Revelation 14biblestudyresourcecenter.com/yahoo_site_admin/... · Web viewThere are certain performers called to our attention in this chapter (others beside the seven whom we have

Revelation 14

“Seven Angels”

Chapter 14

Revelation

By: Michael Fronczak

Bible Study Resource Center

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Coldwater, Michigan 49036

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Copyright © 2005, 2008

Revelation 14

McGee Introduction: This chapter contains several events. It is an interlude in which we see the Lamb on Mount Zion, hear the proclamation of the everlasting gospel, the pronouncement of judgment upon Babylon and on those who receive the mark of the Beast, then the praise for those who die in the Lord, and the preview of Armageddon.

The chapter before us constitutes an hiatus in the series of seven performers. It is obvious that this interlude could not be fitted in between the sixth and seventh performers who are the two wild Beasts. Of course, they had to be considered together, as they are like Siamese twins, and the continuity between them could not be broken. Therefore, this interlude follows the seventh performer in recognition of the logical sequence of this book, which is not a hodgepodge of visions but unfolds in a logical, chronological, and mathematical order.

There are certain performers called to our attention in this chapter (others beside the seven whom we have seen previously) in order to give us a full-orbed view of the spectacular events of the previous two chapters. As we have seen, this is the darkest day and the most horrible hour in the history of the world. It is truly hell’s holiday. Every thoughtful mind must inevitably ask the question, “How did God’s people fare during this period? Could they remain faithful to the Lord through to the end with the overwhelming odds against them?” The answer is found in this chapter before us.

The Shepherd who began with 144,000 sheep is now identified with them as the Lamb. And notice that He doesn’t have 143,999 sheep; He has 144,000 sheep—He did not lose one! He redeemed them, He sealed them, and He kept them, for He is the Great Shepherd of the sheep. These sheep are of a different fold from the one we are in today, and the Good Shepherd brought them through the Great Tribulation. That is the picture before us as we open this chapter. It is encouraging to know that the Lamb—not the two Beasts—is going to have the last word. And He is not a lamb that speaks like a dragon; He is the Lord Jesus Himself. And since He is going to have the final word, Babylon will fall—the great political capital, the great commercial capital, and the great religious capital of the world during the Great Tribulation Period. And the followers of the Beast will be judged.

Although many of Christ’s own will become martyrs during the Tribulation, they will not lose; they will win! Again I say with Calvin that I would rather be on the side that seems to be losing today but will win finally than to be on the side that seems to be winning today but is going to lose eternally. I’m glad to be on the winning side. Christ will reward those who will be martyred for Him.

In chapter 19 we will see the Lamb returning to the earth. The morning is coming. The darkness will fade away, and the Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in His wings.

So far we have seen certain groups of people in Revelation challenge God for not being firm enough in dealing with the injustices of humankind (6:9-11), and we’ve seen other groups repeatedly act in defiance of what they know to be God’s wishes (9:20-21). We’ve also seen from John’s behind-the-scenes heavenly perspective that God appears to be on a timetable people know little about. He is aware of, but not at the mercy of, both the accusations of being too soft on crime and the assumptions that he is unwilling to step in and reprimand blatant rebellion.

But we are nearing the time in the Book of Revelation when, in spite of all of God’s love, patience, grace, and mercy, he is at last going to take action on those who refuse to acknowledge him. This is no longer merely a disciplinary action, because we are told that God disciplines people he loves for their own good and spiritual growth (Heb 12:4-11). We have seen that the heavenly Father ensures that each of his “children” is provided for. Some receive “seals” and appear to be immune to harm; others are persecuted and/or put to death, yet are richly rewarded in the afterlife. But those who have nothing to do with God are about to discover his wrath – the worst that can happen when they don’t do anything to reel in their inappropriate behavior and attitudes.

This chapter forms the last section of the third interlude of the Book. Again we should note that this material is not chronological in that it does not take up the next events of the Tribulation. Rather it gives us a preview of some of the key events that lie ahead in that period of unprecedented trial. In fact, John now answers two vital questions:

1. What will become of those who refuse to receive the mark of the beast and are killed (vs. 1-5)?

2. What will happen to the beast and his servants (vs. 6-20)?

So chapter 14 prepares the way for the climatic events, which will follow from chapter 15 on. This chapter gives us both a backward glance to the beginning of the Tribulation and a forward glance to its end and the glorious reign of the Lord Jesus Christ with His saints.

Seven Key Events: A “Table of Contents” to the rest of the book; a preview of “coming attractions.” While the Antichrist is setting himself up as a god in Jerusalem and seeking worship, it seems the Bible cannot wait to let us know that the kingdom and glory of the beast is as nothing when compared with that of the Lamb who will stand on Mount Zion. Some commentators fail to see that this is anticipation that John’s writing is jumping back and forth in time as the Old Testament so often does. Rev. 14 is a parenthetical passage of the book. It contains 7 parenthetical statements:

1. The 144,000 in heaven (Rev. 14:1-5)

2. The 1st messenger angel: the everlasting gospel preached to all nations (Rev. 14:6-7)

3. The 2nd messenger angel: the announcement of the fall of Babylon (Rev. 14:8)

4. The 3rd messenger angel: the announcement of the doom of beast worshipers (Rev. 14:9-11)

5. The blessed dead (Rev. 14:13)

6. Harvest: Armageddon (Rev. 14:14-20)

7. Vintage: Armageddon (Rev. 14:17-20)

Spanish proverb: “Dios tarda pero no olvida”

God delays but doesn’t forget

Van Impe: Chapter 14 deals with the seven visions, each complete in itself. They are not presented in a chronological sequence of events but rather panoramically with details following later. Let me illustrate this point. The pronouncement of doom upon Babylon, for instance, is uttered in verse 8. However, the details are presented in chapter 16, verses 17-21. With this point in mind, let's investigate.

Revelation 14:1

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.

Chuck Smith: Now back in chapter seven, we remember that these one hundred and forty-four thousand were sealed of God in their foreheads. And the angel was commanded not to hurt the earth until those could be sealed. And he saw them being sealed in their foreheads, the one hundred and forty-four thousand. That is twelve thousand from each of the tribes. So, there is no reason at all not to believe that these one hundred and forty-four thousand are the same group that we saw back in chapter seven sealed in their foreheads. Now here we are told what the seal is. The seal is the name of the Father written in their foreheads.

Missler: Not 143,999: none are missing! “I have lost none.” The Shepherd who began with 144,000 sheep is now identified with them as the Lamb. And notice that He doesn’t have 143,999 sheep; He has 144,000 sheep—He did not lose one! He redeemed them, He sealed them, and He kept them, for He is the Great Shepherd of the sheep. They have come through the Tribulation miraculously, just like the three Hebrews in Daniel 3—by the way, where was Daniel?

(John 10:27-29) 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.(John 17:12) While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Who preserves (even us) today? Jesus Christ. Not methods or programs: the person. When was the last time you told Him you loved Him?

Note: They are standing, with Him, on Mt. Zion. We think of heaven as remote. It could be another dimension of present existence—not necessarily removed from ours.

“standing on Mount Zion” There have been numerous theories identifying this phrase: (1) that it stands for Mt. Moriah and the literal Temple area in Jerusalem (cf. Isa. 24:23; Joel 2:32); (2) that it stands for heavenly Jerusalem (cf. Heb. 11:10, 16; 12:22–23; 13:14; Gal. 4:26); (3) that it is an apocalyptic symbol found in the non-canonical book of II Esdras 2:42–47; 13:35, 39–40; (4) that it refers to the OT passage which speaks of the end-time gathering of the people of God (cf. Ps. 48; Isa. 24:23; Joel 2:32; Micah 4:1, 7; Obadiah 17, 21); or (5) that the background, like several other passages in this section, is Ps. 2, particularly v. 6. Remember that some commentators relate each of these visions to the OT passages or Palestinian places, some to intertestamental apocalyptic literature, and others to first century Greco-Roman history. For me these visions of Jewish things beginning with chapter 6 on, are allusions to the NT people of God, the saints, the church. In this particular case, it is an allusion to the heavenly temple (cf. Heb. 8:2; 9:11, 24).

A study of Zion:

Ps 2:6 “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” Father’s intention to place Jesus upon the throne of David, not the Palestinians, in Jerusalem; specifically, on Mt. Zion.

