The Bible Says
Revelation 14:1-5 Meaning

In Revelation 14:1-5, the one hundred and forty-four thousand Jews who were sealed in Revelation 7 and who follow the Lamb wherever He goes sing a new song before the throne.

When we left John’s vision at the end of Chapter 13, the beast of the sea and the beast of the earth had arisen. In Revelation 13:16, the beast caused “all” to be given his mark, with the result described in the following verse:

“and he provides that no one will be able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name” 
(Revelation 13:17).

We also saw in Revelation 13:14-15 that the people of the earth were commanded to build a sort of idol image in honor of the beast of the sea, and the beast of the earth gave power to the image that would kill anyone who refused to bow down and worship it. But we now are reminded that not all will bow to the will of the beast. We are reintroduced to a special selection of righteous Jews from among the twelve tribes of Israel whom we first met in Revelation 7:4-8:

Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads (v. 1).

The one hundred and forty-four thousand who were chosen to be sealed in Revelation 7 consist of twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes, as we see in Revelation 7:4-8.

Those who accepted the mark of the Beast on their foreheads and right hands from Revelation 13:16-17 are contrasted with the 144,000 who have His name [the name of the Lamb] and the name of His Father written on their foreheads (v. 1). One group has the mark of the beast and one group has the mark of the Father. We can reasonably say that the beast’s mark is of his father as well, who is the dragon who is also Satan and the devil (Revelation 13:2).

The 144,000 who are sealed with the name of the Father are called “bond-servants of our God.” These saints of God will serve Jesus while those who take the mark of the beast will serve him.

The two groups with the two marks (beast or God) appear to result from a binary choice. In this era at the end of the age it appears that people will be required to openly choose between taking the mark of the beast or to avoid taking that mark and be servants of God. It appears that indifference will no longer be an option. We will see in Revelation 14:6-7 that an angel flying in mid-heaven will make an overt invitation to serve God instead of the Beast.

Jesus is pictured as standing on Mount Zion. Mount Zion in the Old Testament is the place of the city of David in Jerusalem. It is a symbol of Jewish nationality, authority, and kingship. The Lamb is Jesus, who is also the King of kings and the Son of David (Matthew 1:1, Revelation 19:16). Jesus is the Lamb who came to serve and to sacrifice Himself for the sins of the world. As a result of His faithful service, He was crowned with the glory and honor of being the Son and King over all the world (Philippians 2:8-10, Revelation 3:21, Hebrews 1:5, 2:5-9, Matthew 28:18).

The picture of the Lamb who is standing on Mount Zion reflects that He is the ultimate servant leader (Lamb) as well as the King of all kings (Mount Zion) who has authority over all the world. This is similar to the pairing of Jesus pictured as both Lamb (servant) and Lion (king) in Revelation 5:5-6. Jesus the Son will soon take over ruling over the earth from the beast who is the false son of the false trinity of Satan.

Jesus has the one hundred and forty-four thousand on Mount Zion with Him and these chosen Jewish believers are singing a new song that only they can sing. It is said this new song is sung before the throne:

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 harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth (vv. 2-3).

The one hundred and forty-four thousand are singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders (v. 3).

It appears that the scene shifts from earth (v. 1) to heaven (v. 2). This is supported by the fact that the four living creatures and the elders are pictured as being with the one hundred and forty-four thousand Jewish believers. Previously, the four living creatures and the elders there with them were introduced to us through a “door standing open in heaven” (Revelation 4:1). The “twenty-four elders” are pictured in heaven’s throne room (Revelation 4:4) along with the “four living creatures” (Revelation 4:8).

The pattern of the scene shifting from earth (v. 1) to heaven (v. 2) follows the same pattern as in Chapter 7. We were introduced to the one hundred and forty-four thousand in Revelation 7:4-8 then the scene immediately shifted to heaven in Revelation 7:9.

The picture in verse 1 of Jesus with the one hundred and forty-four thousand on Mount Zion might picture Jesus’s constant presence with them during their earthly ministry. The one hundred and forty-four thousand with Jesus on Mount Zion might also picture them as reigning with Jesus during His messianic kingdom. Since prophecy is not necessarily presented in sequence, this could be a foreshadowing or a symbol representing the special service that the 144,000 will be granted as a reward for their faithful witness for Jesus.

