Eternal Good News Angel - Rumor notes 129

 

Revelation 14

6 I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 7 He said with a loud voice, "Fear the Lord, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters!"

I saw an [another] angel flying in mid heaven

This is possibly the first of a set of 7 angels in a sequence found from here through chapter 18. These first three angels may parallel 3 sets of 7 that involve repeated outpourings of light beginning with the opening of the seals. This is followed up with increasing intensity by 7 trumpets and finally culminating with the 7 bowls. Based on this pattern, this first angel would parallel the first set of 7's - the unsealing of the Seals. (see list and chart of all the 7's compiled from Revelation)

There may be another pattern here that possibly carries even more significance that may be worth considering. It relates to an announcement injected before the beginning – and is repeated during – the last three trumpets. This could indicate that these three angels we are about to focus on, are counterparts or relevant responses, to the content of the last 3 angels with their trumpet messages.

I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!" (Revelation 8:13)

I have compiled a comparison chart to test this idea, and while it is not completely convincing, it does expose compelling attributes that makes it worth considering, at least from my perspective.

This proposed interpretation is enhanced by the meaning of the word here in chapter 14 rendered as another in reference to this first angel. It would seem confusing to some as to why John would use this word to start a new sequence of 3 angels with their cluster of closely-related messages. Yet in this case, based on the context, this word could have important implications.

The word translated 'another' is defined this way by Strong's concordance.

Allos - a primary word; "else," i.e. different:--more, one (another), other(-s, -wise).

While this implies that this messenger is in addition to others already mentioned, given the fact that the next two angels are referenced as starting from this specific angel and message, it would seem to indicate that this angel is distinct or unique in some way that separates it from all the previous angels mentioned. This angel could be like hitting a reset button on the angel counter.

Another, a second angel, followed, saying... Another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice... (Revelation 14:8-9)

The way the next two angels are referenced makes it explicitly clear that this angel is the first of a series, despite the fact that it is referred as another. So again, what might make this angel different from previous angels already mentioned to set it apart as the first of a series of at least 3 or even 7 angels?

What has just been presented previous to this verse? There has been an involved description we have been studying for weeks about a group of people on earth known as the 144,000. Of particular note, this group of people are unique from others because they sing a New Song and follow the Lamb wherever He goes, something almost unheard of about any other group of people previously described. So what is so new about this Song, and what makes it new? We spent a great deal of time unpacking the newness of this Song, so given our enhanced awareness of the unique nature of this Song, we should now immediately recognize that the message of this first angel in particular corresponds exactly to the parameters that define what makes this Song New and different.

I see this as an important aspect of the meaning of the word another in reference to this angel. It means different, and that could alert us that this angel is presenting something so new and different as to cause this angel to stand out from everything we have heard from angels up to this point. This powerful message is in fact the message (1 John 1:5) that has transformed this elite group of Lamb-followers into glowing reflectors of His glory and expert musicians of His kind of music. This is what makes them so different from any other group of believers previous, for their advanced reflection of the truth about God's glory has ripened their hearts to become first fruits who are now in sync with the very first Fruit – the Son of Man. He was the first human to fully mature the fruit of the likeness of God's heart, reflecting His selfless love in a human body, mind, soul and spirit. And He accomplished this while living among us here on this diseased and wicked planet.

This is the Lamb these people emulate, admire and follow tenaciously. And just as their song is startling different than any other version of praise heard previously offered up to God, so too is the message of this angel the very essence of what is being sung and transmitted through the lives and witness of these people who have allowed the Lamb and the Spirit to transform them into the same image and likeness of God's heart just like the Lamb they follow.

