CHAPTER 14
VERSE 1: (Chapter 14)
​The 144,000
"And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having the Father's name written in their foreheads."
Just as a reminder, most of the verses in Revelation start with the word "And". This shows that these events are one continuous time period. These verses and chapters are linked together with the word "And". We studied this in the earlier chapters of Revelation. Revelation 4 through Revelation 19 covers a time period of seven years linked together, one after another.
John, the apostle, now witnesses a "Lamb" standing on mount Sion. In John 1:29, John, the Baptist, physically called Jesus the 'Lamb of God': "The next day John (the Baptist) seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John, the Baptist, knew that Jesus was going to die for our sins, that is why he referred to Jesus as the "Lamb". Jesus is the "Lamb of God" that came and died for our sins.
John, the apostle, sees Jesus, "the Lamb", standing on mount Sion. Mount Sion is also spelled Zion. Mount Sion (Zion) is the fortified hill where King David set up his kingdom. King David built a city around this fort. This city is known as the City of David, also known as Jerusalem.
John, who is writing Revelation (the apostle), also testifies that Jesus is not alone here. There will be "an hundred and forty and four thousand" = 144,000 men standing on Mount Zion with Him. John goes on to reveal who these 144,000 men are. The Lord revealed to John that these men have "His Father's name written in their foreheads". God the Father wrote His name on each of these 144,000 men's foreheads. This is why the Antichrist will put his mark on people. Satan tries to be a copycat God.
The Bible describes these 144,000 men in verses 3 - 5. But first, God wants to tell us about Heaven's harpers in the next verse (verse 2).
VERSE 2: (Chapter 14)
​HEAVEN'S HARPERS
"And I heard a voice from heaven as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:"
This is going to be a wonderful, magnificent sound. First, John hears a "voice from heaven as the voice of many waters". The sound John hears is "a voice". He hears "a voice" coming from heaven. This voice sounds like "the voice of many waters". This voice starts out and intensifies. Have you ever heard of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra? Some of their music starts off slowly and then intensifies. Our verse says this "voice" is also "as the voice of a great thunder". When music is played by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, it moves the whole place. You can feel vibration in the seats and floor. This "voice" from heaven is going to "thunder". It may vibrate heaven and earth! Job 37:5 says: God thundereth marvellously with His voice; great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend." This is God's introduction to His orchestra ... Heaven's Harpers! And what an introduction this will be!
John hears "the voice of harpers harping with their harps". Here are some interesting facts about the harp:
What a beautiful, majestic sound this will be.
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The harp is one of the oldest musical instruments made.
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Harps have been found in burial sites in Iraq.
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Pictures of harps can be found in Ancient Egyptian temples and tombs.
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The most famous harp player was King David. He composed many of the Psalms in the Bible to play on his harp.
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The harp has a very majestic sound.
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VERSE 3: (Chapter 14)
​The NEW SONG
"And they sang as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth."
This verse tells us that these "Heavenly Harpers" will sing. It says that "they sang as it were a new song". This will be during the Tribulation Period. This chosen band will have a new song. The "Heavenly Harpers" will sing their song "as a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders." In Revelation, Chapter 4, we learned about God's throne, about the four beasts saying "Holy, Holy, Holy", and about the twenty-four elders. You can refer back to Chapter 4 for the entire description of this scene. This scene is exactly where the "harpers" will be playing and singing. They will be performing for God in front of the four beasts and the twenty-four elders. All of Heaven will be able to see and hear these "Heavenly Harpers" giving their praises to God the Father. But that's not all ...
The rest of our verse says that "no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth." The "Heavenly Harpers" will be made up of 144,000 men who are going to be "redeemed from the earth". What a spectacular performance is going to take place!!!
We are also told in this verse that no one else from the earth will be able to learn this song. "No man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth." We are told a few things here. First, only the 144,000 will be able to learn this song. No one else. Then we are told that the 144,000 will be "redeemed". In other words, they will be Christians. They will be "redeemed" by the blood of the Lamb. They will have accepted Christ into their hearts. We are also informed that they will be "from the earth". God is revealing to us that the 144,000 are people. They are not angelic creatures. They are men whom God has chosen from off the earth. In the next few verses God describes the 144,000 men and why He chose them.
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VERSE 4: (Chapter 14)
​WHO are the 144,000 ?