30 Psalms of Zion; samples below:

Ps 20 Deliverance (of 144,000?);

48 Kings of earth gathered (woman in travail);

74 “Purchased” singers;

76 Cutting off kings of earth (double images?);

102 “Set time” is come;

110 Melchizedek; rod of strength to rule; at right hand;

132 13, 14, 17, 18 The Lord has chosen Zion;

133 Israel united (Hermon, N + Zion, S) oil = priests;

137 Babylon to be destroyed (14:8) as Lamb appears;

146 Trust not in princes; son of man;

149 Vengeance upon nations.

Summarized: Isa 2:2-4 = Micah 4:1-4.

Both names: Father + Son (Jn 14:23, “we”).

[And I looked] “And I looked, and behold” is a phrase found seven times (4:1; 6:2, 5; 7:9; 14:1, 14) and each time it turns our attention to another important element in the vision given to John. Here it is the vision of the Lamb standing on Mount Zion accompanied by the 144,000. As previously, the word “behold” is designed to arrest our attention to the remarkable things in this scene.

[mount Sion] This Mt. Sion may be the heavenly one:

1. This scene is heavenly (Rev. 14:1-5) or another dimension.

2. The man-child or the 144,000 will have been taken to heaven (Rev. 12:5)

3. Earthly Mt. Zion is not mentioned in Revelation

4. The Lamb is never pictured on earth in Revelation (note, Rev. 5:6)

5. All raptured people go to the heavenly Mt. Sion (Hebrews 11:10,13-16; John 14:1-3; Rev. 21-22)

6. That there is an heavenly Mt. Sion is clear from Romans 11:26; Hebrews 12:22-23

7. Christ will come out of Sion to earth at His second coming (Romans 11:26)

[Zion] only mention in Rev; captured from Jebusites by David (2 Sam 5). The city Jerusalem. This year: 3,000th anniversary. Zech 12: “A cup of trembling;... a burdensome stone...” (Even now, Satan’s focus!) Even Islam ignored it; until Israel regained it.

“Mount Zion” Five of the seven references to Mt. Zion in the N.T. quote O.T. passages. There Mt. Zion is a poetic name for Jerusalem as the site of Israel’s temple. There too Mt. Zion is the location to which the Messiah will gather the redeemed (cf. Ps. 48:1; Isa. 24:23; Joel 2:32; Obadiah. 17; Micah 4:1, 7; Zech. 14:10). Jewish apocalyptic writings also placed the Messiah on Mt. Zion. The imagery seems to stress Christ calling His own to Him where He can protect and bless them.

There is disagreement whether this Mt. Zion is a heavenly landmark (see Heb. 11:10; 12:22-23), or the literal Mt. Zion on earth. Some prefer to think of this as the earthly scene, a picture of the coming kingdom. For one thing, John hears “a voice from heaven” in v. 2, which may suggest to some that he is on earth.

Walvoord : “J.B. Smith joins with Bengel and Hengstenberg in interpreting Mount Zion as the figurative expression referring to heaven, finding a similar usage in Heb 12:22. Smith holds that the expression “mount Sion” always refers to the heavenly Jerusalem whereas “Sion” without “mount” always refers to the earthly city.

To interpret this as a heavenly city, however, involves numerous problems, which Smith and others do not take into consideration. If this group is the same as the 144,000 of chapter 7, they are specifically said to be sealed and kept safely through the tribulation. In this case, they move on into the millennial earth without going to the third heaven, since this is the meaning of the seal (cf. 7:3). Further, the argument that the 144,000 must be in heaven as they hear the song before the throne may be disputed. There is no statement to the effect that they hear the song, only the declaration that they alone can learn it.

The reasons for making Mount Zion a heavenly city in this passage are therefore lacking a sure foundation. Preferable is the view that this is a prophetic vision of the ultimate triumph of the Lamb following His second coming, when He joins the 144,000 on Mount Zion at the beginning of His millennial reign.”

This is one of three “raptures” that happen in Revelation:

1. The Rapture of the Church (Revelation 4:1-2)

2. The Rapture of the two witnesses (Revelation 11)

3. The Rapture of the 144,000 Jews from the 12 tribes (Revelation 14:1-2)

Note: that these Jews are called the “firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb! (14:4. God is married to Israel, as Christ is married to the church. The Tribulation is to work out God’s purpose for the Hebrew people. The 144,000 are God’s first fruits.

Van Impe: The Lamb, as we already know, is the Lord Jesus Christ. John the Baptist called him by this name as he saw the Lord walking upon earth saying, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh sway the sin of the world (John 1:29). Also, John sees the Tribulation saints overcoming Satan by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11). This same Lamb and His bride are the honored participants at a marriage feast conducted in chapter 19, verse 7 which states: Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. The wedding occurs in heaven but the feast probably takes place on earth as the Lamb returns to Mount Sion (or Zion) for His millennial reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. This would fulfill scores of Old Testament prophecies.

Did you know that Zion, or Jerusalem, is the place God seems to love most? Today's anti-Zionists should take heed. They are opposing the Almighty himself as they rebel against His city and His people because-I repeat-Jerusalem is closest to God's heart. For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell, for I have desired it (Psalm 132:13,14). While the first verse of chapter 14 is the only place where Zion is mentioned in the Book of Revelation, it nevertheless authenticates an unlimited number of Old Testament passages that point to Jerusalem as the headquarters of Christ's earthly kingdom. Seemingly, God is saying through this text, "I know that millions are following the Antichrist. I see that the false prophet is scoring many victories as he, through lying wonders and deceits, turns the hearts of multitudes to the super-deceivers. However, 666 is the number of man. It is the number of incompleteness. It will soon end." Why? I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion [or Jerusalem] (Psalm 2:6). God adds, "Though horrendous judgments are about to fall, look up! Your redemption draws nigh. My son, the Lamb, is about to come forth and take His proper position on earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. He shall soon arrive at Jerusalem."

The Prophet Zechariah also stated this same truth: His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south (Zechariah 14:4). Additional verses depict the establishment of Christ's earthly kingdom: Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion...the city of the great King (Psalm 48:2). In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion [or Jerusalem] (Psalm 76:2). Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion [or Jerusalem] (Psalm 102:13). Psalm 110:2 pictures His reign and states:

The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Again, The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, 0 Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord (Psalm 146:10). As He reigns, the people are pleased and cry, Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King (Psalm 149:2).

Isaiah the prophet predicted this time of peace. He said, Out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more (Isaiah 2:3,4).

Jesus Christ is coming soon to sit upon David's throne. How do I know this momentous event is about to occur? Because Jerusalem, where He will reign-captured by the Jews in 1967-became the eternal, undivided capital of Israel on July 31, 1980. And this is only the beginning. Soon Jerusalem will become the capital of the entire world-upon the arrival of the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Lord Jesus Christ. The way has been prepared in our day. Let's triumphantly shout the news, "The King is coming! Amen! The King is coming!" First, however, He must return for the Church (all Christians) so that we can return with Him (chapter 19, verse 14). Thus, the Rapture cannot be delayed much longer. Since we return with Him, and it is visibly manifest that we must return together soon, then the fact is clear that our remaining time upon earth is extremely limited.

At this point in our text, that time has come! How glorious is the hour of the Lord's return to Jerusalem-the capital of the world-with His people. Part of His entourage is composed of the 144,000 Jews mentioned in chapter 7. They have the Lamb's Father's name written (or inscribed) in their foreheads. This is a result of the sealing mentioned in chapter 7, verses 3 and 4.

McGee: “I saw” indicates that John is still the spectator to these events. The reel continues to roll, and the story continues to unfold.

The “Lamb” is the Lord Jesus Christ, as we have seen in chapters 5–7 and 12–13.

“Mount Sion” is at Jerusalem. There is no use trying to locate this at any other place than at Jerusalem in the land of Israel.

This verse pictures a placid, pastoral scene which opens the millennial kingdom here upon this earth. The Lord Jesus is going to reign from Jerusalem. God Himself called it the city of the great King. And in Psalm 2:6 He says this: “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” It is the Father’s intention to place the Lord Jesus upon the throne of David in Jerusalem, and specifically at Mount Sion.

“An hundred forty and four thousand” I believe to be the ones who were sealed back in chapter 7, although I recognize that there are some problems connected with this view. They came through the Great Tribulation like the three Hebrew children came through the fiery furnace.

