Revelation 14:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

REVELATION CHAPTER 14 Revelation 14:1-5 The Lamb with his company standing on Mount Sion, Revelation 14:6,7 an angel preacheth the gospel, Revelation 14:8 another proclaimeth the fall of Babylon, Revelation 14:9-12 and a third, the punishment of them that worship the beast. Revelation 14:13 The blessedness of those that die in the Lord. Revelation 14:14-16 The harvest of the world. Revelation 14:17-20 The vintage and winepress of God's wrath. God, in this part of the vision, showeth his servant John, that during the whole reign of antichrist, till the voice mentioned Revelation 14:8, Babylon is fallen, should be heard, notwithstanding all his rage, he would preserve his church, though it would be but a small number, bearing no better proportion to the whole world than one hundred and forty-four thousand (the number of those sealed of each tribe of Israel, Revelation 7:1-17) bare to whole Israel, which were above six hundred thousand upon both their numberings, Numbers 1:26. The Lamb here signifieth Christ, Revelation 5:6. Mount Sion signifieth the church of the gospel, typified by Mount Sion amongst the Jews where the temple stood. An hundred forty and four thousand is the same number that was sealed of all the tribes of Israel, Revelation 7:1-17: not that there was just so many which made up the church under antichrist's persecution; but it signifies:

1. A small number in comparison of such as should be of another stamp.

2. It is a number made up of twelve times twelve, by which is signified that they were a people that should answer the Israelites indeed of the Old Testament, that remnant of the twelve tribes whom God had chosen, who adhere to the doctrine and precepts of the twelve apostles. Having his Father's name written in their foreheads; making an open profession of being the children and servants of God: as those servants and soldiers did that had anciently the names of their masters and generals in their foreheads; it being an ancient custom for masters to brand their servants, and captains their soldiers, as we do our beasts at this day.

Revelation 14:1

1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.