Revelation 14 PREVIEW of the END – CHRIST ’S 2ND COMING
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Revelation 14 PREVIEW OF THE END – CHRIST ’S 2ND COMING IN THIS CHAPTER WE ARE REINTRODUCED TO THE 144,000 JEWISH EVANGELISTS AND IN ANTICIPATION OF THE LAST SEVEN JUDGMENTS THE FOLLOWING EVENTS ARE FORETOLD : I. The Preservation of the believing remnant of Israel II. The final Gospel message given to the Gentiles III. The end-time Wrath of God upon the enemies of Jesus Christ IV. The Judgment & Destruction of the end-time world system—‘Babylon’ V. The Doom of the Worshippers of Satan the Anti-Christ VI. The blessedness of those who remain faithful & die for their faith VII. The Battle of Armageddon & the gruesome harvest of the ungodly This chapter continues and the next [chapter 15] concludes the ‘introductory’ section to the last seven judgments, the 7 BOWLS OF WRATH , which began in chapter 12. Additional details are given which describe the activities and conditions in Heaven and on earth near the end of the GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD . This chapter and the next stand in sharp contrast to the last chapter in which the dragon, the anti-Christ and the False Prophet have a field day. Just when it seems evil will overwhelm righteousness and win the day, we are reminded that God is still in control, His plans cannot be thwarted and there remains a vital witness to God’s Truth and Message of Salvation. These days of Tribulation and Judgment will be cut short and anti-Christ’s rule will last only 3 ½ years. Prior to the revelation of the last seven plagues, we are given a ‘breather’ and fresh insight into the battle between good [God] and evil [Satan]. REV. 14:1-5 MEANWHILE – BACK ON MOUNT ZION . [1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 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 firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.] The 144,000 Israelites, 12,000 from each tribe, are once again in the spotlight. They were introduced in Revelation 7:1-8 as ‘ servants of God ’ and notice that not one of them is missing after seven years of horrific tribulation – there are still 144,000 of them! Now we discover they were sealed with God the Father’s name written on their foreheads. They were supernaturally sealed to be kept from harm during the Tribulation { Rev. 7:1-8} and the seal remained intact. What a wonderful testimony to the awesome power and sovereignty of our LORD and Savior. Revelation 14 -1- Copyright 2008 K. G. Schiessel Although some believe the scene has now shifted to Heaven and the 144,000 were resurrected and are now in Heaven, the fact that they are standing on Mount Zion indicates they are on earth. No where in scripture is there a Mount Zion described as being located in Heaven. There will be a New Jerusalem coming from Heaven, but that is independent of Mount Zion – the hill on which the earthly Jerusalem is built. APPLICATION : In regards to the ability of God to protect and preserve His own, here is a reminder of the wonderful assurance given by none other than the LORD Jesus Christ Himself in John 10:27-29 : “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 .” He that began a good work in us will complete it until the Day of Christ 1. Jesus Christ knows how to protect and preserve His sheep and not one of them will be lost 2. Our life is hidden in Christ and we will appear with Him in glory 3. Note that the LAMB , the One who was slain from the foundation of the world, who was the only One found worthy to open the seven seals on the scroll, and whose wrath was greatly feared by all men; is standing with the 144,000. Evidently this scene takes place shortly after the BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON , Jesus, the LAMB OF GOD and SON OF DAVID , begins to reign on earth. See for example Zechariah 12:10-14; 14:1-9; Matthew 24:29-31. From heaven is now heard the familiar voice of God sounding like the roar of rushing waters and the loud peals of thunder. There is also music; the Heavenly choir is heard playing their harps {compare Revelation 5:8-14 and 7:9-15}. And the Heavenly choir begins to sing a new song in anticipation of the long awaited earthly reign of the King of kings and Lord of lords—Jesus Christ. And no one could learn that new song except the 144, 000 who were redeemed and offered as first-fruits to God the Father and God the Son – the Lamb. 1 Philippians 1:6 : “……being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…” 2 John 6:37-39 : “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.” 3 Colossians 3:3-4: For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Revelation 14 -2- Copyright 2008 K. G. Schiessel APPLICATION : Only those who have been redeemed by the blood the Lamb and saved by grace through faith can legitimately learn and sing songs of praise and worship to God. When a song- leader tries get everyone in church to sing the songs when one may not be saved makes that person a lair if they sing words like “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” Only the redeemed can truly worship and sing new songs of praise and adoration. The psalmist wrote; “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy…..” { Psalms 107:2 }. From this passage we get a more detailed description of their character: • They are virgins • They follow the Lamb wherever He goes • They were redeemed among men • They are offered as first-fruits to God and the Lamb • They are ever truthful—no lie found in their mouths • They are blameless (no legitimate charge can be laid against them) Some have misunderstood the first characteristic to imply that since marriage includes sexual intimacy it therefore would by default remove a person’s virginity and therefore defile that person. Since the Bible teaches that sexual abstinence in marriage should only be temporary {1 Cor. 7:5 }, this (false) interpretation would advocate against marriage But against this interpretation is Hebrews 13:4 which states that “ marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled …..” but for those who would exploit and misuse this most intimate of all physical relationships; “….. but fornicators and adulterers God will judge .” Therefore, the emphasis on the fact that these 144,000 are virgins is that they have never engaged in sexually immoral behavior – not that they have never been married (although the characteristic probably includes that also). REV. 14:6-7 THE GOSPEL PROCLAIMED TO EVERY NATION , TRIBE , LANGUAGE & PEOPLE WITH AN EXHORTATION & WARNING [6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”] ‘Another angel …..” introduces the first of six angels in this chapter! This one has the ‘everlasting gospel’ which is preached to all those who dwell on the earth—to every nation [‘ethnos’], tribe [‘phule’], tongue [‘glossa’] and people [‘laos’]. This is reminiscent of the diversity of those that are saved and in Heaven worshipping the LORD { Rev. 7:9 }. This is in keeping with the statement in 2 Peter 3:9 that Revelation 14 -3- Copyright 2008 K. G. Schiessel The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance .