Revelation 14:4

for they are virgins The first instance of the use of the word as a masculine. It was adopted in ecclesiastical language, and applied e.g. to St John himself. It is best to understand the word literally. St Matthew 19:12; 1 Corinthians 7 prove, on any fair interpretation, that a devout and unselfish celibacy gives special means for serving God, and so we need not be surprised to learn here that it has a special reward from Him. No disparagement of holy matrimony is implied. Marriage is lowered by the Fall from what God meant it to be (Genesis 3:16), and so, like other things which God made very good, has its own evils and dangers; but it does not follow that it is here conceived as in any sense defilement they who are virgins à fortioriare "not defiled with women." It is noticeable that we owe to the two celibate apostles the highest consecration of marriage, see Ephesians 5:23-33, and the last two Chapter s of this Book.

being the firstfruits This seems to imply, as is required by the view that "virgins" strictly speaking are meant, that the 144,000 do not represent the wholenumber of the Elect, but a specially sanctified number from among them. See on Revelation 7:4.