Lesson 11They Overcame by the Blood (Part 2)

Amen! Hallelujah! – A Study of the Book of Revelation

By Dale Wells

Rev. 13:1-14:5

The Devil's Three Forces

Sea beast Rev 13:1 WEB Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast

coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.

Earth beast aka False prophet Rev 13:11 WEB I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He

had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon. Rev 19:20 WEB The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet

who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.

Great prostitute Rev 17:1 WEB One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls

came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here. I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters,

The Beast out of the Sea

Rev 13:1-10 WEB

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names. (2) The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. (3) One of his heads looked like it had been wounded fatally. His fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled at the beast. (4) They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" (5) A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him. (6) He opened his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his dwelling, those who dwell in heaven. (7) It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him. (8) All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed. (9) If anyone has an ear, let him hear. (10) If anyone has captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.

Points of identification about the Sea Beast

Like the dragon, the sea beast has seven heads and ten horns Rev 12:3. WEB Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red

dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns. 7 heads indicates that it rules by God’s permission. 10 horns indicates that it has power, but its power is limited by God.

Unlike the dragon (7 diadems), this beast has 10 diadems. 10 diadems indicates that God sets limits on its rule.

On each head, the Sea Beast wears a blasphemous name

"Blasphemous" means "insulting to God."These are names, or titles, that should be used only of God, such as "Lord," "God," "Almighty," "Divine," “Worshipful." These seven heads represent seven rulers who claim divine rank. Later, we'll see an immoral woman riding atop this beast. There we'll learn something about the heads: Rev 17:9-10 WEB Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven

heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits. (10) They are seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little while.

The meaning of blasphemous or "insulting" in this context means "to bring dishonor to God," "to mock God," or "be an affront to God." Thus, the idea of this text is "on each of its heads there was a name that mocked God."

The Sea Beast is best understood in light of Daniel 7:1-8

Dan 7:1-8 WEB In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head on his bed: then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters. (2) Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke forth on the great sea. (3) Four great animals came up from the sea, diverse one from another. (4) The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I saw until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand on two feet as a man; and a man's heart was given to it. (5) Behold, another animal, a second, like a bear; and it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth: and they said thus to it, Arise, devour much flesh. (6) After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the animal had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. (7) After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, a fourth animal, awesome and powerful, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it was diverse from all the animals that were before it; and it had ten horns. (8) I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Both came out of the sea

John sees one beast; Daniel sees four.In both, the animals emerge from the sea. Rev 13:1 WEB Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast

coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.

Dan 7:3 WEB Four great animals came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

Both had 10 horns

Rev 13:1 WEB Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.Dan 7:7 WEB After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, a fourth animal, awesome and powerful, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it was diverse from all the animals that were before it; and it had ten horns.

Both included references to Leopard, Bear & Lion

Rev 13:2 WEB The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.

Dan 7:3-6 WEB

Four great animals came up from the sea, diverse one from another. (4) The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I saw until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand on two feet as a man; and a man's heart was given to it. (5) Behold, another animal, a second, like a bear; and it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth: and they said thus to it, Arise, devour much flesh. (6) After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the animal had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

Both include references to being boastful & blasphemous

Rev 13:5 WEB A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy ...Dan 7:8 WEB I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn … in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.Dan 7:19-20 WEB Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal … (20) and … that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke great things, whose look was more stout than its fellows.Dan 7:25 WEB He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High...

Both make war against the saints

Rev 13:7 WEB It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him.

Dan 7:25 WEB He … shall wear out the saints of the Most High … and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.

Both oppress the saints for the same time period

Rev 13:5 WEB … Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him.Dan 7:25 WEB He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.42 months is the same time period as "a time, times & half a time" (3 ½ years) & 1,260 days.

Daniel's beasts are 4 kingdoms

Dan 7:17-18 NIV 'The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth. (18) But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever--yes, for ever and ever.'

In the days of the fourth kingdom, God will set up an everlasting kingdom.

Dan 7:26-27 WEB But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end. (27) The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

Daniel's 4 empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece & Rome

More important details from Daniel 7

The beast was killed & its body was burned. Dan 7:11-12 WEB I saw at that time because of the voice of the

great words which the horn spoke; I saw even until the animal was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire. (12) As for the rest of the animals, their dominion was taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

The son of man was given an indestructible kingdom. Dan 7:13-14 WEB I saw in the night visions, and behold, there

came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. (14) There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Daniel wants to know about the fourth kingdom – Rome.

