Offenbarung 14:4

virgins--spiritually (Mat 25:1); in contrast to the apostate Church, Babylon (Rev 14:8), spiritually "a harlot" (Rev 17:1-5; Isa 1:21; contrast Co2 11:2; Eph 5:25-27). Their not being defiled with women means they were not led astray from Christian faithfulness by the tempters who jointly constitute the spiritual "harlot." follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth--in glory, being especially near His person; the fitting reward of their following Him so fully on earth. redeemed--"purchased." being the--rather, "as a first-fruit." Not merely a "first-fruit" in the sense in which all believers are so, but Israel's 144,000 elect are the first-fruit, the Jewish and Gentile elect Church is the harvest; in a further sense, the whole of the transfigured and translated Church which reigns with Christ at His coming, is the first-fruit, and the consequent general ingathering of Israel and the nations, ending in the last judgment, is the full and final harvest.

After an account of the great trials and sufferings which the servants of God had endured, we have now a more pleasant scene opening; the day begins now to dawn, and here we have represented, I. The Lord Jesus at the head of his faithful followers (Rev 14:1-5). II. Three angels sent successively to proclaim the fall of Babylon and the things antecedent and consequent to so great an event (Rev 14:6-13). III. The vision of the harvest (Rev 14:14, etc.).

14:4-5 These warriors were ritually pure (unpolluted) and morally without blame. • They have kept themselves as pure as virgins: Referring to men as virgins is a metaphor for the faithfulness of God’s people. The image might refer to the church as the virgin bride of Christ (see 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:25-27); it also suggests that the church constitutes soldiers in a holy war that are required to keep themselves chaste (see Deut 23:9-10; 1 Sam 21:5). • These faithful people are a special offering (literally firstfruits; see Exod 13:14-16; 23:19; Lev 23:9-14; Num 3:40-51; 18:15-20; Luke 2:22-24) who have been purchased for God. • They have told no lies: John teaches that liars will never enter heaven (Rev 21:8, 27; 22:15; see also John 8:44). The followers of Jesus speak and live the truth (see also John 8:32; 14:6).