The Lamb and the Harvest

Then I looked and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.

NAB footnote:Mount Zion: in Jerusalem, the traditional place where the true remnant, the Israel of faith, is to be gathered in the messianic reign.

Saul's insight:144,000 = (12 tribal heads) × (12 apostles) × 1,000 = a lot of believers. The Father's name and the Son's name are written on their foreheads because they believe in the Father and the Son.

These are they who were not defiled with women; they are virgins and these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been ransomed as the firstfruits of the human race for God and the Lamb.

NAB footnote:Virgins: metaphorically, because they never indulged in any idolatrous practices.

Saul's insight:The Virgins are celibate Catholic Priests.

Then I saw another angel flying high overhead, with everlasting good news to announce to those who dwell on earth, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.

NAB footnote:Everlasting good news: that God's eternal reign is about to begin.

A second angel followed, saying: "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that made all the nations drink the wine of her licentious passion."

NAB footnote:This verse anticipates the lengthy dirge over Babylon (Rome) in Rev 18:1-19:4.

I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," said the Spirit, "let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them."

Then I looked and there was a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud one who looked like a son of man, with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.

NAB footnote:The reaping of the harvest symbolizes the gathering of the elect in the final judgment.