So, if the way of the false prophet is the way of deception and violence, the way of using force to compel people to worship a state that is in league with Satan, what is the way of the Lamb? We see those who follow Jesus singing a new song before the throne of God in heaven (14:3).

And their song is powerful, joining as it does a roar of praise as mighty as the crashing of the waves in the ocean and the thunder in the skies (14:2). God’s people have thus aligned themselves, not with the fleeting power of kingdoms which fall as suddenly as they rise, but with the power of the One “who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water” (14:7).

But along with the power of true worship must come purity. Instead of the deceptions of the false prophet (13:14), there is no lie in the mouth of God’s people (14:5). And just as their song of praise is said to sound like a harp (14:2), their perfect purity is described as virginity (14:4), the opposite of the fleshly, sensual sort of living to which Satan calls his followers (14:8).

And in spite of all the threats of the beast and the false prophet, in spite of the poverty and persecution that may come our way in this world, God promises perfect protection to all of His people. God’s people are said to number 144,000 – 12 x 12 x 10 x 10 is a number of complete completion. And every single one of them has been sealed, having God’s name written on them. Back in chapter 7, we saw that this sealing meant that they would be protected even from the worst of the plagues that come at the end of the age (7:3-4).

So, what do these saved, protected, and redeemed worshippers do? Quite simply, they follow the Lamb wherever He goes (14:4). And that means not only sharing in His suffering at the hands of unjust rulers. It means proclaiming His message, the same good news the angel announces in 14:7. In short, if we have been saved by the blood of the Lamb, we must not only worship God and live according to His Word. We must urge people from every nation and tribe and language, even those who persecute us, even those who worship godless kings and kingdoms to “fear God and give Him glory” – before it’s too late.

Revelation 14:1-7 (ESV)

Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps,
3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
4 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,
5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.
6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.
7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”