The Revelation of Jesus Christ
“The Lamb and the Seven angels” Revelation 14
I. PROLOGUE 1:1-20 (Things you have seen)
II. Messages to the Seven churches 2-3 (Things with are)
III. Last Days 4-22 (Things which are about to take place)
A. Heavenly worship around the throne 4-5
B. The Seven seals 6:1-8:1
C. The Seven Trumpets 8-11
D. Interlude 12-14
The end time drama includes participants from every realm seen and unseen. God on the throne, the Lamb, the Holy Spirit, the angelic hosts, the martyrs, the witnesses, persecuted Jews and many faithful followers of Christ at the end who refuse to follow antichrist. The interlude also introduces some of the final players in this end time drama. Satan (dragon), the Antichrist (Beast), the False Prophet, the demonic hosts, the ungodly governments and people who have taken the mark of loyalty to the Antichrist.
1. The Pregnant Woman and the Great Red Dragon 12:1-6
2. Great War In Heaven (Battle royal) 12:7-17
3. Two Beasts Rising 13:1-18
4. The Lamb and the 144,000 14:1-5
“Then I looked” introduces another vision not necessarily chronological.
Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. Revelation 14:1
Several questions come to mind. What is meant by Mount Zion? Where does this fit in the chronology? How is the Lamb standing on Mount Zion? Which 144,000 does this describe?
Mount Zion is both a heavenly reference and earthly reference to God’s dwelling place. The earthly is the reflection of the true heavenly. The two will converge at the end. Hebrews 12 spoke of a spiritual Mount Zion.
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:22-24
Since we do not have any indication that the 144,000 have died and rose to heaven, I favor a view that this is a reference to Jerusalem where the action during the final days will center.
Some project this scene to a time just before the Millennium after the return of Jesus.
This would appear anticlimactic since a full description of His glorious return occurs later.
There is no reason to see this as a different group from the one sealed in chapter 7.
The presence of the Lamb standing on Mount Zion is an indication that Jesus has never been divorce from the action. His presence continually protected and directed this group of faithful followers. Their faithfulness in the face of fierce opposition and persecution is a tribute to the ability of God to keep His own. They are still standing and Jesus is standing with them through it all. John heard a voice from heaven and a song from heaven. Who is singing? Some say it is the 144,000 singing. If we put them on earth, it can’t be them because the voice comes from heaven. We are not told who was really singing. It was someone in the heavenly throne room described before. It was in the presence of the throne, the elders and the four angelic beings.
That leaves the martyrs. Perhaps it was a song sung by previous survivors of severe persecution; a song from the heart that would touch the heart of the 144,000.
John tired to describe the sound or the accompaniment he heard from heaven.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 3 And they sang* a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. 4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless. Revelation 14:2-5
Rushing water and loud thunder
Harp music
Besides being marked by the Father and the Lamb, John further identifies this awesome group of warriors.
• They alone could identify with the song being sung. “learn” could mean to “hear deeply”
• They had been purchased from the earth.
• They had not been defiled with women – celibate.
There is debate whether John means to be physically or spiritually celibate. Paul urged believers to remain single in order to give their entire attention to serving God. It appears that this is exactly what this group did.
• They followed the Lamb everywhere; they were completely obedient.
• They were the first Jews to be purchased as special servants of God and the Lamb.
In an age where a majority of Jews are practical atheists, God will do a great work in hearts and bring this fist group as the first of many more who will embrace Jesus as Messiah.
• They were truthful. What a contrast to the deceivers ruling the world.
• They were blameless as opposed to the rampant worldwide evil
We should keep in mind the company surrounding us.
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:22-24
Access to God’s heavenly throne; His dwelling place
Surrounded by myriads of holy angels serving God and us
Surrounded by members of the church both living and dead
Protected by the Judge of all
Surrounded by a multitude of Old Testament followers now in God’s presence
Continually in the presence of Jesus the Lamb and mediator of the new covenant
Cleansed; made perfect and blameless by the application of Jesus’ blood to atone for our sin
In light of such a great privilege, Hebrews suggests an equally grand response.