Dan 7:19-20 WEB Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was diverse from all of them …Explanation: The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom.

Dan 7:23 WEB Thus he said, The fourth animal shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

10 horns are 10 kings, followed by an 11th who subdues 3. Dan 7:24 WEB As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall

ten kings arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the former, and he shall put down three kings.

The difference between Daniel & Revelation is a matter of perspective.

Daniel looks forward through history, so he describes the animals in this order: lion, bear, leopard.John, living in the time of Daniel's fourth beast, describes that beast with elements of the earlier three: leopard, bear & lion. The significance is that Daniel's fourth beast – the beast described by John, has characteristics of the earlier three.

The heads are kings

There are 7, but an 8th is coming up. Rev 17:9-11 WEB Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are …

(10) … seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little while. (11) The beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goes to destruction.

Five have fallen: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero.One is: Vespasian (this places the writing around 78-79 AD).One is yet to come: Titus

The 11th king who becomes the 8th is Domitian

Daniel says the 11th will knock off 3 to become an 8th Dan 7:8 WEB I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them

another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

John doesn’t mention 3, so Domitian is the 8th

Why did Domitian want to be the 8th? 8 is the number of resurrection & supported his claim to deity.

The Sea Beast appears to have something in common with the Lamb

The earlier description of the lamb included reference to a fatal wound: Rev 5:6 WEB I saw in the midst of the throne … a Lamb standing, as though it

had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.

The beast also "had a wound that seemed to be fatal." The lamb was standing, having actually been slain; the beast only appears to have suffered a mortal wound, but "his deadly wound had healed," (i.e. a scar showed how severe the wound had been).

Nero’s persecution of Christians died with him.

Domitian aspired to the throne after Nero's suicide & was involved in the overthrow of Galba, Otho & Vitellius.

Domitian fostered the story that he was Nero reincarnated – i.e. Nero redivivus – and he revived the persecution of Christians. Rev 13:3 WEB One of his heads looked like it had been wounded fatally.

His fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled at the beast.

The dragon shares his power with the beast

The dragon gave his power, throne and authority to the beast.From now on the beast is the dragon's deputy, with authority to speak & act in the name of the dragon. People worshiped the beast – a reference to emperor worship. "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?" This is practically a

psalm sung in praise of the sea beast. This flies in the face of the name of Michael, that means “Who is like God?”

The sea beast blasphemes & exercises authority for 42 months

The beast was given the power of speech. The passive verb points to God as the one who allows the beast to speak.In other words, "God allowed the beast to speak …”"Uttering haughty and blasphemous words": the Greek text says "great (utterances) and blasphemies," which means "outrageous blasphemies." The "proud claims" were insults to God. The idea is that the beast was claiming rights and authority that belong only to God. It was allowed to exercise authority. This again shows that God is in control. In other words, "God allowed the beast to have authority." The time period is the same as the time in Revelation 11:2: Rev 11:2 WEB Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and

don't measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months.

Encouragement for Christians to hold fast

Rev 13:9-10 WEB If anyone has an ear, let him hear. (10) If anyone has captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.This is like the exhortation to the seven churches in chapters 2-3. The idea is that expressed in Jeremiah:

Jer 15:2 WEB It shall happen, when they tell you, Where shall we go forth? then you shall tell them, Thus says Yahweh: Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity.

The meaning is that anyone destined to be imprisoned will be imprisonedIt is likely that this is a way of counseling Christians to submit to arrest and imprisonment, without trying to escape their God-given destiny.The Good News Bible does a better job, especially with the reference to being killed by the sword: Rev 13:10 GNB Whoever is meant to be captured will surely be

captured; whoever is meant to be killed by the sword will surely be killed by the sword. This calls for endurance and faith on the part of God's people."

Killed by the sword refers to people being executed for their beliefs.

Here is a call for the endurance and faith. Awareness of the fact that it is God's will that many of them be

imprisoned and slain calls for endurance and faith on their part.

However, in the book of Revelation, the one ultimately destined for captivity & the sword is not the Christian, but the beast!

Earth Beast

Rev 13:11-18 WEB

I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon. (12) He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. (13) He performs great signs, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people. (14) He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast; saying to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who had the sword wound and lived. (15) It was given to him to give breath to it, to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as wouldn't worship the image of the beast to be killed. (16) He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads; (17) and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name. (18) Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.