Notice that the Lamb is standing with them on Mount Sion. Although He is in His person the Lamb, He is also the Shepherd. Remember that He started out with 144,000 and that He came through the Great Tribulation with 144,000. He didn’t lose one.

My friend, in our day when the pressures of Satan bear us down, the living, victorious Christ is available to us. Oh, that you and I might come to know Him better and that He might occupy a greater place in our lives day by day. I am convinced in my own experience that the Lord Jesus Christ in person is the answer. When I see plaques with the motto: “Jesus is the Answer,” I always say that it depends on what the question is. But certainly He is the answer to problems for which men are trying to work out solutions by some little method. They will tell you that if you follow their little legal system, you can solve the problems of your personal life, your home, your work, and your church. I doubt that there ever was a day in which there was so much teaching in all of these areas, and yet there is less victorious living in the daily experience of believers. What is the real problem today? We don’t need a method; we need Christ. We need to know Him in a meaningful way. We need to draw closer to Him. By the way, when was the last time that you told Him that you loved Him? He has said that He loves you, and you ought to tell Him that in return.

JNTC: The slain Lamb (5:6&N) is seen on Mount Tziyon (Mount Zion), the highest point in Jerusalem. In 4 Ezra the seer is told that he

“whom the Most High is keeping many ages and through whom he will deliver his creation [i.e., the Messiah] will stand on the summit of Mount Zion. Yes, Zion shall come and be seen by everyone, prepared and built, just as you saw the mountain cut out without hands. But he, my Son, will reprove the nations who have come for their ungodliness.” (4 Ezra 13:26, 36–37).

Here “Zion” refers to the heavenly Jerusalem; see MJ 12:22&N.

The 144,000 are the Messianic Jews of 7:4&N. Their foreheads are “sealed” (7:2–3&N, 9:4) with both the Lamb’s name and his Father’s name (contrast 13:16–17). One of the two t˒fillin is worn on the forehead and contains the Father’s name, YHVH (see 13:16–17a); it symbolizes complete devotion and open profession. These 144,000 will be equally open and devoted about proclaiming the name of the Lamb, Yeshua.

Revelation 14:2

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:

Voice description is similar to the voice of Jesus in other scriptures. (Rev 1:15)

Identity label?

(Rev 1:15) And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Van Impe: What a majestic sound fills the heavens and the earth as the heavenly chorus, with the voice of many waters (an unusual amount of octaves), crescendos into thunder-like proportions. The multitudinous choir is accompanied by harps-a symbol of joy. This joy has to do with Christ's redemption.

Revelation 14:3

And they sung 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.

[And they sung as it were a new song before the throne] These sing a new song that others cannot share (cf. Ps 3:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1). And also Ps 107:1-2: only the redeemed can truly sing praises to Him.

We are not in this group, but we also have been redeemed out of the earth and this world system (Jn 17:14-19; Phil 3:17-21).

[song] The only song where the words or the theme is not given. A new song by a new people of a new theme.

[were redeemed from the earth] By this time they were redeemed from the earth, being no longer on earth.

The 144,000 first pictured in chapter 7 are now presented in heaven in the presence of the elders and the four living creatures. They are redeemed from the earth but are distinct from the 24 redeemed elders. They are the firstfruits of the new era which began with the translation of the church.

Next we read that the 144,000 “had been purchased from the earth.” “Purchased” is the Greek agorazo„ which means “to buy, purchase.” It was used of purchasing slaves in the agora or market place. Believers are those who have been purchased from the slave market of sin by the death of Christ. Note these four things regarding our redemption in Christ:

(1) The Agent of redemption is the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Rom. 3:24).

(2) The purchase price is the death of Christ (1 Pet. 1:18‑19).

(3) The object of redemption is man’s sin (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14).

(4) The result of redemption is forgiveness and freedom but also bond service to Christ (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1 Cor. 6:19; Gal. 3:13).

Chuck Smith: Now, they are there and they are singing an exclusive song. They have an exclusive relationship with the Lord. They were sealed and they were preserved during a portion of the great tribulation period. And so they have that special relationship with God and they can sing of that special relationship.

In the same token we the church have a special relationship and we have our own song that no one can sing, except the church. Our song is the song of redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ, and we find it back in chapter five. And they sang a new song saying, "Worthy is the Lamb to take the scroll and loose the seals, for he was slain, and has redeemed us by his blood out of all the nations, tongues, tribes and people, and has made us unto our God kings and priests and we shall reign with him upon the earth"(Rev 5:13). That is a song exclusive for the church. The one hundred and forty-four thousand cannot sing that song. They have got their own.

We find the martyred saints have their own song in chapter seven. The poor angels are left out of all of these songs. They can only join the chorus. "Worthy is the Lamb to receive glory, and honor, and power, and dominion, and authority and might and all". They can join the chorus, but they can't sing the verse. That is ours, the worthiness of the Lamb who has redeemed us by his blood. It is a song of redemption belonging to the church.

Now, these have their own songs. We can't join in, but we can listen as they declare the greatness of God and the preservation during the time of great tribulation.

Van Impe: The new song of these redeemed Jews is undoubtedly similar to the song of the saints presented in chapter 5, verse 9: And they [sang] a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Still, the song of the 144,000 differs somewhat in that it is exclusively their own. The point is that the redeemed in every dispensation have something about which they can sing-the joy of the Lord. The purity, holiness, and sanctification of this group are described in the next verse.

McGee: “I heard.” John is not only a spectator but is also an auditor to this scene.

The 144,000 join the heavenly chorus in the Millennium. My friend, have you ever heard a choir of 144,000 voices? Well, up to this time earth has been out of tune with heaven, but here the rule of Satan is over, and the earth and heaven are in tune. What Browning said about God’s being in His heaven and all’s right with the world is going to be true when we get to the Millennium. All’s wrong with the world right now, but in that day all will be right. The 144,000 learn the new song and join the harmony of heaven.

“I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps.” God has put His harpers in heaven while the 144,000 are on earth, on Mount Sion (that is a long way from the instruments). Having been a pastor for many years, I have heard many harpers—harping about this or that, but these are a different kind of harper. The harpers I have listened to were not musical, I can assure you. But these heavenly harpers are going to make beautiful music.

“The hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth” means that they have been purchased to enter the Millennium on earth. They are not taken to heaven. Remember that this is a picture of the Millennium on earth, and these will live on the earth. The unsaved are not going to live on the earth.

“And no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.” No one can sing praises to God but the redeemed. I wish that truth could be gotten over to a great many song leaders in this day in which we live. I understand their desire to hear everybody in the congregation sing, but when they have a mixed audience of saved and unsaved people, they should not ask the unsaved to sing the songs of redemption. Don’t ask them to sing:

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

“Amazing Grace”

—John Newton

If an unsaved person sings that, you have made him a liar. Just let the redeemed sing. The psalmist wrote: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy” (Ps. 107:1–2). My friend, no one but the redeemed are going to say God is good. This is the reason we need a say-so Christianity in our day. We need to say that God is good.

But in this millennial scene, heaven and earth are brought into marvelous harmony. What a contrast this is to chapter 13 where earth is in rebellion against heaven under the Beasts. Here all is tranquility under the Lamb.

Revelation 14:4

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.

McGee: Is this literal or figurative? If this statement were taken literally, it would prove that they are all men. But if the next statement were taken literally, it would prove that they are all women—virgins. Obviously, the idea is to picture their purity of character. They are saved men and women who have not polluted themselves with the idolatrous and immoral religious system of the great whore of Rev. 17. See Paul's similar comparison, 2 Cor. 11:2. It can have a literal or spiritual meaning, and I think it includes both. They kept themselves for the Lord alone. Jeremiah, on the threshold of the Babylonian captivity, was forbidden to marry (Jer 16:1-4); also note Jesus’ warning in Mt 24:19. These are appointed for special duty, a special assignment.

McGee: Therefore, the comment, these are they which were not defiled with women for they are virgins, is probably referring to chastity in both the literal sense and the spiritual sense. And this makes good sense, by the way.

Tim LaHaye: The Bible does not teach celibacy; in fact, no hint of it is found in scripture. The Bible everywhere advocates that Christians be holy and virtuous, undefiled by the world. Misuse of sex has always been one of man’s greatest problems; infidelity and immorality one of man’s greatest temptations.

