Book of Revelation: Chapter 14 Christ and His Righteous Forces

Revelation 14:1 “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.”

The Lamb and His Own The Lamb Standing on Mount Zion 144,000 His name Victorious Christ of Chapter 5 Standing on Mount Zion Heavenly Jerusalem (Psalm 125:1; Hebrews 12:22,23) 144,000 (7:1-8) sealed by God for their faithfulness His name Name carries power (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9-11) Father’s name written on their foreheads John 14:6; Revelation 13:16

Revelation 14:2 “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.”

A Voice… A voice “from heaven” LIKE the sound of: “Many waters” (1:15) “Loud thunder” (6:1) “Harpists,” not only loud but melodious and attractive. Remember, this is “figurative language”

Revelation 14:3 “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.”

The New Song They were singing a “new song” “Before the throne” “Before the four living creatures” “Before the elders” “No one could learn the song except the 144,000” Only those who had been purchased with, and received redemption in, Christ’s blood!

Revelation 14:4 “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.”

Revelation 14:5 “And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.”

A Description of the 144,000 The 144,000 (Ephesians 1:13,14) Have names (Father/Son) upon them “Were not defiled with women” (righteous individuals) (2 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Ephesians 5:11ff) “Who follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 2:21,22) “Redeemed from among men” (from the earth) (Acts 20:28)

A Description of the 144,000 The 144,000 (Ephesians 1:13,14) “First fruits to God and to the Lamb” (James 1:18) figure of harvest acceptable to God—separated for His use (14:14-16) “Free from deceit” without blemish—Christ is Lord! (Colossians 1:22; Ephesians 5:26,27)

Coming Attractions… Six great proclamations… Four “headline banners” Two “videos of the sickle of Judgment” Preview of what God is going to do… God knows what He is going to do; He ”rules in the kingdoms of man!” Revelation 14:6-20…

Revelation 14:6 “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.”

Revelation 14:7 “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.’”

Banner Number 1… Triumph of Righteousness Eternal Good News—Chapters 15,16 Brought by “another angel” to differentiate from those mentioned earlier “Flying in the midst of heaven” “Having an eternal gospel to preach to those living on earth” Judgment—Romans 2:16 Repentance—Acts 14:15

Banner Number 1… Triumph of Righteousness Eternal Good News—Chapters 15,16 Proclaimed… “Fear God” He is Creator of all the earth. “Worship Him” “For the hour of His judgment has come.” John 3:18,19

Banner Number 1… Triumph of Righteousness Eternal Good News—Chapters 15,16 God’s purposes will not be defeated! God will not allow His righteous children to be trampled on indefinitely! Sinners will perish, and righteousness will triumph—rejoice! God’s wrath is as holy as His love. There’ll always be consequences for ungodliness.

Revelation 14:8 “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.’”

Banner Number 2… Judgment of Wicked Babylon Consequences—Chapters 17,18 Brought by “another angel” “Fallen, Fallen” “Babylon the Great”

Banner Number 2… Judgment of Wicked Babylon Consequences—Chapters 17,18 Old Testament Babylon was a place of arrogance and rebellion against God. It was so wicked God overthrew it completely; it was never rebuilt. Repetition for tragic emphasis (prophetic)

Banner Number 2… Judgment of Wicked Babylon Consequences—Chapters 17,18 Babylon is symbolic for Rome. Seducer of the world (Jeremiah 51:7) All nations made to drink of the wine of “the wrath of her fornication.” Defeat is so certain, victory can be claimed before the battle is even fought!

Revelation 14:9 “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.’”

Revelation 14:10 “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.”

Revelation 14:11 “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.”

Banner Number 3… Emperor worshipers judged Consequences - Mark of the Beast (Chapter 19) Brought “a third angel” Proclaimed… “If any one…” (conditional) “Worships the beast and his image” (civil persecuting power—sea beast) “Receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand”

Banner Number 3… Emperor worshipers judged Consequences - Mark of the Beast (Chapter 19) Proclaimed… He will “drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” “unmixed”—full strength nothing held back! “He will be tormented with fire and brimstone” In the presence of the holy angels. In the presence of the Lamb. Just as the saints who were tormented before by them.

Banner Number 3… Emperor worshipers judged Consequences - Mark of the Beast (Chapter 19) Fate of all those individuals who participated in the worship of the emperor Shared in Babylon’s fornication God’s undiluted wrath will pour out on all who helped in the persecution of the church—the saints!

Banner Number 3… Emperor worshipers judged Consequences - Mark of the Beast (Chapter 19) No worse fate could be imagined! Compromise with emperor worship will bring horrific results! Holy angels, the Lamb, and the faithful will witness God’s retribution on the wicked!

Banner Number 3… Emperor worshipers judged Consequences - Mark of the Beast (Chapter 19) The smoke from such mens’ torture will ascend for timeless ages. There will be no respite day or night! Torment as age-lasting as that suffered by Satan himself!

Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

Perseverance of the Saints The true Christian’s hope of the day is not in compromise, but in: Remaining faithful, which brings steadfast hope! Keeping God’s commandments Having faith in Christ This brings rest, versus “NO REST!” Keeping God’s commandments while suffering for righteousness is certainly better than the alterative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Revelation 14:13 “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.’”

Banner Number 4… Christians triumph Rewarded for steadfastness (Chapters 20-22) A “voice from heaven…” “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” “That they may rest from their labors” “For their works (deeds) do follow them”

Banner Number 4… Christians Triumph Rewarded for steadfastness (Chapters 20-22) Encouraged to remain steadfast! Die in the Lord—critical for those who were facing death that “very hour!” Be refreshed from their toils and labors The quality of their deeds follows them—a divine record! Testimony of their faith in Christ!

Revelation 14:14 “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.”

Revelation 14:15 “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.’”

Revelation 14:16 “So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.”

Sickle of Judgment—As Viewed by the Righteous… Please keep in mind; this is not the scene of the final judgment, but a judgment against “Babylon.” When? The announcements of the first three angels have been fulfilled. This is the execution of God’s wrath over Rome. The “one sitting on the cloud” having a “golden crown” and a “sharp sickle”

Sickle of Judgment—As Viewed by the Righteous… Angel announces “The harvest is right for reaping” God’s messenger announces that the time for righteous judgment has arrived. Signals the defeat and consequences upon those who had tormented God’s children. This “reaping” is fearful for those who had been with the beast!

Revelation 14:17 “Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp stick.”

Revelation 14:18 “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.’”

Revelation 14:19 “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.”

Revelation 14:20 “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.”

Sickle of Judgment— Viewed by the Unrighteous… Another angel out of heaven, out of the temple, which is in heaven “Thrust a sickle” (judgment) Gathered the grapes Threw them into the great winepress Trampled without the city Blood came out of the winepress (for 200 miles)!

Sickle of Judgment— Viewed by the Unrighteous… Gathered the clusters and cast them into the “winepress” of the Almighty! Gathering of the vintage of grapes Not two separate judgments–reflects a single event of divine judgment against Rome Came out of the altar—why? Final response to the saints prayers seeking vindication!

Sickle of Judgment— Viewed by the Unrighteous… Not wine, but blood, flowing from the winepress… Heaven’s judgments against Rome would be severe! Total destruction awaits those who oppose God and His people! For those who find themselves “beyond the pale of divine protection”

Review… Six angels… Four great banners of coming events… Two sickles of judgment… Wicked and righteous have two totally different futures… Consequences for both groups… One is far better than the other!