Originally posted in Rabyd Theologian 2.0 on March 22nd, 2011
When we get to chapter 14 we see another reference to the 144000 that were originally seen in chapter 7. The vision shifts back to heaven and the throne area. I made the comment that in chapter 7 that these men are clearly identified as Jewish men: 12,000 from each tribe. But in this passage they are remarked on, not because of who they are, but how righteous they are. They are chaste, blameless and lie free.
I also want to remark at this time about the two angels. One spreading the gospel in verses 6-7 and the other talking about the woe that will befall those who follow after Babylon who is fallen in verse eight. The whore of Babylon does not appear until later and it seems odd to place a reference to it here unless we concede that some visions are not in chronological order at all. It also means that it also could be that the whole thing is possibly not in chronological order either.
What gets interesting is that themes appear, disappear and reappear and if we are honest there does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to it at times. The effect is that the message of Revelation may simply be one of hope, correction, encouragement and faith to the seven churches. If so how much still has to do with the future and what has been already fulfilled may not be known. We may as interpreters be left only to speculate.
Next: Doom and Reapers