Chapter Twenty-Nine -Singing the Triumphal 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 has 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 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 himself has become king.' " -Psalm 86:1-3, 7, 10; 98:1-9.

How can the 144,000 sing  "before" the elders, since the 24 elders and the 144,00 are in their 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 the those of the 24 divisions of priestly elders.  They are included in the vision of Jehovah's heavenly organization.  (1 Thessalonians 4:15, 16; 1 Chronicles 24:1-8' 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 overcomers are referred as the symbolic 24 elders as well as the 144,000?  It is because Revelation views this one group from two different standpoints.  he 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 confirming that the complete Kingdom class of 144,000 individual overcomers 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: Chapter Twenty-Nine -Singing the Triumphal New Song - Followers of the Lamb

From the book of Revelation