This beast appears gentle

It looked like a lamb. A lamb always a has a religious significance. Hence, this beast has an outwardly religious appearance

It had two horns like a lamb: these horns are small and inoffensive and depict this beast as a gentle creature.

In reality, it exercises the power of the Devil

It has the voice of the dragon. Remember who the dragon is: Rev 12:9 WEB The great dragon … he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver

of the whole world....

This beast has the authority of the first beast, who has the authority of the dragon. This beast is backed by the power of Rome, which is backed by the power of the Devil. Rev 13:12 WEB He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. He

makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.

It forces people to worship the first beast (sea beast)

Hence, he is going to be called “false prophet”. Rev 19:20 WEB The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet

who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.

Rev 13:13 WEB He performs great signs, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people.

It forces people to worship the first beast (sea beast)

“All these characteristics seem to identify the second beast as the ‘commune’ or ‘concilia’ set up in Asia Minor to enforce the state religion. This was an official body which had charge of the state religion and had as its duty to force all to do homage to the image of the emperor” (Ray Summers, Worthy is the Lamb, p. 178).

Images to beast – emperor temples in all cities

Without the mark, cannot work or trade. Starving out ChristiansNot a literal mark of beast any more than a literal mark of God Rev 7:3 WEB … "Don't harm the earth … sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed

the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!"

People take it figurative till they get to this or to 1000 year reign, then all of a sudden want it to be literal. Hogwash.One couldn’t get work unless he belonged to trade guilds. Otherwise, forced out of work & into black market.

Tertullian

Early in the Third Century, a convert named Tertullian challenged Christians involved in the trade guilds "head-on". Tertullian, son of a Roman officer, was a lawyer. After his conversion, he became something of a "conscience" to the church of his day, with some of his writings. Among other things, he wrote a series of essays on idolatry.

Tertullian

The basic idea of the piece was this: A Christian might confess Caesar as Lord, or engage in some pagan ritual,

possibly involving idolatry or immorality, so that he might be able to continue in his trade.

He might justify himself by glibly saying, "I must live". Tertullian asked scathing questions, "But must you live?" "Where is it written

that you must live?" Christ does not demand that we must live – only that we be faithful!

Number of the name:

Man’s number – Not “a man” just “man”.

6 falls short of 7 every time. The more it tries to catch up, the farther it falls behind. 6 is one short of 7; 66 is 11 short of 77; 666 is 111 short of 777. See, it just gets farther behind.

John probably has a gematrical number in mind

Ancient alphabets shared number & letters, so letters stood for numerals – unlike English. Thus a was both the first letter & the first number, b was both the second letter & the second number. Context determined whether the character was used as a letter or number.Gematria was the practice of encoding words by adding up the numerical values of the letters. Thus, David (spelled DVD in Heb) had a value of 4+6+4 or 14 (Matt. 1)Likely, John had a word in mind, but what was it? Suggestions have included the Pope, Hitler, Nero & a host of others.

Jack Van Impe believes it is VISA

“The number “6” in Roman numerals is made up of the letters, “VI”. The ancient Greek number “6” was taken from the sixth letter of their alphabet, the letter “sigma” which looks like the English letter “s.” Returning to the Babylonian empire and their sexagesimal system of numbers, the [computer] programmer considered that the possibility that their letter “A’ equaled 6. Thus, from the three great world empires of history, he found that the composition of the number “666” spells the word VISA – the exact name of today’s most accepted and popular credit card” (11:59 and Counting, pp.106,107)

The Greek word for that is "Baloney!"

666 in Rev 13:18 is a gematria

Rev 13:18 WEB … He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast .... His number is six hundred sixty-six. 666 is rebellion, compounded and compounded again! 666 is man’s attempt to usurp God’s throne!

666 in Rev 13:18 is clearly a gematria The number concealed a name known to the hearers and readers. The name behind the number was quickly lost. Irenaeus, a 2nd Century Christian

posed several possibilities, but he didn’t know the name behind the number.

Possible names that make sense in light of the historical setting

Lateinos = “Latin” (e.g. Rome, the city or the empire) = 30+1+300+5+10+50+70+200 = 666Teitan = “Titus” (the common name of the three Flavian Emperors: Vespasian,Titus and Domitian. Vespasian was the emperor at the time Revelation was written. Titus came to the throne shortly thereafter. Domitian began the first empire-wide persecution of Christians.) = 300+5+10+300+1+50 = 666Kaisarsebaston = “Caesar Augustus” (“worshipful Caesar”). The imperial name = 20+1+10+200+1+100+200+5+2+1+6+70+50 = 666 (Note: this calculation requires using the obsolete letter stigma (= 6)

in the place of the letters sigma (= 200) and tau (= 300). I do not regard this as particularly objectionable, since the book was intended to be read aloud. The hearers would be used to associating the “st” sound with the value of 6.)

