Lesson 32
Revelation 14 |
After studying chapter 13, it would seem that Satan is having his way. Some would start asking the questions you find in the Psalms, such as, “How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever?...(Psalms 89:46)” or “How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? …(Psalms 79:5)”. Yet even today, we have people asking questions like:
1. Why did God let this happen?
2. Why is God so mean; I thought he was a loving God?
Before we go into this chapter we ALL need to remember that God is a loving God and has a plan as stated in John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Also in 2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.We should remember something else about God; we find that in Isaiah 55:8-9.
Isaiah 55:8 - 9
8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.9. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
So with these things in mind, let us STOP being angry or upset with God, and stop thinking that we know how things should work out in the world.
There seems to be this movement or way of thinking to take away from or deny God some of His divine attributes like omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence and to attribute them to ourselves. With this kind of erroneous thinking, it is no wonder that we have so many people being misled away from God today. This is happening today even though the Holy Spirit is still active in the earth. So just, imagine how terrible this will be when He is no longer on earth, during the Tribulation and Great Tribulation.
In Revelation 14, we are given prospective look into what is coming. I know that the last two chapters, 12 and 13, have had a major focus on the power of the Dragon, the first beast, and the second beast. We must know that what is happening in Chapters 12 and 13 are not the end of the story. The events that we read about in chapter 14 are not occurring in sequential order, but the chapter is a summary of things to come. In verses 1 – 5, a celebration of praises occurs before God’s throne and the four living creatures. Also in verses 6 – 13, three angels proclaim the everlasting gospel, Babylon is fallen, and the wrath of God is poured out. Moreover, in verses 14 – 16, we have Christ reaping a right harvest of the earth. The last thing in verses 17 – 20, is the great winepress of the wrath of God.
In verses 1 – 5, there is the celebration of praises before the throne of God and the four living creatures. The question is why is it occurring right now? The answer can be found in these verses. In verse 1, John tells us something very important; from the same point that John sees the first and second beast, he can see the LAMB. How do we know this? Read Revelation 13:1, 11 and 14:1. God even has Isaiah to write about this event in Isaiah 24. This Mount Zion is also in Isaiah 31:4. The 144,000 comes out of Revelation 7:4, so they have been through the tribulation and now stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion. In addition, they have the name of the Father written in their forehead. Why is this important? They choose to have the name of the Father written in their foreheads, unlike the followers of the beasts who are forced to take the number or name of the beast. Therefore, the Lamb leaves His position in the middle of the throne to be in position for what is to come.
The 144,000 that stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion come out of the great Tribulation. There are those believers who think that the 144,000 come out of the tribulation rather than the Great Tribulation. Examining the 144, 000, we discover that no matter where they came out of, they are described with very strong words about their walk and witness. In Revelation 14:4, it reads, “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins…” There are two schools of thought about what is meant by the words “women” and “virgins.” The first school of thought is that they “…were not defiled with women” means that they are celibate and that they “are virgins” means that they are sexually pure.
The second school of thought is that they “…were not defiled with women” means that they are not involved in anything which goes against the gospel of Jesus Christ. The “virgins” means that they did not let anything enter or cover them that would interfere with their commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. In other words, they will always check to see if they line up with the word of God. What we really need to understand is that they did all of this without the Holy Spirit dwelling in the earth and in them.
The 144,000 are the redeemed who are described as they “which follow the Lamb” and as “first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.” Moreover, they have no guile and are without fault before the throne of God. So let us examine these statements and see what God is saying through John to us, the church. You do remember that this letter is written to all of the churches.
The redeemed 144,000 follow the Lamb. What does this really mean? Clearly, they were not about self-interests or focusing on the world, but they are looking for higher callings for their lives. They were loyal to God through Jesus Christ, which means they are reading and praying about how they walk in the world without pretense. They were seeking to live what they read even if it cost them their lives. Again, they do this without the help of the Holy Spirit. We have the Holy Spirit with us now. There are some today who will not make this kind of commitment and submission to God through Jesus Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit. Can you imagine what they went through? Therefore, you can see why they are called the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. They are coming out of the great Tribulation.
You read what the second beast/man will do here on earth. Start praying for these redeemed and praising God for those who will follow the Lamb during this time. They will rather die with the hope and faith that they receive as the result of what they read, study, and experience.
Lastly, the 144,000 have no guile and are without fault before the throne of God. John is saying that they have no deceit in them and are without blemish. Their conduct on earth during this time is as if they are in the presence of God at all times.
