John is standing before the Lamb and with Him are 144,000 who have His name written on their foreheads. He hears the sound of heaven like rushing water and loud thunder, and the sound of harps playing. “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.” (Revelation 14: 2-3)
So what’s the song? I picture Kari Jobe appearing, then breaking out in glorious praise-singing The Revelation Song.
Actually, in the Old Testament, a new song celebrated a new act of deliverance or blessing. Yes, the 144,000 Jews had a song to sing and to celebrate. They are standing on Mount Zion with the Lamb who was slain, now Jesus, the king, with His name written on their foreheads. This seal is a stamp to protect them from the coming judgments. Is it any wonder they are singing? Only they could learn the new song, no one else. They had been delivered!
As John is in full view of heaven’s activity, he sees three angels flying around in midair. Each one had a specific proclamation to speak forth.
Again, John “Looked and there before him was a white cloud and seated on the cloud was one “like a son of man” with a crown of gold on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand.” (Revelation 14: 14)
- Jesus, coming on a cloud.
One angel came out of the temple and calls to the one sitting on the cloud, saying, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” (Revelation 14: 15)
- Jesus, the Lord of the harvest.
Another angel came out of the temple in heaven and he too had a sharp sickle. Yet, another angel who was in charge of the fire, calls to the one with the sickle in his hand saying, “Take your sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.” (Revelation 14: 18)
The Great Winepress
What happens to the grapes? “The angel swung the sickle on the earth. gathered its grapes and threw them into a great winepress of God’s wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horse’s bridle for 1600 stadia.” (Revelation 14: 19-20)
The term treading of grapes was a common Old Testament figure for the execution of divine wrath. Theologians have said these measurements are the approximate length of Palestine.
I didn’t know this, but this very vivid picture was the inspiration for The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
He has trampled out the vineyard where the grapes of wrath are stored.
He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword, His truth is marching on.
Glory, glory, Hallelujah!”
(Shared from Revelation 14, Modified)
The Song Of The Lamb–He Is Worthy
The Psalmist remembers how Israel turned away from God, yet, “He took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake, He remembered His covenant and out of His great love He relented.” (Psalm 106: 45)
His prayer and their prayer was answered, “Save us, O Lord, our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.” (Psalm 106: 47)
(Shared from Psalm 106: 24-48, Modified)
The King Receives And Answers The Request
Our God heard the request of His people and relented from destroying them time and time again. Now Esther is about to enter the court of the king and has made the decision to give Him her life.
Esther keeps her word and on the third day, after the fast is over, she puts on her royal robe (probably also all of those fragrant oils) and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall.
Get the imagery here, the king is sitting on his royal throne, in the hall, facing the entrance. “When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her his gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. (Esther 5: 1-2)
- Every time we pray, we are going into the king’s court and He is sitting on His throne awaiting us.
- The court’s of heaven receive new decrees.
- An entire nation is at risk. The king is about to hear the request from just one woman.
How does Jesus, our King respond to us when we are asking? Just as the king responded to Esther, the king asked, “What is it? What is your request? Even up to half of my kingdom, it will be given you.” (Esther 5: 3)
- King Jesus has given us His kingdom, it’s within us.
Esther, in her discernment, waits to give her petition and says, “Let’s do this again tomorrow then I’ll answer you.” Now Haman thinks he’s the cat’s meow! He boastfully is saying to his wife, “I’m the only one Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave.” (Esther 5: 12) Haman notices Mordechai at the gate not bowing to him again. Infuriated, his wife and friends encourage him to have gallows built and ask tomorrow for the king to have Mordechai hung on it.
But that night, the king could not sleep, so he ordered that the book of chronicles would be read to him. It was recorded there that Mordecai had the two officials exposed who were plotting the king’s murder.
- Our king has a book, with recordings, that will be read.
The king wanted to honor him in a special way so he calls for Haman and asks him what should be done to honor the man who protected the king. So Haman answered saying, “Have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let them robe the man and the horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes.” (Esther 6: 8)
The king orders Haman to bring the robe, the horse, and do just what you suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Then he adds, “Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” (Esher 6: 10
Haman goes and gets what the king ordered and he (the enemy) places the royal robe on him, then parades Mordecai around the city streets saying, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” (Esther 6: 11)
- The king will always give honor where honor is due, sometimes in the presence of our enemies.
- A royal robe that the king owned will be placed upon us when we enter His courts.
- He delights to give us honor!
Yes, Worthy Is The Lamb!
(Shared from Esther 5: 1-6: 13, Modified)
The Lamb Is Now Our King
Hold on to Jesus He’ll get you through; He’ll give you wisdom and courage to know what to do.
He’ll give you a strategy to counteract the enemy’s plot, you’ll be amazed as Jesus shows you your lot.
Our lot is our purpose, destiny, and call; it may not look like it’s anything at all.
But don’t listen to those lies, Jesus wants you to abide; Just hold on tight with all of your might.
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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