In the scene before God’s throne in heaven, the one hundred and forty-four thousand are being rewarded for their faithfulness while living on earth. Part of that reward is being given a new song that no one could learn except the one hundred and forty-four thousand.

Jesus will be seated on the throne of His earthly kingdom after He has taken the reign of His human forefather David, as promised in 2 Samuel 7:16. The new song that can only be sung by the one hundred and forty-four thousand could represent that the one hundred and forty-four thousand are granted a new ruling authority in Israel as a part of Jesus’s kingdom administration that is unlike a role held by anyone else.

Jesus told the twelve apostles that they would sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel when He came into His kingdom (Matthew 19:28). In the Parable of the Talents, the master (representing Jesus) calls ruling over many things entering “into the joy” of their “master” (Matthew 25:21). Hebrews 12:2 uses the same basic picture, where Jesus considered the reward of sharing His Father’s throne as the “joy set before Him”-this joyous reward for faithful obedience motivated Him to “endure the cross.”

Jesus promises those who overcome that they will rule with a “rod of iron” and share His throne (Revelation 2:25-27, 3:21). Those who overcome will be His servants who are good and faithful and enter into His joy by being given responsibility in His new administration (Matthew 25:21).

It could be that this scene pictures the one hundred and forty-four thousand having a special role in Jesus’s kingdom especially designed for them due to their unique and faithful ministry while living on earth. This fits a pattern in Revelation, as Jesus promises a uniquely customized reward to all who overcome:

“‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it’”
(Revelation 2:17).

We see in Revelation 2:17 that Jesus promises each believer who overcomes a special reward-that they will have a “new name” that no one else knows. It could be that the “new name” is a distinct role in God’s kingdom, a special assignment designed specifically for them and no one else.

This would also fit the pattern of Ephesians 2:10, which says God has prepared a special work for each person who believes. This work applies to the life of each believer while living on earth. It could be that the new song is a special role, a special empowerment and/or a special connection each of these one hundred and forty-four thousand have among themselves.

We know from Revelation 22:3 that God’s throne will in time relocate to the new earth. If the scenario is that the 144,000 have been martyred for their faith and then are relocated to heaven, it will just be a matter of time before they return to earth to reign with Christ in His messianic kingdom.

John hears a voice. He describes that voice as sounding like many waters, loud thunder, and the sound of harpists playing on their harps. There is no indication there is literally water, thunder, and harps. John says the sound of the voice is like the sound of these things. That John uses this description, citing things he has heard in his own experience to describe the sound of this heavenly voice, is his attempt to convey his heavenly vision in earthly terms.

This voice may be the sound of the new song being sung by the one hundred and forty-four thousand. So, while the new song could represent a special role and reward it would appear that this new song is also a literal song that is sung before the throne.

When John says the voice is like many waters he could have in mind the roar of waves or of a waterfall. This is a sound that is a melodic, constant roar. He also describes the voice as being like loud thunder. Loud thunder is a sound that is intermittent and so loud that it cannot be ignored. Loud thunder is jolting and demands attention. He also describes the voice as being like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, which is a lovely, soft, and melodic sound.

These three descriptions could be viewed as conflicting. But since this is a choir made up of one hundred and forty-four thousand voices singing a new song, we can imagine the unified sound that is something like an orchestra made up of strings (harps) kettle drums (loud thunder) and woodwinds (many waters). Only they can sing the song, but apparently anyone can hear it.

The Greek word translated a voice is singular while the word translated they sang is plural. This could indicate that the one hundred and forty-four thousand sang as one voice. This would support the idea that the one voice has seemingly conflicting sounds, because the voice consists of one hundred and forty-four thousand singing with perfect unity, and the various elements blend together perfectly to the point that it seems as one voice.

This is a song only for the one hundred and forty-four thousand, as John notes that no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth (v. 3). The Greek “agorazo” is the root of the word translated have been purchased from the earth. The same word is used in verse 4, which says the 144,000 has been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.

The idea of first fruits in scripture reflects the first part of the annual harvest. The picture of the first reaping of the harvest is used to describe a number of things in the Bible.

• In Romans 8:23, Paul calls the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of believers living on the earth “having the first fruits of the Spirit.”
• 1 Corinthians 15:20, calls Jesus the “first fruits of those who are asleep.”
• In 1 Corinthians 16:15, Paul refers to the “household of Stephanas” as the “first fruits of Achaia,” indicating that they were the first converts to Christianity in the region of Achaia.