"These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb."
The Lord reveals who these 144,000 men will be. God tells us that they are men. "They were not defiled with women" indicates that they are men. They are also virgins. According to several dictionaries, a virgin is someone who is pure and has vestal modesty; a person who has not had sexual intercourse in any way. Many people may think that only women can be virgins; but no, men can be virgins too. There will definitely be 144,000 Jewish men - virgins - handpicked by God.
The Lord also tells us here that the 144,000 will "follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth". Our president of the United States is constantly surrounded by his chosen men. Whenever the president goes out, he is surrounded by people ... some for protection, some for advice, and various other reasons. Our president has a 'Motorcade' wherever he goes. These 144,000 will be like Jesus' 'Motorcade'. They will follow Jesus wherever He goes. If Jesus is in Heaven, they will follow Him. If the Lord descends to the earth, they will follow Him there. And when Jesus stands on Mount Zion, they will be standing with Him there.
The 144,000 are the Lord's army. Revelation 19:14 states: "And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean". This army of the Lord's, which follow Him all through Heaven and earth, will be given "white horses" to sit upon. They will be given "fine linen, white and clean". This shows that they are saved by the blood of the Lamb. Our verse says: "These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb." This is the Lord's chosen army from the earth, just like Jesus chose His twelve disciples for the special work He had for them.
VERSE 5: (Chapter 14)
​144,000 WITHOUT FAULT
"And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God."
This verse continues describing the 144,000 Jewish army men whom the Lord personally chose, just like He had chosen His personal disciples. The Lord tells us here that "in their mouth was found no guile". "Guile" means deceit. These chosen men were not deceitful. They will not be cunning or subtle. They will never utter anything that will be deceitful. They will be upfront and honest. They won't try to be sly. They will tell the truth even if it offends others. "They are without fault before the throne of God".
Even though we will not be enlisted in the 144,000 army of God, God still encourages us. He says in Jude 1:24 "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." It will be a joy to our Saviour if He can present us faultless to His heavenly Father. I Corinthians 1:8 says: "Who (Jesus) shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
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VERSE 6: (Chapter 14)
​ANGEL with the GOSPEL
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
We are now being told that John saw "another angel". This is not any of the other angels which John had already seen. This is another "angel" from Heaven. And like all angels, this "angel" flies. This "angel" will fly "in the midst of heaven" because this "angel" has a very special task to perform.
This "angel" will be given the task of preaching the "everlasting gospel" to all the people who are yet alive on the earth. This will include those who hate God, those who have rejected Christ, anyone in authority, the rich and the poor. Everyone. No one will be left out. God will give everyone one last chance to accept Christ as their Saviour. This "angel" will "preach" to everyone that "dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue (language), and people". However, most everyone will continue to worship the Beast.
The next verse tells us what this "angel" will say ...
VERSE 7: (Chapter 14)
​The ANGEL PROCLAIMS LOUDLY
"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."
Have you ever heard the saying: "This is the last straw!"? This "angel" is letting everyone know that this is 'God's last straw'. The end is here. This "angel" pleads with people to "Fear God". The "angel" knows what is going to happen. The Bible teaches us in Proverbs 9:10 that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom". This "angel" is telling all the world to "Wise Up!" "Fear God!" This "angel" tells the world to "give glory to Him". This "angel" is instructing everyone to honor the Lord. He wants people to come to the understanding that it is God who is really on the throne, not the Antichrist. The "angel" wants people to come to Christ. This "angel" is declaring, "with a loud voice", the urgency for people to turn to the Lord.
If you were in a crowded building, and someone started yelling 'FIRE!' You would most likely jump up and run to safety. This is what this "angel" is going to do. He is going to shout with a "loud voice, Fear God!". Run to safety. Run to the Saviour.
This "angel" also tells people that God's judgment "is come". This will be in the present tense when this "angel" says it. It is not in the future. It is now upon the whole earth. The "angel" says: "for the hour of His judgment is come". The "angel" proclaims that God's "judgment" is upon the whole earth. The "hour" is here.
This "angel" tells the people to worship God. He tells the world that they should know that the Lord is the Only One True God. He tells the people that to look at the world and all that God created. This "angel" states that there is enough evidence that proves God does exist, that He created everything, and that He is going to destroy all He made because of sin.
