A Revelation Invitation

It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouths no lie was found, for they are blameless. (Revelation 14:4-5 ESV)

Vegetables straight from the garden are hard to beat. A freshly picked ear of corn (slathered in butter of course) is so sweet. A slice of a vine-ripened tomato on a sandwich is mouth-watering. Snap a few string beans from the harvest, cook them up (yes, with a little bacon) and you have something delicious. For me gardening is only a hobby adding a little wholesomeness to the dinner table. In ancient Israel a farmer’s harvest was sustenance for his family’s survival. The size of his harvest determined whether or not his family would go hungry in the coming year. For him to set aside the firstfruits of the harvest to devote to the Lord rather than lay them away for his own table was to acknowledge God as the true provider. By devoting to God the first and best of his harvest the farmer expressed his faith in a wonderful and worthy God whom he entrusted with his life and the well-being of his family.

This is one metaphor of several in these two verses that reveal how God views his people. John describes us as firstfruits for God. When the great harvest comes—and it is coming—his people are set apart from the world. They are separated not because they behave better but because they have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, purchased from the world. They have been set apart as an offering, consecrated to the Lord’s service and accepted by him. They are his best. We may not always feel like we’re his best. But by grace he sees us that way.

John says that God’s people “have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins.” Again, I know myself. I would never describe myself that way, but that is how the Lord sees me. In an idolatrous society his people are faithful to him. He sees us as pure because he has made us pure cleansing us with his son’s blood. We resist the seduction of the world all around us as a virgin bride promised to one husband, Jesus Christ.

John says that God’s people follow the Lamb wherever he goes. The Lamb is also our shepherd. We hear his voice. We follow him. Many other voices call to us. Many other “saviors” vie for our allegiance. But the Lamb leads us through paths of righteousness. The Lamb restores our souls and leads us to quiet waters. Those other voices deceive. Those other voices exploit. Our shepherd understands our challenging circumstances because he lived among men as a lamb himself.

John says that “in their mouths no lie was found, for they are blameless.” Again, that’s not how I would describe myself. But it is how God views me. Satan, the father of lies, fills the world with his deceptions. We don’t fall for those lies because we recognize the truth, the words and life of Jesus. We are those who publicly confess the truth about God and confess our allegiance to the Lamb.

With what great affection John describes the people of God. God treasures us. We are dear to him. We are his firstfruits. He will preserve us through the present conflict. So when we sing our new song, we celebrate what God has done for us. We rejoice knowing how God sees us. We sing because we have been redeemed from the earth.

Father God, I lift you up in praise as you have lifted me up into your presence. My redemption through your son has changed everything for me. You set me apart as your firstfruits, your best. You’ve made me pure. You fill my mouth with truth. You promise me as a bride to your son. Because of your gracious gifts, you put a new song in my mouth. I will never give in. I will never give up. Amen.