Special Announcements
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
This chapter forms the last section of the third interlude of Revelation. It is imperative to remind ourselves that this material is NOT chronological in that it does not continue on the next events of the Tribulation. The purpose of this is to give us a preview of key events that lie ahead in this unprecedented period of trial. The major theme in this section is the answer to two questions that come from the previous chapters. Two vital questions that have very real answers — What will become of those who refuse the mark of the beast and are killed? What will happen to the beast and his servants? Chapter 14 set the scene for the upcoming climatic events that will unfold in chapter 15 and on. In chapter 14 we will look backward to the beginning and then forward to the end and the glorious reign of our Lord Jesus with His saints!
Last chapter unveiled the grotesque horrors of Satan and his unholy trinity. If you remember the mark is the number of the beast - the number of man - 666. A number that falls short of 777- God’s perfection. In this see the design that man man will fall and God will prevail and so will those who follow Him. We have seen before the severe persecution of God’s people as they are slain like sacrificed sheep. Now we will get a glimpse of the ultimate triumph in the Lamb - who has promised deliverance and provides deliverance.
1 Then I looked, and there was 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. 2 I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of cascading waters and like the rumbling of loud thunder. The sound I heard was like harpists playing on their harps.
3 They sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders, but no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, since they remained virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were redeemed from humanity as the firstfruits for God and the Lamb.
5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. 6 Then I saw another angel flying high overhead, with the eternal gospel to announce to the inhabitants of the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.
7 He spoke with a loud voice: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” 8 And another, a second angel, followed, saying, “It has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen. She made all the nations drink the wine of her sexual immorality, which brings wrath.”
9 And another, a third angel, followed them and spoke with a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he will also drink the wine of God’s wrath, which is poured full strength into the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the sight of the holy angels and in the sight of the Lamb,
11 and the smoke of their torment will go up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or anyone who receives the mark of its name. 12 This calls for endurance from the saints, who keep God’s commands and their faith in Jesus.”
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they will rest from their labors, since their works follow them.” 14 Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and one like the Son of Man was seated on the cloud, with a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.
15 Another angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the one who was seated on the cloud, “Use your sickle and reap, for the time to reap has come, since the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So the one seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. 17 Then another angel who also had a sharp sickle came out of the temple in heaven.
18 Yet another angel, who had authority over fire, came from the altar, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Use your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the vineyard of the earth, because its grapes have ripened.”
19 So the angel swung his sickle at the earth and gathered the grapes from the vineyard of the earth, and he threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. 20 Then the press was trampled outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press up to the horses’ bridles for about 180 miles.
Concerning the 144,000
Concerning the 144,000
1 Then I looked, and there was 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. 2 I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of cascading waters and like the rumbling of loud thunder. The sound I heard was like harpists playing on their harps.
3 They sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders, but no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
4 These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, since they remained virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were redeemed from humanity as the firstfruits for God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
John looked and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and standing with Him were the 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads. John changes our attention now from the beasts on the sand to the Lamb who is standing on the Mount top of Zion. The picture here is great - sand is sinking and unstable but the mount is the rock and is stable and sure. The instability of the sand versus the stability of the mountain. A picture of surety, rest and peace for those who stand with the Lamb on the Mount Zion.
Mount Zion is the ancient name for the hills that make up Jerusalem - this is the place where the Messiah gathers His redeemed and reigns over the earth.
23 The moon will be put to shame and the sun disgraced, because the Lord of Armies will reign as king on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, and he will display his glory in the presence of his elders.
32 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, for there will be an escape for those on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, as the Lord promised, among the survivors the Lord calls.
1 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s house will be established at the top of the mountains and will be raised above the hills. Peoples will stream to it,
7 I will make the lame into a remnant, those far removed into a strong nation. Then the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from this time on and forever.
26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
Now were are faced - for those familiar with scripture - maybe you are not thats ok we are going to see that there is multiple references to Mount Zion and the heavenly city of Jerusalem - so now you can share this with those you converse with. Is this the same as mentioned in Hebrews or Galatians or is this the earthly city of Jerusalem?