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1
"All things were made by Him and without Him was not any thing made that was made."
John 1:3
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VERSE 8: (Chapter 14)
​BABYLON FALLS
"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."
This 'second' angel appears immediately after the "angel" in Verse 7. The "angel" in Verse 7 is spreading the gospel to everyone. That "angel" declares with a "loud voice" that people need to fear God and worship Him. After the "angel" in Verse 7 finishes spreading the "everlasting gospel", this next angel appears. The 'second' angel here in Verse 8 sounds out the news that "Babylon is fallen". There is not much time between the two angels. People are already in the second half of the Tribulation Period. People need to realize that even today they do not have much time. The Rapture could take place at any moment, or they could die today. There is not much time. James 4:14 asks: "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? it is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
Ancient Babylon was located where Iraq is today. In biblical days, when Ancient Babylon was a country, it became a symbol of the enemy of God. This was because Ancient Babylon had caused horrible destruction. Ancient Babylon was known as the ultimate persecutor of God's people. During the Tribulation Period, the newer "Babylon" will be pushing for a one world religion. It will be prospering under the hand of the "Beast and False Prophet". This angel 'second' will proclaim that "Babylon is fallen, is fallen".
This angel uses the phrase "is fallen, is fallen". There is a reason for this. "Babylon's" one-world religion will fall, and its wealthy economy will fall. Two falls. This "Babylon" will have grown to be nation of world-wide prosperity. The world will depend upon "Babylon" for most of its living. This "Babylon" will cause entire nations to "drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication". In other words, "all nations" will take part in her sins. Sins like following after luxury and greed. Sins of murder, hate, and adultery. The sin of accepting the Antichrist. But worse of all, the main sin of turning away from the One True God. "Babylon" will cause nations to worship, serve, and follow everything that is against God. Refusing to acknowledge God's Son and His Sacrifice, which Christ gave to the whole world, is what is going to cause God's wrath to explode into fierce judgment upon the earth!
VERSE 9: (Chapter 14)
​The THIRD ANGEL'S WARNING
"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,"
Here we see the 'third angel'. This angel will follow after the other two angels in verses 6 and 8. This 'third angel' will be making God's declaration "with a loud voice". This will not be something said in secret. God is revealing and warning every human. God is saying very loudly, 'Don't get the mark of the Beast'!
We learned about the "Mark of the Beast" in Chapter 13. We learned that it will be a 'Forced Mark' (v. 16 of Chapter 13). The Antichrist will only allow those who have the 'Mark' to buy necessities like food (v. 17 of Chapter 13). Note that Congress passed a Real ID Act (v. 18 of Chapter 13) which could usher in the 'Mark'.
This 'Mark' of Satan's will be put on or in a person's hand or forehead. It will be a law. Without it, it will be almost impossible to survive. Don't sell your soul to Satan for a piece of bread! This angel will be warning everyone to NOT do this. Read what will happen to those who will receive this 'Mark' in the very next verse!
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VERSE 10: (Chapter 14)
​The CONSEQUENCE for RECEIVING the MARK
"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:"
This verse tells us that God is going to have 'wrath' against those people who receive 'Mark' of the Beast. "Wrath" is much worse than just anger. It is very fierce anger. Webster's dictionary describes wrath as an intense state of anger caused by displeasure. God is going to be so displeased with people who are persuaded to receive the 'Mark of the Beast', that His anger is going to 'boil over'. Hebrews 10:31 states: "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
The next part of this verse says that God's fierce anger "is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation". 'Without mixture' means it's as strong as it can be. It will not be watered down. God has had enough of sin. The people who receive the Mark of the Beast will have rejected His Son! They will have rejected Him and the Gift that He offered to them. They will reject His Precious Son. They will choose to be under the Antichrist's rule rather than to be under God's offered Grace. Revelation 16:19 also talks about "the cup of wrath". "... to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath."
They "shall drink of the wine of the WRATH of God" (Revelation 14:10)
Remember, this "third angel" is saying this with a "LOUD voice". Listen to what this angel says in this last part of this verse: "and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb". Hell is very, very real! The Lord warned us a lot about Hell. There are over 100 verses in the Bible warning and describing Hell.
Here is a list of just a few:
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28).
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"And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:46).
