August 28: BLAMELESS
And in their mouths was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:5
Isaiah 53 famously describes the Savior during the time of His suffering and death. He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth (Isaiah 53:9b). Just before the Second Coming, the 144,000 will experience their own time of trouble (Daniel 12:1), just as Christ did. And in their darkest hour, their characters will reflect His.
Ponder the role that deceit (guile) will play in the final events of earth’s history. Paul had expressed to the church in Corinth his desire to present [her] as a chaste virgin to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2). Immediately after, he writes of his fear that the “chaste virgin church” will become impure due to deception, just as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness (v.3). Throughout these six millennia of earth’s history, every precept of God has come under attack. Paul goes on to predict that at the time of the end, the lawless one (2 Thessalonians 2:9), whom John calls antichrist (1 John 2:18), according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10a) will carry forth his evil work.
The word translated deceit is translated guile in some translations. The original Greek is literally fish bait. The 144,000 will have no such fish bait in their mouths. This metaphor points to the pure truth that they speak. Behind the truthfulness of their speech is the recognition and rejection of false teachings; they do not “take the bait” – that is, they do not swallow the alluring lies of Satan.
The devil’s most deceptive signs will occur in the last days when the sea beast and the land beast are in full collusion with each other (see Revelation 13:13,14; 16:14; 19:20). A close look at the sea beast in Scripture (13:1-10), reveals that this religiopolitical entity is the Antichrist. The land beast (vv.11-17) will do the bidding and enforcement as directed by the leader of the sea beast. Notice that both beasts act under the authority (see 13:4,12) of the dragon who is the ultimate recipient of their worship, albeit false worship. As the head of this unholy trinity, Satan is the power behind the great deceptions of the last days. God will allow strong delusion among all who choose falsehoods over the plain truths of His word (see 2 Thessalonians 2:11).
To be without fault before the throne of God reflects a condition of blamelessness. What actions or qualities render someone as “blameless”? The simplest answer is to walk with God. He leaves the choice to do this up to each of us, supplying all that we need to know, along with His Spirit to bring truths to mind in every situation. Operating under the Savior's authority distinguishes those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. As for the others, Jesus said:
“In vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:9