22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, 23 to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,
26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
First we must see that Hebrews is connects Mount Zion to the Church and is symbolizing the strength and security of Gods people gathered together with God. To see this as the heavenly Zion referred to in Galatians is to see the 144,00 as victims of the beast who are now in heaven with Jesus. But this view doesn’t match the context at all. Also it can make us wonder what did that seal of God protect them from and what good was it? Here however John is speaking and dealing with the nation of Israel and looking forward to the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth.
The presence of the 144,000 with the Lamb on Mount Zion is a proclamation in itself, that the Lamb saves and protects. The 144,000 are like the young Jewish men who survived the fiery furnace that was made how many times hotter? Seven times hotter - a parallel with the 7 years of hot tribulation. These 144,000 prove God’s ability to preserve His people. They are shown to emerge victoriously from the tribulation. The beast will not defeat the 144,000, they are triumphant, worshiping and standing firm with Jesus. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes and because of that they stand firm. Not only that but they stand as a testament of the firstfruits, the beginnings of a greater harvest - the token of redemption of the nation. Firstfruits means very finest, but also brings with it the expectation of harvest. On the Feast of Firstfruits, the priest waved the sheaf before the Lord as a sign that the entire harvest belonged to Him.
It is reasonable to assume this 144,000 is the same as chapter 7 - but the vision has a later time of the tribulation in view when Christ returns. They are the first of the harvest that will enter into the millennium to populate the millennial earth.
They did not accept the lie, and they were blameless and steadfast in their confession. They now sing a new song - see the picture the 144,000 had their feet firmly planted on earth - yet their praise takes them to the presence of God right before the throne. Understand the universal truth that our praise and worship now brings us to the throne room of heaven and our praise is heard in the heavenly places.
Heaven is not the place to learn that song; it must be learned on earth. You must hear the notes of free grace and dying love; and when you have mastered their melody, you will be able to offer to the Lord the tribute of a grateful heart, even in heaven, and blend it with the harmonies eternal.
Proclaimed By Three Angels
Proclaimed By Three Angels
6 Then I saw another angel flying high overhead, with the eternal gospel to announce to the inhabitants of the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 7 He spoke with a loud voice: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
8 And another, a second angel, followed, saying, “It has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen. She made all the nations drink the wine of her sexual immorality, which brings wrath.”
9 And another, a third angel, followed them and spoke with a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he will also drink the wine of God’s wrath, which is poured full strength into the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the sight of the holy angels and in the sight of the Lamb,
11 and the smoke of their torment will go up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or anyone who receives the mark of its name.
First Angel - Judgment Has Come
First Angel - Judgment Has Come
Another angel was seen flying overhead with the eternal Gospel to announce to the inhabitants of the earth. He spoke with a loud voice proclaiming the gospel - “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the one who made the heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
The message of this angel Fear God and glorify Him and worship Him only - John says this is the eternal gospel. There is only one gospel - the good news of salvation through faith in Christ. It may sound different than the gospel we hear today, but really it isnt all that different. It is being preached to a different , specific time to those in the latter part of the tribulation. There are different emphasis in different dispensations. During the Great Tribulation the gospel seeks to turn men away from worship of the beast and instead prepare them to receive their King when He returns to bring His kingdom on earth. It is one of the very last calls of grace to an apostate world where judgment has set in, but it remains the gospel.
14 This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
The Second Angel - Babylon Is Fallen
The Second Angel - Babylon Is Fallen
Another angel followed the first angel - announcing the fall of Babylon - Babylon the Great has fallen. She has made the nations drink the wine of her sexual immorality which brings wrath. This proclamation anticipates the coming events detailed in Revelation 18 and we will consider it in detail at that time. “Babylon” is God’s name for the world system of “the beast”. It is the whole economic, political and religious system by which the beast rules.
Babylon is the organized rebellion against God by man - inspired by the beast. The main idea is spiritual fornication, spiritual adultery which is always always accompanied by literal and physical immorality
The Harlot - the religious system used by the beast to build himself. Antichrist establishes his own religion and destroys “the harlot”.
