The Lawful Ones

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul voices his fear that Christ’s “virgin” (11:2) church will become impure by deception, “as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness” (v. 3). He furthermore predicts that at the end of time, “the lawless one” (2 Thessalonians 2:9), the Antichrist, “according to the working of Satan, [will work] with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish” (vv. 9, 10). (To study how “the lawless one” and the Antichrist are one and the same, compare 1 John 2:18–22 and 4:1–3 with 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12.)

Revelation shows us that these deceptive signs will occur in the last days, when the sea beast colludes with the land beast (13:13, 14; 16:14; 19:20). Indeed, a close look at the sea beast in Scripture reveals that this religiopolitical entity is the Antichrist. Notice that it is also the dragon, Satan, who will make this great deception possible, as it is he who gives “authority” (13:4, 12) to both beasts.

This is in complete contrast to the 144,000, in whom is “found no deceit.” So this end-time group speaks only truth. What is truth? Proclaimed the psalmist, “O LORD, … all Your commandments are truth” (Psalm 119:151). Again, we see a reference to God’s law. The 144,000 are living examples that the law of God can be kept fully—yet only through constant contact with the Lamb, who they ceaselessly follow.

These last-day people have so unconditionally surrendered themselves to the will of Christ that the Holy Spirit will have finished the sanctifying process within them (Philippians 1:6), enabling them to stand “without fault before the throne of God.”

There is a famous passage in Isaiah that describes the Savior in like manner: “nor was any deceit in His mouth” (53:9). This chapter details the disposition of Jesus during the time of His death. Right before the Second Coming, the 144,000 will similarly go through their own “time of trouble” (Daniel 12:1), just like Christ did; in their darkest hour, their characters will reflect His.

Sinless Savior, do Your perfect work in me that I may, through You, overcome all my faults and be fully recreated in Your image.

For Further Study: Daniel 6:4; John 18:37, 38; 1 Peter 2:21–25

Key Bible Texts

And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:5 KJV)