The Book Of Revelation (Revelation 14)

He is going to empower that man, the antichrist, to bring peace and prosperity to the earth, and Satan is going to build up all the hope that man has ever had and then destroy.

Man is going to place all his hope in this one world ruler, and the antichrist is going to fulfill man's hope and longing.

• He is going to give the world peace, world-wide peace.

• He is going to move the world toward economic prosperity, toward jobs and a livelihood for everyone.

• He is going to propose programs for the hungry, homeless, and diseased, and for the other problems of the world--propose programs that will work to some degree.

• He is going to have some solutions for the problems of drugs, alcoholism, and the other devastating ills of society.

But then the terrifying horror will happen: he will turn against millions upon earth, against all those who have strong religious faith: the Jews, Christians, Moslems, Hindus, and all the others. He will launch the worst holocaust the world has ever witnessed. He will slaughter any who do not give their first loyalty and allegiance to him and its leader, the antichrist himself.

This is what the book of Revelation has just shown us, the terrifying picture of the antichrist and his chief executive officer, the false prophet. These two beasts will bring such horror to the people of the end time the world will experience suffering like never before.

Now let us look at John the apostle, the one to whom Jesus Christ was giving this vision, needed relief from such horrors. The human mind and heart can take only so many tragedies before it needs an infusion of hope.

This is what chapter fourteen of Revelation is: it is a picture of victory. The victory of the Lamb of God, of the Lord Jesus Christ, is assured.

In rapid ?re, we have seen tradegdy after tradegy but in Revelation 14 God is going to show us the glorious triumph that lies ahead for those who follow the Lord Jesus Christ and endure to the end.

Now let us look at Revelation chapter 14. Let me explain, what the Lord shows John…

• Verses 1-5 seem to take place in heaven

• Verses 6-20 seem to take place on earth

Now let us look at verses 1-5 read about…

I.THE LAMB

Revelation 14:1-5 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. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

• Revelation 12 looks to the past – the woman giving birth to the Christ-child and Satan being cast out of heaven.

• Revelation 13 looks to the present – Satan's formation of a godless trinity to attack the woman and her seed, the church, through a beast of persecution and a beast of deception.

• Revelation 14 looks to the future – John tells us what happens to the woman and her offspring and the dragon and his offspring.

Revelation 14 actually contains two visions of the future.

(1) The first is a vision of salvation.

(2) The vision of judgment.

I want to ask and answer four questions: who, where, what, and why.

(1) Who

Who is John talking about? Listen to what he says in verse 1:

(Rev 14:1) Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.

Who? First of all the Lamb. John is not introducing anyone new to us. The Lamb we have already seen.

In Revelation 5, John hears someone talking about the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David; then John sees the Lamb Who was slain. John hears, John sees, but they are one and the same: the Lion has become a Lamb.

He is the only One Who is worthy to take the scroll of destiny, to open its seals, and to put God's plan into motion.