revelation chapter fourteen

A Vision of Victory Vs. 1-5

Rev. 14:1 And then I looked and there before me was a Lamb standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred forty-four

thousand, having the name of His Father written upon their foreheads;

Heb. 12:22 - But you have come to Mount Zion, to Heb. 12:22 - But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.

Many say Mt Zion is symbolic of Many say Mt Zion is symbolic of ruling with Christ on the earth.ruling with Christ on the earth.The Jewish hope of all its history is a kingdom

with Messiah as its King, reigning in Jerusalem, in fulfillment of God's promise to king David long ago

I believe it is the Heavenly New I believe it is the Heavenly New JerusalemJerusalem

We see the protection of GodWe see the protection of God

We see the presence of the LambWe see the presence of the Lamb

We see the print of God on their foreheadsWe see the print of God on their foreheads

* What a contrast to the mark of the beast* What a contrast to the mark of the beast

* What system do you embrace the * What system do you embrace the most? most?

Rev. 14:2 And I heard a sound from heaven, it

was like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a

peal of thunder: and I heard the

voice of harpers harping with their harps:

Rev. 5:8Rev. 5:8

(See Rev. 15:2)(See Rev. 15:2)

Rev. 14:3 And they sang a new song before the throne, and before the four living

creatures, and the elders:and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty-four

thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

We see the Praise of God

What is the new song?

Rev. 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.

These are they which follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were purchased from among men, the first fruits offered to

God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit: for they are blameless

before the throne of God.

*The purity of the 144,000 - virgins This doesn’t knock marriage – Heb. 13:4 This is speaking of fornication

*The practice of the 144,000 – follow the Lamb (see II Pet. 2:21)

*The produce of the 144,000

*The position of the 144,000 “Blameless before the throne”

*The purchase of the 144,000

The 144,000

• The name of the Father is on their foreheads

• They are not mentioned again until Rev. 14

*The Father’s name is the seal of Rev. 7:2

*No judgments on the earth could begin until they were sealed Rev. 7:3

*They are first seen on earth in Rev. 7

• Twelve thousand Jews from 12 tribes of Israel Rev. 7:4

* They were purchased from the earth 14:3,4

* They were virgins 14:4

* They’re the first-fruits among men Rev. 14:4

* They are without deceit and faultless before the throne of God 14:5

* They sing a new song before the throne No one can learn the song but them

* This time they are in the heavenly Mt. Zion

* They are with Jesus

Views of InterpretationViews of Interpretation

1. Literal Jews (Martyred or Raptured)1. Literal Jews (Martyred or Raptured)

2. Special class of Jehovah Witnesses2. Special class of Jehovah Witnesses

3. All the redeemed of the church age3. All the redeemed of the church age

4. All the people of God since Adam4. All the people of God since Adam

A vision of Judgment Vs.6-8

Rev. 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and

people,

Rev. 14:7 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.

How many gospels are there?

Gospel = Good news

* The gospel of the kingdom – Mt. 4:23

* The gospel of Christ – Rom. 1:16

* The gospel of God – II Cor. 11:7

* The everlasting gospel – Rev. 14:6

The gospel is a message that brings men to God. The angel's message emphasized three things: "Fear God ... give glory to Him ... worship Him." That is the gospel and always has been. God's ultimate

purpose is that He might receive worship and praise from all He has created

The Prediction of the Fall of Babylon v. 8

Rev. 14:8 - And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

The word Babylon appears here and in Revelation 16,17 and 18, and is frequently

called "the great city."

We will study the identity of Babylon the Great in later chapters, but at this point it might be well to list the major viewpoints concerning

"the great city" called "Babylon."

1. Jerusalem -

2. The rebuilt city of Babylon in Iraq

3. Rome

The Reason for Babylon’s fall "she has made all nations drink of the wine of

the wrath of her fornication.”

Political leaders throughout history have committed fornication with this woman, the false religious system, and the people of earth have accepted it. But God's judgment will come. The details are graphically portrayed for us in Revelation 184 66 18:1.

The Punishment of those that follow the Beast v.9

Rev. 14:9 And the third angel

followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast

and his image, and receive [his]

mark in his forehead, or in his

hand,

Rev. 14:10a The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full

strength into the cup of his wrath;

• Worshiping the beast and his image is a demonstration of loyalty and allegiance, whereas receiving the mark is a matter of economic survival. According to Revelation 13:16-18

• Worshipping the beast causes an undiluted dose of God’s wrath

The following verses is one of those most powerful verses in the bible concerning the

eternal retribution.

Rev. Rev. 14:10b…and 14:10b…and he shall be he shall be tormented tormented with fire with fire

and sulfur in and sulfur in the the

presence of presence of the holy the holy

angels, and angels, and in the in the

presence of presence of the Lamb:the Lamb:

Rev. 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast

and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.

It appears that His holiness, justice, and righteous character demand it. If we refuse His offer of salvation from sin, death. and hell, what else could He do and remain a holy God? Revelation 14:9-11 leaves us no alternative

Does God punish people forever?

The Patience of the saints

Rev. 14:12 Here is the endurance of the saints: here are they that keep (guard, watch carefully over) the commandments of God,

and the faith of Jesus.

Obeying God is the primary characteristic of the saint

Rev. 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write, Blessed are the dead

which die in the Lord from now on: Yes, the Spirit says, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.

The future condition of the saints

Eternal Rest - Eternal Reward For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of

love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

The Vision of the Final Harvest Vs. 14-20

Rev. 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his

hand a sharp sickle.

Rev. 14:15 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 you to

reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”

Rev. 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was

reaped.

Rev. 14:17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a

sharp sickle.

Rev. 14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; (Rev. 8:3-5) and cried with a loud cry to him

that had the sharp sickle,

Rev. 14:18b - saying, Thrust in thy sharp Rev. 14:18b - saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of

the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

Rev. 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle Rev. 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast [it] into the great winepress of the wrath and cast [it] into the great winepress of the wrath

of God.of God.

The "harvest of the earth is ripe." When the judgment of God finally falls upon the unbelieving world, it will come as a judgment long overdue. No one can accuse God of acting too rashly or judging without just cause (Romans 1:32; Romans 2:5). God's judgment is always righteous.

The Condition of the Harvest

The picture of God's judgment being like a sharp sickle reaping a harvest comes from

Joel 3:12-16

The Connection With Prophecy

12 `Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side.

13 Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow-- so great is their wickedness!`

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 moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. 16 The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.

Rev. 14:20 And the winepress was Rev. 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand [and] six hundred by the space of a thousand [and] six hundred

furlongs (200 miles). furlongs (200 miles).

* *

*

Megiddo

Valley of Jehoshaphat

Edom

200 miles

Is. 63:1 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save." 2 Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? 3 "I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.