The Book of Revelation

Chapter 14

Chapter 14 is another ‘parenthetical’ chapter, giving us more information. It is an interlude, which gives us a glimpse into eternity; to show believers what waits for those who endure to the end. Chapter 7 (another parenthetical chapter), showed us the sealing of the 144,000, who were Jews. If you notice, you see that we still have 144,000. Not one person is missing! Christ redeemed them all, He sealed them all, and He kept them all. It will be the same with the church of today. The church is made up of ALL peoples, no matter their origin. The church is “whosoever,” Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews). If Christ redeems someone, He seals them, and He certainly will keep them for eternity! He will NOT lose a one of them!

Rev. 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. (KJV) Then I saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were 144,000 who had His Name and His Father's Name written on their foreheads.

John is still a spectator. He is still seeing into the future. In the last vision John had of Jerusalem, he saw the two faithful witnesses killed, and it was symbolically called “Sodom and Egypt” (Rev.11:8). Now in this vision, he sees a completely different view. Jerusalem is essentially Heaven itself, and the scenes he witesses of Heaven and Earth are beautifully blended together into one glorious picture. Mount Zion is often used as another name for Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, and is contrasted with the worldly empire. It must have been a relief for John to see peace and tranquility after seeing all the evil of the unholy trinity.

The “Lamb” is the Messiah (the Lord Jesus). The 144,000 represent the Jewish believers (NOT the church) who have endured persecutions on Earth and are now ready to enjoy the benefits and blessings of eternal life with God. (See chapter 7 for their sealing). Notice that the Lamb is standing with believers. And although Jesus is the Lamb, He is also the Shepherd of the flock of God. He came through the Great Tribulation with the same exact number that was sealed. He did NOT lose even one!

Rev. 14:2-3 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: [3] And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (KJV) John hears a sound from Heaven like the roar of a great waterfall or the rolling of mighty thunder, and he heard the sound of many harpists playing together. This great choir sang a wonderful new song in front of the throne of God and before the four living beings and the twenty-four elders. And no one could learn this song except those 144,000 who had been redeemed from the Earth.

John not only sees, he hears as well. Remember, waters symbolize people. Can you imaging 144,000 people singing? A new song? It has to be a song of redemption! And only a saved person can sing that! If an unbeliever sings ‘Amazing Grace’ or any other song of redemption and salvation, they are a ‘liar.’ No one but a redeemed (saved) person, can sing the goodness and love of God.

Rev. 14:4-5 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. [5] And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (KJV) For these are spiritually undefiled, pure as virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed, and are a special offering to God and the Lamb. No lies, filth or blasphemy can be charged against them; they are blameless.

"They were virgins" is confusing. Is the meaning physical or spiritual? Personally, I think it is spiritual. Idolatry, covetousness, and apostasy are often spoken of as spiritual adultery (Jer.3:6, 8-9; Eze.16:32; Hos.1:2-3; Rev. 2:22). An apostate church is an adulteress (Isa.1:21; Eze.23:4, 7, 37), and Jesus called the Jews “an adulterous generation” (Mat.12:39).

The 144,000 kept themselves clean from the wicked abominations of the followers of the Antichrist. Their hearts were right with God; they are without fault before God. They were pardoned in Christ, He is glorified in them, and they in Him.

Firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb is a definite reference to Israel (Rom.11:15-16). I believe they will occupy a special place in the millennial kingdom.

And in their mouth was found no guile means they absolutely did not and would not participate in the big lie of the beast when he did his so-called miracles. They did NOT fall for his lies! Remember that Jesus said that if it were possible to deceive the very elect, they would be deceived (Mat.24:24), but these 144,000 will NOT be deceived!

May it be our prayer, our aim, our ambition, to be found as honorable as these!

The Three Angels . . . Revelation 14:6-13

Rev. 14:6-7 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, [7] Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (KJV) John now sees yet another angel flying through the heavens, carrying the everlasting Good News to preach to the people who live on Earth; to every nation, tribe, language, and people. "Fear God," he shouted. "Give glory to Him. For the time has come when He shall sit as Judge. Worship Him who made Heaven and Earth, the sea, and all the fresh water springs."

As John continues to witness the vision, things seem to move forward rather quickly.

We will now see 3 angels:

• #1 proclaims the everlasting Gospel (there is only ONE TRUE Gospel);
• #2 announces the downfall of Babylon; and
• #3 reveals the dreadful wrath of God all those who worship the beast, and the blessedness of those who die in the Lord.

