October 12: A MARVELOUS, IMPOSSIBLE WORK

And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:5

In contrast with the disturbing descriptions of the two allies of Satan in chapter 13, these first five verses of chapter 14 describing the 144,000 reveal redeemed sinners who are totally yielded to the transforming power of the Savior. They preach a message that contains no error, no deception, no lie. It is a pure message that stands in perfect alignment with the word of the Lord. In their mouth was found no deceit.

It has been written of Jesus: …nor was any deceit in His mouth (Isaiah 53:9). And He is the only one who can remake our hearts (selfish) to be like His own (selfless!). The light of the world (John 8:12) told His followers, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) Though we have no light of our own, we are to reflect His glory like the moon reflects the sun. Isaiah 53 is a description of the mind and character of Jesus as He faced His darkest hour leading up to His death. The followers of Jesus will soon face their own time of trouble leading up to His victorious return (Daniel 12:1).

As the fledgling first-century church was developing, Paul was already deeply concerned about deception in the church, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted… (2 Corinthians 11:3). For there to be a people in the last days with a pure message from heaven is no accident. Not at all. In fact, it is exactly on purpose, the divine purpose of preparing the world for the Savior’s imminent return.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). All we like sheep have gone astray. (Isaiah 53:6a). It is God’s intention for the message of salvation to be proclaimed by redeemed sinners. The Holy Spirit of God does a marvelous, impossible work through repentant sinners who look to Him for all of their needs. There is nothing too hard for [Him] (Jeremiah 32:17b). In recognition of the infinite mercy of Him who is infinite love, their declaration to the world is also a personal testimony of redemptive power. They are without fault before the throne of God. There is another word used in Scripture for without fault. It is blameless. Both are translated from the Greek amomos. It is a sanctuary term for a sacrifice without blemish used in reference to Christ (Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19). It is also applied to Christians who are instructed to be holy and without blemish before the LORD (Ephesians 1:4; 5:27; Colossians 1:22; Jude 24).

For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure . . .  that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:13,15,16