Characteristics of the Bride
It is important to understand the characteristics of this group called the Bride. Revelation 14:4 stated that these were firstfruits. Lets go back, Revelation 14:1
1And 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.
This is the 144,000, the Bride. Note what is said about them and decide for yourself if this is all believers or a special class of believers, Revelation 14:2-3.
2And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
The 144,000 are singing a song. Note that they are singing as one voice. This is similar to Acts 2:1.
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
The 144,000 are in one accord. That is why it sounds like one voice. They are unified as one body. Can that be said about all believers? Hardly, because the average believer is mostly about themselves. The 144,000 are unified, Revelation 14:3.
3And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
No one could learn the song except the 144,000. This speaks of a special relationship with God. This is similar to what is found in Psalm 40, Psalm 40:1-3.
1 I waited patiently for Yehovah; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yehovah.
The individual in Psalm 40 trusted in God. God put a new song in this person, it is a special relationship, Psalm 40:4.
4Blessed is that man that maketh Yehovah his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
This individual has turned from the world and trusts the Lord explicitly. How many believers have actually done that? We should be honest, very few in this lifetime. Further in Psalm 40:8-10:
8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. 9I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Yehovah, thou knowest. 10I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
This individual does the will of God and enjoys it. This individual declares God as God so chooses, not as they decided. Doing the will of the Father is what is special about these people. How many of us can truly say we do this? Not many.
Revelation 14:4-5
4These 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. 5And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
When it states that these were not defiled with women, many assume that these can only be men. However, this should not be take literal. It is a symbolic discussion. Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 11:2.
2For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Messiah.
Born-Again believers are equated to virgins. Non-believers are part of the Harlot system, they are defiled by women. In the New Testament, a virgin symbolically represent a born-again believer. As such, the 144,000 are composed of both men and women.
The 144,000 follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These are footstep believers. They do the will of the Father. They are firstfruits believers. They have no guile or fault. This is a special class of believers. What is said of them cannot be said of all believers.
This is the special class of believers called the Bride. In this lifetime, we should strive to be a part of the Bride.
Next Honor and Dishonor
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