasure. So we work at sanctification. We cooperate with the spirit of God. We discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness but the point here is this is what characterizes the redeemed, they are blameless there blameless and because we have a blameless standing before God, because of the merits of Jesus Christ, we seek to live a life that is blameless. We strive to live as much as possible in the light of our standing before God, and that isn't that the the challenge of the Christian life to bring our practice in in closer and closer proximity to our standing is one thing to say well this is my standing is another thing to be living out here completely disconnected from my standing and calls into question whether you have right standing with God. But if you have right standing with God. Your blameless before the throne that your life is going to give evidence of that you're pursuing holiness without which no man is going to see the Lord Bible tells us were seeking to please him with our life. So here we have this passage set before us. John tells us what he saw. He tells us what he heard and then he tells us and gives us a description of the redeemed. I trust that this is been helpful tonight as we thought this through. Give consideration to this the word of God is. It's more than it's more than just food for our souls.

It is the means of grace. The God has given the preaching of the word of God for our growth and sanctification more than any other means, and this is why it's so critically important to be present at the preaching times of the church in the set yourself under the preaching because it is what God has promised to bless and use in our sanctification, and in our growth in grace, so I would challenge you. This is a short passage. I think most everyone here would go home tonight in the morning when you get up charted to turn to this passage and remember the three points. What did John see.

What did John hear. What did John describe walked through that passage.

That's how the word of God is profitable to us is profitable for instruction for correction, for what four things there so I got help us to appropriate the word of God and profit from let's pray father, thank you again for tonight. Thank you for your word. Thank you for reminding us that in this world of confusion this world where evil seems to be pervasive in the world seems to be growing darker. The King Jesus is standing in glory. He is the King of Kings and Lord of lords, and he is ordering history after his predetermined will all things are working after the Council of him. We rejoice in that this evening. We thank you for this time of examination as well is John is describing the redeemed and I pray that the spirit of God would aid us as we would be honest in our self-examination that we would be willing to look into the mirror of the word of God and not turn away. So, thereby deceiving ourselves but to look into the mirror of the word of God and to be change, thereby do it for our eternal good and do it for the honor and glory of him who loved us and gave himself for us. Amen