The “another angel” is the first of 6 angels in this chapter. They are not the same angels that John saw before. Notice the job of this particular angel: to preach the Gospel to the whole world. This is a radical change in God’s strategy. Angels today are NOT bringing the Gospel to the world. Who does this? Christians! The Gospel is in the hands of mankind (Mat.28:19-20). Angels would do a much better job, but that is not what God wants for this time.

I can hear people say: “I thought God did not change.” God does NOT change, not His character (His identity, His nature, His qualities), ever! But, His methods of dealing with a sinful world do change. There have been many dispensations (methods by which God carries out His purposes). Dispensations (management of events) affect men either in the way of mercy or of judgment. There are a total of 7 different dispensations mentioned in the Bible, starting with innocence (Gen.1) and ending with Messianic (Rev.20. We are now in the dispensation of grace (which is #6).

Some believe that this everlasting Gospel is the final worldwide Gospel to appeal to all people to recognize the one true God. NO ONE will have the excuse: “I never heard God;s Truth". Others see this Passage as an announcement of judgment rather than appeal. If you are reading this, you have already heard God’s Truth. You know in your heart that God’s final judgment will not be put off forever. Just how have you received God’s Good News? Have you confessed your sins and trusted Christ to save you? If you have, you have nothing to fear from God’s judgment! The Judge of all the Earth (Christ Jesus) is your Saviour!

The proclomations of these angels are plain in their meaning. All Christians can and must be encouraged in the time of trial, and must be faithful to the Lord. The Gospel is the way by which men are brought to fear (reverence) God, and to give glory to Him. Preaching the Gospel shakes the very foundations of all the antichrists in the world, and will hasten Satan’s downfall. If anyone persists in being a child of the devil (1 John 3:10), and keep promoting his cause, they shall be eternally miserable in body and soul. But, let us observe the description of those that are and shall be blessed: they rest from all sin, pain, temptation, troubles, sorrow and persecution; for there shall be NO more evil or wickedness in Heaven (Rev.21:4,8; 21:3-5,14-15). God’s weary children shall rest eternally, on Heaven’s blissful shore.

Rev. 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (KJV) John now sees a second angel with an announcement "Babylon is fallen, that great city is fallen, because she deceived and seduced the nations and made them drink the wine of her immorality."

This is the 2nd (#2) of 6 “another angels” in this chapter. These are God’s angels; good, unfallen angels. Babylon is the symbol of united rebellion against God, and Satan’s headquarters. It is where idolatry started. This angel proclaims the utter fall of Babylon. God’s Word is so sure that it announces Babylon’s complete destruction as if it had already happened! Some think Babylon will be rebuilt; while others think Babylon here, is a symbol for Rome (Rev.17:3,9). Which ever it is, rebuilt Babylon or Rome really is NOT important to us. Its being completely demolished, that is what is important!

The idolatry of Babylon will be as an intoxication to the people of the world. The wine of the wrath of her fornication symbolizes all the false worship Babylon represents (Rev.17:2,4; 18:3,9). It is complete madness to worship anything other than Almighty God. People will be absolutely facinated and bewitched by this city. Jeremiah 51:7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord's hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. (KJV)

Isaiah 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. (KJV)

Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. (KJV) We shall see the total destruction of both religious and commercial Babylon in chapters 17 & 18. God NEVER lies! It’s as good as done!

Rev. 14:9-12 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, [10] The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: [11] And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. [12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (KJV)
The third angel shouts: "Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or the hand must drink the wine of God's wrath. It is poured out undiluted into God's cup of holy wrath. And they will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. The smoke of their torment rises forever and ever, and they shall have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name. Let this be an encouragement to God's holy people to endure persecution patiently and remain firm to the end, obeying His commands and trusting in Jesus."

This, to me, is a horrible Passage! God desires that no one go to the Lake of Fire, which is the second death and eternal Hell. It is most probable that the majority of the ones who survive through the Tribulation will be those who accept the devil’s mark, but woe be unto them. ALL who carry Satan’s mark will drink of the wine of the wrath of God (Ps.75:8). If you believe that the church will go through the Tribulation, you also believe that our Lord Jesus will expose the ones He has redeemed to the unmixed (full strength) cup of His wrath and fury. I absolutely CANNOT see MY Saviour doing that! If you drink the wine of idolatry, you shall also drink the wine of God’s rejection. Tormented with fire and brimstone! A symbol is a faded representation of the real thing. IF fire and brimstone is not Hell, then Hell is something much worse! Please note: Hell is visable to Jesus and the holy angels. Whoever accepts that 666 mark, will most certainly be in Hell for eternity! We must be patient and faithfully persevere in keeping His commandments as we wait for Christ (Mat.24:13; Luke 21:19).