[not defiled] However, idolatry was labeled as (spiritual) fornication (Ezek 16).

Church: chaste virgin to Christ (Eph 5:26, 27); chaste (vs. Jezebel) in 2 Cor 11:2.

The word “defiled” speaks of something impure, polluted, filthy; so it can hardly have anything to do with marriage, for the Bible makes it clear that “marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled” (Hebrews 13:4).

That the virginity of the 144,000 is of a spiritual, moral nature is supported by John’s further description of them as having “no guile” (being without any of the deception so characteristic of the devil). The description accorded to them, “virgins,” probably means that these had abstained from the pollutions of earth, and not necessarily that they had never married.

During the Tribulation there will exist a great apostate church, or religious Babylon, the mother of all harlotries and the great harlot of the Tribulation. This will be followed by the apostate and idolatrous worship of the beast (cf. Rev. 17‑18:24; 13:1ff). But these 144,000 escape all spiritual defilement with these religious systems of the Tribulation. They remain pure, i.e., spiritual virgins. One might compare also a similar use of virgins in the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1‑13. In both passages we have references to men and women. The emphasis is not on sex but on spiritual purity. It is for this reason the NASV translates the word parthenos as “chaste.”

[firstfruits] the very finest, from an expected harvest (cf. Rom 11:15-16). Israel will enjoy a unique role in the Millennial Kingdom. These may well be the “brethren” in Matthew 25.

They cannot be the firstfruits of all the saints; for the Elders and the Living ones are glorified, and have received their golden crowns, before these 144,000 have been sealed on earth. They must therefore be the first fruits another calling and order, after the present period of the Church, has run its course.

[which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth] They are resurrected and glorified like Christ and can go where He can. It could not mean that they are inseparable throughout eternity.

Van Impe: Some commentators, particularly priests in the Middle Ages, stated that this honor was reserved for them because they had refrained from sexual intercourse. Such an explanation, however, is impossible in the light of the sanctity of marriage, for marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). That is why, whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord (Proverbs 18:22). The meaning, then, has to do with the undefiled walk of the redeemed Jews as stated in the next part of the verse: These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. They are free from spiritual fornication as described in James 4:4 which states: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Idolatry, the ultimate form of spiritual adultery, is the sin of the hour during the Tribulation period, as we have already observed in chapters 9 and 13. Yet, even during such a time as this, there are multitudes who remain true to the Lord. I dogmatically believe that the "undefiled" of verse 4 are those who have kept themselves unspotted from the world. This truth is also pictured in 2 Corinthians 11:2 concerning the Church, the bride of Christ: God says, I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. Both Christ and His Father want pure sweethearts.

The Jewish virgins in our text are most likely those referenced in Matthew 25:1-13 (the parable of the wise and foolish virgins). In all dispensations, God wants His people to be separate from the world, the flesh, and the devil. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and l will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

These untainted Jews who walked the pathway of holiness are the firstfruits of the Tribulation period. The harvest is to follow as millions more turn to Messiah. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins (Roman s 11:26,27).

Another attribute of the 144,000 Jews is mentioned in the next verse.

JNTC: The ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. These are not male celibates, despite the explicit mention of women. Rather, they are people of both sexes who are faithful to God and his Son, as the rest of vv. 4–5 makes clear. Fornication is a common biblical metaphor for idolatry—for several examples from the Tanakh see Ezekiel 16, 23 and Hosea 1–5. Here in the book of Revelation, misdirected worship is explicitly called whoring at v. 8 below, as well as at 17:2, 4; 18:3, 9; 19:2.

On celibacy itself, R. H. Charles writes, “The superiority of the celibate life, though un-Jewish and un-Christian, was early adopted from the Gnostics and other Christian heretics,” such as Marcion, the religions of Isis and Mithra and the Vestal Virgins in Rome (Revelation, Volume 2, p. 9). For more concerning this subject see 1C 7:1–9&NN.

(IVP Background Commentary) The Greek term translated “virgin” here is hardly ever applied to men in Greek literature—probably partly because men in ancient Greek culture rarely were—but it means never having had sex with someone of the opposite gender, and hence includes not being married. In a literal sense, this virginity was practiced most often among a Jewish group known as the Essenes. But the image here may here allude symbolically to the purity of priests for the temple service (Lev 15:16–18) or, less likely, to the purity required by the rules of a spiritual holy war (Deut 23:9–11). “Following” the lamb is John’s idiom for the role of sheep (Rev 7:17; cf. Jn 10:4). “First fruits” were the beginning of harvest, offered up to God; the term declares their holiness (Jer 2:3) and perhaps that others like them would come after them.

Revelation 14:5

And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

They were not taken by “The Lie” (2 Thess 2:11). “Without blemish” since they are clothed with the righteousness of the Lamb.

These are controversial verses. Some say the 144,000 will be celibate, while others claim they will either not break their marriage vows, or will remain unmarried. Still others believe they will not commit spiritual fornication by worshiping idols and teaching false doctrines. It is difficult to say who is right, but wee can be sure of some things: 1) during the Tribulation Period, it will be difficult for these men to be married and be god husbands and fathers, and 2) they will remain pure in spite of living in a world filled with immorality and spiritual fornication.

Van Impe: God hates the sin of lying. In fact, the Bible lists lying as one of the sins that will keep a man out of heaven (see Revelation 22:15). The Tribulation hour, under the Antichrist, produces a world inundated with deceit. The Antichrist works lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9), and multitudes believe a lie (2 Thessalonians 2:11). Even during this age of fraud, however, the redeemed Jews do not follow Satan, who is a liar, and the father of [lies] (John 8:44). Oh, that there were more believers who never used deceit, who never passed rumors (usually exaggerated lies), and who refused to listen to the lies that Satan, the accuser of [the] brethren, hatches! God wants holy people in every dispensation of time. Let's be like Jesus who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth (1 Peter 2:22).

McGee: “Were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.” What does that mean? To be frank with you, it used to puzzle me. It can have a literal or spiritual meaning, and I think it includes both. The Great Tribulation is a period of unparalleled suffering. The 144,000 have been through that period. The abnormal times demanded an abnormal state. That was the reason they were unmarried. When I was a boy, I remember a young fellow who went to war during World War I. He was engaged to a girl, but he never came home. I know other boys who married right before they left, and they fathered children that they never saw. That was wartime. And many girls said that they wished they had not married during that time. Well, during the Tribulation Period the times are going to be so frightful that it will be wise not to get married. You may remember that the prophet Jeremiah also lived in a critical period, the time of the Babylonian captivity. Because of the dark days, God forbade him to marry: “The word of the Lord came also unto me, saying, Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place. For thus saith the Lord concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land; They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall he as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcasses shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth” (Jer. 16:1–4).

Our Lord Jesus mentioned those who would be mothers during the Great Tribulation: “And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!” (Matt. 24:19).

You and I are living in a day when marriage is honorable and even encouraged. However, God’s injunction to Noah to multiply and replenish the earth is hardly the Scripture to apply to a world faced with a population explosion and at a time when believers can see the approach of the end of the age.

During the Great Tribulation there will be an exaggerated emphasis upon sex, and obviously immorality will prevail. The 144,000 will have kept themselves aloof from the sins of the Great Tribulation.

Now, considering adultery in the spiritual sense, in the Old Testament idolatry was classified as spiritual fornication. The classic example is in Ezekiel 16 where we find God’s severe indictment against Israel for fornication and adultery—which was idolatry. The 144,000 will also have kept themselves from the worship of the Beast and his image during the Great Tribulation.

Therefore, the comment, “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins,” is probably referring to chastity in both the literal sense and the spiritual sense. And this makes good sense, by the way.

“Firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb” has definite reference to the nation Israel. “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruits be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches” (Rom. 11:15–16). So Israel is described as the firstfruits, especially the 144,000. I believe that they will occupy a unique place in the millennial kingdom. They evidently will be the vanguard with the Lamb when He returns to set up the kingdom, as we will see in chapter 19.

“In their mouth was found no lie” means that they did not participate in the big lie of the Beast when he used lying wonders. They didn’t fall for his lie. Remember that the Lord Jesus said that if it were possible to deceive the very elect, they would be deceived. But they will not be deceived.

