Revelation 14:4

4. These are they Revelation 14:4-5 are strikingly parallel with Revelation 7:14-15. This fact indicates that Dusterdieck is mistaken in supposing that this company is a select class of eminent saints. The simple truth is, that the virtues specially ascribed to them are selected as contrast to the vices ascribed to their Babylonian persecutors. These are not defiled with women, in contrast with the whore and her partisans that did corrupt the earth with her fornication. Compare Revelation 18:3; Revelation 18:7; Revelation 18:9.

They are virgins The Greek term is applicable to either sex, and in its full literal sense implies not only purity from fornication, but abstinence from all sexual indulgence. But it cannot be supposed to be affirmed that all the early Church were chaste celibates. Rather, are they all virgins in the sense in which the whole Church is the purely chaste bride of Christ, which takes sexual purity as the ideal type of all purity from sin. Such a view honours matrimony, and yet allows that there may be a chaste celibacy, not forced nor bound by changeless vows, which may enjoy the royal prerogative of pre-eminent consecration of itself to God. Note 1 Corinthians 7:1-9.

Follow… whithersoever he goeth They are the special retinue and obedient body-guard of their Lord. The oath of the ancient soldiers bound them, in similar words, “to follow their generals wherever they may lead.”

Redeemed… men Not redeemed as Dusterdieck, “in an eminent sense,” but in the same sense as the whole true Church.

First fruits Early in time in comparison with the Christian and millennial ages that will follow; choice in character, as having fought the battles of persecution against the beast.