Rev. 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. (KJV) John again hears the Voice from Heaven telling him, "Write this: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, for they will rest from all their toils and trials; for their good deeds follow them!"

I truly believe that those who firmly take their stand with Jesus in the Great Tribulation, and die for their committment to Him, have a special reward awaiting them. Their works do follow them means they will be rewarded for their faithfulness, patience and works as they persevere in this period.

The Harvest of the Earth - Revelation 14:14-20

In the final part of this parenthetical chapter, just before the most severe judgments of the 7 bowls; John is privileged to get a glimpse of this most talked about battle of Armageddon. He must have been encouraged by seeing the great winepress of God’s wrath being poured out in intense judjment against all the horrible evils and wickedness in the world. We must remember that the main purpose of this Book is for God’s true children to receive comfort and encouragement in knowing that God (in Jesus) will receive victory! When you see the horrible evils in the world today, getting worse by the day, you can be uplifted by reading the Book of Revelation, for over and over again, it truly shows that God is in control of ALL matters, and He shall have an ultimate victory in the end!

Rev. 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. (KJV) Then I saw the Son of Man sitting upon a white cloud. He had a gold crown on His Head and a sharp sickle in His Hand.

John now sees in his vision, a triumphant Christ sitting upon a cloud, with a sharp sickle, and a harvest, fully ripe for cutting down. The “Son of man” (Dan.7:13-14; 1 Thes.4:16-17; Rev,1:13-16) prepares to return in judgment. The portrayal of judgment as a harvest is quite common in the Bible (Jer.51:33; Hos.6:11; Joel 3:13; Mat.13:30,39; Mark 4:29). Christ shall separate the faithful from the unfaithful, like a farmer harvesting his crops. This will be a time of great joy for the believers who have been persecuted and martyred; for they will receive their long-awaited reward. Christians of today (the TRUE church) should not fear the Last Judgment. Jesus said: John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (KJV) Warnings and judgments in the past have not always produced change. The sins of all the nations are filled up, and they are ripe for judgment (harvest), a symbol used to describe the gathering of the righteous (those true to God), to Heaven, by the grace and mercy of God, and the unbelievers to Hell.

Rev. 14:15-16 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. [16] And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. (KJV)
An angel comes out from the Temple and called in a loud voice to the One sitting on the cloud, "Use the sickle, for the time has come for you to harvest; the crop is ripe on the earth." So the One sitting on the cloud swung His sickle over the Earth, and the whole earth was harvested.

Please note: the whole Earth (world) shall be harvested! The time is come means that God has a precise time for ALL events on His time table. When, NOT if, judgment comes, ALL peoples shall be harvested, to Heaven or Hell.

Rev. 14:17-18 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. [18] And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. (KJV) Now another angel comes from the Temple in Heaven, and he also has a sharp sickle. Still another angel, who has power to destroy the world with fire, shouted to the angel with the sickle, "Use your sickle now to gather the clusters of grapes from the vines of the Earth, for they are fully ripe for judgment."

The sharp sickle is a symbol of judgment. Isaiah 63:1-6 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. [2] Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? [3] I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. [4] For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. [5] And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. [6] And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. (KJV) This is a vivid portrait of the Messiah (Jesus), NOT at His First Coming, but His Second Coming! In the day of Isaiah, men would go into the winepress barefooted, to tread out the juices of the ripe grapes. The bright red juice would spurt out onto their clothing. Isaiah pictures Jesus in garments stained with the blood of His enemies (unbelievers). If you have not accepted Jesus, you are His enemy, and God the Father’s enemy too! When Jesus came the first time, He shed His precious Blood for the sins of the world (John 1:29). Every morning and evening, a lamb was sacrificed in the Temple for the sins of the people (Ex.29:38-42). Isaiah 53:7 prophesied that the Messiah, God’s Servant, would be led to slaughter like a lamb. To pay the penalty for sin, a life had to be given; and God chose to provide that Sacrifice Himself. The sins of the world were removed when Jesus died as the Perfect Sacrifice. This is the way, the ONLY Way, our sins are forgiven (1 Cor.5:7). The sin of the world means everyone’s sin, the sin of each and every person. Jesus paid the price of your sin by His death on the cross. You receive forgiveness by confessing your sin to Him and asking His forgiveness. If you believe this (believe God), and accept Jesus and what He did for you, you are no longer God’s enemy (Rom.5:1-10), BUT if you refuse to believe God and keep rejecting His Son (John 3:15-18), you are doomed to an everlasting Hell (2 Thes.1:8-9). The Bible clearly states that Jesus is the ONLY Way to access Heaven (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). If you reject Jesus, you do not believe God, and you are calling God a LIAR!