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"Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).​​​
The verses above are in Jesus' own words. Here are more verses on Hell: Revelation 20:15; 2 Peter 2:4; Mark 9:43; Luke 16:19-31; Mark 9:43-48; Psalm 9:17; Proverbs 15:24; Isaiah 66:24; Isaiah 5:14. These are just a few verses. There are many more warnings in the Bible about Hell.
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​Our next verse gives a description about those in Hell ...
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VERSE 11: (Chapter 14)
​The SMOKE of TORMENTS
"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 whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."
This "third angel" goes on to tell us about the future of people who receive the "Mark of the Beast". God gives people a very serious warning through this angel. God has already given everyone plenty of warning in His Word, the KJV Bible. We are told here, in God's Word, that "the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever". In other words, these people will be burning forever. You can't have smoke without fire, and you can't have fire unless it has something to burn. People will be on fire, burning forever and ever. This is according to God's Word. This is what this "third angel" is going to be shouting to the whole world.
This verse goes on to say that these people "will have no rest day nor night". People "who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." Read Luke 16:19-31. This is an actual account that the Lord told people when He was here on earth. Jesus tells them the real story of the rich man, that He doesn't name, and Lazarus. Jesus describes hell. The Lord describes how the rich man has no rest. The rich man is in torments, he feels pain. The rich man has a conscious that continues to be capable of reasoning. He asks for Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue. The rich man is trying to solve problems. The rich man cares enough to ask Abraham to visit his own family and warn them about Hell. Our verse here states that people who will not ask Christ to be their Saviour, to forgive their sins, and come into their heart, "will have no rest day nor night" and "the smoke of their torment" will ascend up "for ever and ever". This is extremely serious stuff. The "third angel" is shouting it! God's Word is declaring it from cover to cover. PLEASE listen! Take heed to it.
2 Thessalonians 1:7b-9: "...the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power".
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VERSE 12: (Chapter 14)
​The PATIENCE of SAINTS
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
The first thing that we notice here is that there are people saved during the Tribulation Period. This verse is referring to saved people. People who have accepted Christ as their Saviour = Tribulation Saints. We are also shown here that they need "the patience". What is "the patience of the saints"? The "patience of these saints" is to be strong in the Lord during the Tribulation Period. All the people who were saved before the Great Tribulation started was taken up in the Rapture which we studied in Chapter 4 of Revelation. Now we are talking about new Christians ... people who did not accept the Lord as their Saviour before the Rapture.
Some people may think that people cannot get saved during the Tribulation Period. However, that is not true. This verse right here states that there will be saints living during this awful time on the earth, and that they will need to have "patience" to endure. Revelation 7:14 also talks about the saints which "came out of great tribulation". (You can look back to Chapter 7 and reflect on this.) However, there are two very good reasons for getting saved today and not waiting to get saved during the Tribulation Period. First, if you would be saved before the Tribulation Period, you would avoid all the suffering, plagues, woes, and judgments that people will have to endure during the Tribulation Period. Sufferings like no food, no home, freezing, and or being tortured by the Antichrist and his staff. Troubles today will be minor compared to the "Plagues", "Vials", and "Woes" that are going to come down upon the earth ... not to mention the terribly painful "locusts"!
The second reason not to wait until the Tribulation to be saved is the fact that you will be demanded to take the "Mark of the Beast". It will be almost impossible to NOT take the Mark. What would you do if authorities told you that if you refuse the 'Mark', then they will torture your children, your wife, or your parents? Will you really be that strong? And if you would be, how will it affect you to see your children and loved ones with the "Mark of the Beast" on them? The Lord is trying to spare people of this horrible time. That is why He died on the cross. It is so easy to bow your head, admit your sins, ask Christ to forgive you and come into your heart. It only takes a few SECONDS! But very few people will do this. "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it." (Matthew 7:14) "For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and MANY there be which go in thereat. (Matthew 7:13).