The message of this angel we are about to study, is really a continuation of the description just given of people who follow the Lamb and enjoy His style of love songs. If we will take this first message seriously and allow it to have its intended impact in our hearts and lives, it will transform us just as what was described in the previous verses, and there would be no need for the following, increasingly shrill warnings of the next two angels. The entire content of saving, healing, restorative truth needed to reset us back into living in joy of perfect synchronization with God's heart of passionate love, is encapsulated in the succinct and totally positive message of this first angel. That is what makes this angel unique from the previous messages presented in that it calls us back to focusing only on the goodness and glory of God's true character as the focal point of existence. The only thoughts worth circulating in our imagination, the only fascination that should capture our heart, the only love worth pursuing passionately until it consumes every other distraction is all in this message.

having an eternal Good News [the eternal gospel] to proclaim

You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength. Lift it up. Don't be afraid. Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold, your God!" (Isaiah 40:9)

But Israel shall be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation: you shall not be disappointed nor confounded world without end. (Isaiah 45:17)

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns! (Isaiah 52:7)

Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. (Luke 2:9-10)

For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17)

Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish; in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different "good news"; and there isn't another "good news." Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any "good news" other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any "good news" other than that which you received, let him be cursed. For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn't be a servant of Christ. But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:6-12)

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him; in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will; to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation,--in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:9-14)

We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints, because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News, which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; (Colossians 1:3-6)

yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him, if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant. (Colossians 1:22-23)

We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen, and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5)

But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth; to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don't obey the Good News of God? (1 Peter 4:17)

This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)

those who dwell on the earth

We will pass on reviewing this, given we have explored it a number of times in this study.

with a loud voice, "Fear the Lord

The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:18)

Who wouldn't fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed. (Revelation 15:4)

A voice came forth from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, the small and the great!" (Revelation 19:5)

They said to Moses, "Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but don't let God speak with us, lest we die." Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid, for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won't sin." (Exodus 20:19-20)

Now therefore let the fear of Yahweh be on you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes. Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers' houses of Israel, for the judgment of Yahweh, and for controversies. They returned to Jerusalem. He charged them, saying, Thus shall you do in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. (2 Chronicles 19:7-9)

Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, before the sons of men! (Psalms 31:19)

Effective Mouthwash - Rumor notes 128

 

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Revelation 14

3 They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. 4 These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 In their mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless.

In their mouth was found no lie

He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. (Revelation 1:16)

Moses said to Yahweh, "Oh, Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before now, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." Yahweh said to him, "Who made man's mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn't it I, Yahweh? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak." (Exodus 4:10-12)

In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. One called to another, and said, "Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!" The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

Then I said, "Woe is me! For I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh of Armies!"

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar. He touched my mouth with it, and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin forgiven." I heard the Lord's voice, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:1-8)

Who may ascend to Yahweh's hill? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh, righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face--even Jacob. Selah. (Psalms 24:3-6)

Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies. Depart from evil, and do good. seek peace, and pursue it. Yahweh's eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry. Yahweh's face is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. (Psalms 34:12-16)

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. (Proverbs 8:8)

They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:9)

The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity, nor speak lies, neither will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they will feed and lie down, and no one will make them afraid. (Zephaniah 3:13)

"These are the things that you shall do: speak every man the truth with his neighbor. Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates, and let none of you devise evil in your hearts against his neighbor, and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate," says Yahweh. (Zechariah 8:16-17)

The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity. (Malachi 2:6)

It could be easy to conclude that we need to work hard to control what comes out of our mouth, and to an extent this might be true. But far more important is to have what is behind coming out of our mouth dealt with effectively, that is according to Jesus' perspective.

Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come.

Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things. I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:31-37)

The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.

Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things which I say? (Luke 6:45-46)

but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. Don't lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, (Colossians 3:8-9)

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, who did not sin, "neither was deceit found in his mouth." Who, when he was cursed, didn't curse back. When he suffered, didn't threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously; (1 Peter 2:21-23)

For, "He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (1 Peter 3:10-12)

even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie; (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11)

they are blameless

In the Hebrew this word has the following meaning from which I assembled this sampling of many verses throughout Scripture relating to this characteristic that identifies the Lamb-followers.

tamiym: entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also integrity, truth: without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerity, sound, without spot, undefiled, upright, whole.

