Thursday, February 7
Read Revelation 14:5 along with 2 Peter 3:14 and Jude 24, 25. Revelation describes God’s end-time people as “without fault”. How is this state achievable?
The final characteristic of the 144,000 is that “in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:5). While the people of the world choose to believe Satan’s lies, God’s end-time people, who are without deceitfulness in speech or conduct, will receive the love of the truth so as to be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11).
“Without fault” (Greek amomos, “blameless”) refers to the fidelity of the 144,000 to Christ. In the Bible, God’s people are called to be holy (Leviticus 19:2, 1 Peter 2:9). Abraham (Genesis 17:1) and Job (Job 1:1) were blameless. Christians are called to be holy and without blemish before God (Ephesians 5:27, Philippians 2:15).
Read Romans 3:19-24. Why must we always keep this crucial truth before us?
In the closing days of this world’s history, the 144,000 will reflect the character of Christ. Their salvation will reflect what Christ has done for them and in them rather than their own holiness and works (Ephesians 2:8-10). The 144,000 have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14) and, as such, are found “spotless and blameless” before God (2 Peter 3:14, NASB).
“We need to be refined, cleansed from all earthliness, till we reflect the image of our Saviour, and become ‘partakers of the divine nature’. …
When the conflict of life is ended, when the armor is laid off at the feet of Jesus, when the saints of God are glorified, then and then only will it be safe to claim that we are saved, and sinless”. - Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 3, pp. 355, 356.
How can we live a life of sanctification in active preparation for eternity and yet not suffer from the pitfalls of perfectionism and fanatical holiness?
