Singing the Triumphal New Song -Continue with Singing as if a New Song

Conclusion of  Singing as if a New Song

Nevertheless, others listen and respond to their singing.  Since 1935 a growing great crowd of other sheep had heard their triumphant song and been moved  to join with them in publicizing God's Kingdom.  (John 10:16; Revelation 7:9) True, these  newcomers cannot learn to sing exactly the same new song that  the future rulers of God's Kingdom sing.  But they too sound  a melodious chorus of praise to Jehovah that is an anthem lauding Jehovah for the new things he is accomplishing.  They thus fulfill the psalmist's exhortation:  "Sing to Jehovah a new song.  Sing to Jehovah all you people of the earth.  Sing to Jehovah, bless his  name.  From day to day tell the good news of salvation by him.  Declare among the nations his glory, among all the peoples his wonderful works. Ascribe to Jehovah, O you families of the peoples, ascribe to Jehovah glory and strength.  Say among the nations:  'Jehovah has become king.' " -Psalm 96:1-3, 7, 10; 98:1-9.

How can the 144,000  sing "before" the elders, since the 24 elders are the 144,000  in their glorious heavenly position?   Early in the Lord's day, those "dead in union with Christ"  were resurrected as spirit creatures.  Thus,  faithful anointed Christians who have conquered are now in heaven, symbolically fulfilling functions comparable to those of 24  divisions of priestly elders.  They are included in the vision  of Jehovah's heavenly organization.  (1 Thessalonians 4:15, 16; 1 Chronicles 24:1-18; Revelation 4:4; 6:11) The remnant of the 144,000 still on earth are therefore singing the new song before, or in the sight of their resurrected brothers in heaven. 

At this point we might also ask:  Why is it that these anointed over comers are referred as the symbolic 24 elders as well as the 144,000?  It is because Revelation vies this one group from two different standpoints. The 24 elders are always shown in their ultimate position around Jehovah's  throne, installed as kings and priests in the heavens.  They symbolize the entire group of 144,000  in their heavenly position, although at present a small remnant of these  are still on earth.  (Revelation 4:4, 10; 5:5-14; 7:11-13; 11:16-18)  Revelation chapter 7, however,   focuses on the 144,000 as brought forth from humankind, and it stresses Jehovah's grand  purpose to seal the complete number  of individual  spiritual Israelites and to grant salvation to an unnumbered  great crowd.  Revelation chapter 14 provides a picture of 144,000 individual over comers will be assembled  with the Lamb on Mount Zion.  The qualifications to be met in order to be numbered with the 144,000 are also made known, as we shall now see.

Next time: Singing the Triumphal New Song - Followers of the Lamb

From the Book of Revelation