This is the history of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:9)

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty. Walk before me, and be blameless. (Genesis 17:1)

You shall be perfect with Yahweh your God. (Deuteronomy 18:13)

As for God, his way is perfect. The word of Yahweh is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, besides Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God? God is my strong fortress. He makes my way perfect. (2 Samuel 22:31-33)

With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect. With the pure you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd. (2 Samuel 22:26-27)

This introduces us to an important principle related to reflection, that of projection. Not only do we reflect what we actually imagine God to be like, but we also tend to project back onto God what we are like. Our preferences, prejudices and traditions form a filter that distorts how we perceive and interpret God's interactions with us in all our circumstances. This means that if we are trusting and blameless, we will see God as trustworthy and blameless just as Jesus reveals Him to be. But if we are always suspicious, fault-finding, critical or desiring revenge, these distorted base cravings of the flesh will cause us to view God in a distorted light, believing that He is in fact like the serpent accused Him of being, knowing both good and evil.

The serpent said to the woman, "You won't surely die, for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:4-5)

Believing this fundamental lie about what motivates God in His relations with us, always produces fear of punishment which in turn induces us to look for someone else to blame for our mistakes or sins. This is clearly seen in the story of Adam and Eve right after they bit into that lie that infected their hearts from the father of the ultimate lie, Satan. When asked the simple question about what had so altered their disposition towards their loving Creator, they both instantly began to blame others, and even God. What is clear is that they were assuming that God had now come to punish them with death, and their survival instincts went into warp drive seeking some way to avoid punishment by shifting responsibility to someone else, even on God.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. (1 John 4:17-18 NRSV)

This link of fear with punishment is one of the most potent strongholds the enemy maintains inside most every human being keeping us easily manipulated and exploited. So long as we believe God is in the punishing business we will be unable to appreciate and embrace the truth of His unconditional love, compassion and tenderness towards us all the time. There may be no other story with more references to this attribute of blameless, along with a great deal of blaming, than as seen in the story of Job. This became so troublesome in Job's life he began to view it as a liability.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and turned away from evil. (Job 1:1)

Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil." (Job 1:8)

Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil. He still maintains his integrity, although you incited me against him, to ruin him without cause." (Job 2:3)

Isn't your piety your confidence? Isn't the integrity of your ways your hope? (Job 4:6 Eliphaz)

Behold, God will not cast away a blameless man, neither will he uphold the evil-doers. (Job 8:20 Bildad)

Though I am righteous, my own mouth shall condemn me. Though I am blameless, it shall prove me perverse. I am blameless. I don't regard myself. I despise my life. It is all the same. Therefore I say he destroys the blameless and the wicked. (Job 9:20-22)

I am like one who is a joke to his neighbor, I, who called on God, and he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke. (Job 12:4)

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that you are righteous? Or does it benefit him, that you make your ways perfect? (Job 22:3 Eliphaz)

(let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity); (Job 31:6)

Job comes to the conclusion that the problem that had to be addressed was that the scales by which he was being tried were rigged against him unfairly. What he failed to see, and what most of us also fail to discern, is that the entire system of measuring according to balance scales is invalid, and that our hope does not come in convincing God to make adjustments to our balance sheets of moral value, but that our perspective of sin is skewed from inside of it instead of seeing God's side. We get a hint of this in how the sea of glass is first described in Exodus 24 as a glass ceiling above the heads of God's invited guests who came to eat with Him. They could only see translucent outlines of something far more spectacular on the upper side. By contrast we find in Revelation that God is the one on trial, and His throne on the upper side is on this sea of glass as the floor of heaven. Here the truth begins to emerge that the problem of evil involves our ignorance, our fears and distortions that induce distrust because of believed lies the enemy uses to viciously attack His reputation since the outset of the war. It is our thinking that needs adjusting to realign with the truth, not God's.

Blameless also means we stop blaming altogether. Blame was one of the very first symptoms that appeared after sin infected the human psyche, and it has plagued us ever since. Those who are blameless stop looking for others to blame for the problems of evil, and instead focus their attention on the glory of God's goodness, graciousness, kindness and relentless love for all His children. Blame believes someone must be punished, and that justice forces God to impose due punishment for evil. This is rooted in the psychopathic lies the enemy successfully uses to keep us afraid of God and distrustful of His heart. This is the true cause of evil, and salvation is designed to heal us from this.

