Revelation 14:14-20

Revelation 14 Chapter Outline: I. THE LAMB AND THE 144,000 ON ZION, VV. 1-5 II. THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL IS PREACHED, VV. 6-7 III. BABYLON IS FALLEN, V. 8 IV. THE DOOM OF THE RECIPIENTS OF THE MARK OF THE BEAST, VV. 9-13 V. THE HARVEST JUDGMENT AT THE END OF THE AGE, VV 14-20 This chapter posses a sharp contrast when compared to the last. We saw in chapter 13 that the beast and the false prophet will lead the world into a one world government, a one world economy and a one world religion. All three of these things declare the worlds allegiance to and worship of the beast who gets his power directly from satan (the dragon in chapter 12). In Chapter 14 we see Christ from the very start as the true ruler supreme and the 144,000 are with him to share in the victory chant. We will see in tis chapter that the world that spurned and rejected Christ and afflicted his servants will one day be judged. Revelation 14:1 1. John saw in the last chapter a beast standing up out of the sea and land and now he sees the Lamb standing upon Mt. Sion with the 144,000 wiseness. 2. This is perhaps the very first time that all 144,000 are in the same place at the same time. 3. He brings back into view the 144,000 witnesses that we previously looked at in chapter 7. All 144,000 are present! Not one missing. 3.1. This is a clear and direct statement of the keeping power and ability of God. He is able to keep us. Jude 1:24. John 6:39; 17:12; 18:9. 3.2. “The 144,000 are like the young Jewish men who survived the fiery furnace in Daniel 3:19-25. They prove Godʼs ability to preserve His people.” (David Guzik) 3.3. We canʼt stand against outer or inner enemies on our own. But with God all things are possible. 3.4. God reminds us through this passage that he is able to take us from beginning to end and shows Himself faithful all the way along the journey. He has sealed us just as he sealed them. 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13-14. In commerce this speaks of the commodity that is in transit and its sure arrival to itʼs final destination. But it speaks also of an engagement ring. So it is much more than just commerce. 4. Zion is mention 152 times through the Bible and only a few times does it not refer to the literal Mount Zion south of the temple mount. This is no doubt a reference to the literal mount zion. Revelation 14:2-3 1. The 144,000 are either on earth or in heaven worshiping the Lord with a song that only they know. 1.1. If in heaven then this scene is hard to place in the story line. We are not certain how or when the 144,000 have gone to heaven. Perhaps they were raptured prior to the end or completion of Godʼs wrath being poured out upon the earth when their work in the tribulation was accomplished. But one thing we know for sure is that they have not been martyred. 1.2. If on earth then this would be taking place at the second coming of Christ or sometime shortly thereafter. “In Revelation 7, the 144,000 are seen at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. In Revelation 14, it shows them in triumph at the end of the Great Tribulation.” (David Guzik) Since they were sealed and made indestructible by the seal God had placed upon them they would have ridden the tidal wave of wrath all the way through the tribulation safely emerging at the end of it all in triumph with their victorious Lord. This seems to be what is happening. 2. Psalm 2:1-6 is a great Psalm concerning end times events and victory being beaconed forth from zion. 3. Isaiah 2:1-4 4. They sing a song which no one can learn: 4.1. God gave them a new song to sing and it was a song that was only between them and the Lord. Revelation 14:4-5 1. “which were not defiled with women” 1.1. This could be speaking of literal virgins (Jeremiah 16. 1 corinthians 7:7) but no where do we read in scripture that women and sexual relations with women in the right context defile. In fact God says that it is not good for man to be alone. 1.2. In the old testament one of the ways Israel (both men and women) became defiled was when they committed whoredoms and adulteries in a spiritual sense by going after other gods. Perhaps a reference to Jezebel who defiled Israel of old. And in Revelation 17 the great whore of Babylon a false religious system. 1.3. So perhaps here there is an illusion being made to the 144,000 keeping themselves from spiritual defilement. 