An Original Song, Part 2

What place does music have your walk with Christ is music part of the way you draw close to God. This is a good opportunity for me to take a moment to just encourage you to fold into your life sacred music that will inspire and encourage you to glorify Christ to stand for Christ to patiently wait for some answer from Christ to surrender to Christ.

I wonder who are your musical counselors. God uses sacred to teach us and encourage us, but did you know that he's going to continue to use music right up to the end and Revelation 14 we read of a time in the tribulation when 144,000 witnesses learn a new song that God composed for them the account of that future time is our text today here on wisdom for the heart with Stephen. If you're able, open your Bible to Revelation 14 as we study together.

When these men were introduced back in chapter 7 and here again and chapter 14 were told not only seal selected by 1/3 remark notice in chapter 14 verse one were told. The seal was the name of the Lamb and the lambs father. This was a visible sign.

This was a visible mark mimicked of course by the antichrist who marked all of his followers with a number of his name, which we learned totaled the sum of 666 or 666. His seal will not be able to protect his followers. It will be so to speak, washable, Inc., but God's seal to protect these 144,000, marked the beginning of the tribulation was a mark of divine possession and divine protection.

Now when they were marked back in the beginning of the tribulation. Millions of Christians have already been martyred. Revelation tells us, informs us in chapter 7 it that there can be martyred believers to come to faith after the rapture, the representative nation and tribe of people in the language. These men marked protected will be unstoppable and their ministry will be global, John Phillips, a commentary wrote of these men. No other age has produced a veritable army of believers like this marching unscathed through every form of danger. It has been theirs to defy the Dragon to bait the beast there calling is been to preach the gospel from the housetops when even to name the name of Christ: for the most dreadful penalties they been able to laugh to scorn all the grand inquisitors of hell. They walked the streets in broad daylight, careless of the teeth gnashing rage of there would be assassins. True witnesses of the most terrible era in the history of mankind. The devil knows about this coming band of conquerors and arrives already in an agony of anticipation they're not only selected by God and sealed by God. They are sexually pure for the glory of God is men were known for the purity. Thank you. Notice in chapter 14 verse Ford informs us. These are the logic not been defiled with women of Themselves chased uses.

I believe a figurative word personally virgin in the same way that Paul references the church that he will present as a pure virgin. Now the misunderstanding of this particular verse, has led to tragic theology.

This twisted interpretation that some have come up with in the early church, especially third and fourth century developed the belief that a perpetual state of virginity exalted a Christian.

The higher levels than those who married without, of course, came the belief and that Mary Lou must have the highest exalted state would have been a perpetual virgin all of the gospel accounts plainly give the names of her son born to her after Jesus was born Matthew 13 but the church so glorified celibacy that they believed marriage and the marriage bed was a defiling thing. The Gnostics in the early centuries who always reverse the truth held that marriage was actually from Satan the church.

The Gnostics had bad experiences or what, but they believed it was from the devil.

Marcy and a church leader as far back as the second century was eventually kicked out for heresy.

Fortunately taught that marriage was corruption even set up a church only for those who are unmarried, while all others were barred. You could volunteer to work in the nursery the church and not risk any time away from worship.

Thank you sir.

I'm glad you enjoyed that. In fact, they believe that and they still believe that this day, the priests and bishops, cardinals and popes must remain undefiled by women, study church history and first of all you fine priests, bishops, cardinals and popes who sired many children and absolving one another from the guilt of that particular sin. Celibacy did not create greater purity created greater potential for immorality of all time in our generation is discovered all over again is in the teaching of the New Testament reveals that marriage is honorable if I Hebrews 13 for, says the marriage bed is undefiled.

It is undefiled laying out clear can that be like the apostle Paul who encourage singleness at one point, and in one letter due to the persecution and uncertainty facing the church. He likened the union of a man and a woman, a husband and wife as an illustration affect the highest illustration of all of that of Christ and his church. The mystery of the union of Christ with his bride, so these 144,000 are are not kept from marriage there pure from the defiling immorality of their culture culture much like ours where sexual immorality and promiscuity is is approved of it is applauded and under the leadership of the antichrist and the rise of cold worship at the departure of the church, sexual sin will become unhinged. These men will remain faithful to their wives of their married virgin if they are not.

John writes further of them in verse four. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God they're offering to God and to the Lamb and no lie was found in their mouths, they are blameless. The question remains for us today after showing the depths of Satan's hatred and murder in chapter 12. After showing us the rage and murderous agenda of the antichrist. After showing us the deception of the false prophet in chapter 13. Will these specially marked evangelists survive will God's power be stronger than the enemy who would seek to kill them. Will God be able to protect them over the course of seven years of earthquakes and plagues and pestilence will be protected from the rage of the Dragon who will make war chapter 12 or 17 says against all who hold to the testimony of Jesus Christ. How could any believer survive especially these boldly testifying, unapologetically preaching the gospel delivering Christ, exalting evangelists who are in double trouble right there juice which makes the mark hated by the guys and they are Jews who converted to Christ. Even more so hated. Will they survive anticipating this question, believers will have as to the sovereign power and control of God. The question John is about answers. How many of the 144,000 sealed servants of God make it to the end of the tribulation alive. Now go back and read verse one then I looked, chapter 14, and behold the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000, how many survived all of the way John puts it, then I took a very cozy saying. And behold, it's like, wow, what would you would you look at all of them have survived the tribulation, the number is not 143,999.

