Please turn in your Bibles this evening to Revelation chapter 14 as we continue our study through the Word of God. As we have seen over the last few chapters here in Revelation, John is filling in some of the details of what will be taking place during the Tribulation Period, besides God’s judgments being poured out upon a Christ rejecting world. In fact, we will not get to the bowl judgments until chapter 16; chapter 15 is kind of a prelude to those judgments.
What I want you to keep in mind as we go through this chapter is that John is giving to us a broad view of what will be taking place during the last 3½ years of the Tribulation Period or what is known as the Great Tribulation. Before we get to our text this evening, let me outline this chapter for you so you will have a better perspective of what we will be looking at tonight.
VERSES 1-5: This section deals with the 144,000 Jewish believers that were sealed by God back in Revelation chapter 7.
VERSES 6-7: Here we see an angel proclaiming the everlasting Gospel to all the inhabitants of the earth, giving everyone a chance to hear and obey.
VERSE 8: Here we see another angel proclaiming the destruction of both religious and commercial Babylon.
VERSES 9-11: This section deals with another angel proclaiming the eternal doom for all those who reject the true and living God and worship the beast or the Antichrist, for those who receive his mark.
VERSES 12-13: Here we see the blessings given to those dear saints of God, the Tribulation saints who were martyred for their faith.
VERSES 14-20: Now we come to the final judgment of God upon a Christ rejecting world and John gives to us two illustrations of what this judgment will be like. We will see that in verses 14-16 John uses the illustration of a harvest and relates this to God’s judgment. And in verses 17-20 the judgment is seen as a winepress as the grapes are crushed. But make no mistake about it; these two illustrations are making the same point. The judgment of God will be severe and it will be complete!
With that as our background for our study tonight, let’s begin reading in Revelation chapter 14, starting in verse 1 and see what the Lord has for us.
VERSE 1
First of all, who are these 144,000 standing on Mount Zion with Jesus? These are those that were sealed by God back in Revelation chapter 7. We see 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel or 144,000 Jewish witnesses for Christ. We see this in Revelation 7:4 where we are told, “And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed.” And then John tells us the tribes these saved Jews come from. These 144,000 do not represent the Church or even Tribulation Saints, but Jewish believers that are sealed by God for protection and identification with Him.
What I also want you to see is that this is the end of the Tribulation Period; Jesus has returned and is standing on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. Now, in saying that, how many of these 144,000 have made it through the Tribulation Period and are standing with Jesus on Mount Zion? Every single one of them made it, not 139,999! That is also a comfort to me knowing that God will not lose me but He has saved me by grace, He is sustaining me by His grace and one day I will be taken up into glory by His grace that He has extended to me. It is as Jesus said in John 10:27-30, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one.” You see, we are secure in Him and what He has promised us He is more than faithful to bring to pass!
In most of your Bibles you have the last part of this verse translated, “ . . . having His Father's name written on their foreheads.” That is not really a correct translation. It should read, “ . . . having His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads.” That is how the Revised Standard Version, the New Living Translation, the Amplified Bible has it. You see, they have the name of their Lord, Jesus Christ and the name of their Father on their foreheads!
Remember back in Revelation 13:16-17 we saw people take the mark of the beast which leads to death and destruction where here, this mark of God leads to life, abundant life! It is as one writer put it: “Their identification with the Father is their mark of being saved Jews; their identification with the Lamb reveals their salvation through faith in Christ; their position on Mount Zion a place of security, blessing, and glory in the earthly Jerusalem in the millennial kingdom.”
VERSES 2-3
Now these verses seem to contradict verse 1 where they were on the earth and now they are singing in heaven, how can that be? I don’t believe they were translated into heaven, that would make no sense since Jesus is now on the earth. I think it could be that as these 144,000 sung praise unto God on this earth, that their praises took them to the very throne of God. The Bible does say that God inhabits the praises of His people and truly as we worship God we should be drawn before His throne.
Also, keep in mind this is not the 24 elders who represented the Church singing this song, it is the 144,000 who were sealed by God and have come through the Tribulation Period – they alone can sing this song because they alone have been saved through a time of God’s ultimate judgment upon this world. As Christians our hearts should be filled with praise unto God. But what if things are not going well, what if times are tough? That should not change your worship of Him because the mark of a triumphant Christian is one who can praise God in the darkest of times!
