Revelation 14:1–20

Review…

• OUTLINE…
  • THREE times – PAST – PRESENT – FUTURE – Revelation 1:19
  • THREE events – RAPTURE – WRATH – RETURN of Jesus
  • THREE judgements – SEAL – TRUMPET – and BOWL judgments
  • Rise of the Antichrist…
  • After the blowing of the SEVENTH trumpet – John saw SIGNS:
    • THIRD Temple [two witnesses] – the birth of a CHILD [Jesus] – and the war of the DRAGON…
    • Then John saw a BEAST rising up out of the SEA [humanity] – the Antichrist – I John 2:18
    • The DRAGON gives the BEAST all his power and authority [rules the whole world]
    • The BEAST is killed – and RESURRECTED – and the whole world WORSHIPS him…
    • ANYONE who name is NOT written in the Book of Life…
    • And for THREE and a HALF years he will make WAR with the SAINTS!
  • Then John saw a SECOND beast coming out of the Earth…
    • He looks like a LAMB but speaks like the DRAGON – and tells the world to worship the BEAST…
    • He performs SIGNS and WONDERS – calling down fire – causing the image of the beast to speak…
    • Then he tries to make EVERYONE take the MARK of the BEAST – 666!
  • The Choice…
    • In the aftermath of the WAR in heaven – and the MARK of the beast…
    • The question has to be asked – what is the RESPONSE of God to these events…
    • NEVER forget that the desire of God is for the WHOLE world to be SAVED – II Peter 3:9
    • Although He allows the WAR and the MARK – it is NOT to condemn men…
    • It is to give them a CHOICE – whom do they want to WORSHIP…
    • As we come to Revelation 14 – we will see God EMPHASIZE that CHOICE!

Reaping the Harvest…

• 1^st – The Evangelists… vs. 1–5
  • 1^st – Their Location.… vs. 1
    • The end of the WAR…
      • We saw the BEAST go to WAR with the SAINTS – and he was VICTORIOUS – Revelation 13:7
      • Does that mean that the Antichrist will be able to kill ALL the believers…
      • The answer to that question is a firm NO!
    • Then I looked – and behold – the Lamb standing on Mount Zion!
      • The vision jumps to the CONCLUSION of the SEVEN years of wrath…
      • John sees the LAMB [Jesus] standing [perfect] on Mount Zion…
      • Mount ZION – an alternative name for the City of Jerusalem – II Samuel 5:7
      • Do NOT miss the contrast – the BEAST is no longer standing in the HOLY place…
      • The ABOMINATION of DESOLATION has ended – Daniel 9:27
      • INSTEAD – Jesus [the Lamb] is now the one who is standing in the HOLY city…
      • And He is NOT alone – the BEAST was NOT able to KILL every believer!
    • With Him 144,000!
      • We FIRST saw these 144 thousand at the beginning of the Tribulation – Revelation 7:4-8
      • They are all JEWS – TWELVE thousand from each of the TWELVE tribes…
      • They will be the FIRST to be SAVED after the rapture of the church – so they can tell others!
      • Because even in the darkest times – God finds a way to make His LOVE known!
    • Having His Father’s name written on their foreheads!
      • NOTE – they are NOT killed by the Antichrist…
      • Instead – they are STANDING with Jesus at His Second COMING – Revelation 19:16
      • How did they manage to SURVIVE when so many will DIE for their faith – Revelation 7:9
      • The answer is they have the MARK of God – the name of the FATHER – on their foreheads!
      • It is worth noting – the MARK of God is not a DENOMINATION…
      • It does not say JEW – or CATHOLIC – or BAPTIST
      • The only MARK that can save – is the NAME of the LORD [יְהוָה]
      • There are only TWO options on WHO we can belong to in this life…
      • We will either be MARKED and belonging to the FATHER – or to SATAN – Revelation 13:16
      • And the simple CHOICE every person must make – what is our MARK!
      • Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. He will hate the one and love the other.”
  • 2^nd – Their Song… vs. 2-3
    • The Voice… vs. 2
      • I heard a voice from heaven – like the voice of many waters – like the voice of loud thunder!
      • John not only SAW the 144 thousand – he also HEARD a VOICE…
      • The sound came out of heaven – it was LOUD – sounding like MANY waters – like THUNDER…
      • The VOICE John heard was the LORD – approving of the 144 thousand!