“They are without blemish.” Are they without blemish because they have been purified by the Great Tribulation? No. They are without blemish because they are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. And, friend, that’s the way I am going to heaven, also. I’m not going to heaven because I think I am good, because I know that I am not good. And don’t look down your nose at me, because you are not good either. Both of us are sinners saved by the grace of God.

On their lips no lie was found. This is prophesied of Yeshua at Isaiah 53:9 and of Israel’s remnant at Zephaniah 3:13.

“No lie” includes theological lies, i.e., false doctrine (3:9; 1 Jn 2:22). Truthtelling was important in ancient ethics, although it could be suspended even in the Bible to save life (e.g., Ex 1:19–20; Jer 38:25–27).

First Angel: With the Eternal Gospel

Revelation 14:6

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,

Preached to them that dwell on the earth!

Today, the Gospel of Grace is proclaimed by men, the Body of Christ, the Church, (1 Cor 15:1-4). But this will change after the rapture. Because the Church will be in heaven, God will use the 144,000 Jews, the two witnesses, and even an angel to spread His message. He will go to great lengths to give the world one last chance to be saved.

Other “gospels”:

· False gospels (2 Cor 11:4; Gal 1:6); (anathema)

· Gabriel announcing birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:19);

· Angelic hosts to shepherds (Lk 2:10);

· News of the spiritual growth of the Thessalonian church (1 Thess 3:6);

· 7th angel, Mystery of God will be finished (Rev 10:7);

· Preaching of the Kingdom (Mt 24:14, et al.).

This one appears to be creation-oriented, as Ps 19 and Rom 1, see vs. 7

Only in more recent times has the arrogance of “science” been anti-god.

Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) saw God as a “Divine Mathematician” whose mind could be discovered in the precise mechanics of the universe.

Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) saw God as the “Divine Presence” who set the universe in motion. “This most beautiful system of the Sun, planet and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of the intelligent and powerful Being.” Newton also wrote over a million words of Biblical commentary, regarding it all literally.

This one is “good news” for God’s people, but bad news for the rebellious “earth dwellers”:

“Judgment is come.”

“Fear God...”

The Final Call.

[angel fly in the midst of heaven] Three messenger angels flying in heaven:

1.The first flies around in the heavens close enough to the earth to be seen and heard by human beings. He preaches the everlasting gospel to all people on earth during the last 3 1/2 years of this age. This gospel is the same as what we now preach with but one exception: he will be able to announce that the hour of God's judgment is come; we can only announce that it is coming (Rev. 6-7). All theories that this gospel is a special one given to certain denominations to preach are false. The angel will be a literal one doing what is here stated.

2.The second angel will fly in the heavens announcing the fall of literal Babylon, which will be destroyed under the 7th vial (Rev. 14:8; Rev. 16:17-21; Rev. 18:1-24).

3.The third angel will fly in the heavens warning all people in the kingdom of Antichrist that if they do take the mark, the name, or the number of the name of the beast and worship him they will seal their own doom and be punished in eternal hell (Rev. 14:9-11).

The angel who preaches the gospel to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people helps to fulfill God’s promise that the gospel “will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations” (Matt. 24:14) before Christ returns.

(Matt. 24:14) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

(Rom 1:8) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

From Chapter 14:6-11, there are messages from three angels. Now angels are proclaiming warnings on earth. Why? Because the church, the two witnesses, and the 144,000 are now in heaven and there is no more human ministry on earth, because now the beast is in control!

[Fly in the midst of heaven] “Flying” is in the present tense and stresses this angel will be constantly on the move. Remember that according to Scripture, there are three heavens: (a) our atmosphere out to about 100 miles, (b) the starry heavens, and (c) the third heaven, the abode of God (2 Cor. 12:2; Deut. 10:14). The heaven referred to here is probably the first atmospheric heaven, but it is possible that it could be the second heaven, the heaven of the stars from whence this angelic messenger will be constantly orbiting the earth as a kind of satellite sending down his message to earth. The earth will probably at first claim he is an “E.T.” but not after his message is heard around the earth.

Chuck Smith: Now what did Jesus say would have to happen before the end could come? "And the gospel of the kingdom must be preached to all nations and then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14). But interestingly enough, Jesus was talking about this same period of time, the last period of time during the Great Tribulation. It is all in context with the Great Tribulation. And the gospel shall be preached as a witness to all nations.

Now, the church has taken that as a challenge and they said that Jesus can't come again until we have preached the gospel to every nation. Now, I believe that we should seek to preach the gospel to every nation, but I do not believe that our failure to do so is hindering the return of Jesus Christ. Because I believe that that particular, "and the gospel shall be preached as a witness to all nations" is a reference to this angel that flies through the midst of heaven declaring the everlasting gospel to all the nations, kindreds and people.

Van Impe: This verse introduces us to the first of the angels who proclaim a special message to the world. What is this everlasting gospel the angel preaches? The word gospel simply means "good news." It is also called glad tidings (Luke 1:19), good tidings (Luke 2:10), and good tidings once again (1 Thessalonians 3:6). This good news always includes the message of the blood in every dispensation. To [Christ] give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins (Acts 10:43), and remission of sins is through the blood, for without shedding of blood is no remission (Hebrews 9:22).

In addition to proclaiming the everlasting gospel, the angel announces that all those who have rejected the message of Jesus for the mark of the Antichrist (666) are about to be bombarded with a series of judgments from God himself.

Revelation 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.

Creation oriented, not dependent on revealed truth. These people are evolutionist – earth dwellers.

The angel's message is God's final call to a Christ-rejecting world, and the message is "turn or burn; repent or die. This is mankind's last opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as Messiah, as Lord, yea, as the true God."

Content. The gospel as we normally think of it is not stated here though it may be a part of his message. In Scripture, as mentioned previously, we have: (a) the gospel of Christ, i.e., the good news of salvation through the person and work of Jesus Christ from sin’s penalty, power and presence, (b) the gospel of grace which emphasizes salvation is on the basis of grace, and (c) the gospel of the kingdom, the good news God will establish His kingdom on earth through the two advents of the Lord Jesus Christ. But the good news this angel proclaims has four key elements, three commands and two causes or reasons:

Command #1: “Fear God” refers to a holy reverence that recognizes the sovereign authority and power of God to deal with man in His holy wrath. It is to recognize the true God who can destroy the soul rather than just the body as with the beast.

Command #2: “Give Him glory” refers to the praise and honor that should accrue to God from man due to man’s knowledge and high estimation of God as the sovereign Creator of the universe.

Command #3: “And worship Him who made…” The word “worship” means to show reverence or respect. This word emphasizes the external display as seen in obedience, prayer, singing, and formal worship, while the word “fear” emphasizes the mental attitude behind the worship. In the Tribulation men will be forced to fear and formally acknowledge the beast and his image. In this message the angel is demanding that men reject the beast and formally turn to God to worship Him (cf. Rev. 14:11).

Reason #1: “The hour of his judgment has come” is a reference to the final judgments of the Tribulation, the bowl judgments which are about to occur. These will conclude with the return of Christ Himself (Rev. 19) and lead to the removal of all unbelievers. The emphasis then is to not delay because the time is short.

Reason #2: This is seen in the reference to God as the Creator in verse 7b. This calls attention to the ageless and universal message of the creation itself. Age after age creation has called man to recognize God’s existence and to seek after Him (cf. Acts 17:26‑27 with Psalm 19:1‑6). This means men are without excuse and that the hour of the Creator’s judgment is about to fall (Rom. 1:18f). Though this is the essential and primary element of the angel’s everlasting gospel, perhaps he will say more than this for from age to age a person’s capacity to reverence, glorify and worship God has come only through believing and knowing Christ (cf. John 14:6 with Acts 4:12; John 4:23‑24).

J.H. Melton: Many religious leaders of the present day are very enthusiastic about what they call “Christian unity.” Millions of professing Christians are being swept by sentimental appeals into the ecumenical monster, the World council of churches, the one world church. Again and again people are heard to exclaim, “wouldn’t it be wonderful if we just had one great big church?” They will have their one great big church, but it will not be so wonderful. It will be a federation of God-defying, Christ-denying, apostate religious leaders.”

McGee: “Another angel” denotes another radical change in protocol of God’s communication with the earth. This angel is the first in a parade of six “another” angels mentioned in verses 8–9, 15, and 17–18.

