THE LORD GOD TRIUMPHANT: Part One
Revelation 14:1-8
This is a chapter that very much is in contrast to chapter 13. In chapter 13 the emphasis is on what Satan is doing to bring about his wicked program of evil. It is a wonderful breath of fresh air to step from chapter 13 to chapter 14. In chapter thirteen, as the number 13 implies, we see Satan at the height of his rebellion with his unholy circus. In chapter fourteen we see seven recorded visions that show the Lord in control. This is not to say that the Lord has not been in control, it just shows that his control is being greatly emphasized in this chapter. We need the constant reminders that come from God’s Holy Writ to keep us encouraged in the Lord. Chapter fourteen gives us this kind of encouragement.
A study of this chapter will reveal that this chapter does not follow a strict chronology. This does not in any way imply or suggest that John, the writer, was unsure of what was taking place as he wrote or when it took place. We know better. It appears that the writer is not trying to emphasize chronology but instead is detailing that which the Lord wants us to see by way of importance or significance. This chapter is answering any concern involving the totality of Satan’s attack on the tribulation saints and what will ultimately happen to the beast and to his followers.
I. THE GATHERING OF THE WITNESSES AFTER THE TRIBULATION. (Vv. 1-5)
It has been said that this chapter is like an index of those things which are to follow. In these several verses there are capsule descriptions, or summary statements, of the different events that will be transpiring. It is almost like this is a word of prophecy located within the greater Book of Prophecy. The first thing mentioned in this chapter is that of the Lamb of God standing on the mount called Sion. There are 144,000 sealed male virgin Jews who are seen standing with the Lamb. The time that this is taking place brings no little concern as Luke would probably put it. Where it is taking place is also of great concern. If it takes place upon the earth at any time other than the conclusion of the tribulation that would mean that the Lord would be coming to the earth before the tribulation ends. There is no clear indication that this will happen. Most all of the Scripture makes clear his coming to the earth is at the very end of the tribulation. If this scene describes the Lord standing upon the earth, He very likely is doing so at Jerusalem and it is taking place at the end of the tribulation showing that the 144, 000 survived the tribulation.. It was back in chapter number seven that we noted that the 144 thousand were being sealed for service.
Therefore, it must be understood that this is a prophetic glimpse into the future, where the victorious witnesses are seen standing, giving glory to the Lord before they enter into the millennium. It is as though the Lord is giving visions of victory to bring increased faith to the tribulation saints. The tribulation saints will have the Bible and will find faith and encouragement as they read it, even as we do now.
A. The Witnesses Were Standing In The Presence Of The Lamb. (V. 1)
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. (V. 1)
These witnesses were standing in God’s presence. How thrilling this must be for the Lord to be seen standing among those whom He had sealed. The counterfeiter in chapter 13 required his followers to be marked. This again shows the lengths that Satan will go to achieve his wickedness at being nothing more than what we would call a “copy cat”. His followers, just as he, can only be pretenders. Pretenders of the worst kind were they. They and their leader, Satan, will come to an utter end. God’s witnesses, however, will survive and be met victoriously by the Savior. He will stand with them.
The Lord will stand with the 144,000 witnesses and He also stands with us who are now the redeemed. When the three Hebrew children were cast alive into the fiery furnace, they were seen in the flame unharmed, but we also know that there was another who was there with them. We know from God’s Word that the other person was the Lord. The Lord is always there at the right time. Or should we say that the Lord is there all of the time.
B. The Witnesses Were Singing In The Presence Of The Lamb. (Vv. 2,3)
Singing is a way of expressing joy and victory. Such will be the case at this gathering. There will be the sounds coming from the harps along with the singing. This noble assembly will be singing a triumphant song just as they did in Moses’ day. Notice this Old Testament passage as it illustrates the same.
Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Those who are gathered will have all the reason to sing just as they did when Moses and the children of Israel witnessed the overthrow of Egypt at the Red Sea. We too may take seriously our singing, for our Mighty Conqueror has made the payment of redemption, which allows us to sit victoriously in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) in Christ Jesus. The nation of Israel will forever relate to the Song of Moses. In Revelation chapter 15 the song will be referred to as a great symbol of victory.
Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy ways, thou King of saints.
The singing in the presence of the Lamb is a way that the believers of all ages are tied together by the common thread of faith. It will be very obvious that their faith is in the Lord God Almighty. When they sing the song of Moses, it is the mighty assembly declaring in song that the Lord was with them at the Red Sea and the Lord is still with them at the end of the Tribulation.
C. The Witnesses Were Spotless In The Presence Of The Lamb. (Vv. 4,5)
Holiness is a virtue that has marked those who identify with the Lamb. In the Old Testament, the Lord told us that holiness requires making a difference. I might add that it is a prescribed difference according to God’s Standard, which is the Word of God. Notice this verse, Lev 11:47 To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten. Also notice this next verse, Lev 10:10 And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;
When people are living differently according to God’s Word, they will stand out as being different. This is the hallmark of Holy living. These witnesses are said to be witnesses that have not defiled themselves with women. I believe that this referred to their sanctity in living. They did not in anyway fornicate. There has been a time in bygone history that fornication would not have been at all prevalent. But according to statistics in our modern world, most single people have had an out of marriage relationship, which has never been pleasing to God. God wants you to retain your purity right up until marriage. He does not want men to defile themselves with women, nor does he want women to defile themselves with men. If you are guilty of sexual fornication, you should confess it to the Lord God Almighty and go on and live a Holy life. Do not put yourselves in a compromising situation where you will be tempted to do wrong. If you are lost in your sins, you should cry out to God for saving mercy.