Of this group of 144,000 John Phillips wrote: “No other age has produced a company like this, a veritable army of militant believers marching unscathed through every form of danger. It has been theirs to defy the dragon, to bait the Beast, and to give the lie to the false prophet. Their calling has been to preach the gospel from the housetops when even to name the name of Christ called for the most dreadful penalties. They have been surrounded, these latter-day Jobs, with impenetrable hedges, able to laugh to scorn all the grand inquisitors of hell. They have walked the streets in broad daylight, careless of the teeth-gnashing rage of their would-be torturers and assassins, true witnesses of Jehovah in the most terrible era of the history of mankind. The devil knows about this coming band of conquerors, and writhes already in agony of anticipation.” (Exploring Revelation, pp. 179-180).
VERSES 4-5
Regarding these 144,000 John gives us five characteristics of these Jewish believers.
First of all he says that, “These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins.” This can speak of a few different things and I believe they all are a factor with these men. It can speak in a spiritual sense that they did not commit spiritual adultery. Paul said in II Corinthians 11:2, “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” In other words, they only worshiped the Lord!
Also, during this period of time it would be very difficult to be married, so they could be virgins literally speaking. Paul said in I Corinthians 7:25-26, “Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy. I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress — that it is good for a man to remain as he is.” I believe both apply to these 144,000.
Secondly, John tells us that, “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” You see, they know their Shepherd and they will follow after Him alone. Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” They are not going to be fooled by the lies of the false prophet or the Antichrist, and for that matter, anyone who does not speak the truths of God found in the Word of God. They will follow after Jesus!
The third characteristic is that, “These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.” In other words, these saints from the Tribulation Period are only the firstfruits of a bigger harvest that is coming, as many souls are saved during the Tribulation Period. Not only will all of Israel be saved as Paul tells us in Romans 11:25-27, but also many Gentiles will be saved. In Revelation 7:9 we are told, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands.” Who are these people? We don’t have to guess for in Revelation 7:14 we are told,
“ . . . ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’”
The fourth characteristic of these saints is that, “in their mouth was found no deceit.” You see, they will speak the truth in a world that is filled with lies! There is no falsehood that will flow from their mouths. It is as John said in III John 3, “For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.” We as Christians should speak the truth, that is what should come flowing from our lips, for lies are of the Devil, as Jesus said in John 8:44.
And the fifth characteristic is that, “ . . . they are without fault before the throne of God.” The word “fault” comes from the Greek word AMOMOS and it relates to a sacrificial animal that was without defect, it had no spot or blemish, it was perfect. Folks, this can only be accomplished through Christ and His righteousness being imputed into our lives by faith in Him. It is as Peter tells us in I Peter 1:18-21, “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
Zephaniah 3:13 says this regarding this remnant of Israel, “The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid.”
Now, in verses 6 and 7 we will move from the 144,000 standing on Mount Zion with Jesus at the end of the Tribulation Period to this angel who is proclaiming the everlasting Gospel.
VERSES 6-7
In the midst of God’s righteous judgment we see His love for sinful man. Here we see this angel in the “midst of heaven” or MESOURANEMA, (mes-oo-ran-ay-mah) in the Greek and it speaks of a place where he can be seen, in the sky above, not the throne of God. And this angel proclaims the “everlasting gospel.” Folks, the message of salvation does not change as some would like to say – it is everlasting, it is perpetual and as Peter said, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.
Thus, in the midst of these bad times comes the Good News of Jesus Christ, but to who? John tells us that it is, “ . . . to those who dwell on the earth — to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” You see, it is for all and when John speaks of “those who dwell on the earth” he is speaking of those that are not saved, unbelievers! But why does God do this? Jesus tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17.
Jesus came the first time as the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world and He is coming again as the Lion from the tribe of Judah judging sinful man and establishing His kingdom on this earth. And so, here is the Gospel message to all who will listen and believe! This angel is trying to awaken sinful man from their spiritual stupor and darkness, bringing them to the light of Christ, awaking them to the truth!
Some today read Matthew 24:14, which says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” and they believe we must accomplish this before the Lord comes back. Folks, I am not saying that we should not go out into the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ, but that is not the basis for His return. I believe it is this angel that fulfills the words of Jesus spoken here in Matthew chapter 24!
VERSE 8
This second angel comes on the scene declaring that “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” Why does he repeat himself? Because it is so certain and it is so complete that the Lord wants us to understand this, He does not want us to miss this point. What is this Babylon that is destroyed? I believe that Babylon speaks of both a religious system and a commercial empire. We will cover this more in detail when we get to Revelation chapters 17 and 18.
The point that John is making here is that her influence has lured the nations of the world into immorality. The world will be seduced by her ways and we can see that even today as people call good evil and evil good. The reason they do that is because they enjoy sin and the light, the goodness that some manifest expose their evil ways and they would rather carry out their evil ways in the dark and thus, they try to extinguish the light or put it out! And please understand that those who drink of the wine of her fornication, those who embrace her ways, are going to face the wrath of God!
Now, as we move into verses 9-11 we will see the eternal doom for those who reject the true and living God and worship the beast, receive his mark!
VERSES 9-11
Here we see a third angel proclaiming judgment upon those that reject Jesus. Now, what I want you to notice here is the progression as these three angel’s sound forth. The first angel brings forth the everlasting Gospel to a world that needs good news. But, if people reject it there will be consequences. You see, the second angel pronounces judgment upon everything they have placed their lives upon, materially and spiritually speaking! They are left with nothing. And ultimately, as the third angel sounds, there will be eternal damnation for all who reject Jesus and worship the beast.
And folks, Hell is a real place, a holding area you might say until the final judgment, the Great White Throne Judgment as all those who have rejected Jesus will now be punished according to their works in the Lake of Fire, eternally separated from God in eternal darkness! Folks, I do understand that some say you cease to exist, but that is not what the Bible teaches. There is torment, suffering, pain for eternity! It is as Walvoord said, “In describing the worshippers of the beast, the word worship as well as the word receive in verse 11 is in the present tense emphasizing continued worship of the beast over a long period of time . . . the same present tense is used in describing their torment. As the worship of the best is not interrupted by repentance, so their torment is not interrupted when repentance is too late.”
As I have said, many negate Hell and eternal torment, it is not taught from the pulpits. The excuse is that it is too negative! That is the most ridicules thing I have heard. I have worked in a hospital for many years and do you think doctors will tell patients who are dying of brain cancer that everything is okay, they just have a headache, and give them a few aspirins for the pain because they don’t want to be negative? Of course they don’t and yet when it comes to a person’s eternal destiny pastors are afraid to speak the truth or they just ignore the truth! The reality is, it doesn’t change the truth and outside of Christ you will go to Hell and eventually to the Lake of Fire!
Jesus tells us in John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Here we see these angels give a last call for men to repent but God’s grace is ignored because they love darkness and thus, they will ultimately spend an eternity apart from God in outer darkness!
VERSES 12-13
Here we see these Tribulation Saints who are martyred for their faith in Jesus. Now some see this as tragic, but not so. You see, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. These dear saints can now rest from their labors. It as Clarke wrote, “These are the only glorious dead . . . they die in the cause of God, they die under the smile and approbation [approval] of God. And they die to live and reign with God forever and ever.”
I like the way that Paul encourages us in Hebrews 6:9-12 as he says, “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” In other words, there is coming a day for rest for us, but until then we need to forge ahead in the work that God has called us to do.
Now, in verses 14-20 we come to the final judgment of God coming upon a Christ rejecting world.
VERSES 14-16
Here we see a picture of Christ sitting on a cloud preparing to complete His judgment. The interesting thing here is that He is not wearing a crown of a king but a STEPHANOS or victors crown, why? I believe it is showing us that He is victorious and will not only fully redeem man, but this earth back to Himself. Paul points to this in Romans 8:18-23, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” That day is coming where the lion will lie down with the lamb and righteousness will fill this land!
In this harvest judgment, John uses the Greek word XERAINO, (xay-rah’-ee’no) for “ripe” and it speaks of being overripe, to the point of being rotten or withered. People speak of God being unfair, unloving, that is untrue. You see, God will judge this earth only when it is overripe for judgment- when the iniquity of man has reached as far as it can go, then God will judge. That tells me our God is a God of love and He is longsuffering and patient but there is coming a day when He will pour out His wrath, thrust in His sickle because the harvest, the grain is spoiled and it must be put away!
VERSES 17-20
In this illustration we see the picture of a vine, full of grapes, which are fully ripe and ready to be harvested. In verse 15 the fruit was “ripe” and that spoke of being over ripe or rotten. But here it speaks of being fully ripe, ready to be harvested. Thus, as these grapes are trampled upon, their juices will be overflowing. It is as Seiss tells us, “What strength have grapes against the weight and power of a man when he comes to set his feet upon them? And the riper they are, the more helpless . . . The heel of Omnipotence is upon them, and they can only break and sink beneath it.”
Also, this point is made very clear in Isaiah chapter 63, which deals with the vengeance of God. And you will see as we look at these verses that God=s wrath is severe and it is complete! Beginning in verse 1 of Isaiah chapter 63 we read, “Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, this One who is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength? B ‘I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.’ Why is Your apparel red, and Your garments like one who treads in the winepress? ‘I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, and trampled them in My fury; their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all My robes. For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed has come. I looked, but there was no one to help, and I wondered that there was no one to uphold; therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; and My own fury, it sustained Me. I have trodden down the peoples in My anger, made them drunk in My fury, and brought down their strength to the earth.’” Isaiah 63:1-6.