Every parent, every spouse wonders if their loved one will return from some war zone alive in the clean to news of their will be right.

Can you imagine every wife, every parent, every child related to these evangelists will wonder if that is survive if he still alive and you cling to this verse during the tribulation like we can't imagine.

Look here it says here, it shows us that when Christ returns gathering there waiting with him here are every one of them alive. They'll survive.

I want you to notice three statements that we did not cover when we study these 144,000 special servants of God in the past. First there standing with Christ. I give you two points actual first or standing with Christ were told. The Lamb is standing on Mount Zion, and these men, of course applied standing with him God. God is giving John a vision of the end of the true relation. As Christ comes to establishes his kingdom.

In fact, just as a mental note chapters 14 and 15 which were not in the study is a unit is nothing more than a preview of coming events. John already done this, he gives us an overview of something and then he stops and he gives us all the details that he gives us an overview that he stops and gives us all the details now.

What he's doing is giving us the overview is ask and answer one question right away. Just where is Mount Zion now. It could be a reference to heaven, and if there are those who believe that that would be fine. I think it misses the point of their survival. And I think the textual hint that it is it is not, but it could be throughout the Old Testament. Mount Zion is referred to as is the place of God's throne. However, in this text. They will hear a voice from heaven, which further indicates it's on earth. Mount Zion can also be a reference to a very special piece of real estate on the planet. In fact, it's the most carefully watched piece of real estate in the history of humankind is this little piece of land that David conquered when he was first established as is King. It was controlled by a group of people.

Idolaters called Jebusite. David marched with his army and they they took this fortified hill. David decided, of course, that the plan of God was that he do so but he decided to take that fortified hill and make it his palace he built a city around that fortress at the top of that hill. And he called the city of David.

It's also called Jerusalem right listen the appearance of of the Lamb of God descending to Mount Zion is a monumental moment in redemptive history. This signals the end of the tribulation and the coming kingdom of Christ with course with them.

John the apostle is given a brief vision of this moment when Christ returns and in this particular part of the vision. The Lamb is met when he descends by the still living, still serving still preaching, still following still protected 144,000 Jewish evangelists and they are all still alive so there a purpose of this chapter's opening is to inform the believer that the victory of Jesus Christ is not only his.

But it is for his beloved is for his representative those he marked uniquely to represent him.

No one is lost if you don't get lost in the chaos of cruelty and confusion of the tribulation. Why would anybody wonder if God is lost sight of them today. Here they are in victory. Standing with peasant this stand of victory been the subject of singing throughout the years of the church in a unique way certainly has one young 32-year-old preacher in the late 1800s was remarkably used by God in one specific event where he preached 5000 young men at the Young men's Christian Association. We know it today is simply the YMCA can be anyway dropping Christian out of there but that's its origin in some of them are more Christian than others.

He preached of 5000 young men. What a thousand of them stepped forward to commit their lives to Christ. He was your preached again that night. After preaching that morning. Went back to the farm.

His family farm and decided to go to the barn watchmen shelling corn with a new machine is fascinated by got a little too close to the machine. However, in his jacket was caught in his arm pulled into the grinding gears of that machine lacerated beyond repair, primitive medicine, the loss of blood in a few hours he would die his father was there and reminded his son that there were going to be a lot of people perhaps several thousand would gather to hear him preach that evening. What would he once said to them through strained… His last words to his father work tell the people to stand up for Christ. That night the assembly hall was packed with people they had come expecting to hear him preach. Instead of hearing him preach. They heard the news that he died in his last words were delivered to them in a challenge. A man by the name of George Delafield heard those last words and later sat down and composed a poem based upon put to music. Perhaps you know the him stand up, stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross with high his royal banner.

It must not suffer loss from victory on to victory his army, shall he lead till every foe is vanquished in Christ is Lord empty.

Revelation 14 introduces this amazing message of God's victory through Christ and God's protection over those who been preaching for Christ.

Here they all are with the Lamb standing in victory. This should be a point of encouragement. Ladies and gentlemen to every Christian in every generation. We also have been marked. We have been sealed. Paul wrote by the spirit and the ones he seals. He does not lose.

Not one of us will be lost. No matter how chaotic or how confusing.

Not one will be laws that John informs us here that they are not only standing but they are learning a new song verse two and I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their part of this heavenly orchestra and singers who are about to teach these 144,000 men, a new song were told our playing harps into thinking there we go again. Harps, I want to play hard and I'm pitching that I have to well I found it interesting that the word for heart is the word Qatar dollars.