These 144,000 male virgin Jews kept themselves pure to serve out God’s holy purpose. Verse number five tells us that there was no guile or deceit found in their mouths. The reference to their mouth’s having no guile shows that the way a person speaks is very important to the Lord and gives indication to ones spirituality. They were also said to be without fault before the throne of God. This is a very wonderful complement to their ministry. It would have been so easy during the tribulation to gave in to all of the temptations. Just as it was said of these witnesses that no fault was found in them, I would to God that the same can be said of us. May it be so of us?
II. THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD DURING THE TRIBULATION. (Vv. 6-8)
The word gospel means good news. The Gospel of the grace of God is currently being preached during our dispensation. This is the necessary Gospel that must be preached for conversion. It is good news that the Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross to bleed, die, be buried and then raised from the dead for our justification. During the tribulation there will be another good news Gospel for the Jews. The Gospel will be the everlasting gospel that will be preached unto them that dwell on the earth. This gospel will be preached by an angel. It will contain the good news that the Lord is bringing judgment to the enemies of Christ while encouraging the world inhabitants to worship Him that made the heaven and the earth.
A. The Everlasting Gospel Told of God’s Vindicating. (Vv. 6, 7)
Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
This great encouraging verse in Hebrews tells the way that God will bring vengeance against those who went up against His kingdom. There is no power that can overcome the kingdom of God. His kingdom is protected by His own power. If it seems that the enemy is making advances against His kingdom, it is only an illusion, for He will bring strong judgment against the enemy. The dragon, the Antichrist, the false prophet, and all those who are His enemies during the tribulation will be destroyed.
In our dispensation of Grace, there will be times when you are being attacked by the enemy and really know that you have no strength to protect or defend yourself. It is wonderful to know that you have someone who will vindicate you. That someone is the same one that this angel is referring to as he flies through the heavens “saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”
1. The gospel consisted of a warning. (Vv. 6,7a)
The warning was given so that men might fear God and to give glory to Him for the hour of judgment which would be coming. That should also be a warning for us today. Men who are lost need to fear the judgment that will come from Him if they fail to repent. Also, there needs to be a reverential fear on the part of every believer realizing that God is a loving, compassionate God, but He is also a serious God who wants us to take our lives here upon the earth more seriously. God does not want us to have and epicurean life attitude. We can become obsessed with the idea of eating, drinking, and being merry to our spiritual ruin. Such seems to be the case in our world today. May we instead have the heart of a pilgrim with our eyes fixed upon our heavenly home.
2. The Gospel Called for Worshiping. (V. 7b.)
There is much debate in the world as to the way we should define our existence. This should not be the case for believers, however. For we accept the written Word’s definition of our existence. We believe that God, in the beginning created us. When Charles Darwin wrote his “The Origin of the Species” in 1859, he said that his work needed much more study. Yet, those who were looking for a departure from the clear teachings of the Bible, pertaining to their existence, swallowed up his teachings and have done so ever since.
In the last couple of decades scientists in greater number are beginning to accept that life came from intelligent design versus the previously accepted Copernicus theory of existence which stated that all matter is in an eternal state and that the sun is the center of the universe. Those who hold to the idea that matter is in an eternal state do so to discount God as the Creator. They say that matter is constantly reorganizing itself for adapted needs. Thus evolution is just a means whereby matter organizes and adapts to fit a particular need. Then there are those who say that due to some strange phenomena that matter just suddenly came into existence. They describe it relative to the “Big Bang theory”.
I could accept a big bang taking place for sake of only the noise of God’s creation, except for the fact that for six days there was no one to hear it. In physics we are taught that sound does not occur unless there is someone to hear it. My purpose in saying this is that Bible doubters constantly must come up with some mechanism to describe and debate their disbelief. Because of the great mathematical difficulties in proving that life came into existence on it’s on, there are a greater number of scientists, now, who are accepting the theory of intelligent design, even if they are reluctant to believe that God did it. The Bible, God’s Word, is reminding us in this last Book of the Bible, as He does throughout the Scriptures, that He is the Creator. For this reason, we should worship Him and believe that He is.
This angel mentioned in verse six and seven will be calling on mankind to worship God as the powerful creator God. Just as mankind is reluctant to worship Him now as the Creator God, they will be so then.
B. The Everlasting Gospel Told of God’s Victory. (V.8)
The actual fall of Babylon is recorded in chapters 17 and 18. The fall of the religious, commercial, and the political systems of Satan is here anticipated. This is part of the prophecy that shows that the Lamb will be victorious over the entire system of Satan. This is a great chapter to consider in this eventful study as we find encouragement in this terrible tribulation period.
