Revelation 14
Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Then– This is showing a transition from the previous actions. This is something new
standing on Mount Zion– There is no reason to take this allegorical.
144,000– The same group we see in chapter 7
From Heaven-This shows that John is not in heaven any longer
They sang-The voices and the harpist, the idea here is that heaven is singing.
new song-The inhabitants of heaven sang a new song, one never heard before
before-the elders and the creatures this is setting the place where the singing would be by the inhabitants of heaven.
one could learn that song-The reason is simple, it is a song just for those who were marked by God during the tribulation. This is their victory song.
they are virgins- Some want to make out that they were spiritual. Some want to make it out they were sexually virgins. Matt 19:12. There is no extra blessing by being a virgin, ministry is hard, even harder for those having to go through the tribulation with a family. I think that this is showing us that these 144,000 were not burdened with family and ministry. 1 Corinthians 7:32
being firstfruits-the first of the harvest, there would be many to follow them.
Before- we may be sinner here on earth but in Gods eyes we are pure and holy.
This first part of the vision is after the tribulation before they enter the 1000 year
It is giving hope to the followers of Christ as they enter the thick of it.
Now we are back at the middle of the tribulation.
6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
midst of heaven-The sky
everlasting gospel- God has used men to carry out the gospel message and here he is giving the world one more chance, all will hear, no one will be left out.
for the hour of His judgment has come- here the message is different, before it was God will judge, now it is God is judging.
—Now we are again looking at the end of the tribulation with the fall of Babylon. This is why we should fear God.
8 And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
This verse will be looked at in detail in chapters 17-18.
Babylon is fallen-The worlds religion of worshiping the beast, this is both political and spiritual. —
-Now we are at the 3 ½ year mark of the tribulation.
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. 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 ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
If anyone worships the beast- This is how we know we are at the 3 ½ year mark. This is also a warning for those who take the mark, ie, go into open full rebellion against God.
He shall be- eternally punished. It will fully start here on earth and continue for eternity.
Who whoever-that means there is still a chance for people to repent this is a warning, but after the mark is taken there is no turning back.
12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Here– there are people who do not give in
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
Blessed- Those who die in the lord rest and are granted eternal peace and salvation better to die and live eternally then rule on earth for 3 ½ years of torment and then torment for all eternity.
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
One like the Son of Man-Christ
a sharp sickle- He first came to save and sow salvation, now he comes to judge and pour out his wrath. Joel 3:11-16 the battle of Armageddon.
17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.
20- The blood from the battle will be great.
First Baptist Church Delmar 