The Destination of the Multitude
"Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them." "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat." "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
In 14:4 the 144,000 are declared to be the first fruits. This multitude must be the further fruits for the millennium. Men argue much about whether these are in heaven or on earth. But the best explanation seems to be that these are on earth, and these verses should be read with the millennium in view. These may be the sheep nations of Matt. 25. However, location in heaven is the conclusion at this time.
Their Location is Before the Throne of God
This does most necessarily imply that the throne must be in the heavens; at least that these must be in heaven in order to be there.
Their Position is That of Servants in
His Temple
"...and serve Him day and night in His temple....."This temple is not the one on earth during the millennium. There is a temple in the heavens during the tribulation (Rev. 11:19).
"And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail."
Their Habitation is With God in the Lamb
More correctly it reads that God tabernacles with them, not they with Him. This is true during the millennium, but it has its beginning at this time in heaven.
Their Condition is one of Blessed Felicity
No hunger, thirst, excessive heat. This is spoken in the light of some of the things during the tribulation (Rev. 8:10-12; Rev. 16:8-9).
"And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;" "And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter." "And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise."
"And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire." "And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory."
Their Provision is From the Lamb of God
The Lamb will shepherd them during the 1000 years. Verb "feed" and "rule" of Rev. 12:5 are the same. The Lamb will provide water of life and wipe away tears.
"And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne."
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