Sermon Tone Analysis

Revelation Series #21

*Victory in Sight*

*Revelation 14*

 

 

We are going to see three things in Chapter 14 … The Lamb with his Firstfruits; 3 Angelic Messages; and The Harvest of the Earth

 

With the dark picture painted for us in Chapters 12 and 13, the unholy trinity of the Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet, we need a break, we need a glimpse of glory, we need to see our hope and That's what Chapter 14 is.

Dr.

Criswell calls it the other side of the picture of Chapters 12 and 13.

 

*Let's Read Chapter 14*

* *

Alright let's break these down into three sections and try to move through them quickly yet as thoroughly as we can.

*1.

The Lamb and his Firstfruits*

 

OTHER views -

*Historicist* - believe the 144,000 to be representative of the entire church standing triumphant with Christ on Mt.

Zion.

--- hence the name "firstfruits" because they are just representative of all the saved

*Preterist* - This is a 7 fold disclosure of victory.

The powers of heaven are stronger than those of the earth.

This is a duplicate scene of chapter 7 for the purpose of encouragement.

All creation must listen to this song because only the redeemed can sing it.

Virginity spoken of speaks of purity but not necessarily that those included were never married but were never defiled by impure relationships

*Futurist - *This is a full outline of the remainder of the latter days is the view of some.

Others see it as a parenthetical chapter not intended to be seen chronologically but as a glimpse of various parts of the conflict.

Many agree that the 144,000 are the same as chapter 7 they would also seem them as symbolizing the entirety of the Jewish Remnant.

Wlater Scott and others seen them as being separate groups in chs 7 and 14.  Identifying them as the same Seems to be more likely.

Also Mt Zion as Heaven or on Earth is also disputed.

Many would see this as a prophetic vision of the ultimate triumph of the Lamb at the 2nd Coming and beginning of the millennium.

Ryrie sees it in Heaven since they are before the throne

*Spiritual ~/ Idealist - *Whether "Mt.

Zion" is in heaven or on earth is up for discussion.

Alford sees the 144,000 on earth and the harpists in heaven.

The heavenly venue seems most likely since they "were redeemed from the earth"

 

Let's look back at what the scripture describes in verses 1-5

 

 A.

The Lamb standing on Mt.

Zion -

    1.

I would tend to lean toward those that would see this as a picture or prophesy of the coming victory hence my study title "Victory in Sight"

    2.

The picture is so vivid that I believe John sees it and it is on earth

    3.

This chapter then is a rainbow of promise in the darkened skies of the Tribulation.

Blue skies are just on the other side of the storm

    4.

remembering that these days are controlled and shortened for the sake of God's people, his elect

 

  B.

144,000 With Him

    1.

some would say these are the Church or they are some special group of believers … but they are introduced to us rather "matter of factly", or rather they are NOT introduced to us they are just pointed out.

WHY?

Could it be that we have seen them before, so they do not need introduction?

2.

Chapter 7 … who is in Chapter 7 ….

a.

144,000 (12,000 from each tribe)

      b.

4 creatures

      c.

24 elders

      d.

a great multitude of believers

    3.

All of these people can't be the Church or WHY would they be distinquished

    4.

the 24 elders we've seen as the church- raptured, rewarded, crowned, and seated on thrones

    5.

the 4 creatures are angelic

    6.

the 144,000 are marked by God before the beginning of the Tribulation judgments … they are special witnesses to the World … they are Jewish

    7.

the multitude believers who come to Christ during the tribulation

    8.

In chapter 14, they sang a NEW SONG … BEFORE the throne, BEFORE the 4 creatures, AND before the Elders.

So, they can't be part of the church because the church is watching the proceedings.

9.

These 144,000 have been the martyrs by which a great revival on earth will have been wrought.

The Cause of Christ grows by the blood of martyrs.

10.

They are FIRST FRUITS … Now the CHURCH is the firstfruits of Christ after his resurrection … but THESE are now Firstfruits of those who come to God through Christ in the Tribulation, this new harvesting as the Elders, the Church have already been harvested.

They are the firstfruits of a new beginning a restoration of all things

  C.

Sound From Heaven

    1.

the voice as of many waters … The Voice of God or the Voice of the Myriads of Worshippers in Heaven

    2.

the voice of thunders … Judgment that now follows the 2nd coming of Christ

 

  D.

Presented as Firstfruits

    1.

not only were these the firstfruits but in many ways they were the first plantings of the Tribulation as Jesus in chapter 7 numbered them and set them apart

    2.

Dr. Criswell points out the beautiful picture.

He chose and redeemed 144,000 in chapter 7 and now in Chapter 14 he PRESENTS 144,000.

NOT 143,999 or any other number.

John 12:28 says "I give to them eternal life; and they will never perish" … John 17 Jesus said "of all those you have given me … not one is lost …"  When we are written in the Lamb's book of life, we are SAFE there.

Faithful is he who called us who will also able to keep it.

I know whom I have believed in and am CONVINCED thoroughly that he is ABLE to keep what I have committed to him for that coming day!

  E.

Sang a New Song … Lived a Separate Life … Got a New Job

    1.

They sang their own song, no one had been through what they had been through and they sang their own song

    2.

we all have our own song and some we share with those with shared experience

    3.

don't desire someone else's song about Christ, sing YOUR song …

    4.

They lived lives set apart … I take this literally to mean they were virgins and single … Others would say they could be married but faithful in their marriages, but I just take it for what it says.

5.

They are given a unique opportunity in service to the Lamb in going everywhere he goes

    6.

There is REST in heaven but there is work, and organization, government in Heaven.

All have our place and NONE is neglected.

The martyrs served in the Temple they were also under the altar, the Elders received Thrones and Crowns and are Seated; the 144,000 are standing will follow Christ wherever he goes.

It is almost like these 144,000 are like heavenly Eunuchs denying themselves and serving their Master completely

    7.

They were honest and blameless - not perfect, but perfected, and blameless

 

 

Now let's move on to the next scene

 

*2.

Three Angels*

vv 6 - 13

other views -

*historicist* -

 

 

They are, we could say … a Preacher, a Proclaimer, and a Pronouncer

 

  A.

The Preacher -

    1.

Had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth (every group, nation, tribe, language)

    2.

The Gospel he proclaimed

      a.