Here we see the wrath of God linked to a winepress. In those days men would go into the winepress barefooted to tread out the grapes. The winepress was usually a shallow pit with a hole on the side leading to a container. As they would stomp on these grapes with their feet the juice would flow through the hole into the container. Many times the red juice would splatter out of the ripe grapes and would splash upon their garments and stain them.
Edom and Bozrah were geographical locations southeast of Jerusalem, and I believe the Lord will come from this area into the valley of Megiddo for this great battle. But we must also remember that Edom symbolically represented the flesh, and thus in these verses we see the judgment of man.
This is a far different picture than most people have of God. His wrath upon a Christ rejecting world is intense. And remember that Jesus spoke more about Hell than any one else. He wanted people to know of what will happen to those who reject the way to God through Him.
Now some may try and argue that they will not worship Satan now or at any other time in their life. The problem with that kind of thinking is that it is totally wrong. You see, Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” Matthew 12:30. You see, if you are not for Christ then you have sided with the Devil, for there are only two sides to choose from. You can not remain neutral in this matter for your active rebellion against Christ leaves you with only one master, like it or not, and that is SATAN! And thus, you will be judged for your rebellion.
The last great battle, where the nations of the world will gather together and fight against Christ and His army, is located in the valley of Megiddo. It is here that we see the fierceness of His judgment as blood flows for some 184 miles flowing some 4 to 5 feet high or splashing up 4 to 5 feet high. You see, blood spilled like grapes being trampled upon in a winepress. From Bozrah, in Edom, northward this blood will flow to Megiddo at the foot of Mount Carmel - this is the battle of ARMAGEDDON! The interesting thing is that God will spare Jerusalem, the city itself, from this blood bath, the place He will establish His kingdom!
It is hard to imagine this kind of carnage and for blood to be flowing or splashing some 4 to 5 feet high for some 184 miles, but listen to what one historian has to say regarding another devastating slaughter against the Jewish people. Josephus, in recounting the massive destruction and bloodshed that occurred when Titus and the Roman army swept across Jerusalem. He said that the Roman soldiers “Obstructed the very lanes with dead soldiers; and made the whole city run down with blood, to such a degree indeed that the fires of many of the houses was quenched with these men’s blood.” (Wars:6, 8). This next battle will be even more intense, more destructive!
Now the prophet Joel recaps this part of human history in great detail for us. He tells us in Joel chapter 3, beginning in verse 1, “For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land. They have cast lots for My people, Have given a boy as payment for a harlot, And sold a girl for wine, that they may drink. . . . Proclaim this among the nations: ‘Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, Let all the men of war draw near, Let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, “I am strong.”’ Assemble and come, all you nations, And gather together all around. Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O LORD. Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; For the winepress is full, The vats overflow — For their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will grow dark, And the stars will diminish their brightness. The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel. So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, Dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy, And no aliens shall ever pass through her again.’” Joel 3:1-3, 9-17.
It is when wickedness has reached the saturation point and begins to overflow that the harvest will begin. And interesting enough, it begins with war, a war against God. But it is the Lord who will judge those people in the Valley of Jehoshaphat or the Valley of Megiddo.
Back in Revelation chapter 13 things were not looking good. We saw that the Antichrist or this beast rise out of the sea of humanity or the Gentile nations. We saw the false prophet, this beast rise out of the earth and he causes the earth dwellers to worship the beast, the Antichrist. And we are told in Revelation 13:4 the response of the people of this world during this time, “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’” You see, it is not looking too good at this point!
But now, as we saw here tonight in Revelation chapter 14, God wins! Jesus is triumphant, and God’s people are victorious! May we not lose perspective of these things no matter how dark things may look! We know the end of the story and it is glorious!
I would like to close this evening with these thoughts from Jon Courson, out of his commentary on the book of Revelation. And listen carefully to what he has to say:
“And now I begin to understand, to see I have two options: I will either drown in the horrific bloodbath of Armageddon, or I will bathe in the gracious Blood of the Lamb. Truly, the greatest bloodshed in all of history took place not in a world war, but when Jesus died on the Cross in order to wash us in His blood.”
Who are you going to serve? Joshua said to the nation of Israel before he died, “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15. How about you? Who are you going to serve? God gets no pleasure in the death of the wicked, and thus, His plea to you is to turn, please turn to Him because the Lamb of God who has come to take away the sins of the world is coming back as the Lion from the tribe of Judah in judgment!