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Next in this verse we read: "here are they that keep the commandments of God". Many people believe that if they keep the commands of God, then they will go to Heaven. This also is NOT true. It is extremely vital to read and learn your Bible. First, no one can ever keep the commandments of God. They are very holy. Let's take the first Ten Commandments. There are innumerous commands throughout the Bible, not just ten. But for simplicity's sake, let's look at just a couple of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20. The first commandments states that we are to "have no other gods before" God. Some people say that God always comes first in their life. Does He? Let's see if this is really true. Did they read their Bible and pray this morning before they did anything else? If the answer is no, then they did not put God first. They put their own 'gods' first. Like food, work, chores, etc. Therefore, they failed the first and most important commandment. Let's take the third Commandment (Exodus 20:7): "Thou shalt NOT take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain." If you have used God's name as a slang or a swear word, then you just took His name in vain. I hear people all the time using Jesus, Christ, God, or the combination of them as swear words. This breaks God's commandment. God states here that people will be held guilty for it. We could go on, but it's clear to see that no one can keep God's Holy Commandments ... not all of them, not only ten of them, not even two of them! If you have ever said 'Oh, God' as a slang word, then you cannot go to Heaven on your 'good works". You are guilty of breaking God's commandments. James 2:10 states: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all".
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
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2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.
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4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
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7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
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9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
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10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife.
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Then what does this part of the verse mean: "they that keep the commandments of God"? In Luke 10:25-28, tells of Jesus talking to a lawyer. The lawyer asked the Lord what he had to do to have eternal life. The lawyer was trying to keep the Ten Commandments. Jesus told him in Luke 10:28: "... Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy strength, and with all they mind". The following is what Lord tells people who try to 'work' their way to heaven: "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye BELIEVE ON HIM whom He hath sent" (John 6:29). Jesus already paid the price with His blood on the Cross of Calvary. He died because people could not work their way into heaven. Jesus died on the cross because He wants you in Heaven with Him. He does not want you to spend eternity in Hell.However, you must BELIEVE Jesus died for Your sins. ASK Him to come into your heart. He will never force His way in. You MUST ASK HIM in!
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The last part of this verse wraps it all up: "the faith of Jesus". Hebrews 11:6 says: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." In order to be saved, you MUST believe that Jesus is the Messiah, that He died for your sins, and you place your faith in Him by asking Him into your heart. There are many people who do not really 'believe'. They say they 'believe'. Titus 1:16 says: "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him". They even say they 'believe' in a higher power. But that is not Bible belief. There is no genuine love in their hearts for a Saviour who died for them. They go around using His name in vain. Perhaps they follow after things they can achieve Just look at people at Christmas time. It is not about Christ to them. It's about what they can buy and what they can get. And how about trying to talk to them about God. If someone really loves the Lord, they want to talk about Him. People today say they 'love' Christ but they don't want you to talk about Him. They do not want to hear what the Bible says. Yet, they think they are going to heaven??? Jesus told us that: "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:22-23). There are going to be a lot of 'preachers' who are going to hear Jesus say this to them. God says this in His Word in Romans 1:18:"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness". God's Word is Truth. There are many preachers who pervert God's Word by teaching false doctrine. A false doctrine is anything contrary to God's Word. God's Word says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works" (Ephesians 2:8-9) But there are preachers who preach 'good works' for salvation. Or they may teach that a person must be baptized in order to go to Heaven. This is false doctrine. The thief on the cross had neither good works nor was baptized, yet Jesus said unto him "... Today thou shalt be with Me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).
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VERSE 13: (Chapter 14)
​SAINTS that DIE are BLESSED
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."
This verse is like a little footnote that God is putting in as a special notice to His saints that are alive on the earth. God calls out "from heaven". He is talking to John. He tells John to "Write". The Lord goes on to tell John that He has a blessing for the saints on the earth. He wants John to write it down. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth". The word "blessed" means 'truly happy'. It also means 'wanted very much''. People who are saved, should be truly happy because God wants them very much. God wants His people that are on the earth, who are going through this Great Tribulation, to be happy because they are His. This is precious. The saints of the Tribulation Period may very easily feel hopeless and alone, but God is sending this encouragement to them in this verse.
The Lord also says to these saints that they are 'blessed' when they die. They will be happy. Even the Spirit of God is confirming this."Yea, saith the Spirit". (We are not going to go into details about the Spirit here, but this shows the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit") John 16:13-14 Jesus teaches us about the Spirit of God: "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glority me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." The Spirit of God is going to confirm this blessing to the Tribulation Saints.
We also see in this verse the reason why these Tribulation Saints are going to die. It is so "they may rest from their labours". We are not told all the details of the Tribulation sufferings. These saints may be put in hard labor camps like the world had during World War II. These saints may be laboring all day in the extreme Tribulation heat just for a loaf of bread. However bad it may be for them, God promises them "rest". Rest seems sweetest when work is hardest. These Tribulation Saints will definitely need rest. Things will be so bad on earth that they will look forward to dying and going to be with their Saviour.