1 John 5:9-12 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. [10] He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. [11] And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (KJV) Unbelief makes you God’s enemy!

Rev. 14:19-20 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. [20] And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. (KJV) So the angel swung his sickle on the Earth and put the grapes into the great winepress of God's wrath. The grapes were then trodden in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress in a stream about 180 miles long and as high as a horse's bridle.

The “winepress” is the wrath of God, and He is shedding the blood of His wicked enemies. The blood will run deep and long; as high as the horse bridles is over 3 feet deep, and 180 miles long. MANY people will die! The “grapes” (the wicked, unbelievers) are cut down and thrown into the winepress where the wrath of God is trampled out. This imagery draws from the Old Testament prophets who used the picture of blood-red juice flowing out of the winepress to describe the bloodshed of war (Isa.63:2-6; Joel 3:13; Rev.19:13,15). This will take place “outside the city” of Jerusalem. In the Old Testament, the remains of a sin offering was disposed of “outside” the camp (Lev.4:12,21; 9:11; 16:27). The Book of Hebrews also tells us that Jesus shed His Blood (was crucified) “outside the city” (Heb.13:11-13). It seems only right that this horrific judgment will be “outside the city” as well. Some scholars have suggested that the devastation of Armageddon represents complete destruction of the entire Earth, while others stand by the theory that it will be only in the ‘Holy Land.’ Whatever the answer, Armageddon will be an unparalleled judgment of God. The boastful pride and arrogance of man (and Satan) will be brought to the lowest by the Almighty and omnipotent power of God. This final and gruesome war will probably begin mid-Tribulation, after Antichrist breaks his peace treaty with Israel (Dan.9:27), and will end with the personal return of Christ to Earth (Rev.19:11).

Psalm 45:3-7 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. [4] And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. [5] Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. [6] Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. [7] Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (KJV) The Throne of this Almighty King is established forever! The Holy Spirit leads Christ’s people to look to His cross. He teaches us to see the evil of sin and the beauty of holiness; so that none of us feel encouraged to continue in sin. God the Father has given to Christ the Holy Spirit without measure. Thus anointed to be a Prophet, Priest and King; Christ has pre-eminence in the gifts and graces of the Spirit. The Spirit is called the “Oil of Gladness,” because of the delight in which Christ was filled. The salvation of sinners is the joy of angels (Luke 15:10), and much more of the Son of God.

We need to face up to the fact that SIN is a terrible thing, and God HATES it! You and I deserve the judgment of God, because we ALL are sinners; but praise be to Jesus we are forgiven of ALL our sins when we accept Him and His Work, and we shall live in Heaven with Him one day. The patience of God towards sinners, is a truly great miracle!

The Great Tribulation (Mat.24:21) is NOT called an ‘evil day’ in the Bible. It is called the “Great Day of God’s Wrath” (Rev.6:17). The church will NOT go through this period. At best, there will be just a very few TRUE children of God left in the world when Jesus comes to claim His bride (1 Thes.4:13-18; Luke 18:8). There is less faith in Jesus with each passing day, and it will get worse and worse as time for the Rapture nears. The following Passage describes perfectly the time in which we are living. 2 Tim. 3:1-7 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, [7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (KJV) This reference to the “last days” reveals a sense of urgency. The “last days” began after Jesus’ resurrection when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers at Pentecost, and will continue until Christ’s Second Coming. This means we are living in the last days, so we should make the most of the time that God has given us (Eph.5:16; Col.4:5). Do NOT give in to society’s pressures. Take committment rather than comfort. Stand up against evil by living as God would have His people live. People love to cater to their own lusts; they don’t want to please God. They are eager to get all they can get, and keep what they already have. This makes for a dangerous situation! People no longer FEAR God, and when this happens, they certainly do NOT have any consideration for man. Children are disobedient to their parents, because the parents have strayed away from the goodness of God; therefore the households in America (and elsewhere) are living under the influence of the devil (1 John 3:10). This makes for perilous times indeed!

Book of Revelation

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