Firstfruits Unto God
Today’s Verse:
These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. ~Revelation 14:4
The word “firstfruits” as used in our devotion this morning implies the choicest, best, and most prized. The Jews were commanded to give of their firstfruits to God. Solomon said, “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.” The firstfruits in Revelation 14 is speaking of the 144,000 missionary/evangelists out of the twelve tribes of Israel who take the gospel throughout the world during the seven-year Great Tribulation. In Revelation 14, they are recognized and acknowledged for their worship, work and worth to God.
They will be the finest.
“These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.” God wants us to know that these 144,000 will be the finest on earth during the Tribulation. They will be His firstfruits. First, because they will be saved. During the Tribulation, these believers will come to the realization that Jesus is the Christ Who died for their sins and rose again from the dead. Their salvation will be repentant, real, and resounding. Second, because they will be slain. This group will pay a heavy price for their unashamed preaching of the gospel. They will be martyred for their faith. They will be hated, hunted, and killed for their faith. They will be God’s finest.
They will be the Father’s.
“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.” On earth, the unsaved will receive the number of the antichrist, 666, on their foreheads and the back of their hand. Jesus said that the unsaved are of their father, the devil. God is making a clear distinction that His saved will have His name as their Father in Heaven on their foreheads. They will be His chosen and his firstfruits. They will be the Father’s.
They will be faultless.
“These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.” Lasciviousness will be uninhibited during the Tribulation. These special believers will be pure, holy, and undefiled. They will be single, never before married men (most likely young men) who will abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul. In spite of the temptations, these men will flee youthful lusts and "follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." They will be faultless.
They will be followers.
“These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” They will be loyal followers of the Lord. They will take up their cross and follow Him. They will follow Him across continents. They will follow Him in obedience. They will follow Him in suffering. They will follow Him, even in death. They will be dedicated, sold-out soldiers of our Lord Jesus Christ. They will be followers.
They will be forgiven.
They will be redeemed. Paul said, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.” They will have been washed clean and forgiven of all their sins. Forgiven is a word that means “sent away.” Our sins are forgiven and forgotten. Like the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement, they are sent away, never to return and accuse us. These believers will be God’s firstfruits: His best, His chosen, His prime, and His finest. Let’s model the holiness, boldness, and obedience of these precious men.
Have a consecrated God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Corinthians 5-9