All of this is designed to highlight the certainty and fact of the fall of the religious, political, and commercial systems of the world portrayed in the word “Babylon.” During the Tribulation this system will be centered in a rebuilt city of Babylon, the new center and symbol of Babylonianism. So as is stressed above, it becomes a warning against putting one’s trust in this system as it exists in the world of today or of tomorrow.
Babylon comes from the word Babel - Nimrod and Semiramus
and Satans first counterfeit and paganism was born
Obviously, through these mystery rites and symbols, the real concepts and truths of God were perverted and forgotten. The primary one worshipped was the woman and her child and the first person of the triad was ignored or forgotten.
The system of Babylon, as Revelation 14:8 indicates with the words “all nations,” is world wide. This is easily demonstrated historically. From ancient Babylon and the kingdom of Nimrod, this cult spread all over the world. In Egypt its worship centered in the names of Isis and Osiris; in India in the names Isi and Iswara; in Asia in the names Cybele and Deoios; as Diana in Ephesus, and as Fortuna and Jupiter in Pagan Rome. In Greece it appeared under the names of Ceres, the Great Mother with the babe at her breast, or as Irene, the Goddess of Peace, with the boy Plutus in her arms. Even in Tibet, China, and Japan Jesuit missionaries have reported finding the signs of ancient mystery Babylon, the counterpart of the Madonna and her child as devoutly worshipped as in Papal Rome itself. She was called Shing Moo, an idol portraying a woman with a child in her arms and a glory (halo) around her head as in Rome today.186 Further, there is strong evidence this did not come to the orient from Rome or the Roman Catholic Church, but some of it was there long before, from very ancient times.
The names have changed, but certain elements are always there as the mother with the child in her arms, or the lady in heaven. Thus, Babylon has become the biblical name and symbol for this world-wide religious system which has touched all the nations of the world to some degree or another. She is indeed the “Mother of Harlots”
It is under the judgment of God and is surely doomed along with this world that is passing away. God destroys Babylon!
The Third Angel - Escape God’s Wrath
The Third Angel - Escape God’s Wrath
A third angel follows and with a loud voice announces the penalty for any who worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or hand - the penalty is the wrath of God. The wine of God’s wrath - references back to the cup throughout scripture of the wrath that has been stored up. Those who drink this cup will be tormented day and night with fire and sulfur in the sight of the angels and the sight of the Lamb. The smoke of their torment will go up forever and ever.
First and foremost please see that the mark is not something that will be taken by accident it involves and is tied to and hitched to the heart of worship. This third message is directed to those who are deciding about following the beast. It is a warning that the “easy way” is really the hard way and that to go along to get along means that you will be sent along to condemnation.
See also the ever present mercy and grace of our Lord and God - the Greek reads if anyone “continues” to worship the beast or “continues” to receive the mark - this wording suggests an opportunity even then for repentance and salvation.
The warning to keep from and to stop worshiping and receiving the beast is because the consequences are severe! Hell is real and we see here that it consists of eternal and conscious punishment. One interesting doctrine that has made its rounds and have been accepted by otherwise stellar scholars - is the doctrine of annihilation. This doctrine is nice - it basically says instead of eternal punishment that you cease to exist. We read here though the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. Those in hell are tormented with fire and brimstone - suffering is real and it is painful and repulsive. God is not absent from hell either He is present in His holiness and righteous judgment. The only part of God devoid in hell would be His love
Blessing For the Saints
Blessing For the Saints
12 This calls for endurance from the saints, who keep God’s commands and their faith in Jesus.” 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they will rest from their labors, since their works follow them.”
The from heaven is spoken out by the Spirit a blessing for those who die in the Lord from now on. They will rest from their labors, since their works follow them.
The awesome warnings of doom in the preceding two announcements (verses 8-10) was by contrast to be a means of encouragement and hope to the saints of the Tribulation who would be undergoing persecution by the beast. Endurance - hupomone - perseverance. Literally it means “to remain under.” The ability to remain under the horrible conditions of persecution will be aided by the knowledge of the doom of the beast as reemphasized and promised by the announcing angels.