Now lets examine verses 6 – 13 and see more details about these three angels that proclaim the everlasting gospel, Babylon’s fall, and the wrath of God being poured out. In verses 6 and 7, an angel proclaims a message that ALL the earth will hear. It reminds me of a train conductor that says, “Last call all board”. This angel is doing the exact same thing, but he is saying it in a different way. “…Fear (be in awe or reverence) God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment (condemnation) is come: and worship(do reverence to) him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Please look at where he is when he makes this statement and notice that all that dwell on earth no matter their languages can hear and understand the message. Barriers that separated the spirit world from the material world are gone so that all of mankind can hear the angel’s message. Also he will have “… the everlasting gospel to preach…” What is this angel really saying? Examine the following definitions:
1. everlasting: meaning it has no beginning nor ending. The gospel is the same message that we are to tell to all, not just to those we think need to hear it, but to all.
2. gospel: meaning the good news of the kingdom of God, Jesus Christ’s birth, death, resurrection, and ascension.
3. preach: meaning to declare
The angel is telling all that dwell on the earth that the message of God’s love is true. God has been trying to get all of mankind to see and accept His love, and He wants us home with Him.
In verse 8, we have the second angel making a proclamation for all to hear. The proclamation is “…Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” However, you have to ask, why is it so important for God to let all know that Babylon is fallen? In order to answer that question lets look at the history of Babylon. Babylon is also called Babel, which means confusion. The city came about because of a person named Nimrod who is found in Genesis 10:8 – 10. He is called a “mighty hunter before the LORD.” This is not a compliment. In fact, it is a condemnation. When Nimrod was a young man, a war took place. Sometime during that war, he became a leader of a small group, which ended up killing the enemy. He became the king. Then he began hunting men and stopped worshiping God. The name Nimrod means revolt. In his revolt, he had a city built for his capital, which is called Babel or Babylon and caused the people to turn from God to other gods. Babylon is the mother of ALL pagan worship that is in the world. This city stands for all that is evil and rebellious in the sight of God. Babylon and what it stands for has caused many people and nations to commit fornication, which is to have a relationship with other gods instead of worshiping the true God. Babylon caused nations to forget the God who made them a nation in the first place. These nations (people) showed no remorse for forsaking God and what he had done for them. The angel says “she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath “ The word “wrath” means passion or anger. In this verse, the word wrath means passions. These nations are more concerned about their physical desires or passions without regards for the consequences. God is telling us that from Nimrod until the fulfillment of verse 8, He has been holding back His anger.
This third angel sends out a very clear message to those who worship the beast (Satan) and the image of the Antichrist and to those who take his mark in their forehead or in their hand. Do you remember John being told early in Revelation to say these things?
Revelation 2:7, 11, 29:
7. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.11. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
These things still apply because God is still trying to get mankind not to choose to go to hell. Mankind has always had a choice in this very important matter. So hear what this third angel is saying to all who are left on earth. If anyone chooses to worship the Beast (Satan) and his image then he cannot say that it is God’s fault that he ends up in hell. All of mankind is warned that you can only worship one God, the true God. No one can worship Satan, the antichrist, his image, nor the false prophet and be safe from God’s wrath; you are most definitely making a deadly choice. In addition, if anyone takes the mark in the forehead or in the hand, read very carefully what awaits anyone who worships or takes the mark. In Revelation 14:10 – 11 it states the following.
10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Remember, the book of Revelation is a letter that was sent to all the churches in Asia. However, it behooves us to apply the message now to our own lives. As we read these verses, we see that God has had enough of Satan and God’s foes and is going to pour out on all of them “…the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation;…” This means that God is going to give them fully what they deserve. In other words, they will not see His mercy and grace, but will see and feel His vengeance. Please do not miss this part: those that face God’s wrath “… he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb;” Those who are being tormented will be in the presence of the holy angels and the lamb. So part of their torment will be to see where they could have been if they had chosen God through Jesus Christ. Can you imagine always seeing where you could have been always in your face, as you deal with the fire (a heap of fuel that is forever) and the brimstone (sulfur). Sulfur is used for purifying which gives the idea that cleansing is occurring. Yet in verse 11, it says that the smoke of this cleansing goes up forever and ever. There is no hope or chance that these enemies of God will get into heaven.
