A Glimpse of The End
Notes
Transcript
To provide some context as to what we are seeing here in Chapter 14, let’s do a quick recap and revisit the timeline of events that have occurred:
Beginning in Chapter 6, the tribulation period began. The Lamb of God had proved worthy to break open the seven seals holding together the scroll of God. It began with the seven seals. Each seal provided increasing intensity of which the wrath of God was pouted out upon an unbelieving world. The seventh seal contained the seven trumpets.
The trumpet judgments were worse yet than that of which we saw contained within the seal judgments. Once again, each trumpet judgment contained increasing intensity of God’s wrath being poured out. In Chapter 11, we finally see the seventh trumpet blown, ushering in the final and most severe of God’s judgments to be poured out upon the earth. Within this seventh trumpet is contained the seven bowl judgments, but these bowl judgments are not seen until Chapter 15.
Chapters 12-14 contain an interlude between the seventh trumpet being blown and the actual judgments accompanied with it that will take place. These Chapters provide a recap, if you will, of the tribulation that has already been mentioned throughout Chapters 6-11, but simply from another point of view. Though they cover the same period of time, they provide information that we are not given in the other Chapters, because they are given from another angle. We are told of why these events take place and exactly what Satan’s plan is in moving in such a mighty way against the Kingdom of God.
We are provided with Satan waging war against heaven, the entrance of the Antichrist and the false prophet, and the roles they will play during this time. Chapters 12-13 show us the dark side of these events and how Satan plans to overthrow the plan of God to bring redemption to this sin-stricken world.
Chapter 15 is going to show us the other side of these things. Instead of seeing the dragon (Satan), we will see the Lamb. Instead of seeing demons, we will see the angelic hosts. Instead of seeing the unredeemed, we will see the redeemed, those in heaven as well as those on Earth. Instead of seeing destruction, we will see victory. This Chapter gives us a glimpse of the second return of Christ, which does not actually take place until Chapter 19. This Chapter contrasts that of Chapters 12-13 by showing that no matter how bad things may get, or how much it seems as if Satan is winning this war, God still sits on the throne and will achieve victory.
The Lamb and the 144,000
The Lamb and the 144,000
1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Some have attempted to make the events of Chapter 1 analogous, but I see no reason for this.
The Mount of Zion spoken of here is the literal Mount Zion here on earth. This is not metaphorical of some other thing or place. Jesus is coming back to rule and reign right here on earth, and He will do so from Mount Zion.
The 144,000, which we first saw back in Chapter 7, are the same people here as they were there. This is not some representative number, but an actual 144,000 people. This is a literal 12,000 people from each of the 12 tribes of Jerusalem, and they will stand victorious throughout the tribulation period. Despite Satan’s best efforts to destroy them, they will remain unscathed from his fiery darts, and will survive this horrendous onslaught of evil. These people were chosen by God to represent Him during this time and will bare the Mark of God, which is God’s name, upon their foreheads. This mark, or seal, will prohibit all the evil forces upon the world at this time from laying a hand on them, and will serve as their protection through this seven year period.
John then hears a voice from heaven, though it does not tell us what the voice says. It seems as if this voice is the voice of God Himself, seeing that God’s voice is represented in this way in several other places throughout Scripture (Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 1:15; Revelation 19:6). He also hears the sound of many harpists playing their harps. The worship band of heaven is keying up and getting ready to give God some praise!!!
The song they sang was so beautiful, so heart wrenching, that they sang it as if it were a new song before the throne. This song will be so powerful, that it will even reach the entirety of the earth. But because of its nature, the 144,000 are the only ones who will be able to learn its words and join in to the praise of God. Obviously those unregenerate who are scattered throughout the world will not be able to learn the words of a song designed to give God praise, because they will not nor can not praise Him.
This group of believers are special, set aside, and faithful. They are the only ones on the earth who had remained faithful unto God and had not turned away to idols. This reference here to virginity is not a reference to actual sexual chastity, but rather the spiritual purity of these people. They have remained faithful to God throughout this entire period, despite the fact that the world is literally falling to pieces around them.