Yahweh, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall live on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart; (Psalms 15:1-2)

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression. (Psalms 19:13)

Judge me, Yahweh, for I have walked in my integrity. I have trusted also in Yahweh without wavering. (Psalms 26:1)

Yahweh knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever. (Psalms 37:18)

Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. (Psalms 37:37)

Against you, and you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight; that you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge. (Psalms 51:4)

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh's law. (Psalms 119:1)

The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. (Proverbs 11:5)

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. (Proverbs 19:1)

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich. (Proverbs 28:6)

The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright. (Proverbs 29:10)

You are all beautiful, my love. There is no spot in you. (Song of Solomon 4:7)

The sinners in Zion are afraid. Trembling has seized the godless ones. Who among us can live with the devouring fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burning? He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from looking at evil-- he will dwell on high. His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks. His bread will be supplied. His waters will be sure. (Isaiah 33:14-16)

You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you. (Ezekiel 28:15)

This unrighteousness was distortions of the truth of God's character that blamed Him for evil.

Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, because he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. (Daniel 6:4)

Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless? (Matthew 12:5)

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. (Luke 1:5-6)

Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." (Luke 23:4)

Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men. (Acts 24:16)

I always thank my God concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus; that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ; who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:4-8)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love; (Ephesians 1:3-4)

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)

Do all things without murmurings and disputes, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn't run in vain nor labor in vain. (Philippians 2:14-16)

circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless. However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. (Philippians 3:5-7)

You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him, if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant. (Colossians 1:21-23)

Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you; and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you, to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)

May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. (1 Timothy 3:8-10 NRSV)

I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; but given to hospitality, as a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him. (Titus 1:5-9)

But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them. For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:24-26)

For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh: how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:13-14)

knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, but with precious blood, as of a faultless and pure lamb, the blood of Christ; (1 Peter 1:18-19)

But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without blemish and blameless in his sight. (2 Peter 3:13-14)

Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25)

First Fruits Analysis - Rumor notes 127

 

Revelation 14

3 They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. 4 These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 In their mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless.

the first fruits to God and to the Lamb

First fruits imply there is a harvest beginning due to the ripening process, and that the rest will be of a similar nature. This is symbolic of spiritual realities laid out in the economy of the Old Testament system given by God to His people Israel to be observed and understood. It can be easy to imagine the symbols are more important than the realities they were designed to represent. Let's review what this harvest is actually about, what needs ripening, the nature of the fruit that needs harvesting as well as who is assigned to do the harvesting. Instead of obsessing over whether or not we are supposed to perpetuate symbolic rituals given to God's people in the past, what is important is for us to experience in our own lives what might be gleaned through a closer examination of these symbols in relation to what may need to be ripened in our lives now.

Later in this chapter we will learn about two different harvests that will happen, for being harvested is unavoidable. The first harvest has the hallmarks of being carried out by the Hero of this book who is followed by this group of people we are learning about here. The second harvest appears to be related to those who are left when the first harvest is completed. We will look at this much close when we study these two harvests, what makes them different and even what is meant by being harvested. For now it is useful to have this context perspective as a backdrop to help make sense out of what this first fruits metaphor entails.

I heard the voice from heaven saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them." I looked, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloud one sitting like a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

Another angel came out from the temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, "Send forth your sickle, and reap; for the hour to reap has come; for the harvest of the earth is ripe!" He who sat on the cloud thrust his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. (Revelation 14:13-16)

This harvest of souls in my opinion is already beginning. It is crucial we understand how our choices affect which harvest we will experience and in what way we are to participate in God's desire for us to be part of the first harvest rather than the last.

Let's take a look at this symbol of first fruits to find what the context might reveal about what God considers important as to the kind of fruit He wants to harvest. Keep in mind that all these things are recorded for our instruction and relate directly to our spiritual condition that shapes our own future in very real ways.

