On April 24, 1901, the governor of the state of New York signed a law ordering cars and motorcycles to display a license plate with “the separate initials of the owner’s name placed upon the back thereof in a conspicuous place”. In 1900, there were just 4,192 motor vehicles in America, but the number skyrocketed to 63,500 by 1908. New York’s first plates were homemade, bearing only the owner’s initials without any numbers.
“Words from Above” in the Bible speak about a time when followers of God will be given a new identity, specifically a new name. In the Book of Revelation, the apostle John is instructed by an angel to write letters to the seven churches located in the province of Asia. In each letter, he identified areas of commendation as well as areas for improvement, and at the end of each letter he encouraged them to listen to what the Spirit of God was saying to them. That would certainly be good advice for the Church in our society today. When John wrote to a church located in a city which was called Ephesus, he promised that if they would overcome their shortcomings, God would allow them to eat of what was called the “hidden manna”, and they would be given a white stone with a new name on it.
In Revelation 7:3 we are told that Jesus, the Lamb of God, stood on Mt. Zion along with 144,000 who had the mark of God the Father on their foreheads, which obviously confirms their identity. Revelation 14:1 says that this mark is the name of Jesus and the Father, and again signifies the identity of these servants of God. This mark is in stark contrast to the mark mentioned in Revelation 13, which we normally associate with the mark of the Beast. This mark is required either on the forehead or on the right hand in order to buy or sell, and is described as the name of the Beast or the number of its name, which is 666. There is considerable speculation about this mark, but the main significance of the mark is that it signifies total allegiance to the Beast.
Revelation 14 also speaks about a voice from heaven that sounded like rushing water and thunder, and that it was accompanied by harpers singing and playing their harps. The song which they sang was a totally new song performed in the presence of the four beasts and the elders of heaven. The song was only known by the 144,000, who were identified as the redeemed of the earth. They stood faultless before the throne of God, and they were considered virgins.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
