Revelation Chapter 14 ─ Introduction
Revelation chapter 14 is an encouraging and uplifting break from the ominous events of the preceding chapter by focusing on God’s people and His deliverance during the awful time of the Great Tribulation. But as the chapter continues, John saw and explained about the work of angels as they help to execute God’s judgement on the wicked of Earth.
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Revelation 14:1 ─ The Lamb and 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 his Father’s name written in their foreheads.” (KJV)
John continues to describe his vision. Now he sees a Lamb. The capitalization of “lamb” is a reference to a specific Person, Jesus Christ, “The Lamb of God” of John 1:29. John saw Christ standing on “mount Sion,” which is a reference of Mount Zion, a hill located within Jerusalem, or can be referred to the entire land of Israel. With Christ are 144,000 individuals who have already been introduced in Revelation 7:4-8. Revelation chapter 7 identified these individuals as Jewish men.
Revelation 14:2 ─ 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:” (KJV)
John heard a heavenly, strong. and joyful musical introduction. The risen Lord’s voice is also described as “the voice of many waters” in Revelation 1:15.
Revelation 14:3 ─ The New Song
“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.” (KJV)
These 144,000 servants of God will perform an original song in the throne room of God. The song these special servants will sing will be one known only to them. While others may enjoy hearing this choir perform, they cannot duplicate their special song.
Revelation 14:4 ─ Background of 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.” (KJV)
These Jewish, virgin, servants of God are further identified as male since they have not had sexual relations with women. The word “defiled” here is used for illicit, sinful, or immoral actions. It does not refer to intercourse between a married couple. The reference to these servants refraining from the acts of fornication is also an indicator of idolatry. Many times, in its ancient history, the Nation of Israel worshipped idols, and a major part of idolatrous practices involved acts of fornication. These 144,000 individuals will abstain from both physical and spiritual sins.
This special group of God’s servants will be the first fruits ─ the first group of people who will choose God over the Antichrist during the seven years of Tribulation. With their testimony, they will lead others to faith in Christ.
Revelation 14:5 ─ Their Character
“And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” (KJV)
Not only will these men control their bodies, but they will also control their speech. Guile is an intentional false statement, otherwise known as a lie. When they appear in the throne room of God they will be found sinless. Since, according to Romans 3:23, “all have sinned,” their moral state will be in their self-control. However, even with their good, moral works, as humans, they are still sinners by nature. Their righteousness is only possible because of the righteousness and holiness of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 14:6 ─ The Everlasting 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,” (KJV)
This verse shows the wonderful grace of God. It seems here that there are no more humans to proclaim God’s goodness to those who are left alive on Earth, so God sends an angel. This heavenly messenger will preach to people about God, giving them a chance to repent and turn to Him. The heaven mentioned in this verse is the atmosphere of the sky. This preaching angel and his message will be able to be seen and heard by all those who are on Earth.
Revelation 14:7 ─ The Warning of the Angel
“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.” (KJV)
The message of this angel ─ the everlasting gospel ─ will be different than the Gospel preached today. At that time, the angel will not proclaim the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but this Gospel is a warning to the people to fear God, not the miracle-working beast. They are to give God the glory, not the beast. The angel will also tell of the dire consequences of those who don’t fear God that judgment is coming. The angel will proclaim God’s word by saying the way to escape this worldwide judgment is to worship and have reverential fear for the unseen God, rather than the current world leader.
Revelation 14:8-Babylon
“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.” (KJV)
Following the first angel who will be tasked with spreading the everlasting Gospel to the world is another angel. This is the first reference to the city of Babylon in Revelation. Since the Book of Revelation is prophetic, it may be that the actual city of Babylon will be rebuilt and will be a great city again. There are also Bible scholars who believe that Babylon could be the modern city of Rome.
Regardless of what exactly this great city is, or represents, it seems the city of Babylon will, in the future, have worldwide influence. God’s wrath will be poured out on this city to its complete destruction because of its sin of fornication, among many others. Many times in the Bible, sexual immorality is closely related to idolatry. As the ancient city of Babylon was noted for its idol worship and immorality, and so will this future city.
Revelation 14:9 ─ The 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,” (KJV)
With a sense of urgency, this third angel gives a worldwide warning concerning the beast. Receiving the mark of the beast is a sign of ownership. Those who worship the beast, and his image, will also desire to be owned by this being and will eagerly accept his mark.
Revelation 14:10 ─ The Wrath of God Explained
“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:” (KJV)
This angel warns of the terrible consequences of worshipping the beast and the image of the beast. Those who worship anything other than God, God will punish. The angel specifically says they will be tormented with both fire and brimstone in the presence of holy angels and Jesus Christ.