IdeaTivas-TLM
The last part of this verse says: "and their works do follow them". Here is where a lot of people get confused. "Their works" is NOT talking about "their works" getting them into Heaven. People become Christians by accepting Christ as their own Saviour: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the Gift of God: Not of works" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Bible explains works in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. These verses teach us that Christ is the Foundation. It states clearly in verse 11 that the Lord Jesus is the Foundation and NO OTHER MAN can be the Foundation. However, every Christian has the responsibility to build upon this foundation. This means that every Christian has the choice on how they want to live their life for the Lord. Do you want to build a beautiful house or a shameful house for the Lord? This is your own choice. How are you building your house?
I Corinthians 3:11-15: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones (good works), wood, hay, stubble (poor works), Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved;" You cannot work your way to Heaven. You cannot lose your Salvation. Once God saves you, you are saved forever. In John 10:28, Jesus says: "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
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VERSE 14: (Chapter 14)
​HE COMETH in the CLOUD
"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"
After Christ had risen from the dead, He met with His disciples. He was speaking to His disciples and giving them instructions. Acts 1:9 says: "And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.." Now look at what verses 10-11 say in Acts 1: "And while they (the disciples) looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel (angels); Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, SHALL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER AS YE HAVE SEEN HIM GO INTO HEAVEN." Jesus had even told the high priest and all the people around them that He would be "coming in the clouds of heaven" (Matthew 26:64). (Also see Mark 13:26; 14:62).
Luke 21:27 calls Jesus the "Son of man" and that He will be "coming in a cloud with power and great glory". Our verse here in Revelation 14:14 tells us that the Lord will have "on His head a golden crown". The crown signifies His kingship. Revelation 19:16 tells us that Jesus is "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS".
But this is not all that our verse reveals to us. It tells us that "in His hand a sharp sickle". A sickle is used for harvesting crops. It has a short handle and a curved blade. A sickle is also called a "reaping hook". The Lord will be holding "a SHARP sickle".​
​Farmers use sickles to harvest their fields. The Lord will use His sharp sickle to harvest the people on the earth. Just like a farmer can sever the fruit from the weeds, so shall the Lord sever the people on the earth during the Great Tribulation time.
Jesus told us in Matthew 13:30 that "...in the time of harvest I (Jesus) will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." Remember, there are saints on the earth at this time. Remember the "angel" preaching the gospel in Revelation 14:6 that we just studied? Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:31-33: "When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats." The Lord has been waiting a long time to do this. Only the Lord can thrust in the sickle because He is the 'Son of Man'. He gave His life for people.
VERSE 15: (Chapter 14)
​THRUST in THY SICKLE
"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."
Here the Lord reveals to us that another angel will come out of the temple. In Chapter 14 here, we read in verse 6 about "another angel" that preached the "everlasting gospel unto them that dwell on the earth". We read in verse 8 about "another angel, saying Babylon if fallen". A "third angel followed them" in verse 9. Now in this verse, Verse 15, we learn about "another angel" that will come "out of the temple".
This angel will be talking directly to the Lord. The Lord is holding His sickle. This angel is not just talking to the Lord, he is crying to the Lord with a LOUD voice: "crying with a loud voice to Him that sat on the cloud". Picture this: Jesus is sitting on His cloud. He is looking down at His earth that He created. He sees all the people whom He had died for that have rejected Him. I believe "Jesus wept" (John 11:35).
So this other angel comes out of the temple and encourages the Lord to "Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for Thee to reap: for the harvest of the earth is ripe."
168
VERSE 16: (Chapter 14)
​​The FIRST SICKLE
The EARTH is REAPED
"And He that sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped."
This verse tells us that the Lord will "thrust in His sickle". He did not just push the sickle toward the earth. He "thrust" it in. Thrust means a sudden, violent lunge with propulsive force. A thrust is like a fighter jet taking off, or the space shuttle using its booster rockets. The Lord will "thrust in His sickle"! He will "reap" the earth!
VERSE 17: (Chapter 14)
​A SECOND SICKLE
"And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle."