• Don’t refuse Him who is speaking
• Show great gratitude by offering Him acceptable service with reverence and awe.
“For our God is a consuming fire.”
That we will see in relation to those who take the mark of the Antichrist.
5. The seven angels from heaven 14:6-20
a. 1st angel proclaims the gospel to every nation 14:6-7
This is the good news angel.
And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7 and he said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters." Revelation 14:6-7
On top of all the preaching done from now to the last days by men, God will also send an angel to “preach to all those who live on the earth”. It will not be the first time God has used angels to communicate His word.
2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty… Hebrews 2:2
Although he has mostly committed the message of reconciliation to men and women, He will use angels once again in the last days.
This angel is in “midheaven“ the atmosphere which may be the angel takes to the air waves.
What a demonstration of God’s long suffering and mercy!
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
I believe that this is the ultimate fulfillment of Jesus’ statement concerning the end times.
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matt 24:14
What is the core of the angel’s message? “Fear God and give Him glory.” “Worship the Creator.” Acknowledge God as God. Reference to God as Creator has been made before in the book of Revelation (4:11; 10:6). What a contrast to those who choose to worship the dragon who creates nothing but destroys everything he touches.
This is a similar logic to Paul’s discussion in Romans 1 and 2.
Give Honor to the only Creator.
But instead, they did not honor Him as God; neither were they thankful.
They exchanged the glory of the Creator for the creature.
They rejected the Creator and exalted he creature.
Because of that, judgment will come.
Later, Paul urged the Romans not to mistake God’s temporary tolerance for approval.
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. Romans 2:4-8
This angel will proclaim that the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God has come. It is your last chance! The clock has run out. He will speak loudly enough for everyone to hear so they will all be without excuse. So far in Revelation there has only been angry resistance and defiance to God’s judgment.
The rest of the angels are bad news angels.
b. 2nd Angel announces Babylon’s fall. 14:8
And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality." Revelation 14:8
The task here is to try to discern the identity of “Babylon the Great”. Reference to Babylon appears six times in the book. Babylon as a city and nation is perhaps the most mentioned gentile city/state/nation in the Bible. Only those cities in Israel, such as Jerusalem receive greater mention. There are approximately 359 direct references to the name Babylon in the Old Testament. John will detail Babylon’s fall in chapter 17. I will reserve sharing my ideas about Babylon until then.
For now, the second angel announces the fall of Babylon as if it is an accomplished fact. The Hebrew and Greek language didn’t have the kinds of methods to emphasize things like we do today such as underlining, all caps, and bold print. They would draw attention by doubling up words. Here the monumental fact of Babylon’s fall is emphasized by repeating the term.
Whoever this is, it involves widespread propagation and indulgence of godless behavior.
“Made to drink of the passion of her immorality.”
c. 3rd angel pronounces judgment on the followers of Antichrist 14:9-13
Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will 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 goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Revelation 14:9-11
In contrast to the sealed and protected 144,000 with the mark of God, those who bear the mark of the beast are slated for severe judgment. Again, the angel pronounces the coming judgment with LOUD voice so that all may hear. All those in the end time have an early warning. God has made the consequences for worshiping the beast and receiving the mark clear.
I want to point out something I did not really address last time concerning the mark. Taking the mark will be a deliberate conscious act. It will not be something that we can do inadvertently or under the guise of something else. It will be a conscious decision to demonstrate allegiance to the Antichrist and follow him.
The consequences of rejecting Christ and embracing Antichrist are clear. The angel makes one last announcement before it comes to pass. They will receive a full measure of God’s wrath.
Those who drank the wine of passion from Babylon’s cup will be forced to drink the wine of God’s wrath and anger. Full measure; undiluted; 100 proof. It was customary to dilute wine with water. God will make them drink His full wrath.