They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. This has always been a staple feature of those who belong to the Lord:
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
These people are devout. They go where He goes. They remain faithful. Why? Because they were redeemed from among men. During the worst onslaught of sin and woe this world has ever seen, the Almighty God of everything chose them to preach the Gospel of light to a world filled with darkness. They have become the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. They will be the first ones invited into the Millennial reign of Christ upon earth, for they are already here.
The Proclamations of Three Angels
The Proclamations of Three Angels
Angel 1
Angel 1
6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—
7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
The first angel comes flying through the sky (the midst of heaven here meaning the atmosphere) preaching the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a very interesting thing, because nowhere else in Scripture is the Gospel entrusted to angels but here. I believe this is because the Church has been raptured, the two witnesses have already ascended to heaven, and the 144,000 are being hidden from the wrath of the world. There is no one else to preach the Gospel, but God is so gracious that even during this time, he wants the world to have another chance to repent and be saved.
So He sends an angel from heaven, to fly throughout the world proclaiming the Gospel to those who dwell on the earth - to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people - saying, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
I didn’t think about it when studying for this morning’s message, but Bro. Corley told me on the way out, “If you look at the way you drew that out on the board, it goes to show how many opportunities that God gives the lost to repent and follow Jesus.”
Even during this time of absolute evil, God will still be exercising every opportunity available to win the lost, even by sending angels from heaven to fly through the sky and preach the Gospel.
Angel 2
Angel 2
8 And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
This verse shows us that these events will not take place until the end of the tribulation period. This angel flying through speaks of how Babylon has fallen. Obviously that will not be the case until Christ returns.
This angel will refer to how Satan has deceived the nations into believing a lie and it is because of their following him that they have endured such wrath from God. Their sinful actions has led to much suffering that was not necessary. In Christ, there is hope.
Angel 3
Angel 3
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,
10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. 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 ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
The third angel issues a final warning, which is to that of receiving the mark of the beast and worshiping his image.
Those who do such things will receive the fullness of God’s wrath, which will be poured out upon those remaining on earth. There will be no escape. Not only will these people suffer horribly while still on earth, but they will also “be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
God is making it very clear what they can expect if they choose to remain on the path that they are currently travelling. Its end will lead to destruction, eternal destruction, and the only hope they have of escape is to believe in the name of Jesus Christ.
A Final Voice
A Final Voice
12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
This last voice speaks to John concerning those who did not give in to the world and kept themselves unspotted from it. “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”
Those who refuse to take the mark of the beast will be considered faithful. To do so will almost certainly mean death, but it will also mean life. Not life on earth, but life eternal with in Christ. To gain life during this time, one must be first willing to give it away: “Write,” the voice says, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
Then the Spirit chimes in and says, “Yes, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
To live in Christ means that one must make certain sacrifices in this life. But he reward is everlasting peace and life in Christ. It is a prize worth fighting for, a prize worth living for, a prize worth winning!!!
The Great Reaping
The Great Reaping
This last section reveals two different harvests that will take place in the last days. One of these harvests will be the grain harvest and the other will be the grape harvest.
The Grain harvest
The Grain harvest
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”
16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
The title One like the Son of Man is unique to Christ. This phrase always refers to Him. John sees Jesus coming on a white cloud, symbolizing His glory and majesty. Daniel spoke of this event:
13 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.
14 Then 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 the one Which shall not be destroyed.
Jesus comes as it said He would, and when He does, He will have on His head a golden crown. This crown is not that of which a king would wear (we will see that later on), but rather one worn by victors in war or. It is the crown of triumph and is perfectly fitting as He has conquered all of His enemies and won the victory for Himself and all of those who placed their faith in Him.
He also holds in His hand a sharp sickle. This sickle will be used to reap the earth of all those who are ripe for harvest.
The Grape Harvest
The Grape Harvest
17 Then 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, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.”
19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.
During the grape harvest, we do not see Jesus doing the harvesting, but rather angels. There is one angel who holds the sickle and performs the harvesting and then there is another angel who gives the command.
This harvest most likely represents the gathering of the wicked during The Battle of Armageddon. It tells us that as these men fall, the blood from the dead will be so great that it will form a river up to the horses’ bridles, for 180 miles. That is almost unfathomable. It speaks not only to the amount of those who will suffer the wrath of God, but also to the power of God and His angels.
