October 11: UNTO PURITY: THE GIFT OF TEARS

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. Revelation 14:4

The description of the Lamb’s last-day remnant continues. By now, the symbol of a woman as a church should be very familiar. The pure, faithful woman of Chapter 12 paints a picture of God’s church as she sought to remain true to Him in the world of medieval persecution. But here, women are mentioned. This is a reference to many churches that arrived after the 1260 years. In Revelation, there is one more plural mention of women: they are the daughters of the MOTHER OF HARLOTS (17:5), meaning they were raised under the dark shadow of corrupted doctrines (see 3:1-3) that propagate misleading lifestyles regarding how to serve God as well as misleading ideas about His very nature. As we race toward the end of this world’s history, a coalition of many religious elements, symbolized by women, will bring to bear every sort of pressure and influence upon the faithful to renounce their loyalty to the Lamb. To give in to the world’s unified effort to incorporate unbiblical beliefs, practices, and traditions constitutes defilement. Paul said:

“I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:2.

The use of the word virgin does not suggest that there has never been any unfaithfulness. Often in the Old Testament, the nation of Israel was described as an unfaithful, adulterous harlot after they went astray under the leadership of false prophets. But the power of forgiveness and restoration is on display as God pleads with His people to return to Him, calling them to be a virgin daughter (2 Kings 19:21; Isaiah 37:22; Jeremiah 14:17; 18:13; 31:4; Lamentations 2:13; Amos 5:2). Even true repentance must be accepted as a gift from God. This gift has affectionately been called The Gift of Tears.

The 144,000 of the last days, as faithful virgins, are set in contrast to unfaithful “harlots”. It is the joy of these virgins to lead others to the Lamb by simply following Him wherever He goes. In 12:17, they are called the remnant of her [the true church’s] seed (KJV), and the fury of Satan rages against these who simply live and love according to divine instructions found in the Word. They are the redeemed from among men of the world, dedicated to helping others hear and heed the voice of the Lord Jesus, the True Shepherd, who says: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

In the Jewish sacrificial system, firstfruits represented a sampling of the harvest, brought to God as a special offering of thanksgiving for His abundant providence and tender care. His people alive on the earth when He returns will receive their change (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) without having gone to sleep. This is a type of firstfruits of the great harvest of souls who are to receive eternal life.

“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:14-16

For further study: Leviticus 23:10,17; Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Isaiah 4:1-3