      • Psalm 29:3 – “The voice of the LORD is over the waters. The God of glory thunders!”
    • And a Song… vs. 2-3
      • I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
      • They sang as it were a new song before the throne – the four living creatures and the elders.
      • No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth!
      • John HEARD the sound of HARPS playing in heaven [24 elders] – Revelation 5:8
      • Something LIKE a new song being sung by the FOUR living creatures and ELDERS…
      • But NO one can learn this NEW song – except the 144 thousand who are REDEEMED [perfect]
      • They key word – REDEEMED [ἀγοράζω] – purchased by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ!
      • Revelation 5:9 – “[You] have redeemed us to God by Your blood.”
      • Receiving PRAISE from God in heaven – and learning to WORSHIP God in heaven…
      • Are both the direct results of being REDEEMED by God from heaven…
      • ANYONE puts their FAITH in Jesus – REDEEMED – will receive PRAISE from the Father…
      • And they will also get the NEW song [to them] – used to WORSHIP God in Heaven!
  • 3^rd – Their calling… vs. 4
    • These are the ones who were not defiled with women – for they are virgins.
      • FIRST – they are NOT married [virgins]
      • Presumably this is because they are MARRIED to the MINISTRY!
      • I Corinthians 7:34 – “The unmarried cares about the things of the Lord – that [they] may be holy both in body and in spirit. But [those] who [are] married care about the things of the world – how [they] may please [their spouse].”
    • These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
      • SECOND – they follow Jesus wherever he goes…
      • There is NO condition here – no matter WHERE the Lamb leads – they FOLLOW!
      • Too many Christians today give CONDITIONS to Jesus…
      • Only willing to FOLLOW if they like where He is taking them…
      • But CHOOSING Jesus – means we take up our CROSS – and go where He leads – Luke 9:23
    • These were redeemed from among men – being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb!
      • THIRD – they were REDEEMED from men [they are NOT special]
      • But they were saved FIRST [first fruits] – so they could PASS on the message…
      • God used them as super EVANGELISTS – to spread the message of the Gospel!
      • Did you ever wonder why after God saved us – He did not just take us directly to heaven…
      • It certainly would have been a WHOLE lot easier – straight to GLORY…
      • But God leaves us – so we can tell others about Jesus!
  • 4^th – Their Words… VS. 5
    • In their mouth was found no deceit – for they are without fault before the throne of God!
    • In contrast to the message of the BEAST – the Antichrist who DECEIVES…
    • The MESSAGE that the 144 thousand share is NOT a LIE [no deceit]
    • The MESSAGE that they share has the POWER to let them stand FAULTLESS before God!
    • Everyone will have to STAND one day before the THRONE of God – Revelation 20:12
    • For many it will be a SAD day – it is when we will have to answers for all our SINS…
    • Only the GOSPEL can make us FAULTLESS – so we can STAND before God with JOY!
    • Jude 1:24 – “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling – and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy!
• 2^nd – Three Angels… vs. 6-13
  • 1^st – First Angel.… vs. 6-7
    • The Gospel… vs. 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!
      • God gave the world 144 thousand EVANGELISTS – so they could hear the GOSPEL…
      • But He LOVES the world so much He went one step further – He also sends an ANGEL!
      • John saw an ANGEL flying across the SKY [where birds fly] – Revelation 19:17
      • Having the eternal GOSPEL [εὐαγγέλιον] – the GOOD news…
      • And he PREACHED it to ALL [πᾶς] who are on the earth…
      • Every NATION [ἔθνος] – FAMILY [φυλή] – in every LANGUAGE [γλῶσσα] – and people [λαός]!
      • FIRST – this fulfills the requirement for the return of Jesus!
      • Matthew 24:14 – “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations – and then the end will come.”
      • SECOND – it shows us God does not NEED us to spread the GOSPEL…
      • The church has struggled for TWO thousand years to spread the GOSPEL across the world…
      • But God does it in a single DAY – using just ONE angel…
      • Obviously God does NOT need us – He uses us because He LOVES us!
      • When Hallel asks to help out with a PROJECT – I will always say YES…
      • Not because I need her [it usually takes longer] – but because I LOVE her!
    • The message… vs. 7
      • Saying with a loud voice – Fear God – give glory to Him for the hour of His judgment has come.
      • Worship Him who made heaven and earth the sea and springs of water!