2. Firstfruits to God and unto the Lamb 2.1. A new dispensation began at some point within the unfolding of the Revelation because these 144,000 are the firstfruits that have been redeemed from among men and have been harvested after the dispensation of the church age. 2.2. The church canʼt be seen in the tribulation and here is yet another reason why. The church is the first fruits of the church age and have been harvested out prior to the tribulation period. Yet here we see another group of people known as the 144,000 called the firstfruits, therefor this must be another harvest at another time which would make these 144,000 the firstfruits of it. 3. Without guile. As opposed to the deceit of the anti christ in the last chapter. 4. They were without fault 4.1. Imputed righteousness made possible by the merit of Christ's redeeming work on the cross. Jude 24 Revelation 14:6-7 1. A messenger or angel proclaiming the everlasting gospel. This is “the” gospel. There isnʼt another. 1.1. Every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. 2. God in His mercy is still reaching out to the lost within the tribulation period. Amazing grace! 3. Some like to say that Jesus canʼt come again until we, the church, get the gospel out to all the world. This thought comes from Matthew 24:14 where it says “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” But when he comes is a preappointed time and we donʼt have anything to do with it. This way of thinking can drive people to serve the Lord from a place of guilt. God never intended us to think that His program, and the fulfillment of it, is upon our shoulders. False motivation is really being bound and driven by guilt. Jesus said my joke is easy and my burden is light. 4. The verse in Matthew 24 perhaps has itʼs fulfillment here in Revelation 14. Revelation 14:8 1. Babylon is introduced. 1.1. Are we referring to literal Babylon revived or another superpower that arises and is like Babylon. 1.2. Some think that Babylon is code for Rome. Christians would have been fearful of speaking out directly against Rome and so they codified it as Babylon. 1.3. We find out later in chapter 17 that this is mystery Babylon the great. So itʼs perhaps not necessary that the literal Babylon be rebuilt because the religious system of Babylon has been spread throughout the entire world. 1.4. Babylon, the place of the first civilization. Just after the time of the flood a man named Nimrod unified the people on earth and lead them in the first religious rebellion against God. So we see back in Genesis a religious system that was set up in the world in opposition to God and this system is much followed even still today in the world. This is perhaps what is meant by Babylon. 1.5. But itʼs fate is one of doom. The angel declares that Babylon is fallen. Revelation 14:9-11 1. A severe and serious warning. 1.1. The people who received this mark received it with the knowledge of what they were getting into. For we read that God sent them an angel warning them that if they get the mark they will be damned for all eternity. Despite this serious warning there will be those that will not take heed to it and will except the mark with full knowledge of the judgement that they will receive. the heart of man is desperately wicked indeed! 2. Eternal torment is being spoken of here. 2.1. There are people who do not believe in eternal torment. People donʼt like the thought of it so they dismiss it. God does not ask us to like this or figure it out he asks us simply to trust him that He is rite in all His way. 2.2. We canʼt be worried about what we feel. We just need be faithful in stating what the Bible says and leave it at that. The Bible teaches that punishment will go on eternally. 2.3. We would be helped greatly if we could understand the magnitude of the sin of rejecting Christ. Rejecting Christ is so serious to God and His righteous ways that those that reject Christ will be tormented for all eternity for doing so. Donʼt take the fire out of Hell! Revelation 14:12-13 1. Patience of the saints 1.1. Those that are afflicting you will get theirs sooner than later. The saints will be vindicated. God will bring retribution upon those that are afflicting us. This is comfort to the saints. But the Lord will repay. Vengeance belongs to Him and so we are to love our enemies and let the judgment be up to God. Revelation 14:14-20 1. Judgment of the last days. 2. The nations will be gathered together and be judged by God. 3. The winepress without the city: 3.1. Some think is a reference to the battle of Armageddon in the valley of megedo that will be filled with the blood of those that will be judged. 39:00 min