Revelation 14:11 ─ The Wrath of God Is Eternal
“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.” (KJV)
The torments of hell, and subsequent lake of fire, are eternal, as hell itself will be thrown into the lake of fire. Those who worship and accept the mark of the beast may enjoy a brief interlude of happiness, even pleasure, since with the mark they will be able to both buy and sell. But this brief time of pleasure will end, only to be replaced by continual and never-ending torment.
Revelation 14:12 ─ The Patience of the Saints
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (KJV)
The people of God, those who worship Him, know about the eternal consequences of torment. The saints, the followers of God, those who have kept the commandments of God, know life is not easy, but they choose to follow God and to be named of Him.
Revelation 14:13 ─ The Blessed Dead
“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. “(KJV)
This is such a comforting and encouraging verse! God wants to, in the light of His wrath, make a special note that those who follow Him will have rest and rewards. Those who have kept God’s commands, first, by accepting Him as their savior from Hell, when they leave this physical life, they “die in the Lord,” they enter into eternal rest. The phrase “their works do follow them” means their good works, which they have done because of their obedience to God, will be rewarded in heaven.
Revelation 14:14 ─ The Son of Man with A Sickle
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.” (KJV)
John then saw a cloud, specifically, a white cloud. Sitting on this cloud he saw Jesus Christ crowned. Christ is holding a sickle, a cutting instrument used to cut grain or other grasses by hand. In these verses, which uses the metaphors of harvesting, there are two distinct crops: wheat and grapes.
In Scripture, wheat usually is a reference to God’s people, according to Matthew 13:37. “He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;” (KJV). But grapes usually symbolize wicked people, according to Joel 3:13. “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.” (KJV) In the remaining verses of this chapter, both crops are harvested, but by different individuals.
Revelation 14:15 ─ The Earth Is Ripe
“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.” (KJV)
As John is watching Christ sit on this white cloud, another angel told Him the earth was ready to be reaped. Those who did not worship the beast, but feared and worshipped God, are ready to be removed from the earth.
Revelation 14:16-Christ the Reaper
“And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” (KJV)
Since the word “reap” is used in verses 15 and 16, it is assumed the crop being harvested is God’s people. These verses figuratively have Christ separating His people out of the world and unto Himself.
Revelation 14:17 ─ Another Sharp Sickle
“And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.” (KJV)
After Christ reaped the earth, that is, gathered the remnant of His people unto Him, another angel appears. This heavenly messenger also has a sharp sickle.
Revelation 14:18 ─ The Grape Harvest Is Ready
“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.” (KJV)
Now another angel is yelling to his co-worker and instructing him to gather the clusters of grapes. It seems that after God takes His people, the angels then gather the wicked ones. This verse may be a fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus when He said in Matthew 13:41-42 “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (KJV)
Revelation 14:19 ─ The Result of the Grape Harvest
“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.” (KJV)
The result of the angel gathering these “grapes,” the wicked people, is them being taken to judgement through the wrath of God.
Revelation 14:20 ─ The Blood Flows
“And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.” (KJV)
Sixteen hundred furlongs is about 200 miles, leaving a sea of blood reaching up to a horse’s head in depth. The amount of blood that will be shed in this instance will be plentiful. So much so, those individuals living at this time will only desire to flee for their lives, and it seems they will not be successful. Having your life extinguished by being trampled underfoot by an angry Christ, and knowing your eternal soul will be in hell, is a terrifying thought. This is God’s prophecy, and it will happen.
Revelation Chapter 14-Study/Review Questions:
- Where did John see Jesus Christ standing? (On Mount Zion)
- Who was with Him? (144,000 Jewish, male, virgins who are servants of God.)
- What does the 144,000 men do? (Sing a unique song.)
- What kind of Gospel will the angel spread throughout the world in verse 6? (The everlasting Gospel)
- This Gospel can be summarized into what single word? (A warning)
- What sin will lead to the complete destruction of the city of Babylon? (Fornication)
- Those who worship the beast and receive his mark will have eternal torment. But what will they not have? (Rest)
- Those who “die in the Lord” will receive rewards and what else? (Rest from their labors)
- What will God reap from the earth? (His people)
- What fruit will the angel reap? (Grapes)
- Where will the wicked people represented by grapes be put? (The angels will put them in the great winepress of the wrath of God to be trampled on by Jesus Christ.)
- How long is 1,600 furlongs? (Roughly 200 miles)
Revelation Chapter 14 – Personal Reflection Question
How, if at all, has your perception of angels changed after learning about how they help Christ?
Revelation Chapter 14-Behind the Scenes Stuff:
Verse 2 is special to me, but for a very obscure reason. When I was a child, my grandparents had Christian friends whose last name was “Harper.” A few times I went with my grandparents to visit this couple, and, occasionally, I was able to play with their granddaughter. But I remember Mr. Harper happily proclaiming that his name was in the Bible ─ “Harpers harping with their harps” as in Revelation 14:2. Both of these dear people have long gone to heaven, but their memory lives on with me.