But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don't obey the Good News of God? "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?" (1 Peter 4:16-18)

The fruits being examined here have to do with the condition of our character, not literal food. This is why it is so important to not get so distracted by symbols that they eclipse the substance of what the symbols are meant to instruct us as to the condition of our spirit, the way we think, what defines how we react in various situations, provocations and encounters with others around us, particularly during times of intense crisis. In other words, because we are human reflectors by design, what source are we fixating on, what internal picture of God determines our disposition witnessed by others coming out of our spirit mirror in our interactions with them?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, proving what is well pleasing to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)

This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)

These verses make it quite clear that the fruit involved in these harvests have to do with the nature of our spirit, not merely our profession or traditions or opinions or even our behavior. Our actions however will reflect what we believe deep in our heart about the Source of our design for life, for it is impossible not to image – to act out – whatever our gut-level feelings are about the God we believe is in charge of our lives. Thus the maturing of the fruit reveals more and more clearly the nature of the seed that has been allowed to take root in the soil of our imagination until it becomes a permanent part of our character that will be harvested.

He set another parable before them, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds also among the wheat, and went away. But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then the darnel weeds appeared also. The servants of the householder came and said to him, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where did this darnel come from?' "He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and gather them up?' "But he said, 'No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, "First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn."'" (Matthew 13:24-30)

Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field." He answered them, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:36-43)

This parable makes it very clear there are two distinctly different harvests but they are both conducted at the same time. It is the nature of the seed put into the ground that determines the destiny of the plants producing the fruit. It is also made clear here that it is the job of angels to do the reaping and sorting, not the job of the servants working in the field. The servants here clearly were not commissioned to do the reaping but to simply follow the instructions of the owner of the farm.

Let's go back and see what we might learn about the nature of the spiritual seed the Owner originally planted that would produce the kind of fruit He wants harvest.

Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your handmaid, and the alien may be refreshed. [The Sabbath rest is not merely one day a week we are to cease our work on, but far more importantly it is about our perception and disposition towards God in our spirit. This is clarified more in Hebrews 3-4. This Sabbath rest is really about ceasing to try to change God's mind about us and instead, choosing to rest in complete confidence of His good will towards us like the angels announced at the birth of His Son. This will produce the fruit of peace, gentleness and faith in place of striving in fear that we are not good enough for God to love us or be willing to save us. This rest is to refresh not only us but those around us to are influenced by our spirit and the ways we interact with them as it says here.]

Be careful to do all things that I have said to you; and don't invoke the name of other gods, neither let them be heard out of your mouth. [God's instructions are not demands with implied threats lurking behind them. Rather God's words and instructions to us are descriptions of how we are designed to live in harmony with the principles of life and love in His great circuit that provides power and in which all our needs will be supplied. All other versions of God will enslave us, darken our hearts with fear and distort our thinking causing us to malfunction as humans. Jesus said that what comes out of our mouth originates in our heart. But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn't defile the man. (Matthew 15:18-20) Our imagination is synonymous with faith, so what circulates in our imagination needs to be our focus, for whatever circulates in our imagination affects our thinking, our heart condition and results in what comes out of our mouth. The fruit observed in our words and actions is what comes out of us, in contrast to food which goes the other direction, into our mouth and into our stomach. There is nothing from outside of the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man. (Mark 7:15)]

You shall observe a feast to me three times a year. [Three is a key number in Scripture associated with God. This is one reason I believe the Godhead is composed of three entities that are united as one, yet individual enough to circulate agape love which requires a minimum of three to function.]

You shall observe the feast of unleavened bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib (for in it you came out from Egypt), and no one shall appear before me empty. [This first celebration in God's presence represented the very first human to fully mature Spirit fruit into a complete reflection of God's likeness. The Son of God became also the Son of Man in order to recapture the position of representative of humanity, removing it from the usurper who had stolen it from Adam. Unleavened bread symbolizes that this Son of Man was untainted by any distrust of God or resistance to living in harmony with the principles that govern all creation, the principles of agape love. This principle of other-centered love is the core principle encompassing all others, which is why it is noted here that no one shall appear in the presence of Yahweh empty. This is not a command with an implied threat of punishment for noncompliance, but rather a reality check that to participate in God's design we must align with the principle of living outward-focused instead of always seeking what we can get for ourselves.]

