April 19, 2006

• Revelation 14

  
  

  The last events in Revelation come very quickly – now that the antichrist is revealed, there are 3 1/2 years left before the judgements of God are finished. Chapter 14 talks in part about the Fall of Babylon and the Second Coming of Christ, but we will see the details of that in Chapter 18 & 19, but first we will see the events from the point of view of Heaven, and the Heavenly Mount Zion. After the antichrist emerges on earth, people are killed for not worshipping the image of the beast – that the 144,000 are martyred and are now in Heaven with Jesus. Yet, even with the death of these 144,000 evangelists, God still does not give up, and he sends three angels to make pronouncements.

  
  

  Chapter 14:1-5

  
  

  The Lamb is standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. (Remember there was a mark put on them before the trumpet judgements, and now we know that the mark was God’s name). And John hears a voice from Heaven, like the voice of many waters and thunder, and the sound of harpists playing harps.

  
  

  And the 144,000 sing a new song BEFORE THE THRONE (This is the clue that the Mount Zion is in Heaven, for the throne of God is in Heaven and the 144,000 with Jesus are singing before the throne), before the four living creatures, and the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who were REDEEMED FROM THE EARTH. (Here is another clue that the 144,000 are in heaven, redeemed from the earth).

  
  

  I love the description of them in verse 4-5: These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being first fruits to God and to the Lamb, and in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

  
  

  This lets us know that they stayed pure, and obeyed Jesus. Because they stayed true to God, and did not worship the image of the beast, they are counted as the first fruits to God. And they are BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD, so now the only ones on earth still are the antichrist, the beast, the another beast, and Those who dwell on the earth. We will see that some on the earth will listen to the three angels who make pronouncements, but most left on the earth will take the mark.

  
  

  God makes one more final plea to those who dwell on the earth with the proclamations of three angels.

  
  

  Revelation 14: 6-13

  
  

  The first angel will preach the everlasting gospel to those who DWELL ON THE EARTH, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. This angel will announce that people should fear God, give glory to Him, and worship Him, for the hour of God’s judgement has come. (no one who is on the earth at this time in Revelation will be able to say that they did not hear the Gospel – some people say that the angels could be satellites, but I think that is stretching things a bit).

  
  

  The second angel will say, “Babylon is fallen is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” (we will see more of the destruction of Babylon in chapters 17 & 18).

  
  

  A third angel will tell people that if anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on his forehead or hand, that he shall drink the wine of the wrath of God, poured out full strength (without mixture), into the cup of his indignation. He will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the lamb. The smoke of their torment will ascend forever and ever, no rest day or night.

  
  

  Then Revelation 14:12-13 Here is the patience of the saints, here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me. “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works follow them.”

  
  

  Luke 21:36 Jesus says after talking about watching and being prepared for the Day which will come on you unexpectedly, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

  
  

  Remember the saints under the altar in Chapter 6:9-11 the souls of those slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held, and they cry out to God, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Here is the phrase again, those who DWELL ON THE EARTH. They are told to rest a little while longer until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed was completed. (This must speak of what is happening now in Revelation 14, for saints are being killed by the antichrist for not taking the mark or worshipping the image.) These saints are clothed in white garments which are righteousness. We might want to keep an eye on those who are clothed in white garments as Revelation continues. Those garments are made white because of the blood of Christ.

  
  

  God is soon going to begin reaping the harvest of the earth, it is good when we read this in Revelation to remember that Jesus spoke many parables on the harvest, to guide us.

  
  

  Will continue tomorrow on this, hoping you have a blessed day.

  
  

  Heather

  • 10:16 pm
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