“And I looked, and lo a Lamb stood on Mount Zion and with Him an hundred and forty and four thousand having His Father’s name written in their foreheads” 4 …These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb,” Rev. 14:1-5.

The Word of God says, “Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity (2Cor. 5:19) and IN WHOSE SPIRIT THERE IS NO GUILE (lie, deceit, craftiness),” Ps. 32:2. How are we to be happy, fortunate (to be envied)? For that is what to be ‘blessed’ means. How are we to become such as a nation on earth that men will envy?

It is as we are free from all forms of deception and craftiness in our spirit. No wonder the Spirit of the Lord admonishes us to

“…cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1I).

And in considering the above thought, a figure readily comes to mind in the Bible – the very person of Nathaniel whom Jesus at first sight described as “…an Israelite indeed, in whom is NO GUILE” (John. 1:47).

Oh! What a description for a natural man like you and me. Are we surprised then that the Lord promised him greater insight into the life of and ministry of the Son of God (v. 50-51)? He was truly a blessed brother to have been privileged to see beyond the natural into the realms of the spirit.

The Living Bible says, “…Here comes an HONEST MAN – a true son of Israel.” And the Amplified says, “…here is an Israelite indeed – a true descendant of Jacob – in whom there is no guile, no deceit, no falsehood, no duplicity! (deception).”

To duplicate is to make another copy of something out of an original copy, but here is a man with a single true identity of the life of God. What is the testimony of God about you? Are we truly what we claim to be – Christians? God’s plan is that we become one with Him (John. 17:21).

And our oneness with the Father in everything is what will make the world to believe in Jesus. For then it will be a revelation of the person of the Christ within (2Cor. 13:5), and not just talking. It will become a life. And as we talk, it will even be life impartation to our hearers.

Therefore, in the words of Paul, “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile… so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have IMPARTED UNTO you, not the Gospel of God only, but also OUR OWN SOULS…,” 1Thes. 2:3-8.

The Living Bible says,

“…You can see that we were not preaching with any false motives or evil purpose in mind; we were perfectly straight forward and sincere. For we speak as messengers from God, trusted by him to tell the truth: we change His message not one bit to suit the taste of those who hear it; for we serve God alone, who examines our hearts’ deepest thoughts. Never once did we try to win you with flattery as you very well know, and God knows we were not just pretending to be your friend so that you would give us money. As for praise, we have never asked for it from you or anyone else, although as Apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to some honour from you but we were as gentle among you as a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you dearly – so dearly that we gave you not only God’s message, but OUR OWN LIVES TOO.”

Think of it brother. What is ministry without life being imparted? For the impartation of life is true discipleship. Thank God we shall yet see a people who will not only deliver the message but will also have their lives in God imparted unto the children to have more of Christ’s life on earth in a people.

We are speaking of those who will not only milk the flock but will also feed them fat first. After all what does the baby have to give to the mother? But the mother’s breast milk is the life of the baby.

And so the 144,000 “…never allowed a lie to pass their lips and no fault can be found in them” (Rev. 14:5 JB) is symbolic of the remnant in Zion after the purification of the Lord. (See Zeph. 1:9-13 TLB.)

Preserved blameless in His presence (the throne) (Jude 24),

The 144,000 are a people in God’s image right here on earth not just a literal No but all such that are redeemed of the lord with the precious blood of the Lamb, the New covenant people.

The End.