THE LORD KEEPS HIS OWN..            	Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  3-5-00  P.M.   		Revelation 14:1-5    		
	Here is a marvelous scene of the 144,000... victorious through the Tribulation period.. and 
now With Christ!  They are in His presence... singing a new song... before the throne of God.  I believe 
these are the same ones sealed in chapter 7:1-8... only there are more details given about them.  What a contrast between them and the followers of the beasts of chapter 13 !! 
I.  THEY ARE "PICKED"   (Chosen) 
  A. They were Picked from the twelve tribes of Israel.. 7:1-8 
    1. From all over the world.. near the beginning of the Tribulation period 
    2. Chosen, marked (with the seal of God), and protected..
	- The OT reveals God's choice of Israel.. Deut.7:6,7; 14:2; Ps.105:6,43; 135:4; Is.41:8,9; 44:1 
  B. You Are "Picked".. and "sealed" by the Spirit... Eph.4:30 
	- The NT reveals God's choice of Believers... 
	   - Many are called but few are chosen..  Mt.20:16; 22:14 
	   - "I have chosen you.."  Jn.15:16-19 
	   - Rufus.. "chosen in the Lord.." Ro.16:13 
	   - "He hath chosen us.."  Eph.1:4  (2Thes.2:13; 1Pet.2:4,9) 
 ** He Is Calling... Only Those Who Truly Respond are "CHOSEN" 
II.  THEY ARE PRESERVED.. 
  A. There were 144,000 sealed (7:1-8)... and 144,000 here (14:1-5) 
    1. They had the Father's Seal... 
    2. There was Not ONE Lost !! 
  B. There will be unbelievable immorality.. as if it isn't already! 
  C. These will be Victorious.. 
    1. Physically... until their work is done.. as in Rev.11:7  (The Two Witnesses)
    2. Spiritually..  "not defiled"  .. "virgins" (?) 
	- Here is a purity that refuses to be degraded by prevailing attitudes.  1Thes.4:4 
	   - In contrast to the immorality of the age... 
	   - Pure... marriage is not defiling..  1Cor.7:28;  and neither is sex  within marriage Heb.13:4 
	   - Paul's object for the church... "chaste virgins".. 2Cor.11:2 
    3. Eternally.. they are seen "with the Lamb..." 
	- Jesus said.. "..I have lost none"  Jn.17:12; 18:9 
	- Believers are "sealed unto the day of redemption.." Eph.4:30 
	- Believers are "kept by the power of God.."  1Pet.1:5
 ** Are You Being "Kept".... through Faith ??      Remember...
	 "nothing can separate us..."  Rom.8:35-39   (from the love of God)
	 "nothing can pluck us.."   John 10:28,29    (from the hands of Jesus or the Father)
III.  THEY ARE PRESENTED... 
  A. Presented Before The Throne... 
    1. The worshippers of the Beast.. doomed to eternal hell ! 14:9-11; 19:20
    2. The worshippers of the Lord.. destined to eternal bliss !!! 
	- In a great Praise Service.. 
	- Great Voices from heaven.. and harpers.. 
	- Song.. that only these could learn and sing  vs.3   (Distinct...)
  B. Presented By The Lamb.. 
    1. With Him.. perfect blessing.. 
    2. On "Mt. Zion".. looks over into the new Kingdom.. (Is.35:10; Jer.3:17; Is.24:23; Ps.2; Heb.12:22)
  C. Presented As Redeemed.. approved, justified, accepted by God 
    1. Redeemed (purchased) from among men..
	- A special class of believers.. distinct.. 
	- There are "degrees" in heaven... as in hell!  Luke 12:47,48 
    2. Firstfruits unto God..
	- First of the Israelites saved in the Tribulation.. 
	- The mass of Israel will be saved toward the end.. Zech.12:10.. Rom.11:26,27 
  D. Presented As Faultless.. not defiled, no guile, blameless !! 
	Did You Know That Christ Is At Work In Believers' Lives Today ?? 
    1. He Gave Himself for the Church.. (us)  Eph.5:25 
    2. He Wants To Cleanse it (us) 
	- with the washing of water by the Word.. 26 
    3. He Wants To Present it  (us) 
	- To Himself.. 
	- As A Glorious Church  (Bride)  He wants a beautiful Bride!!   (Gorgeous)
	- No spot.. stain, defect, disgrace.. 27
	- No wrinkle..
	- No blame.. 
 ** Their truthfulness.. in the midst of the world's worst liars and lies.. stands firm.
       Their Faith is a "True" one... and they hold to it!  
        Why do so man make a "profession".... but show no evidence of possession?

WHAT A PRIVILEGE... TO BELONG TO THE KING!! 
     HE IS "CALLING" YOU... ARE YOU LISTENING ??
  BY REPENTANCE AND FAITH.. YOU BECOME ONE OF THE CHOSEN... 
	IS TODAY YOUR DAY?