Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

Introduction:

Sadly, yet interestingly in churches today, heaven is usually a topic not taught about.

While it is true that heaven is mentioned--perhaps many times--there still seems to be a lack of actual teaching on the details of what makes up heaven.

Sadly, yet interestingly in churches today, heaven is usually a topic not taught about.

While it is true that heaven is mentioned--perhaps many times--there still seems to be a lack of actual teaching on the details of what makes up heaven.

In the book Heaven, by Randy Alcorn, commenting on the lack of developed teaching on heaven in the church today, Alcorn laments:

Commenting on the lack of developed teaching on heaven in the church today, Alcorn laments:

“Many Christians who’ve gone to church all their adult lives (especially those under fifty) can’t recall having heard a single sermon on Heaven.

It’s occasionally mentioned, but rarely emphasized, and almost never is it developed as a topic.

We’re told how to get to Heaven, and that it’s a better destination than Hell, but we’re taught remarkably little about Heaven itself.…

Heaven has fallen off our radar screens.

How can we set our hearts on Heaven when we have an impoverished theology of Heaven?”

The hope for heaven—far from distracting our focus—can sharpen our faith.

It can propel us forward into steadfast obedience and courageous witness.

When truly taught and practiced, it is impossible to be “too heavenly minded.”

Transition:

Our passage this morning gives us yet another glimpse into what heaven is like—with some interesting details!

In chapter 13 the dragon stands on the seashore and calls forth the two beasts to wage war against the saints.

Chapter 14, the last part of this third extended interlude of 12:1–14:20, opens now with the Lamb standing victorious with his faithful followers on Mount Zion.

Scripture Reading:

The war and struggle of chapter 13 appear in bold contrast to the victory and celebration of chapter 14.

In many ways, chapter 14 offers God’s response to the previous actions of the unholy trinity against his people: the triumph of the Lamb and his followers (14:1–5), angelic proclamations of judgment (14:6–13), and the harvests of judgment (14:14–20).

For those engaged in brutal combat with the forces of evil, knowing the final glorious outcome provides encouragement to persevere.

Transition:

So this morning, I want to look at three things that makes this musical group so heavenly

I.

The 144,000 on Mount Zion (14:1)

Once again John sees a vision (14:1, 6, 14), this time of the Lamb and the 144,000 standing on Mount Zion.

“on Mount Zion”

The earthly Mount Zion refers to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, or even to the entire city or its inhabitants (; ; ; ).

Throughout scripture Zion comes to represent God’s dwelling place and the center of his consummated kingdom, and this is the meaning in and here.

“with him 144,000”

Since the figure of 144,000 appears only twice (first in and again here), the number likely refers to the same group in both cases.

The judgment scenes of and 13 are followed by the interludes of and 14, where the righteous (the 144,000) are portrayed as sealed or protected by God.

BUT Why the Number 144,000?

The text itself suggests the 144,000

are sealed with the seal of the living God (7:2);

are servants of God (7:3);

are from all the tribes of Israel (7:4);

stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb (14:1);

have the Lamb’s name and the Father’s name on their foreheads (14:1);

sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and elders (14:3);

are redeemed from the earth (14:3);

did not defile themselves with women (14:4);

follow the Lamb wherever he goes (14:4);

are purchased from among humankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb (14:4);

have no lie found in their mouths (14:5);

are blameless (14:5).

We understand the 144,000 to refer to literal Israel -- an end-time remnant of Jews who are protected by God during the great tribulation (i.e., 7:4: “144,000 from all the tribes of Israel”).

You may recall from when we were in chapter 7 that there are 12 groups of 12,000 each of the 12 tribes of Israel.

In addition, the number may suggest a military census and depict the people of God as an end-time army organized into battle formation.

In short, it is God’s chosen people with Him!

“His name and His Father’s name”

Does this refer to one name or to two?

It may refer to the titles of , which relate to both the Father and the Son.

These are those who have been sealed and belong to God.

The 144,000 have both the Lamb and the Father’s name written on their foreheads, in direct contrast to those whose foreheads bear the mark of the beast.

The name on the forehead shows that God’s people belong to him in a secure and permanent relationship and that he has sealed them with spiritual protection.

“written on their foreheads”

This is in stark contrast to satan’s mark

We have to choose sides in the conflict between God and evil; neutrality is not an option.

Everyone receives a mark or stamp: either the mark of the beast or the seal of the living God.

As Craig R. Koester wisely observes in his commentary, “John did not make such a sharp distinction because the alternatives were obvious to his readers, but because the alternatives were not obvious.”

Christians in the seven churches were torn between compromise and commitment.

The pressures to cave in to worldly pleasures were strong and increasing, and the same is true today.

This passage promises both God’s spiritual protection and the assurance that we belong to him, but it also announces the costly demands of following the Lamb: the Lamb walks the path of the cross, the path of sacrificial suffering.

Paul’s warning to the Galatian Christians bears repeating in this context ():

Evil remains subtle and can rob us of what God desires if we give ourselves to things that are worthless and wasteful.

What sorts of books or magazines do we read or movies do we watch?

What are we doing on our smart phones?

Does the humor we enjoy honor Christ?

Do our words tear down or build up?

How do we spend our money?

What about our time—are we so distracted by our devices that we don’t serve?

Is our life energy directed inward in selfishness or outward in service?

This text calls us, the bride of Christ, to spiritual faithfulness as opposed to the spiritual adultery that is so common.

As James puts it, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (1:27; cf. ; ).

Illustration:

Transition:

Added to what John sees, he now hears a resounding heavenly anthem.

II.

The 144,000 Singing a New Song (14:2–3)

The sound is both booming and beautiful:

“I heard a voice from heaven, like”

Rev

These descriptive phrases were used of God’s voice in , of Jesus’ voice in 1:15, and of the heavenly multitudes’ voices in 19:6.

Often it is used to denote that the speaker is in heaven (cf.

4:5; 11:19; 16:8).

“they sang a new song before the throne”

This is an allusion to .

As with other “new songs” in Scripture, this one celebrates God’s mighty acts, especially his victory over his enemies (e.g., ; ; ).

Only those who have been redeemed may sing this new song, implying that they have endured as faithful followers of Jesus, a reality made clear in 14:4–5.

They have overcome and now enjoy the privilege of a victory celebration.

The “they” could refer to

(1) the angelic creatures who sing the song in or more likely

(2) the song of the one hundred and forty-four thousand in v. 3

This new song is an allusion to and ; ; ; ; ; .

The promised new age of the Spirit has come!

“who had been redeemed/purchased from the earth”

This is the OT concept of a near relative purchasing a family member’s release (Hebrew: go’el i.e.