WEEK 21 MEMORY VERSE:
”Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Revelation 16:15

Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Revelation 14:1-5
Triumphant Over the Beast
Here we see the scene of 144,000 redeemed followers of the Lamb on Mount Zion, standing with the Lamb amid the singing of a song of worship before the throne of God by an angelic chorus. The number 144,000 is again probably symbolic as opposed to being an exact count. This is the same multitude that was sealed back in chapter 7 for protection during the Great Tribulation. Remember that they were protected from the judgments of God upon the earth, but they have faced martyrdom during the tribulation period because they refused to receive the mark of the beast. Now they have come through the Great Tribulation and they stand on Zion, which symbolizes the defeat of God’s enemies and the salvation of his people. They are said to be undefiled and pure, probably a reference to rejecting idolatry. They are triumphant over the beast not as warriors, but as those who have repeated the victory of the Lamb over the enemy by their submission. Allow the victorious scene here to inspire you today. Even if we live into the tribulation and face severe hardship, persecutions, and execution for our loyalty to Christ, remember that the ultimate victory belongs to the Lamb and his followers.

Prayer Starter:
Lord, please help me to be faithful to you. Help me to follow the example of these martyrs and to remain faithful to you, confident of the ultimate victory of Jesus and those who follow him.