Charles Ellicott Commentary Revelation 14:1

"And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads." — Revelation 14:1 (ASV)

THE CITADEL OF THE SAINTS AND THE SERVANTS OF THE LAMB.

And I looked . . . A better translation is: And I saw, and behold, the Lamb (not “a Lamb; ” it is the Lamb, the true Lamb of God, against whom the wild beast wages savage and subtle war) standing on the Mount Sion.

The Saviour, the Lamb, in whose blood the saints have found their victory, is seen standing on the citadel of the heavenly city. Babylon is to be introduced (Revelation 14:8). In contrast, Zion, the chosen dwelling place of God (Psalms 132:13–18), the type of the spiritual city whose citizens are true to the King (Psalms 74:2; Hebrews 12:22–24), is introduced.

The Lamb is seen, set as King upon the holy hill of Zion, and with Him are the sealed ones, His faithful soldiers and servants. They are described as 144,000 in number: a number representing the full complement of the chosen ones of God, the true Israel of God (see Note on Revelation 7:4). These have their Father’s name on their foreheads: they can be recognised as children of God (compare Note on Revelation 7:2-3 and Revelation 22:4).