​Here we come to "another Angel". However, this "Angel" is the only other angel that has a "sharp sickle". I believe this is a show of the Deity of God. Jesus tells us in John 10:30: "I and my Father are one." (You can refer back to our study in Revelation 1:6 on the Deity). Our Lord gave His life on the cross for us. The Father gave His Son to die on the Cross for us. The Father "came out of the temple which is in heaven". When God comes out of His temple during this time, it's NOT going to be good ... "He also having a sharp sickle". God, the Father, is going to be right there beside His Son to execute judgment on those who have rejected "His Only Begotten Son" (John 3:16)! God, the Father, is also holding "a sharp sickle". ​
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Jesus was right there beside God, His Father, when the earth was created (Genesis 1:26), and now the Father, God, is right there beside His Son at the end of the earth "also having a sharp sickle".
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The Father and the Son are the only supreme authorities qualified to "reap" the earth. In the very next verse, we will see the Holy Spirit also taking part in this judgment, thus forming the Holy Trinity, and in the following verse, verse 19, we will learn why there are two "sickles".
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VERSE 18: (Chapter 14)
​An ANGEL with FIRE
The FIRST SICKLE is USED
"And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to Him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe."
This verse shows us that: "another angel came out", but this angel will come "out from the altar". He is the only one coming "from the altar". It is the Holy Spirit of God that works on hearts of people to bring them to the altar of God. This angel also has "power over fire". Acts 2:3-4 describes the Holy Spirit in one form: "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost" Luke 24:32: "And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures?" (I call that holy heartburn!)
This angel has "power over fire" which is used as judgment. 2 Peter 3:7 states: "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto FIRE against the DAY OF JUDGMENT and perdition of ungodly men."
This angel is going to come out of the altar and he too will cry "with a loud cry". Notice that it doesn't say 'with a loud voice'. It says "with a loud cry". It will be a terribly sad time. Sadness for those on earth, and sadness in Heaven over doomed souls.
This angel then cries out a command. He gives an order to "Thrust in thy sharp sickle". Each time the sickle is mentioned, it is described as being "sharp". Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even of the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." The word is quick, powerful, and sharp. It can split in two a soul and its spirit. It can easily cut the marrow away from the joints. It knows our thoughts and the intents of our hearts. This sickle is going to divide the saved from the unsaved in a quick powerful movement.
This angel cries out a second command to "gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe". A cluster is a fertilized inflorescence. An inflorescence is a group of fruit and/or flowers used for food. This is very interesting. This angel is ordering the "cluster" to be gathered up. When we pick grapes, we pick the fruit not the whole plant. We gather the fruit and bring it into the house. The "clusters of the vine of the earth" are going to be harvested before the vine is taken care of. These "clusters" have been fertilized. In other words, they have nutrients in them. The nutrients are like a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is inside every believer and is nourishment. Jesus Himself describes the job of the Holy Spirit in John 16:13-14: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." These 'gathered clusters' mentioned in our verse will be a remanent of Christians that will be on the earth at this time. They are saved people "fully ripe". In other words, the time has finally come to 'gather them' and bring them home. This is what the first sickle will be used for! The first sickle is going to be used to 'harvest the grapes', "for her grapes are fully ripe"!
The "grapes" will be harvested by the first "sickle". Our Lord and Saviour holds this first sickle. He is the One who died on the cross. Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus is "the author and finisher of our faith". Jesus is the One Who provided salvation. He will be our "finisher" and He will sever the saved off the vine of the world. He will bring His blood bought children to His home. He will "gather the clusters".
We could pause here to say that Christians get too comfortable in this world, and that Christ will have to use a very "sharp sickle" to sever them away, but that's another whole study. So, let's go on to our next verse that will reveal what the second "sharp sickle" will be used for and who will use it!
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VERSE 19: (Chapter 14)
​The SECOND SICKLE is USED
"And the angel thrust in His sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God."
The other 'Angel' that "came out of the temple which is in Heaven" (verse 17) has the second "sickle" will "thrust in His sickle into the earth". This "sickle" belongs to God the Father. The second sickle is in His hand. Why does God the Father have the second "sickle"? Because the people of the earth have refused, over and over, to accept "His Only Begotten Son". God the Father has pleaded with people from generation to generation, and people have and will continue to reject His Son. They have rejected and will still reject God's most precious Gift to mankind, His Son.
