The Lamb and His Army

Context:

The Lamb’s Army

Summary of Verses 1-5: There is a blameless remnant sealed by God and Christ.

Zion is used over 150 x’s in the OT to refer to the TRUE city of God, though it also is symbolic of the Temple and God’s people. Interestingly, the full “Mt. Zion” only happens 19 x’s in the OT, with at least 9 referring to a saved remnant. Combined with the number 144,000, it could indicate in contrast to the whole earth that follows the beast, a saved remnant that never bows and belongs only to God.

Name of the Father written on their forehead!

This scene is similar to the one in Rev.5:6-10, and the song is sung by those from every tribe, language, people, and nation. This is the counter the fact that the beast appears to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation (13:7), and it reminds the reader that God has redeemed for Himself a great multitude from all of humanity.

The new song they sing, which only they can sing, resolves by saying that the Lord’s army has been made a kingdom and priest to God who reigns on earth (see 5:10). It’s not uncommon for God’s people to be called to sing new songs. What is different about this song is that only the redeemed can learn it. If this is the fullness of the church brought in (which is in line with chapter 7), then this is the last “new” song, the final new song that carries on into eternity.

In the OT, whenever a new song was commanded, it celebrated God’s victory over enemies (see Pss.33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isa.42:10).

It was a common OT practice for Israel's army to remain chaste before going to war. This is the Lord's army. And, when taken in context w/ Rev. 19, this becomes all the more clear. There, the army is described in terms of purity. So, it seems best to understand this as a reference to the purity of the whole church, undefiled and dedicated solely to Christ. Further, contrast those who have not defiled themselves with the sexual immorality of Babylon in Rev.14:8. These are ones who haven’t bowed to the beast.

Firstfruits — some say this is a type of initial group of believers, but firstfruits can also be shorthand for an offering to the Lord, those completely dedicated to Him. This is more in line with the whole context.

The word for lie (pseudos) is used 10 times in the NT. Four of those times it is translated “lie” (Rom.1:25; 1 Jn 2:21, 27; and here). It is also translated “he lies” in Jn 8:44 in reference to the devil. The other five times, it is a derivation of the word “false.” Contextually, “lie” is the preferred translation, but it could be hinting at a deeper reality — a person blameless not because they’ve never told a lie but because they are confessed before God, having their righteousness restored (1 Jn 1:9).

The Angels’ Proclamations

Summary of vv.6-7: One angel proclaims an “eternal gospel” calling man to worship the true God.

At first glance, we expect this eternal gospel to be the proclamation of peace with God through the death and resurrection of the Lamb. It is there, but the “good news” rather will focus on the judgment of the wicked. This news is indeed good for those who have suffered at the hands of the beast.

Summary of vv.8: One angel proclaims the downfall of Babylon the Great.

Though the idea of Babylon has been present throughout Revelation, this is the first time she is actually named. It’s similar to an inductive form of reasoning. Throughout the book, the various parts have been described, and finally here, the name is revealed at last.

She has made all nations drink the wine…of her sexual immorality. Remember from previous discussions drawing on the book of Daniel that when humanity rebels against God, it tends toward beastly inclinations, becoming appetite-driven creatures.

Summary of vv.9-11: One angel proclaims the judgment of those aligned with the beast (Babylon).

These are the ones who have aligned themselves with Babylon. Just as Babylon can expect judgment, so those who have embraced her ways can expect judgment, poured full strength. Similar to Polish Vodka Spirytus (192 proof or 96% ABV) or Everclear (190 proof or 90%ABV), this is a full strength as one can get. It might even be better to see it as 100% alcohol or ethanol.

Remember that Christ said before His death, if there is another way, let this cup pass. Cup can be a way to reference God’s judgment or simply one’s lot in life or the will of God for someone. God’s will for Babylon and her followers is to drink the full strength and whole cup of His fury.

Summary of vv.12-13: A call to faithful endurance which is shown through obedience.

The faithful are called to remain faithful, enduring again through faithful obedience.

Chapter 14 seems to be the antithesis of chapter 13 and the terrifying reign of the beasts. In Rev.13:10, the believers were called to persevere through suffering well. Here, believers are called to endure because the enemy is defeated.

