Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Redeem the 144,000 (8/28/25)

I'm cautious about letting my kids use permanent markers – after all, they're permanent! However, for their swim meets this summer, I made an exception, allowing them to use permanent markers to draw pictures on each other's backs (though not on their faces).

One day, we'll all have permanent writing on our faces, but it won't be from a marker. In contrast to the second beast in last week's passage, which required everyone to receive a mark (the name of the first beast) on their right hand or forehead, Jesus chooses to put His name on the foreheads of the redeemed.

Revelation 14:1-5 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. ² And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. ³ And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. ⁴ These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. ⁵ No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

You might recall the 144,000 from Revelation chapter 7, who were sealed by God on their foreheads before the final judgment. Some scholars interpret this number of 144,000 as symbolic, while others believe it's literal. There's debate about whether it refers specifically to Israelites who follow Christ in the last days or represents the broader body of believers across the ages – the Church, including Gentiles. Based on the passage in Revelation 14, it seems to me that the 144,000 might not represent all believers, as they're described as firstfruits. What's clear, however, is that Jesus is worthy of praise for His redemption of both the firstfruits and all who accept His redemption.

As we reflect on this, we're faced with a question: Whose name will you have on your forehead? Will you be claimed by Satan and the beast, or by God the Father and Jesus? The good news is that Jesus's redemption is permanent – His purchase with His shed blood on the cross was a one-time, definitive act for those who receive it.

Thursday Devotional - Pure and Permanent Priest

We’re two months into 2020!!! How are you doing with your 2020 goals? There are a few I’ve done well and a couple I haven’t.

Jesus had a goal for His life on earth and he completed it perfectly. His goal was to provide eternal salvation to all who will receive it. He perfectly and permanently accomplished it! Because of that, the writer of Hebrews calls Jesus our pure and permanent High Priest. The Old Testament High Priests couldn’t save anyone.

Hebrews 7:23-27  ²³ Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; ²⁴ but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. ²⁵ Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

²⁶ Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. ²⁷ Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

As we begin the season of Lent, there are so many encouraging promises to focus on from this passage about Jesus as our pure and permanent priest.

1.   He already provided complete salvation (to those who accept it)

2.   He is the only way to God

3.   He is alive and interceding for believers daily

4.   He is and has the answer for every need

Which truth will you and I appreciate and focus on today?

Alice