Useful Bible Studies > Revelation Commentary > chapter 14
In the Old Testament (the first part of the Bible), when people offered animals as sacrifices (gifts to God), those animals had to be perfect. You can read the rules that the priests followed in Leviticus 22:17-25.
It was necessary, therefore, for the priests to examine each animal, to make sure that there was nothing wrong with it.
That rule, of course, had a special meaning. The meaning is this: God only accepts what is perfect. As the priests examined those animals, people should examine their own thoughts, attitudes and actions (1 Corinthians 11:27-31). God cannot accept them as his people if anything is wrong.
Of course, everyone must fail that test - we all are guilty of many wrong things (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8). That is why God sent Christ to die for us, as the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11-15; Hebrews 9:23-28). Like the animals in the Old Testament, nothing was wrong with him (1 Peter 1:19; 1 Peter 2:22). That is why God accepts his death to free his people from their evil deeds. God accepts them as perfect not because of their own efforts, but because Christ’s death redeemed them (purchased them for God) - Revelation 14:4.
Because of that, they can now live in a close relationship with Christ (Hebrews 10:19-24; Revelation 14:4). They can live in the manner that pleases him (Romans 8:-1-2; 1 John 2:1-6). In Revelation 14:5, John is referring to a group of 144,000 people with an especially close relationship with Christ. Nothing untrue is in them. Their words match their actions; and both match the attitude of their hearts. Lies belong to the devil (John 8:44); God's people love the truth (John 8:31-32).
Next part: An angel with good news (Revelation 14:6-7)
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© 2016, Keith Simons.