During our age the gospel has been committed to men, and they alone are the messengers of it. Angels would like to give the message of the gospel, but they have not been permitted to do so. At the beginning of the Great Tribulation men are the messengers of God, as the 144,000 reveal. Even the two witnesses with supernatural power could not stand up against Satan, but were removed from the satanic scene of earth. Angels as well as men were the messengers of the Old Testament—“… the word spoken by angels was stedfast …” (Heb. 2:2). The times are so intense in the Great Tribulation Period that only angels can get the messages of God through to the world. Angels are indestructible.

“Flying in mid heaven” was a ridiculous statement a few years ago, and some of the critics of the Bible laughed at such a thing. It is no longer a ridiculous statement to a generation that has been treated to television via satellite. Worldwide television is a practical reality so that we don’t have to wait for the evening news to learn what is happening in Israel or England or Japan, we can see it just as it is happening. And the angel whom John mentions “flying in mid heaven” will serve as a broadcasting station to the entire world.

“An eternal gospel.” The question naturally arises, How is this the gospel, since the word gospel means “good news?” Is this angel bringing good news? Yes, it is good news to those who are God’s children, but it is bad news for the unbelievers.

“Fear God” is the message of this “eternal gospel.” That is the message. The writer of the Proverbs said that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. In effect, the angel is saying to God’s people, “Get wise, get smart, because you need to fear God. God saved you by His grace, but He is going to judge this earth.” This is God’s final call before the return of Christ in judgment.

Second Angel: Doom of Babylon

Revelation 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.

First mention in Revelation of “Babylon the Great” which will be center stage in Chapters 17 & 18.

Babylon has been Satan’s Headquarters from the beginning. The worship of Semiramis, and the female principal in the deity; the fountainhead of false religions (cf. Jer 51:6-9; “Is fallen, fallen”: Gen 41:32).

[fallen, is fallen] “Fell, Fell”: prophetic aorist tense. It’s history, as we might say. Yet to be destroyed as the Bible predicts; thus, yet to emerge again (Jer 51:7; Isa 13:11; Jer 25:15-26; Isa 13:19). Re: Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons. Some believe that because fell mentioned twice that it will happen very fast.

It may be the word Fallen is repeated twice to mean two separate falls or judgments. The false religious system will fall first when the Antichrist turns on it just after the mid-point of the Tribulation Period. The rebuilt city of Babylon will fall again when it is burned to the ground in one hour near the end of tribulation Period. (Rev 17)

This is not the fall of Babylon in 539 BC as many commentators try to infer.

[wine of the wrath of her fornication] A reference to demon possession. Making the nations drink this wine is a reference to Babylon forcing her Satanic-inspired false religion on the world.

Van Impe: Here we learn of the impending judgment to be unleashed upon religious and political Babylon in chapters 17 and 18. We will deal with the fulfillment of these predictions, plus the fact that all nations are made to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, when we reach those sections. For the present, suffice it to say that the abominable portrait before us typifies a one-world church united to a one-world political system using every type of corruption imaginable to promote herself into prominence at the end time. Beware! The present ecumenical effort, attempting to unite all religions under a so-called "banner of brotherhood," regardless of one's belief about Christ, is the forerunner of a monstrous fornicator who makes all nations drink of the wine of her wrath.

McGee: There is a book entitled The Two Babylons, by Alexander Hislop, which you ought to read. It is especially pertinent in these days in which you and I live. It reveals that Babylon has been Satan’s headquarters from the very beginning. Babylon is the place where idolatry began. Semiramis was the wife of Nimrod; some scholars think that she was his mother and that she married her own son. She was queen of Babel, which later became Babylon, and she devised a nice little story (beginning a whole system of idolatry) in which she came out of an egg in the Euphrates River—she cracked the shell and stepped out fully grown. The worship of Semiramis introduced the female principle in the deity. This reveals that Babylon was the fountainhead of false religions.

“Fell, fell is Babylon.” This second angel runs ahead and announces that which is yet to come as though it had already taken place. In the original Greek, “fell” is in the prophetic aorist tense. In other words, God’s prophetic word is so sure that He speaks as though the event had already taken place. It is just as sure as if it were history already.

The city of Babylon will evidently be rebuilt during the Great Tribulation Period. If you have my book on Isaiah, you will see that I deal with the probability in chapter 13. I believe that ancient Babylon will be rebuilt, though not at the same location, and that judgment upon it, which is predicted in the Book of Isaiah, is yet to come.

The idolatry of Babylon is a divine intoxication which will fascinate the entire world. This is the reason we are seeing so much experimentation in our day with Satan worship, exorcism, and all the cults which are definitely satanic. Notice what the Old Testament prophets have said about it: “Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad” (Jer. 51:7). If you could get away far enough and look back at this earth, I am of the opinion that you would be disappointed in mankind and in the nations of the world. Then in the prophecy of Isaiah we read: “And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible” (Isa. 13:11). This brings down the wrath of God upon the world (see Jer. 25:15–26). “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” (Isa. 13:19).

This is a judgment on Babylon that we are going to see: judgment upon religious Babylon in chapter 17 of Revelation and upon commercial Babylon in chapter 18.

(JNTC) She has fallen! She has fallen! Babylon the Great! This cry, combining Isaiah 21:9 with Daniel 4:21, is repeated at 18:2, when the destruction of Babylon is being detailed (chapters 17–18). In the Tanakh Babylon epitomizes evil. Already in Genesis 11 it is the site of the Tower of Babel. In Isaiah 14 the king of Babylon is a thinly veiled stand-in for Satan (especially Isaiah 14:12–16). Following are discussions of four possible meanings for “Babylon” here and at 16:19; 17:5; 18:2, 10, 21.

(1)  Literal Babylon. Babylon was located on the Euphrates River (16:12) and was crisscrossed by canals (“sitting on many waters,” 17:1, alluding to Jeremiah 51:13, “O you who dwell on many waters, abundant in treasures, your end has come, and the measure of your greed.”). But against a literal interpretation is 17:15, which interprets the “waters” figuratively, and Jeremiah’s prophecy that Babylon’s “desolation” would be “everlasting” (Jeremiah 25:12; also Isaiah 13:19–22 and most extensively Jeremiah 50:1–51:64), along with the fact that Babylon in the first century c.e. was hardly worthy of the attention Yochanan gives it, since it was neither a center of Gospel activity (see 1 Ke 5:13N) nor the major world power center it had once been.

(2) Rome. The arguments in favor of Babylon as a codeword for Rome are weighty. Rome was widely known as the city set on seven hills (17:9). Caution militated against portraying the evils of Rome’s oppressive rule too directly. “Babylon” was a common euphemism for “Rome” in the Pseudepigrapha (2 Baruch 11:1, 67:7; Sibylline Oracles 5:143, 159) and in rabbinic writings. Midrash Rabbah on Song of Songs 1:6.4 states directly, “One calls Rome ‘Babylon.’ ”Yechiel Lichtenstein on 1 Ke 5:13 remarks that “Rome is called ‘Babylon’ since it is always described as the worst kingdom.” Because Rome’s political power has declined since the book of Revelation was written, making the literal understanding of Rome less relevant, there are Protestants who equate Babylon with Rome and Rome with Roman Catholicism, turning the passage into an anti-Catholic polemic.

(3)  The wicked world-system, ruled in the spiritual realm by Satan and ultimately in the physical world by the anti-Messiah. Viewing Babylon allegorically as the evil world-system accords with the extensive description of the rule of the anti-Messiah in chapters 12–13 and the return of this imagery in the immediate context (vv. 9–11).

(4)  The ungodly in general. This less specific understanding of Babylon the Great as the ungodly in general as over against the godly would derive from a hermeneutic that interprets the whole book along such figurative lines (see 1:1).

The wine of God’s fury, here and at v. 10: see vv. 14–20 below.

Third Angel: Fury on Beast Worshippers

Revelation 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,

Two things mentioned here; 1) must worship beast and image and 2) receive his mark. This requires a specific political commitment. Not like carrying a debit card or something like that.

Revelation 14:10

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:

A fatal choice. This does not involve the Church, which has been redeemed. “Enduring to the end” (Mt 24:13) was addressed to those in this period.