John equates the “name” of the sea beast with the “number” of the name

Rev 13:16-17 WEB He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads; (17) and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Recall the first beast had 7 heads with a blasphemous name on each

One name common to all heads, not seven different names, as many translations suggest. Rev 13:1 MSG … I saw a Beast rising from the sea. It had ten horns and seven

heads--on each horn a crown, and each head inscribed with a blasphemous name.

The "heads" are elsewhere identified as kings Rev 17:9-10 WEB … The seven heads ... (10) … are seven kings. Five have

fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little while.

The common theme of the 1st Century Roman emperors names

Caesar Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD)Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus (14 – 37 AD)Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (Caligula) (37 – 41 AD)Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (41 – 54 AD)Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (54 – 68 AD)Servius Galba Caesar Augustus (68 – 69 AD)Marcus Otho Caesar Augustus (69 AD)Aulus Vitellius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (69 AD)Caesar Vespasianus Augustus (69 – 79 AD)Titus Caesar Vespasianus Augustus (79 - 81 AD)Caesar Domitianus Augustus Germanicus (81 – 96 AD)

Caesar Augustus means “worshipful Caesar”

Clearly this is a blasphemous name Rev 13:1 Webster And I stood upon the sand of the sea,

and saw a beast rise out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Rev 13:1 YLT And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and I saw out of the sea a beast coming up, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon its horns ten diadems, and upon its heads a name of evil speaking,

Rev 13:1 GNB Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads; on each of its horns there was a crown, and on each of its heads there was a name that was insulting to God.

Eight contrasts with six in other apocalyptic writings.

Eight symbolizes resurrection (not used in Revelation). Early writers said Christians met on”the 8th day of the week, which is also the 1st”, because of Jesus’ resurrection! In contrast with “666”, Jesus is “888”. 2nd Century Sybilline Oracles, says that Jesus is 888. The gematrical value of “Jesus” (Ieesous) is 888. The writer said 8 symbolized resurrection. Thus, Jesus is truly 888. The one who is 666 can never measure up to the one who is 888!

The Lamb & the 144,000 (14:1-5)Rev 14:1-5 WEB I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. (2) I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps. (3) They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. (4) These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. (5) In their mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless.By contrast with those with the names of the beast, these have the name of God on their foreheads

Rev 7:2-3 WEB I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, (3) saying, "Don't harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!"

They’re in the presence of the Lamb

Rev 5:6 WEB I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.They’re standing on Mount Zion. Search the scriptures & you’ll find that Zion is where God is &

wherever God is is Zion (Like President & Air Force 1)

David captures Jerusalem

2Sa 5:6-10 WEB The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, Unless you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here; thinking, David can't come in here. (7) Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David. (8) David said on that day, Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and strike the lame and the blind, who are hated of David's soul. Therefore they say, There are the blind and the lame; he can't come into the house. (9) David lived in the stronghold, and called it the city of David. David built around from Millo and inward. (10) David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh, the God of Armies, was with him.

Zion is symbolic of Jerusalem

Psa 2:6 WEB "Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion."

Psa 48:1-2 WEB Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain. (2) Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the north sides, the city of the great King.

Psa 132:13-14 WEB For Yahweh has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation. (14) "This is my resting place forever. Here I will live, for I have desired it.

Zion is a symbol of the church

Heb 12:22-24 WEB But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable multitudes of angels, (23) to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, (24) to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel.1Co 3:16 WEB Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in you?Eph 2:19-22 WEB So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, (20) being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; (21) in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; (22) in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

This Zion is in Heaven (14:2-3)

Rev 14:2-3 WEB I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps. (3) They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth.

Who are these people? (vv.4-5)

Rev 14:4-5 WEB These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. (5) In their mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless. Sexually pure Follow the lamb – i.e. obedient.

Purchased from among men – by the blood of Christ

Rev 5:8-10 WEB Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (9) They sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, (10) and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on earth."

Firstfruits to God

Jam 1:18 WEB Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.Everyone in the book of Revelation has a mark on his forehead – either the name of God or the mark of the beast. The mark signifies who that person belongs to. Look in the mirror – If you don’t see the name of God – then put his name on now.