December 21, 2002(7)
CONTAMINATED? These were not defiled with women, does not make them to be men. Rev. 14:4 Especially in the light of the fact that they have been declared to be virgins, (Gr. parthenos) in an absolute sense, as was the virgin Mary. Mt. 1:23 What defiles a woman but is right and proper? Marriage. A married woman, even though a widow could not be the wife of a priest, for to him, she was defiled or no longer a virgin. The priest must marry a virgin. Lev. 21:14 To the priest any woman other than a virgin was not to become his wife, to him she was defiled, but only to him. The one hundred forty-four thousand are not men who have not defiled themselves with relationships with women. They are women who have not been defiled after the manner of women, that is, even in marriage. This is not saying that marriage defiles, but only as far as marriage with a priest was concerned.
FIRSTFRUITS. We are introduced to firstfruits in relationship to what was called the feast of harvest (harvest, Hebrew, qatsiyr, harvest, bough or branch). It was also called the feast of ingathering.Ex. 23:16 The first ripe fruit was brought to, and dedicated to the Lord. It was the general harvest of the fruits and crops of the land. It was also in the end of the year. Both of which are significant of the end of the age being harvest time. The feasts of Israel were celebrations of joy and gladness. Deut. 26:10-11 Each feast has its < firstfruits > offering. Lev. 23 There was a constant emphasis on the firstfruits, showing its importance to the Lord. The firstfruits were always the best and the choicest of the crop, certainly the one hundred forty-four thousand will not be one bit less. Num. 18:12 The Lord considered Israel to be the firstfruits of His increase. The joy and delight of His heart and His love. Jer. 2:3 Today we have the firstfruits of His Spirit in our lives awaiting the time of the resurrection of our bodies. Rom. 8:23 Christ is the firstfruit of the resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:23 Those who are born of the Word of Truth are a firstfruit unto the Lord. James 1:18 Where there is a firstfruit, there will be an increase, a harvest and an ingathering of fruit like unto the firstfruit. The firstfruit was not the end of the harvest but as its name implies the very beginning, that which burst forth, well ripened but ahead of the ingathering that was to follow. In particular, they are brought into existence < unto God > and unto the LAMB. We have previously noted their beautiful affinity with the LAMB, for they are His constant companions wherever He goes. While they, are obviously a separate entity, they are still very much members of the Body of Christ, His Bride. The experience of one member of His body will be the experience of the whole body. The glory and the majesty with which the Lord will clothe His Bride is to be enjoyed by the whole. The birth of te manchild, the persecution, the flight will create the same feeling for all who are blended together in that beautiful unity and oneness that is prevalent in the Bride. She will be in perfect harmony with her husband and lover. Her deliverance is assured. Rev. 12.