In verse 10, we learn that they shall be tormented which means that they will be tortured by the fire and brimstone. In this verse 11, torment means God’s divine judgments for their disobedience. Those who are tormented will have no rest (intermission, or cessation with any of their movements) day, night and forever. With all of this happening, the reader may miss that all of this torment occurs in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb and not in the presence of the saints. The children of God do not even see or have knowledge of this torment. Yes, the saints read it in God’s word, but that is for our knowledge, confirming that God will deal fairly and severely with all who disobey Him. How do we know this about His saints? Read verses 12 – 13.
In verse 12, we are told of the patience of the saints, meaning those consecrated to God who focus on their faith and purpose in all suffering or trials. In addition in verse 13, John is told by a voice from heaven to write “ Blessed (happy) are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yes, saith the Spirit, that they may rest (refresh) from their labors (troubles); and their works (deeds done for Christ) do follow them.“ Here is an important message for all of God’s saints. Please do not focus on or become preoccupied with the trials, tribulations, or difficulties that you go through, but focus upon completing the work God has given to you to do here on earth. It is the work that you do for the Lord that will follow you.
In verses 14 – 16, we have reached the point of Christ reaping the right harvest. Remember this is just a summary of events to come. With this in mind, let’s see what God has John to write about this event. This event is also known as the “SECOND COMING OF CHRIST”. Verse 14 reads as follows:
14. And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like to the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
In this verse, John gives us a very clear picture, but notice that he did not say the Lamb was sitting on the cloud. Why is he using the term “Son of man”? Scriptures tell us that it will be the Son of Man who returns for His people, for it was the Son of man who was placed on the cross for mankind’s sins and it will be the Son of man that comes back to judge mankind. Jesus says this in Matthew 24:30, but let’s read 29 – 31 so we have a complete picture of the event.
29. Immediately after the tribulation of those days, shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31. And he will send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
You would think with all that has taken place that the people of the earth would be seeking the true God. Remember that everything that has taken place so far is to bring all on the earth to God and many have refused to come to Him. So now they are about to receive the judgment they deserve. Before we examine the judgment in verses 15 & 16 let’s see what else verse 14 has for us.
John says he saw a white cloud. This represents pure divine power, authority, and all righteousness (Psalms 97:1 – 5 & 104: 1 – 5 & Ezekiel 10:1 – 4). Therefore, we have the Son of Man riding a cloud as a chariot that is used in war. However, look what is on his head, a crown but not any crown. It is a gold one, which is coming out of heaven, which means it is pure and has no faults. So the judgment which will come from Him will be pure, righteous, and without faults. In his hand is the instrument that will be used to start the harvest. We have a picture of the Son of man, Jesus Christ, sitting on a cloud (chariot) who is the King with pure righteous authority and power, ready to take what is His by all that is right.
Verses 15 and 16 together help us to know the full impact of what is being said.
15. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
In verse 15 we are told that another angel came from the temple to tell the Son of man it is time to harvest. Why would not the Son of Man know when it is time to harvest? Even though God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are one, each has different roles to perform. Jesus told us in Matthew 24:36 “But of the day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” So Jesus is ready, but must wait for the Father to say go and reap. There are some who believe that this is the time when Jesus will come and remove all believers from the earth. I do not believe that this is the case for many reasons. One of reason is in a parable Jesus gave about the wheat and the tares. In Matthew 13: 36 – 43 he explains the parable to his disciples.
36. Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came to him, saying, Declare to us the parable of the tares of the field.
37. He answered and said to them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38. The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39. The enemy that sowed them is the demon; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them who do iniquity;
42. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
I believe that the “…the reapers are the angels.” In verses 39-42 are the main events in the great tribulation. In verse 16, after the Son of man is told that it is time, He thrust in His sickle on the earth. I believe that all of the events from verses 6 – 16 are a summary of Revelation 15 – 19 and not the end of the world. Verses 17 – 20 are a summary of Revelation 20.
In verses, 17 – 20, is the great winepress of the wrath of God, which is the final battle that is known as ARMAGEDDON. In verse 17, another angel comes out of the temple with a sharp sickle and we are not told what he does with it until verse 18. These earthly clusters of the vine are all the evil and sins of mankind who have not asked God to forgive them. This battle will produce so much blood that it will be approximately 5 feet deep (as high as horse bridles) and 200 miles long (1600 furlong). This battle will be outside of the city and most people think the city is Jerusalem. In Joel 3:10 – 17, KJV, it talks about this battle outside of the city.
10. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
11. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
12. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
13. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
14. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
16. The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
17. So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
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