[indignation] Is it any wonder that God will be so indignant when men will reject His written word, refuse to repent when judgments from heaven are sent upon them (Rev. 9:20-21; Rev. 16:9,11), reject the preaching of real angels flying in the midst of heaven (Rev. 14:6-11), and ignore the preaching and miracles done by the two witnesses and multitudes of Christians who will receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the endowment of power to do miracles? See Acts 2:16-21; Rev. 11:3-12; Rev. 12:17; Rev. 19:10.

[and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone] One of many passages teaching eternal torment of the wicked (Rev. 14:10-11; Rev. 20:10-15; Rev. 21:8; Rev. 22:15; Isaiah 66:22-24; Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:39-50; Matthew 25:41,46; Mark 9:43-49; Luke 12:5; Luke 16:19-31).

[presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb] People in the new earth will be able to "look upon the men that have transgressed" and are suffering punishment with the devil and his angels, as an everlasting monument of God's wrath on sin (Rev. 14:10; Isaiah 13:19-22; Isaiah 34:8-15; Isaiah 66:22-24, notes).

Chuck Smith: Now, this means that God is going to give every man a chance. The first angel proclaims the everlasting gospel. Now, this angel warns man against worshipping the beast or taking his mark, so that if a man does take the mark and does worship the beast or his image, he is doing it knowingly. He is doing it willfully in willful rebellion against God, because he has been deceived into thinking that in the final conflict that will soon be taking place, that Satan and the forces of darkness will be able to overcome the forces of light.

In this final opportunity the gospel will be proclaimed. God would not proclaim it unless there was the opportunity of being saved. And there is that final rejection that identifying themselves against God, and thus the wrath of God is to be poured out, the cup of His indignation. Indignation is an Old Testament word for the "great tribulation". You find it used many times in the Old Testament in reference to the tribulation.

This is one of those “you will reap what you sow” verses. Babylon will make all the nations drink the wine of her adulteries. Those who drink her wine will then be made to drink the wine of God’s fury which will be unimaginable torment with burning sulfur. We know that burning sulfur increase the temperature of a fire, and therefore, in this case would raise the level of suffering.

Oliver B. Green: There are those today who tell us that the wicked will be burned up… that there is no such thing as an everlasting hell. I would like for these fellows to explain to me why, if God is going to burn up the wicked he does not put out the fire. Why does the smoke ascend up forever and ever?

David Hocking: But does God punish people forever? It appears that his holiness, justice, and righteous character demand it. If we refuse his offer to salvation from sin, death, and hell, what else could he do and remain a holy God? His love, mercy, and forgiveness become totally meaningless if there is no retribution for our rebellion and sin. If there is eternal life for the believer then there is also eternal punishment for the unbeliever.

(JNTC) Fire and sulfur, which KJV renders “fire and brimstone.” Because this expression is used to describe Christian preachers who vividly portray the tortures of hell, it is sometimes thought foreign to Judaism. Actually the destiny of evildoers is described in this way throughout the Tanakh. Four examples: Genesis 19:24 (God’s destruction of Sodom), Isaiah 34:8–10 (the coming “day of vengeance” against Edom), Ezekiel 38:22 (prophecy against Gog) and Psalm 11:6 (the fate of the wicked). The phrase is found in Revelation also at 9:17–18, 19:20, 20:10, 21:8. See 19:20.

Revelation 14:11

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.

Preview of Bowls (Ch. 15, 16).

Punishment is eternal: “ages of ages” 12X in book; 8X, glory of Father & Christ; 3X duration of punishment of Devil and his; 1X (here) people who insist on following him.

“Fire”: symbolic? Mt 13:36-42 implies that it is literal. The literalness of “hell” is a serious issue (which we tend to avoid addressing). God will not mix mercy with this judgment (Ps 75:8; Hab 3:2). The Seven Bowls are coming.

We may not like the concept of torment, but we are dealing with holy love, both words are paramount. True righteousness is also the issue. The time to deal with this is now, not then. “Then” is too late. When you reach eternity you can’t change your destiny.

The same Greek word implying “everlasting punishment and torment” is used to indicate both the everlasting life on one who has accepted Jesus and the everlasting existence of God. Greek word used is aion.

Although Scripture uses images of fiery sulfur, destruction, and darkness for hell (Matthew 7:13; 18:8; Jude 13; Revelation 14:10), few details are given. Jesus used the Greek word gehenna to describe hell. The word alludes to the valley of Ben Hinnom, where, at times, gods (2 Chronicles 28:3), and later where they burned their garbage and refuse (Jeremiah 7:31).

This may sound to some like an old‑time message of hell, fire and brimstone which may surprise some who think that modern man has been able to escape these old fashioned ideas. But modern man has only escaped these ideas by the blindness of his own mind and ignorance of the truth of God. This is what the Bible emphatically teaches and the Bible has the seal and approval of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom God raised from the dead as proof not only of the truth of Scripture, but of the fact that every unbeliever must face Jesus Christ at the great white throne judgment (Acts 17:30‑31).

Van Impe: This third angel announces the doom of those who are worshipping the Antichrist and his image, and who have received the mark "666" in their foreheads or hands. For the weak-kneed sisters of Christendom who claim that "the God of love could never punish sinners," verses 9 through 11 are probably the Bible's most graphic picture of judgment. Although the text before us is self-explanatory, I feel it prudent to practically state the same truths twice, in order that mockers may see that there is a judgment of hellfire taught in this book, as well as throughout the Bible. Those individuals who have received the mark of the beast taste of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture [without dilution or weakening of his wrath as it is stirred up] into the cup of his indignation. The judgment is so horrendous as it is administered in the presence of Christ and his angels that the smoke of [the Antichrist's partners and pawns] 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.

Contrary to the teaching of certain cultists, this judgment is also endless. The words everlasting for the lost and eternal for the saved are identical in the Greek, both places-heaven and hell-last for the ages of ages-eternally, everlastingly. Thus, Matthew 25:46 states: [The lost] shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. I repeat, both are of equal duration.

Some may raise an objection that this punishment cannot be eternal because of he words "day and night." Nonsense! The apocalypse, or Book of Revelation, constantly uses this terminology in place of "unceasingly." For example, in chapter 4, verse 8, the four living creatures before the throne of God rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Isaiah declared this truth in chapter 66, verse 24, For their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched. Jesus himself had this text in mind when He said in Mark 9:43, And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.

The most terrible experience of time and eternity is to be lost. My wife, Rexella, sings a song that creates a soul-winner's heart within those who hear it. The chorus states:

Think what it means to be lost forever,

No one to guide you across that cold river.

Darkness, crying, none to deliver,

Think what it means to be lost.

Thank God, this awesome portrait does not have to be the future of any human being, for Romans 10:13 victoriously announces that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Don't delay making life's most important decision.

(JNTC) Before the holy angels … forever. The idea that the judgment of the wicked is eternally on display before the righteous is found in a Pseudipegraphic Jewish work:

“This cursed valley [Gey-Hinnom (Gehenna, hell; see Mt 5:22N)] is for those who are cursed forever …. Here they will be gathered together and here will be their place of judgment. In the last days there will be upon them the spectacle of righteous judgment in the presence of the righteous forever.” (1 Enoch 27:1–3)

Revelation 14:12

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Verse seems to be placed here as an encouragement verse.

Yes, they will indeed “rest from their labors,” but their works will “follow them.” That is, though they leave their toil behind, their deeds, having been in line with God’s plan of redemption, will be reassures in heaven, bringing great reward at the judgment seat of Christ.

[saints] Three characteristics of saints:

1.Patience in sufferings

2.Keeping the commandments

3.Keeping the faith of Jesus Christ

McGee: He is speaking to a group of people who “keep the commandments of God,” the Old Testament law. Scripture tells us that sacrifices will be brought during the Great Tribulation and even into the Millennium.

This section makes it crystal clear that no one can assume a neutral position during this intense period under the Beast. Even today we see Christian businessmen who are capitulating to the ethics of the hour. In chapter 13 we saw that the awful alternative for refusing to receive the mark of the Beast was starvation. On the other hand, the person who receives the mark brings down upon his head the wrath of God.

“He also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” If you believe that the church is going through the Great Tribulation, you also believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to subject His own to the mingled, unmixed cup of His anger. I simply cannot believe that Christ would do this to the church which He has redeemed.

