That the company here brought to view represents the true church is shown by its agreement with the church of God before the apostasy began.  In the seventh chapter we have seen that before the political calamities befell the Western Roman Empire the work of sealing God’s servants was accomplished, twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes of Israel being sealed, thus representing symbolically the fact that God’s church, comprising the true Israel, was perfect and complete, no part being omitted.  In the chapter under consideration we have this divine sealing process again after the apostasy, and once more the definite number 144,000 occurs, showing that the church before the end is to be perfect and complete.

The contrast of this company with the ecclesiastical powers in the preceding chapter proclaims in an unmistakeable manner the fact that we have here described a true reformation and work of God before the end of time.  In the morning-time of the dispensation the redeemed of earth were represented as singing praises to Christ; so also the company here brought to view unite in singing a song which only the redeemed can know.  This company is on Mount Sion, not in the darkness of the wilderness, they are with the Lamb, not wandering after the beast; they are not even following the beast that was “like a lamb,” but they are with the true Lamb, the Savior of the world; they have the “Father’s name written in their foreheads,” not the mark or the name of the beast.  It is said of them that “these are they which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins.”  Fornication and adultery, as will be explained later, is a symbol of spiritual idolatry; and the chastity of this redeemed company shows that they were free from the abominations of the apostasy.  They “follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.”  Their names are in the book of life, and they do not worship the beast.  Chap. 13:8.

Here, then, we have a symbol of the church of God in the latter days standing distinct from the great apostasy.

    6.  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having
    the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the
    earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

    7.  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him;
    for the hour of his judgment is come:  and worship him that made
    heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

    8.  And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen,
    is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink
    of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

    9.  And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice,
    If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark
    in his forehead, or in his hand,