      • The MESSAGE the ANGEL gives – includes THREE commands…
      • FEAR [imperative] God – because unlike the beast – He is the GOD [τὸν θεὸν]
      • GIVE [imperative] Him glory – because the hour of JUDGEMENT has come…
      • WORSHIP [imperative] Him – because He made EVERYTHING [heaven – earth – sea]!
      • When we consider who Jesus is – He is the ONLY God – Isaiah 45:5
      • And understand what He has done – He made EVERYTHING – Colossians 1:16
      • Realizing what He will soon do – He will JUDGE the world – John 5:22
      • The GOSPEL is just common sense – of course we should put our FAITH in Jesus!
  • 2^nd – Second Angel… vs. 8
    • Another angel followed saying – Babylon is fallen – is fallen – that great city.
      • SECOND angel follows after the FIRST – telling the WHOLE world – BABYLON is FALLEN [2x]
      • BABYLON [Βαβυλὼν] – referred to here as the GREAT [μέγας] city…
      • There are THREE main views on which CITY is being referred to:
      • JERUSALEM – because it will be the CENTER of the false worship of the Antichrist – Revelation 17:5
      • BABYLON – in modern day Iraq – the CENTER of the economy of the Antichrist – Revelation 18:9-11
      • The massive amounts of OIL in the middle east have made them a modern economic powerhouse…
      • There have been efforts in recent years to try and rebuild the ancient city of Babylon…
      • Make it into a modern CENTER of FINANCE and commerce!
      • ROME [Europe] – because it will be the CENTER of the pollical system – Revelation 17:9
    • Because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication!
      • Whether it is RELIGION – MONEY – or POLITICS [or maybe all three]
      • The fall of BABYLON is a result of her INFLUENCE on the world…
      • She made them DRUNK with the WINE of her spiritual FORNICATION [πορνεία]!
      • Those who trust in RELIGION – will find they are not GOOD enough – Isaiah 64:6
      • Those who trust in MONEY – will find it there is not RICH enough – Mark 8:36
      • Those who trust in POLITICS – will find they are not STRONG enough – Proverbs 27:24
      • Bottom line – if we put our FAITH in anything other than Jesus – we will FALL!
  • 3^rd – Third Angel… vs. 9-11
    • Then a third angel followed them saying with a loud voice.
    • If anyone worships the beast and his image – receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand.
    • 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.
    • 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!
    • THIRD angel follows after the SECOND – warning the WHOLE world…
    • Uniquely this FINAL angel uses a LOUD [μέγας] voice – PAY attention…
    • ANYONE who takes the MARK of the BEAST – will [future] drink the cup of the WRATH of God!
    • You might wonder – what if someone takes the MARK – and does not understand…
    • They are just trying to PROVIDE for their families [buy and sell] – Revelation 13:17
    • But no one will have an EXCUSE – the whole world will be WARNED!
    • ANYONE who takes the MARK – CANNOT be saved…
    • They CHOSE to worship the BEAST – and the DRAGON – and they will be JUDGED…
    • What follows is one of the most GRAPHIC depictions of the LAKE of fire in the Bible…
    • The JUDGMENT is PAINFUL [fire and brimstone] – described as TORTURE – Luke 16:24
    • The JUDGMENT is CONTINUAL – there is no BREAK [day and night]
    • The JUDGMENT is ETERNAL – it will last FOREVER – Matthew 25:41
    • It is a SOBER warning about why we do not want ANYONE to end up in HELL!
    • Hebrews 10:31 – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
  • 4^th – The Hope… vs. 12-13
    • Keep the command… vs. 12
      • Here is the patience of the saints.
      • Here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus!
      • After the VERY sobering statement of the THIRD angel…
      • John stops to give us HOPE – we do NOT need to FEAR the Lake of Fire…
      • Because we are the SAINTS [ἅγιος] – those who keep the commandments by FAITH in Jesus!
    • Better off dead… vs. 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!
      • John then heard a VOICE from HEAVEN telling him to WRITE [imperative]
      • BLESSED are those who are DEAD – who DIE for their faith in the LORD…
      • Because they will have REST – and their WORKS [martyr] will follow them!
      • Written not for our SAKES – but for those who will come to FAITH in the TRIBULATION…
      • From the middle of the TRIBULATION on – it is BETTER that they die…
      • And most will not survive to see the RETURN of Jesus – Revelation 20:4
      • But they can REST – knowing that they will be with the LORD!