John uses both major words for anger reinforcing the idea of a full measure of God’s response to evil. Jeremiah spoke of judgment on the Israel and other nations.
For thus the LORD, the God of Israel, says to me, "Take this cup of the wine of wrath from My hand and cause all the nations to whom I send you to drink it. 16 "They will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them." 17 Then I took the cup from the LORD'S hand and made all the nations to whom the LORD sent me drink it: Jeremiah 25:15-17
Jesus spoke of this cup in the garden. It was the cup of God’s wrath for sin He pleaded to avoid.
God’s wrath results in eternal torment resembling the agony of fire and brimstone.
The excruciating pain of a severe burn.
The ghastly smell of burning sulfur or brimstone.
Upon the wicked He will rain snares; fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup. 7 For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face. Psalms 11:6-7
The judgment will be overseen by the holy angels and the Lamb. The torment will be continual without any reprieve. (Day and night without rest.)
John draws a visual from Isaiah’s judgment pronounced on Edom.
For the LORD has a day of vengeance, A year of recompense for the cause of Zion. 9 Its streams will be turned into pitch, and its loose earth into brimstone, And its land will become burning pitch. 10 It will not be quenched night or day; Its smoke will go up forever. From generation to generation it will be desolate; None will pass through it forever and ever. Isaiah 34:8-10
Those who thought they escaped the short lived wrath of the Antichrist will find themselves in a much worse condition. Just as the four angelic beings will never stop praising, the wicked will never stop agonizing. What a horrible picture.
John throws in a word of encouragement to those who do not take the mark of the Antichrist.
Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 13 And 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 that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them." Revelation 14:12-13
No rest for the wicked. Eternal rest for the followers of Jesus. This is the second of seven blessings pronounced in Revelation.
d. 4th Angel on a cloud with a sharp sickle 14:14
Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand.
This is a difficult passage. Who is this figure? Many identify him as Jesus. I have a bit of difficulty given the angel in verse 15 instructs him to go to work. The Lamb has already been referenced with the 144,000. Jesus’ return and judgment is specifically described in chapter 19. John uses the term “another angel right after this reference. Whoever this being is, he has authority to execute judgment.
e. 5th Angel calls for the reaping 14:15-16
And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16 Then He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.
The fifth angel calls for the being on the cloud to harvest the wicked from the earth.
f. 6th angel with a second sickle 14:17
And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle.
The fourth angel is joined by a sixth angel who comes out of the temple to help with the harvest.
g. 7th angel instructs the 6th angel to gather the harvest
Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe." 19 So the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. 20 And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses' bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles. Revelation 14:18-20
A seventh angel coming out from the altar then issues the go-ahead to gather the harvest.
Maybe this is the special angel ministering to the martyred saints under the altar.
Now is the time. Operation sickle is a “go.” We end this vision with a second harvesting picture.
First John used the image of a grain harvest.
Here we find the image of a grape harvest.
The grapes are gathered and then stomped. Together the point is the harvesting of the wicked and wickedness beginning with the fall of the driving force Babylon and ending with those who indulged in her godless philosophy and lifestyle. The description of blood flowing 4.5 feet deep for 200 miles serves to illustrate that God’s judgment is extensive and horrific. The actual execution of this judgment will find even greater detail in the following seven bowl judgments about to be poured out on the inhabitants of the earth and the earth itself.
POINTS TO PONDER
The first is an obvious one.
• Make sure you line up with the winning side.
Make sure you have His mark.
Take seriously the warning in Hebrews.
It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31
• Persevere to the end
There are numerous passages encouraging us to persevere in hard times.
14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 2 Peter 3:14
• Do all you can to reach the lost
Hell is a real place. People without Christ will go there.
• Seek to understand the gravity of sin against God
Sometimes we have trouble with embracing a place of eternal punishment. Only when we understand the gravity of our sin and the wickedness of a refusal to honor God will we understand the necessity and rightness of a place called hell.
