Revelation 14:4

“These are they which were not defiled with women, etc.] With the whore of Rome, and her harlots, she is the mother of; while the kings and inhabitants of the earth were drunk with the wine of their fornication, or committed idolatry with them, which is spiritual fornication, and is here meant by being defiled with them, these were free from such pollutions, or idolatrous practices: for they are virgins; for their beauty and comeliness in Christ, chastity, sincerity of their love, uncorruptness in doctrine and worship, and for the uprightness of conversation; (see Gill on “<402501>Matthew 25:1”); these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth; as the sheep follow the shepherd of…”

“virgins--spiritually (Mat 25:1); in contrast to the apostate Church, Babylon (Rev 14:8), spiritually "a harlot" (Rev 17:1-5; Isa 1:21; contrast Co2 11:2; Eph 5:25-27). Their not being defiled with women means they were not led astray from Christian faithfulness by the tempters who jointly constitute the spiritual "harlot." follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth--in glory, being especially near His person; the fitting reward of their following Him so fully on earth. redeemed--"purchased." being the--rather, "as a first-fruit." Not merely a "first-fruit" in the sense in which all believers are so, but Israel's 144,000 elect are the first-fruit, the Jewish and Gentile elect Church is the…”

“These are they - In this verse, and in the following verse, the writer states the leading characteristics of those who are saved. The general idea is, that they are chaste; that they are the followers of the Lamb; that they are redeemed from among people; and that they are without guile. Which were not defiled with women - Who were chaste. The word “defiled” here determines the meaning of the passage, as denoting that they were not guilty of illicit sexual intercourse with women. It is unnecessary to show that this is a virtue everywhere required in the Bible, and everywhere stated as among the characteristics of the redeemed. On no point are there more frequent exhortations in the…”

“These are they who had not been defiled with women - It seems that the deepest defilement, and the most alluring temptation, is put for every other. They are virgins - Unspotted souls; such as have preserved universal purity. These are they who follow the Lamb - Who are nearest to him. This is not their character, but their reward Firstfruits - Of the glorified spirits. Who is ambitious to be of this number? Revelation 14:5”

“14:4-5 These warriors were ritually pure (unpolluted) and morally without blame. • They have kept themselves as pure as virgins: Referring to men as virgins is a metaphor for the faithfulness of God’s people. The image might refer to the church as the virgin bride of Christ (see 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:25-27); it also suggests that the church constitutes soldiers in a holy war that are required to keep themselves chaste (see Deut 23:9-10; 1 Sam 21:5). • These faithful people are a special offering (literally firstfruits; see Exod 13:14-16; 23:19; Lev 23:9-14; Num 3:40-51; 18:15-20; Luke 2:22-24) who have been purchased for God. • They have told no lies: John teaches that liars will never enter…”

“for: Psa 45:14; Sol 1:3, Sol 6:8; Mat 25:1; Co1 7:25, Co1 7:26, Co1 7:28; Co2 11:2; Ti1 4:3 which follow: Rev 3:4, Rev 7:15-17, Rev 17:14; Mat 8:19; Luk 9:57-62; Joh 8:12, Joh 10:27, Joh 12:26; Joh 13:37 These were: Rev 5:9 redeemed: Gr. bought, Psa 74:2; Act 20:28; Co1 6:20; Eph 1:14; Pe1 2:9 \*marg. the first fruits, Jer 2:3; Amo 6:1 \*marg. Co1 16:15; Jam 1:18 Revelation 14:5”