These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. --Revelations 14:4-5
These particular verses of the Apocalypse fascinate me. It's a description of men that appear during the so-called End Times, the close of the Cosmic Chapter. Ever since these words were written 2000 years ago, there has been no end to the speculation about just who the fuck these dudes are. Many denominations/cults have claimed this mantle, many still do. Allow me to stake MY claim.
"These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins."
Oy. I can think of only one group of men that not only don't "defile themselves" (have sex with) women, but are also technically "virgins". Yea... fags.
"These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth."
There is no other group of people on this planet who suffer the shame of their calling more than gay men - a calling that transcends race, religion, nation and economics. What is this that we follow, that puts us at odds with our own families, even the church and the state? What is the force that compels us be true to something so deep within, even the ridicule of the whole world can't extinguish it? I'll call it Holy.
"being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb"
Fruits - as in "fruit of the loins". FIRST fruits implies something new, something that isn't manifested until the very end. What I think this really means is that at the end, there will appear a new kind of man - a new Adam, men that embody the promises of the Lord - a physical witness to the future glory of mankind.
"And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God."
This passage makes sense if its read as a warning - that the world will not recognise the Firstfruits as being men of God.
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