Saturday, 3 April 2021
And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:5
There are a couple of differences in source texts that are worth noting. A translation from each of them shows this –
And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. NKJV
And no lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. NASB
With this noted, John continues his description of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, saying of them, “And in their mouth was found no deceit.”
Whether the original word is “deceit” or “lie,” the idea is that these have made the profession that marks them as true followers of Christ. There is nothing dishonest or manipulative in their speaking. This is probably connected to the thought of the previous verse that said, “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” In other words, what they say will never betray their allegiance to Christ, even to death.
With this stated, John continues with, “for they are without fault.” The word used here signifies without blame, fault, or spot. It was used of Christ in 1 Peter 1:19 where He is called “a Lamb without blemish.” In their profession of Christ, they are imputed His righteousness and perfection, thus they are likewise without blemish. This state is (with words left out of some manuscripts) “before the throne of God.”
The idea is not that these purchased Jews were without spot in and of themselves, but that they were made so through their profession. This is the same thought as those mentioned in Revelation 7 –
“These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.” Revelation 7:14, 15
This state is especially highlighted because it occurs during the tribulation period. Despite all of what will come against them, they will hold fast to their faith in Christ. But this state is true of all believers in Christ. All who are accepted by God are considered spotless, but that only comes through the perfection of Christ. Without Christ, none shall be accepted –
“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Revelation 21:27
Life application: Isaiah 53:9 says this about Jesus –
“Because He had done no violence,
Nor was any deceit in His mouth.”
The similar terminology is used for these believers because they are in Christ. It is reflective of the state of any person who has accepted Him as Savior. Although we may continue to sin in our lives, we are already forgiven of those sins and are even now seated with Him in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).
Yes, if you have trusted Christ, even now you are seated with Him. All sins have been forgiven through faith in His finished work. God has seated you with the redeemed of the ages. Your work is done, faithful Christian. If you have not yet received Christ, today would be a good day to change that. Call out to God and be purified through His offering of JESUS!
O Lord God, how great You are for cleansing us of our wrongs – past, present, and future. For those who have come to You through Christ, You have seated us in the heavenly places in Him. Because of His work, we can rejoice in Your presence for all eternity. What an amazing gift of love, grace, and mercy You have bestowed up us. Praises to You O Lord! Amen.