And the feast of harvest, the first fruits of your labors, which you sow in the field: [This is the second celebration time to enjoy in God's presence and represents what we are studying here in Revelation 14 in reference to the 144,000 who are identified as first fruits similar to the first fruit which was Christ.]

and the feast of harvest, at the end of the year, when you gather in your labors out of the field. [This third celebration involves the concluding harvest of all who have allowed God to reproduce His likeness in their lives by allowing His Spirit to reshape and reform them so their reflection is only of His light with no darkness at all just like Jesus. This corresponds to the great multitude mentioned toward the end of chapter 7 that follows the first part introducing the 144,000 first fruits.]

Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord Yahweh.

You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread, neither shall the fat of my feast remain all night until the morning. [Leaven usually represents sin because of the way it quickly infiltrates bread dough and causes it to swell up through the process of fermentation. This parallels the action of decomposition that would occur should the fat from sacrificed animals be allowed to sit out all night unprotected by refrigeration or dehydration. This symbolizes the importance of living in relationship to God and reminds us that if we want to be part of this harvest, we must be willing to be cleansed of all distrust of God and the spirit of rebellion and not allow anything that would cause infection or fermentation of our spirit like bitterness to remain to take root in our heart.]

Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord, looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it; (Hebrews 12:14-15)

For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. (Ephesians 4:21-27 NRSV)

The blood along with the unleavened bread represents the very first fruit which was Christ.

But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ's, at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)]

The first of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of Yahweh your God. You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk. [This goes back to reference again the second celebration, reminding us to bring the fruit of our lives into the presence of Yahweh our God where we can see more clearly the nature of the fruit growing within our own spirit.

But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God. (John 3:21)

For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God. Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? --unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test! (2 Corinthians 13:4-5 NRSV)]

Behold, I send an angel before you, to keep you by the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Pay attention to him, and listen to his voice. Don't provoke him, for he will not pardon your disobedience, for my name is in him. But if you indeed listen to his voice, and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and an adversary to your adversaries. For my angel shall go before you, and bring you in to the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; and I will cut them off. [Notice the emphasis here. Yahweh says He will accomplish the evacuation to clean out the obstacles in the land, and will work through His chosen messenger to communicate instructions that need to be listened to and cooperated with. The one referred to as the angel of the Lord in their time was in the cloud that led them all through the wilderness every day. He was also represented as a rock that supplied them with water. Paul indicates this was in fact, the same entity that centuries later came to be known as the human Jesus Christ.

Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn't fall. No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 11-14)

...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputes, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, (Philippians 2:12-15)]

You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor follow their practices, but you shall utterly overthrow them and demolish their pillars. You shall serve Yahweh your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from your midst. No one will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will fulfill the number of your days. [To bow involves worship, choosing a source to admire, to be in awe of, to define who we are, our identity and purpose and model to us how we will act like. We are surrounded by gods promising pleasure, peace, comfort or power. We are warned to not become contaminated by any of them or be sucked into being their slaves (addicts) or infected by their ways of living and thinking. We are to demolish their symbols in our lives to reduce the power of their temptations to allure us away from total loyalty to the God who created us for His love alone. As we choose to remain loyal to Him, the results is blessings inherently released by our cooperation with the principles that govern life and are designed to amplify our joy and peace.]

I will send my terror before you, and will confuse all the people to whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. I will send the hornet before you, which will drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before you. I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate, and the animals of the field multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and inherit the land. [Keep in mind that what is being described here as promises made in relation to the physical land Israel was to inherit from God, symbolize the conquering and cleanup of our own internal landscape filled with triggers, wounds, resistance to love and all sorts of strongholds that resist truth and grace and a true knowledge of God.

For though we walk in the flesh, we don't wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

What is meant or symbolized by God sending hornets to drive out enemies? Why would God send terror and confusion to people?