It happens to be the source of our word Qatar slight use of the word Qatar.

In fact, the Greek word was created by the sound of the string being plucked up dark dots are are Qatar does in here or she can, you wonder why I'm doing this because I want to know our was financing my study Qatar dust Qatar Greek is a fascinating subject, which I believe we have no idea what exactly the sound will be.

They translated here heart it could be several thousand guitarists. Some of your thing and there's hope now is hope now you know and and and and I think if there are David's leading them, don't you these out front leading the way could be thousands of harpists joining were not told what the string plucking instrument is but the song will be a new song. The four living creatures are part of the teaching choir verse three, the elders, the church is singing you're not told exactly what it's interesting that were not given the lyrics. Why it's there song is there special song unique we just told her singing their learning this new song by the hosts of heaven that they're able to hear. Maybe it's a new song because their experiences in the tribulation for them are unique. Let's face it, how many of us have walked through a flawed know many of us have walked to the fire. There are many shattering paycheck mementos in here with running the first came out on since so many Daniel uniquely experiencing the provision of God.

Just because were all equally say just because were all equally in the body of Christ is a mean is some truth is an especially meaningful you and me as we grow in Christ. This is hinted at is as Jesus explained the actions of a forgiven woman who had been sexually immoral and and here she is she's she's putting ointment on his features. Baiting is he with tears and she says a lot as he explains in the live for me is great because she's been forgiven much her unique experience alive is brought a role-play of gratitude that you guys might not even sense. One author wrote this of the new song. These were the only ones you learned in the sense of they were the only ones who can appreciate what it expressed, God had purchased them from the earth, not just for salvation but for their special ministry in the tribulation. See they are uniquely thrilled they are uniquely prepared to sing this song is specially composed for them, has been faithful to them through seven believable years and they've been faithfully, and they've got this unique song there singing. I wonder though because this is a timeless truth for you and for me.

I wonder what song you can say that you need to you. I wonder what lyrics mean the most to you because of what you're going through. Maybe you're like the man I spoke with her couple of days ago, who because of a fresh commitment made to Christ could identify with the him should he hear when he made that commitment that goes like this all to Jesus I what surrender all to him I freely give that word all means something to him now. I didn't mean all everything. Maybe you're like that woman who called the office on Friday and prayed to receive Christ now identifying with the truth of the old hymn, just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me and that the bits may come to the Lamb of God, I come whenever I sing that I single Lamb of God I came maybe for somebody here today you need to sing that for the first time in your life.

Perhaps you can identify with these lyrics I was given recently. They go like this. The anchor holds though the ship is battered, the anchor holds though the sails are torn.

I have fallen on my knees as I faced the raging seas.

The anchor hole.

In spite of the storm and he would say that it's me right now, or perhaps with fresh trust you can identify with the writer who wrote his close relatives of sister and brother-in-law song just for them but the church adopted and is been singing after several years in their youngest son was killed and they had such difficulty getting through it so he wrote a song especially for them in the lyrics going these God will make a way when there seems to be no way he works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. He will be my guide. Hold me closely to his side with love and strength for each new day he will make away what song can you say today. This is a good opportunity for me to take a moment to just encourage you to fold into your life sacred music music that will inspire and encourage you to glorify Christ to stand for Christ to patiently wait for some answer from Christ to love Christ to surrender to Christ. I wonder who are your musical counselors today. I think we ought to be bathing our minds. I know I needed Janita on Sunday. I did every day in a week.

That's why 99.9% of my music is sacred music because I want to be reminded of the truth is that will encourage me to be faithful in Jesus Christ. I need somebody telling me that not only my wife more than she does love me. I need somebody encouraging me toward sexual promiscuity need somebody to tell me to go after the things of the world.

I need somebody to tell me to stay faithful to encourage me to pursue Christ, who is it that's been singing to you this past week is coming when Christ is going to come down stand on Mount Zion and that moment is going to be more by music music stand firm sing, but the singing preparation for the coming day when music is based on God's teaches us truth. It's a powerful tool that God can use to encourage us and challenge us as we've seen today. God will continue to use music right up to and into the future time known as the great tribulation. The lesson you heard today is called an original song and it comes from the series entitled a preview of things to come. It's a series from Revelation 14 and 15 and will keep working our way through it this week and next you tuned into wisdom for the heart with Stephen Devi the website where you can go to learn more about our ministry is found@wisdomonline.org Lori who listens through our website sent Stephen a note saying I can't thank you and your staff enough for all you do.

Your messages are always deep and speak directly to my life.

They leave me wonderfully encouraged. God bless you. Thanks for taking the time to send that no Lori you encouraged us by sharing. So thank you if you'd like to send a note and maybe even a gift to support our ministry.

Our address is wisdom for the heart PO Box 37297, Raleigh, NC 27627 thanks for tuning in. Be with us for our next Bible lesson here on wisdom