• 3^rd – The Harvest… vs. 14-20
  • 1^st – Good Harvest… vs. 14-16
    • The Harvester… vs. 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!
      • When John looked – on a WHITE cloud came one like the SON of MAN…
      • SON of MAN – a title used by 78x by Jesus – to describe His humanity [fully God fully man]
      • Daniel 7:13 – “Behold – One like the Son of Man. Coming with the clouds of heaven!”
      • Jesus had a GOLDEN crown [στέφανος] – pointing to the fact He is a KING…
      • In His hand a SICKLE – because He was ready to begin the HARVEST of SOULS!
      • John 4:35 – “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields – for they are already white for harvest!”
    • Ripe Harvest… vs. 15-16
      • 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.
      • He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth – and the earth was reaped!
      • Another [ἄλλος] ANGEL came out of the TEMPLE in heaven…
      • He COMMANDED [imperative] with a loud [μέγας] voice – for Jesus to start the HARVEST…
      • For it was the HOUR [ὥρα] – the HARVEST was RIPE…
      • RIPE [ξηραίνω] 16x in NT – the words actually means WITHERED – Matthew 13:6
      • There are TWO views as to what they could mean:
      • FIRST – the earth is OVERRIPE – overflowing with EVIL and WICKEDNESS…
      • SECOND – the believers are DRIED up – they have NO strength left…
      • Considering the connection to the previous statement – better off dead – Revelation 14:13
      • I would lean toward the SECOND view – Jesus is HARVESTING the weary SAINTS!
  • 2^nd – Bad Harvest… vs. 17-20
    • Angel of Death… vs. 17
      • Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven – he also having a sharp sickle!
      • SECOND [ἄλλος] ANGEL came out of the TEMPLE – with a SHARP sickle!
      • Interestingly this is where we get an IMAGE of the GRIM reaper…
      • The ANGEL of DEATH who comes to HARVEST souls!
    • Fully Ripe… vs. 18
      • Another angel came out from the altar – who had power over fire.
      • 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!
      • THIRD [ἄλλος] ANGEL came from the ALTAR – in the TEMPLE – who kept the FIRE…
      • Worth noting he would be the one to HEAR the prayer of the SAINTS – Revelation 8:3
      • Revelation 6:10 – “How long – O Lord – holy and true – until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
      • The answer to that question had been NOT yet – but NOW they get their answer…
      • He COMMANDED [imperative] with a loud [μέγας] voice – start to HARVEST the CLUSTERS…
      • CLUSTERS – only here NT – those who are STICKING together [in rebellion]
      • For the GRAPES are fully RIPE [mature] – the idea is the are perfect for HARVEST!
      • The world will GATHER [cluster] together – putting their HOPE in their NUMBERS…
      • They will VOTE to change LAWS – making WRONG seem RIGHT – Isaiah 5:20
      • But it does not make a difference what men say – God will always be TRUE!
      • Romans 3:4 – “Let God be true but every man a liar.”
    • Wrath of God… vs. 19-20
      • 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.
      • 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!
      • The ANGEL gathered the HARVEST [of souls] – and threw them into the WINEPRESS…
      • The PEOPLE will be trampled outside the CITY [of Jerusalem]
      • Their BLOOD come up to the horses bridle – about TWO meters…
      • And fill a space of ONE thousand SIX hundred furlongs – over THREE hundred kilometers!
      • A Reference to the Battle of Armageddon – Revelation 16:16
      • There in Israel – not too far from the city of Jerusalem…
      • THREE valleys in central Israel: Valley of Jezreel – Valley of Megiddo – Plain of Esdraelon
      • Where all of the nations of the earth will gather to battle Jesus…
      • It will NOT go well for them – with one WORD from Jesus – they will LOSE!
      • Revelation 19:15 – “Now out of [Jesus] mouth goes a sharp sword – that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”
    • Two HARVESTS…
      • Jesus gave the PARABLE of the wheat and tares [weeds]
      • They are allowed to grow together – until the DAY of the HARVEST!
      • Matthew 13:30 – “Let both grow together until the harvest – and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers. First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them – but gather the wheat into my barn.”
      • Our lives are not about living – they are about a CHOICE…
      • Where will we spend out ETERNITY – what happens to us AFTER the HARVEST…
      • The KEY is to make sure we have the GOSPEL…
      • Only then will we be able to STAND with JOY before our KING!