Jump Start # 3586
Revelation 14:1 “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.”
There is a persona about the book of Revelation. Many would say, “It’s the most difficult book of the Bible.” I don’t think so. Try Ezekiel’s visions or sections of Zechariah or Daniel. Revelation is a vision that is expressed in word pictures. Symbolism and Old Testament images fill this book. It is a great message of hope.
In our verse today, don’t focus upon who or what the 144,000 are. Don’t worry about what Mount Zion may be. Just think about the purchased righteous (14:3) who have the name of God on their foreheads. Literally? No. No more than there are exactly 144,000 and not one less or one more. Images, remember?
The name of God on their foreheads. The name Andy was on the bottom of Woody’s boot in Toy Story. The name of God was not hidden deep within the heart. No, it’s on the forehead. Visible and identifiable. Others could see what’s on the forehead.
Now, some thought from this:
First, we belong to God. His name is written upon us. We are His. We are not lost. We are not trying to figure who we are or where we belong. We belong to God. He has purchased us. It was an expensive price to buy us. It took the blood of Jesus. Redeemed is what that theological concept means. Bought and under the ownership of God.
Second, there is no one better to belong to that God. The Lord will take care of us. The Lord will see us safely through. It is better to be owned by God than to be left to ourselves. On our own, we’ve gotten deep into sin. On our own, we became lost and could not find our way out. On our own, we do not take care of ourselves very well.
Third, because the name of God is on our foreheads, others can see that. Others know that we belong to God. They see, not God’s literal name on our foreheads, but God’s literal way living through our lives. Our hopes are of God. Our walk is in the Lord. By faith, we travel, doing the will of God everywhere we can.
In a turbulent culture that actively was violent towards Christians, the name of God was upon the foreheads of His people. It wasn’t like a driver’s license, tucked inside a wallet, and hidden in a back pocket or a purse. We carry our license, but it’s hidden. One would think, to protect His people, God would write His name in invisible ink or give His people a card that they could hide on them. Instead, on the forehead, visible to the world, was the name of the Father and the Lamb. Was this a reminder to those persecuted disciples, to not hide their faith but to show it to the world.
And, just what does the world see? We look in the mirror and there is nothing written on our foreheads. But visible to all, is our kindness, generosity, grace, mercy and faithfulness to the Lord. That’s what the world sees. Some will turn away from that. Some will be attracted to that. Some will see the blessings that come from being around a Christian. Others hate what Christians represent and what they stand for.
The name of God visible. The name of God identifiable. The name of God, put on us by God Himself. A reminder of who purchased us. A reminder of who we belong to. A sign to the world that we are God’s.
Roger