to encourage the faithful St. John once more insists upon the coming triumph in which Antichrist and his prophet shall be completely overcome and their cities destroyed.
1, 4, 5. In this vision, St. John sees a lamb standing on Mount Sion, the mystic Jerusalem, surrounded by a great throng of faithful virgins who sing His praises in a new canticle. The Lamb is Christ who ever dwells in his Church (Sion) to guard and guide it, and to receive the worship of faithful souls. The hundred forty-four thousand have been purchased from earth and be come first fruits to God by vows of religious profession.
During the so-called Reformation many religious left the Church and violated their vows of chastity. No doubt still greater numbers will follow their example in the days of Antichrist, but many will remain faithful to the Church and to their vows; no lie will be found in their mouth. They will persevere in the service of God, following the Lamb withersoever He goeth. Since first fruits were offered to God in sacrifice the Greek word απαρχη (first fruits), is often used in the Septuagint for "sacrifice" or "offering." Its use here may intimate that many faithful religious will become victims to God through martyrdom.
It should be noted that the hundred forty-four thou sand mentioned here cannot be identified with those in chapter vii. The mystic number there represents all those from the various tribes of Israel who accept the Gospel before the time of Antichrist. They are certainly