God had His Son in Heaven with Him. His Son and Him are very close. They are One. Jesus said in John 10:30: "I and my Father are one." God the Father saw the depravity of His creation. God's Son said, 'Father, I will go and redeem your creation back to you.' The Father said 'Ok'. The Father sat on His throne as He watched His Son be born on the earth. He watched Jesus grow into a fine young 'man'. When Jesus reached the age of 30, God the Father watched as Jesus ministered to the people on the earth. The Father saw as His Son healed people, fed them, washed their feet, and taught them about His Father. Jesus asked His Father to allow people into Heaven with Him. Jesus prayed this prayer to God, His Father: "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:24). Jesus told the people that He wanted them with Him in Heaven with His Father.
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​Then the Father watched as His creation took His beloved Son and lied about Him. He watched when people spit in His precious Son's face. He watched as they tore His beard off His face. God saw people slap His Son across the face. The Father watched as the Cat-of-Nine Tails was used to tear the flesh off of His own Son. God watched them pound the long, thick thorns into the skull of His Son. The Father witnessed His Son's blood trickle down in His face. He saw the soldiers mock Jesus as they put a purple robe on His Son and beat Him even more. God watched as His Son carried the cross up Golgotha. The Father watched as the stakes were being driven into His Son's precious hands and feet.
God, the Father, endured an extremely broken heart as people rejected and crucified His Son. Today, people still reject God's Son. God has been so very patient with mankind, but God is only going to be patient for so long. I don't think any earthly father could easily endure watching their child being tortured like this. Yet, God the Father keeps pleading with people to be saved and wants them to live in Heaven with Him, even after all this. Would you want to take someone into your home and let them be an heir after they have done that to your child??? Yet, this is what our Heavenly Father has done. And all He asks in return is to love His Son. To accept Him into their hearts.
The Father's patience will finally come to an end at this time of the great Tribulation Period. He will be angry because the earth has rejected His precious Son. He is going to thrust His sickle into the earth. God's judgment is going to be on all of the unsaved, and it is going to be fierce. Hebrews 10:31 tells us that: "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." The Father's "sharp sickle" is going to be "thrust...into the earth", and He is going to gather "the vine of the earth". The vine has the root, and it is the 'root of all evil'.
The Bible tells us that God, in all His wrath, is going to take this 'vine', which are all the people who rejected His Son, along with all the wickedness of the world, and "cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God". All the 'bad grapes' along with the vine of evilness are going to be thrown, not gently laid, but "cast into the GREAT winepress of the WRATH of GOD"! God is ANGRY!
This picture shows an ancient winepress area. A winepress crushes the fruit. There is a treading area where the grapes are laid and crushed. There is also a collection pool. This is where the juice would flow. It is lower than the treading area. This is important to know because of the very next verse...
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VERSE 20: (Chapter 14)
​The WINEPRESS
"And the winepress was trodden without the city, and the blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs."
First, our verse here tells us that the "winepress was trodden without the city". This winepress is not going to be inside God's holy city, Jerusalem. It is going to happen outside of Jerusalem's walls.
Joel 3:13 predicted the "winepress of the wrath of God" way back in B.C. 800. It reads: "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." God, the Father, will 'come down'. He will "thrust" in His sickle. And this is what is going to happen when He casts the vine of the earth into His winepress of "wrath" ...
"... and the blood came out of the winepress". It will be horrifying, sickening, and heartbreaking. The picture is that multitudes and multitudes and multitudes of people are going to be thrown alive into God's winepress and the blood will flow out from the winepress! People will be trampled like grapes. This is what God's Word says. God even tells us how much blood is going to come out of the winepress of His wrath. God says the blood comes "even unto the horse bridles". That is how deep the blood is going to be. The blood will rise four and a half feet deep! God tells us how wide the blood is going to be: "by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs". One thousand six hundred furlongs equal 200 miles. God reveals that the blood of these people is going to spread out for 200 miles and will be four and a half feet high (a horse bridle height). This will be God's judgment on those who will not accept His Sacrifice, those who will not accept His Son. This will include people who try to get to Heaven by their 'good works' because they are actually trying to replace His Son with their own 'good works'!
"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision". (Joel 3:14). What is your decision? Will you accept God's Son into your heart or will you ignore Him? It is your decision. It is your future.