“Agorazo” (purchased) is translated in some versions as “redeemed.” The use of first fruits as it relates to the 144,000 could mean they are the first to be martyred in the period of great tribulation. This might be connected to the “abomination of desolation” spoken of in Daniel that marks the beginning of the three and one half years of great tribulation (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15). It could be that the opening image of this chapter depicts the 144,000 defending the holy place of the temple, during which they lose their lives and ascend to heaven as martyrs, faithful witnesses for Jesus. It could also be that the 144,000 are first fruits in other ways, such as being among the first to be rewarded to reign with Christ in Jerusalem.

Next, John tells us what is special to the character of the 144,000:

These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless (vv. 4-5).

We see the following characteristics:

• Sexually chaste
• They follow the Lamb wherever He goes
• Purchased as first fruits
• They do not lie
• Blameless

Let’s explore each of these attributes in closer detail.

First, that they have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste (v. 4). Someone who is married but faithful to their spouse would also be undefiled, but the fact that they are listed as chaste leads us to believe that these are unmarried men who are virgins.

Next, these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes (v. 4). This is an example of what a faithful witness looks like. God wants us to follow Him all the time, not the world’s system. In this case, it seems that the one hundred and forty-four thousand are also in the presence of Jesus at all times. This could be a spiritual application while they are on earth, then perhaps their assigned position in Christ’s kingdom deals with direct service to Him.

We saw something like this in Revelation 7, where we first met the one hundred and forty-four thousand. In Revelation 7:14-15, we saw a group that remained in Jesus’s physical presence at all times, who “serve Him day and night in His temple.”  This is a “great multitude” that is “from every nation.”

It is inferred that this group that constantly serves Jesus in His presence consists of martyrs for Jesus. So perhaps the one hundred and forty-four thousand represent a special group of martyrs that will be the first (first fruits) to join in this special company who will minister in the direct presence of Jesus.

As previously discussed, first fruits refers to the crops at the very beginning of the harvest. In the Old Testament laws concerning sacrifices, it was from the first fruits that God wanted the Israelites to give offerings (Deuteronomy 26:2-4, Leviticus 23:10). In this instance, the one hundred and forty-four thousand appear to be presented as an offering to Jesus, perhaps also indicating that they will be martyred during their service to Him.

Finally, no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless (v. 5). Here, blameless refers to the fact that they are without fault before the throne of God. Through Christ, we are all justified and will be found righteous before God. This is true because our sins are covered by His blood; by our actions alone we would not be worthy (Galatians 2:16, Romans 5:1).

Given that all have sinned, this verse would speak to the actual behavior of the 144,000 while living on earth after they are chosen and sealed. They live a life sanctified to Jesus and totally apart from the mark, image, and requirements of the beast. This is also consistent with the “everlasting gospel” we will see in Revelation 14:6-7 which calls people to “Fear God, and give Him glory because the hour of His judgment has come.”

It could also be that this group of 144,000 is described as first fruits to God and to the Lamb because they are the initial example of what everyone will eventually experience prior to living in the new earth. In the case of this group, it seems they were refined and sanctified while still living on earth. They lived blamelessly as faithful witnesses, standing apart from the beast and the corrupt culture that has taken over the earth. Thus they were refined in the fire due to their faithful witness.

Every believer will be refined and fully sanctified through God’s refining judgment fire, as we see in passages like 1 Corinthians 3:12-16 and 2 Corinthians 5:10. Each person will follow a pattern that the more our faith is refined while living on earth the less refining and the greater the reward will be in heaven (James 1:3-4, 12).

As we have seen, only those who are overcomers possess the full reward of the inheritance, which includes reigning in intimate fellowship with Christ (Revelation 2:26-27, 3:21). Perhaps these are the first overcomers to be martyred in the period of great tribulation, and the first who Jesus will inaugurate into His fellowship to reign with Him.

This fits with the observation that this passage began with a picture of Jesus as the authority over Israel and over the earth. He was pictured on Mount Zion, the city of David, along with the one hundred and forty-four thousand. It may be these one hundred and forty-four thousand are the first to gain the reward of reigning with Christ in His millennial kingdom (2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 2:26-27, 3:21, 20:1-5).