“The wine of the wrath of God” is a figure adopted from the Old Testament. In Psalm 75:8 we read: “For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.” The Old Testament prophets picked up that theme. They saw the cup of wrath filling up to the brim. God was patient and let man go on and on in his sin, but when the cup of wrath was filled, then God would press it to the lips of a godless society. Rebellious men kept building this thing up until judgment had to break.

“Tormented with fire and brimstone.” Now let me say that if this is not literal fire and brimstone, whatever it is must be worse than fire and brimstone. If it is a symbol, remember that a symbol is used to give a faint representation of the real. It is rather like the essence of something. There is the essence of pepper and the essence of perfume. Essence is the faint odor that is left in the bottle after the substance is gone. A symbol is an essence or just a faint copy of the real thing, and the reality can be much worse than the symbol indicates. But remember, the brimstone of Sodom was quite literal. That is a fact you should mull over in your mind if you want to reject a literal hell.

You will notice in this passage that hell is visible to Christ and the holy angels. It does not say that hell is visible to the twenty-four elders. Are we to assume from that that the church does not know what is taking place on the earth? I am inclined to believe that the church will not see what is taking place on the earth during the Great Tribulation Period, but certainly Christ and the holy angels will see it.

All that God’s own can do during this period is to be patient and wait for the coming of Christ. Our Lord said: “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matt. 24:13). Why will he endure? He will endure because he has been sealed by the Spirit of God, and he is clothed in the righteousness of Christ. He is able to overcome by the blood of the Lamb. Our Lord said, “In your patience possess ye your souls?” (Luke 21:19). All they can do is wait out the storm, and that is what they will do during the Great Tribulation.

Voice (4th Angel): Happiness of Righteous Dead

Revelation 14:13

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.

[voice from heaven] Four times previously there is a record of a voice from heaven (10:4, 8; 11:12; 14:2). Again in 18:4 and 21:3 a voice is heard, a direct communication from God as contrasted with communication through an angel. The implication is that this is unusually important and a direct divine pronouncement.

Phil 1:23-26. Echoes what Paul said

Strange assurance—“from now on.” This reassurance is only relevant if they feel they have missed the resurrection! (This was the anxiety of the Thessalonians when the Roman persecutions under Nero began, and led to Paul’s disclosures in 1 Thess 4:13ff.) Hint of the pre-trib rapture, if the rapture had not taken place this would have been unnecessary to say.

[Write] This word is used 16 times in the book, John was directed to write as he received the Revelation (Rev. 1:11,19; Rev. 2:1,8,12,18; Rev. 3:1,7,12,14; Rev. 10:4; Rev. 14:13; Rev. 19:9; Rev. 21:5); cp. Rev. 1:3; Rev. 22:18-19.

[from henceforth] From the time people begin to die, because they will not take the mark of the beast. It refers to a special blessing to martyrs of the tribulation (Rev. 6:9-11; Rev. 7:9-17; Rev. 14:13; Rev. 15:2-4; Rev. 20:4-6).

[saith the Spirit] The Holy Spirit speaks 12 times in Revelation (Rev. 1:10; Rev. 2:7,11,17,29; Rev. 3:6,13,22; Rev. 4:2; Rev. 17:3; Rev. 21:10; Rev. 22:17).

The voice pronounced the second of seven beatitudes in Revelation: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on.

Van Impe: This will be especially true during the Tribulation hour when the toils of life are so great. Remember, this is the worst time of heartache in history. Jesus said, For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:2 1). Now, at last, it is over for some. They have died and happiness is theirs. They rest from the heartbreaks of life, exchanging them for rewards as their good works and deeds follow them.

McGee: Apparently many of God’s tribulation saints, both of the 144,000 and of the untold number of Gentiles that will be saved during that time, are going to lay down their lives for Christ. They will be martyred. During the time of the Great Tribulation, it will be better to die than to live. At that time this verse will give comfort and assurance. They will have rest from their sorrows, and their works will follow them, and the Lord will reward them.

As I have said, this is not a verse for God’s saints in comfortable, affluent America, as I see it. For most of us it is unnatural to want to die. I feel as Paul expressed it: “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again” (Phil. 1:23–26).

Personally, I would like to stay down here for quite a few more years and teach the Word of God. I am in no hurry to get to heaven. This old story illustrates my viewpoint: A boy in my southland years ago went to church on a Sunday night. The preacher asked, “How many of you want to go to heaven?” Everybody but this boy put up his hand. The preacher looked at him and asked, “Son, don’t you want to go to heaven?” “Sure,” the boy answered, “but I thought you were getting up a load for tonight!”

Well, I don’t want to be on that load leaving tonight either. I’m going there ultimately, but I would like to live and serve as long as possible. For me it would be unnatural to want to die, but in the Great Tribulation it will be a different story. They will just be waiting in patience and in sorrow. If they are martyred, it will be a wonderful thing. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.” He is going to reward them for their faithfulness to Himself.

You can see that this verse is not appropriate for a funeral, especially for a wealthy man who has been living in clover all of his life. In Texas I heard it used at a rich man’s funeral, a man who had been brought up in a home of wealth. He had never known what it was to lift his little finger in actual work. He just toyed around with a ranch and lost money on it—he had so much money, he had to get rid of it some way. Yet the preacher applied this verse to him! That is a terrible abuse of the Word of God. Death is going to be precious to the people in the Great Tribulation but not for the saints of our society in which everything is geared to comfort.

“For their works follow with them” reveals that they will be rewarded for their faithfulness, patience, and works in this period. God does not save anyone for his works, but He does reward us for our works. Our works (good or bad) are like tin cans tied to a dog’s tail; we cannot get away from them. They will follow us to the bema seat of Christ.

(JNTC) What they have accomplished follows along with them. The Mishna puts it this way:

“In the hour of a person’s departure, neither silver nor gold nor precious stones nor pearls accompany him, only Torah and good works.” (Avot 6:9)

(JNTC) 14–20     As a whole, the passage echoes Joel 4:9–13(3:9–13), in which grape harvesting and wine pressing are used as a metaphor for judgment in the context of the eschatological war, and Isaiah 63:1–6, in which God treads the winevat in his fury, pressing out the lifeblood of the peoples. The same metaphor is found at Jeremiah 25:15, 28–31.

Judgment is also symbolized by the harvest at Jeremiah 61:33 and Hosea 6:11. Also see Yeshua’s own parable of the wheat and the weeds, especially Mk 4:29 and Mt 13:39–42; both there and here the Messiah is the reaper at the final judgment, using angels as his instruments. Moreover, here it is the Messiah who treads the winepress (see below, 19:15).

Revelation 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.

[white cloud] Seven kinds of clouds in Scripture:

1.White (Rev. 14:14)

2.Black (1 Kings 18:45)

3.Dark (Job 22:13)

4.Bright (Matthew 17:5)

5.Thick (Exodus 19:9)

6.Great (Ezekiel 1:4)

7.Swift (Isaiah 19:1)

From this we see what is coming. That cloud is the signal of the second advent of the Lord. When He ascended, “a cloud received him out of their sight:” and at the same time it was told from heaven, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as e have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1) The cloud took Him and the cloud will bring Him back. “They shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:27)

This language is similar to Daniel 7:13, where Daniel had visions of “one like the Son of man” coming with the clouds of heaven.

(Dan 7:13-14) 13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

[one sat like unto the Son of man] The sitter sits on the cloud like a throne, and he appears as a Son of Man. This is clearly a title of the Lord Jesus Christ and emphasizes the humanity of Christ as the One who came to die for man, but who, as the God‑Man and King would one day come to judge men as Man. The issue is when men reject Christ and His Word, they will face Him as Judge. Compare the words of Christ in John 5:22, 27 with 12:46‑48 and Acts 17:31. The harvest of the earth proceeds from the holiness of God who in His perfect righteousness must judge a Christ rejecting world. The world will be reaped according to its own sowing.

[having on his head a golden crown] The word “having” is the present tense of a continuous condition and emphasizes the permanence of the crown because of that which Christ accomplished by His first advent. “Gold” in Scripture is a symbol of deity, of value, of what is imperishable, and of righteousness. “Crown” is the Greek stephanos which refers to the victor’s crown rather than diadem, the crown of royalty. Christ is coming to conquer, having the right and power to do so as the victorious Savior.

Background: Shekinah

OT: Wilderness

Ex 13:21,22; 14:19-24

Manna

Ex 16:10