Here are promises that if we will trust in His power to care for us, instead of us attempting to get our act together by cleaning up our own lives through battles involving force, shame, fear or any other technique of the enemy, God promises to accomplish the victory in our hearts and lives through means provided by heaven, even though it will require time to bring this victory inside of us to full conclusion. But when we cooperate with God and allow His beauty to be reflecting increasingly through us, the resistance we will encounter will be because what is happening in our hearts is seen as a terror to those who prefer selfishness, pride and lust to define their lives.

This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. (John 3:19-20)

This was God's original plan presented to His people before they ever approached the land of Canaan. They were never to think they had to fight their own way into like all the other nations do. They were to trust in God's provisions, protection and rely on His methods and motives alone. Had they done this history would have been dramatically different. Yet we today have the opportunity to choose a different path so that God's name can be glorified more clearly from how they related to Him.]

I will set your border from the Red Sea even to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River; for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. [Again, the emphasis here is that Yahweh is the one who accomplishes what needs to happen to bring to completion the preparation of the ground of our heart so it can produce a harvest of fruit corresponding to the Spirit He has implanted within us. He is the one who knows how to place borders around our heart and mind to protect us from infection by enemies of our soul and spirit.

Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household, who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug a winepress in it, built a tower, leased it out to farmers, and went into another country. (Matthew 21:33)

Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven't you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (Job 1:9-10)

If God planned to drive out the enemies ahead of them, why did He say here they were to drive them out? They were to participate by learning how to join with God by practicing His ways of expelling evil so they could learn to know His heart instead of relying on their own distorted perspective of how to defeat enemies. The story of Jehoshaphat is a prime example of how they could have taken over the land of Canaan that would have brought true glory to God's reputation far better than all the violence they ended up using in the name of God.]

You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me, for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you." [This is a clear warning against any compromise when it comes to other sources of life, love, truth and provision for our spiritual life. To allow ourselves to indulge in ways that violate our relationship with the true God who created us is to invite invasion of dark spirits that will entangle us again with the very sins and weaknesses God is seeking to liberate us from. These covenant bonds turn into chains that enslave us, not contracts that will benefit us as they falsely present themselves to be.

Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what communion has light with darkness? What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever? What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people." Therefore, "'Come out from among them, and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you. I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) This separation is not cumbersome to true children but rather liberation from the lies and darkness and fears that are suffocating life out of us and that destroy our very capacity to enjoy living in the light of the presence of love's power.

This entire passage is a description of the liberation of our hearts, minds, bodies and spirit from all the evil and darkness and misapprehensions about God that hold us in bondage to sin through distrust of God's heart. Salvation involves God's plan to liberate our land over time so that our condition of mind and spirit can be realigned to function and thrive in close alliance with His love and not experience torment in His presence. (Exodus 23:12-33)

This process symbolized by the cleansing of the land by means God promised to provide if His people would have only trusted and cooperated with Him, is the same means that will cleanse our hearts so that the seed of God can thrive within the protection He puts in place. What is needed today is belief and trust to allow God to fight our battles instead of taking things into our own hands as they too often did.

Whoever is born of God doesn't commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can't sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn't do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn't love his brother. For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; (1 John 3:9-11)

The group we have been looking at here in Revelation 14 are identified as those who are the earliest to mature their characters to full completion to reflect the image of God. They are first fruits, meaning that the rest of this harvest will be more extensive, yet will have similar attributes to what are found in the first part of the harvest. This is what I believe is inferred in chapter 7 where this group called 144,000 is first introduced. They are the first fruits sealed in the character of the Lamb they follow because they have allowed God to cultivate His seed of truth and love in them until their lives reflect the same glory of God's heart just as Jesus did who is the very first fruit of all. Then following the presentation of the first fruits at the beginning of the harvest, the rest of the harvest is represented in chapter 7 as a great multitude that no one could number.

The first of all the first fruits of every thing, and every offering of everything, of all your offerings, shall be for the priest: you shall also give to the priests the first of your dough, to cause a blessing to rest on your house. (Ezekiel 44:30)

For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:22-23)

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. (James 1:18)