This blessing is for the saints - literally those who are set apart - set apart by the blood of Jesus and set apart as those who keep the commands of God and their faith remains in Jesus. Hear the contrast unrest for those who seek the easy way out, but the promise of eternal rest for those who endure as His saints!
3 We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God’s churches—about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring. 5 It is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering,
6 since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, 8 when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength 10 on that day when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed.
11 In view of this, we always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good and your work produced by faith, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Call For Harvesting
Call For Harvesting
14 Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and one like the Son of Man was seated on the cloud, with a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Another angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the one who was seated on the cloud, “Use your sickle and reap, for the time to reap has come, since the harvest of the earth is ripe.”
16 So the one seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. 17 Then another angel who also had a sharp sickle came out of the temple in heaven.
18 Yet another angel, who had authority over fire, came from the altar, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Use your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the vineyard of the earth, because its grapes have ripened.”
19 So the angel swung his sickle at the earth and gathered the grapes from the vineyard of the earth, and he threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. 20 Then the press was trampled outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press up to the horses’ bridles for about 180 miles.
Now our attention is brought to what John sees next, a white cloud and one like the Son of Man seated there with a golden crown and a sharp sickle. Now this is obviously Jesus for there is none who compare to the Son of Man. The crown He is wearing is not for the diadem of power, but a crown won in conflict. When Christ comes to judge the world he will be wearing the garland of victory, the crown won in the greatest battle He fought. How significant His final triumph will that crown of gold be about those brows that were once covered with bloody sweat when He was fighting the battle for our salvation!
Another angel comes crying in a loud voice to the one seated on the cloud - “Use your sickle and reap, for the time to reap has come, the earth is ripe for harvest.
The angel comes announcing the ripeness of the harvest, in fact the word originally used in the Greek denotes a negative sense “to become dry or withered” Bringing the idea that the harvest was over ripe. God is patient and long-suffering to judge that He will only judge after the earth is over-ripe for judgement.
9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
Our God does not judge by flying off the handle and instead is in no rush to judge, He has a perfect appointed time.
This angel is in no way ordering Jesus around either - but simply perhaps bringing a message from God or just simply just asking for the Lord to bring the promised judgment.
Another angel comes our of the temple of heaven. This angel has authority over fire and is coming from the altar and is announcing to use the sickle to gather the clusters of the grapes from the vineyard of the earth because its grapes have ripened. This angel swung the sickle and harvested the grapes into the winepress of God’s wrath. The press was trampled outside the city and blood flowed out of the press up to the horses bridles for about 180 miles.
This vivid picture of judgment is the source of inspiration for a Hymn - The Battle Hymn of the Republic
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on
This distance may be literal but the amount of blood necessary for the blood to flow it is nearly impossible (especially with the people left on the planet) to reach the height of the horses bridle. It is simply hyperbole to affirm a tremendous bloodletting that spatters as high as the horses bridle. This is a picture of a great slaughter. There will be a world war of epic proportions underway at the return of Christ. The battle of Armageddon.
14 For they are demonic spirits performing signs, who travel to the kings of the whole world to assemble them for the battle on the great day of God, the Almighty.
16 So they assembled the kings at the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
Daniel and Isaiah both reference this battle as well. In ancient times a battle area extending 1600 furlongs (about 180 miles) was beyond all known conflict - but this is not so in modern warfare.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Revelation 14 is the perfect answer to Revelation 13 At the end of the last chapter it almost seemed like Satan and his unholy trinity might win. Here in chapter 14 we get a clear picture of who is really is sovereign and triumphant; God and His Messiah and as such His people are victorious.
1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2 In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him.
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Today God is speaking to the world in grace and men will not listen. One day coming soon and coming quickly He will instead speak in judgment and wrath. The bitter cup must be drunk, the harvest of sin reaped and the vine of men will be cut down and cast into the winepress.
Either Jesus has drunk the cup for your sins or a cup awaits you that you will be forced to drink.