Verse 12 calls for the obedient endurance of the saints, and verse 13 says that those who die in the Lord are blessed because the may rest from their labors. It seems these two verses are intended to inform one another. What is their works? It is nothing less than faithful obedience to Christ despite persecution for righteousness’ sake. Read this in light of Matt.5:10-12.

How are they blessed?

The are removed from the sufferings of this world.

According to the Sermon on the Mount, theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Some see this as those who die in the tribulation. However, given the fact that there is a definite here-and-now call to faithful obedience in chapter 12, it seems more natural to understand this as all who would die in the Lord.

The Earth’s Harvest

Summary of vv.14-16: The Son of Man reaps the harvest of the righteous.

Daniel 7 imagery continues to be in play. Remember that in Dan.7 the Ancient of Days gives an eternal rule to the Son of Man, and as this drama is played out, almost in a passing note, the blasphemous beast (symbolic of God’s enemy(ies)) is defeated. Seated on the cloud and son of man are both images from Daniel. It is interesting that the Son of Man, which is Christ, only wears one crown of gold. A few things to note:

Can this be Jesus since in the beginning of the chapter He was referenced as the Lamb? Yes, because verse 14 marks a change in visions. In verse 1, John said “Then I looked.” Now, in verse 14, it pivots with the same phrasing: then I looked.

Is His rule comparable to the dragon/beast who wore many crowns? Yes. I believe this is an intentional inclusion. Whereas the dragon/beast have a trumped up and pretend rule, wearing many diadems, Christ only wears one. Why? Daniel 7:14 — the Son of Man is given a single kingdom to which belongs “all peoples, nations, and languages.” The division of mankind, which started with the initial Babylon/Tower of Babel, is undone in the kingdom of Christ and there is only one people — those who belong to the Lamb. There is nothing that the dragon/beast can do to restore what God had scrambled…the best they can muster is a trumped up counterfeit reign where their followers are still divided.

The crown of the Son of Man is golden — pure and undefiled!

His sickle is sharp — it is able to do its job.

Two judgments begin here — the reaping of the righteous to the Son of Man’s forever reign, and the reaping of the wicked (vv.17-20) to receive God’s wrath.

Matthew 24:30–31 “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Daniel 7:13–14 ““I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

Summary of vv.17-20: An angel reaps the harvest of the wicked and they are cast into judgment.

This sickle is sharp as well, able to do the job it is deployed to do.

It seems that chapter 14 is set up as the antithesis of chapter 13, the beasts, and the dragon. The beast is able to physically harm the church, but Jesus warned to not fear the one who can harm the body but the One who can judge the soul (Matt 10:28).

The winepress of the wrath of God recalls imagery from Joel 3:13. There, the winepress of God’s wrath is full because of the great extent of their evil behavior. Here, it seems the fullness of man’s evil has become mature and ready for harvest.

The punishment is severe. Remember that the road that leads to destruction is broad and there are many who find it.

Takeaways:

The saved are saved indeed, a blameless remnant sealed by God and Christ.

The eternal gospel is good news because it brings both salvation and judgment.

The downfall of Babylon will bring judgment for those who embraced her ways.

Those who endure enter into the blessed promise of eternal life.

Chapter 12 portrayed a cosmic battle reflecting on imagery from Genesis 3:15 and shows how the church indeed will suffer, maybe even pointing to Rome in the process. The presence of the dragon is a reminder that the church’s true enemy is not flesh and blood, but they’re spiritual principalities and realities.

Chapter 13 rehashes chapter 12, but it does so through the lens of Daniel 7 and the beasts that Daniel saw. It emphasizes the world’s allegiance to Babylon.

Finally, chapter 14 first contrasts the beast with the Lamb. The new song and eternal gospel both usher forth as a call for repentance because the days of the beast’s reign are limited. Then, the final judgment is pictured in terms of a great harvest — the righteous to eternal life and the wicked to eternal judgment.

Chapters 12-14 paint a picture for the reader that leaves us with one of two choices:

Resist Babylon and follow the LAMB, or

Follow the beast and suffer its defeat.