Tale of Two Sacrifices
The 144,000 martyrs of Revelation 14 are prepared for self-sacrifice. They are the firstfruits harvested in death. They offer their blood on the altar of the world, and ascend like smoke beyond the firmament.
Their enemies, those who worship the beast, are also sacrifices. Worshiping the beast ultimately leads to drinking the fiery wrath of God, burning in fire and brimstone, with smoke rising. Revelation 14:11 uses typical sacrificial terminology (day and night; perpetual) to describe them.
Self-sacrifice seems inescapable here. Saints sacrifice themselves. Those who kill them sacrifice them, thinking they are doing God service, but they end immolating themselves.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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