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 .

How the angel does this we are not told. However, we know that God uses angels as His special ministers and He will send this angel forth in mid-sky with the salvation message.

The point here is that God is never without a witness to His Truth and the Gospel will always be proclaimed. The essence of the Eternal Gospel can be found in the following passages of scripture:

John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 1:1-3; Galatians 1:1-12.

But note carefully the context of this Gospel message here—it comes with both an exhortation and warning. This message centers on fearing God and giving glory to Him. Why? Because He is the Righteous Judge and Creator of all things and He alone is worthy to be feared and worshipped! The LORD Jesus said says it this way in Matt. 10:28 :

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in he ll [‘Gehenna’].”

And Luke 12:4-5:

“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him !”

In the following verses Solomon summarizes that giving God supreme honor and respect is the starting point for both knowledge and wisdom (the skill to use knowledge) and that it leads to spiritual “life”:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction .”—Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding ”.—Proverbs 9:10

“The fear of the LORD leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil .”—Proverbs 19:23

The Eternal Gospel is “bittersweet”: sweet to those who receive it, bitter to those who reject it. God gives man two choices: salvation or judgment – the only two real choices a person has. See for example Deuteronomy 30:15; Psalm 1:1-6; Jeremiah 17:5-8; 21:8-9.

Regarding the perseverance of faith and pressure to compromise the Gospel message; William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, has said, “The chief danger of the 20th century is going to be: forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, religion without the Holy Spirit and heaven without hell”.

Revelation 14 -4- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel REV. 14:8
THE FALL OF “B ABYLON ” [8 And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication .”]

‘Babylon’, that great city , is now destroyed {“ is fallen, is fallen ”}. This sentiment is echoed over ancient Babylon in Isaiah 21:9 . The statement is repeated for emphasis, is conclusive and is meant to be a summary of witness against Babylon. The idea parallels Jesus’ preface to His teaching by saying, “ Truly, truly I say to you …..” We will see later in chapter 18 in much more detail the judgment and destruction of ‘Babylon’ on a worldwide scale.

Ancient Babylon was founded by Nimrod [see Genesis 10:8-12 ] the progenitor of the early Sumerian and Assyrian kings { Gen. 10:9-11; Micah 5:6 }. His meaning of his name has been associated with the idea of ‘rebel ’ and he certainly was a rebel with a cause for he was the instigator of Tower of Babel { Genesis 11:1-9}. Babylon became the center of that idolatrous worship that is synonymous with spiritual adultery —the forsaking of the One True God; Jehovah – Jesus Christ.

Just as the building of that tower represented universal rebellion against God (because God had said he wanted mankind to spread over the earth; Genesis 9:1 ) so too, as mankind's time of ruling over this world comes to a close, the universal attitude will be characterized by rebellion and lawlessness against God. We have already seen this in Rev. 9:20-21 .

There is question that is still debated concerning this verse: “Is the ‘Babylon’ mentioned in this passage literal or figurative?” That is, will ancient Babylon be rebuilt only to be ultimately destroyed by God in the last days, or is this referring to a world-wide system patterned after the pagan practices originating from there.

Now some reputable Bible commentators take the position that ancient Babylon in Iraq will be rebuilt in the last days near the Euphrates River as a center of world commerce. The viewpoint is taken in the popular Left Behind end-time prophecy novels. However, I do not believe this will be the case.

The expression found in the latter half of this verse provides both the connection to ancient Babylon and the clue on how to interpret this verse:

“….. because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication .”

Compare this with Rev. 16:19 ; at the culmination of the BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON . This worldwide intoxication with rebellion against God and spiritual adultery can be traced back to ancient Babylon as its source [see for example Jeremiah 51:6-8]. Apparently, that part of the world has been the headquarters for Satan for a very long time.

Revelation 14 -5- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel In like manner, the nations of the world will drink from the LORD’s ‘wine of judgment’ according to the principle found in Habakkuk 2:15-16 . God's wrath and fierce anger against rebellion, unrepentant sin and wickedness is spoken of as wine in His ‘ cup of fury ’ and the nations of the world will drink of it—refer to Jeremiah 25:15-28.

Scripturally w e see that this “ wine of wrath ” is produced by human pride & rebellion and God causes humankind to drink up. There are two aspects to the “ wine cup of fury ”:

(1) Man’s anger against God . ( Psalms 2:1-12; Revelation 11:18 ) (2) God’s anger against man . ( Isaiah 13:6-13)

But then why use the term ‘Babylon’ if it does not refer to the literal city?

The short answer is that it is symbolic (or a euphemism) similar to Jerusalem being called “Sodom and Egypt” in Rev. 11:8 . [Refer also to Isaiah 1:10-11; Jer. 23:14; Ezek. 16:46 ].

For one thing, God pronounces that the ancient city of Babylon will be overthrown like Sodom and Gomorrah by the Medo-Persians never be inhabited through all generations, not even the Arabs will live there, but it will remain the haunt of wild beasts of the desert and be desolate forever { Isaiah 13:17-22 ; Jeremiah 51:25-29, 37, 61-64 }. Why? Because of the wickedness and damage Babylon has done to the nations around it and for the idolatry it has imported worldwide.

Secondly, a further study of the book of Revelation indicates that there will be a modern ‘Babylon’ geographically located in Europe, most probably in Rome. For that is where ‘BABYLON THE GREAT , THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH ’ sits on the Beast that has seven heads and ten horns.

In Revelation 17:9 we are told (as in Rev. 13:18) to have a mind of wisdom to understand this. We are told that the ‘seven heads’ are seven mountain s upon which the woman sits. Rome was known from ancient times to be the ‘city of seven hills’ and each one has a name. And Rome still holds religious sway in the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world.

An intriguing example of a woman holding out a cup is shown in Figure 14-1. In 1825, on the occasion of the Year of Jubilee, Pope Leo XII struck a medal bearing on one side his own image and on the other that of the Roman Catholic Church symbolized as a woman sitting down on what appears to be a rock. As can be seen in the reproduction in Figure 14-1, the woman is holding out the cup of communion with the legend around her declaring SEDAT : SUPER UNIVERSUM or ‘Seat of the whole world’ implying that the Church of Rome holds that distinction.

Revelation 14 -6- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel

Figure 14-1. Medal Struck by Pope Leo XII to Celebrate the Year of Jubilee in 1825 Depicting the Roman Catholic Church Holding Out the Cup of Communion.

Ancient Babylon is therefore depicted in the book of Revelation as the prime source of spiritual adultery that has been exported and which has permeated all the nations of the world! Perhaps in the latter days it will be concentrated in Rome.

It has been a long war the world has had against God but it will come to an end with Christ Jesus and His saints the victors {compare Revelation 19:11-21; the destruction of the world’s armies at the Battle of Armageddon}.

Evidently, this latter day ‘Babylon’ will be patterned after ancient Babylon but manifest itself on a global scale . As the world shares in the rebellion of ancient Babylon – so too will it share in God’s judgment and destruction.

APPLICATION : It is interesting to note that Babylon represents the power of all the world kingdoms. Satan offered to Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would bow down and worship him. But Jesus did not give in, His response was; “Away from me Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’” ( Matthew 4:8-10 ). Jesus Christ knows that all the kingdoms of the world will one day be given to him legitimately. ( Revelation 11:15 ; the 7th TRUMPET JUDGMENT ). As Christians neither should we succumb to the temptations and enticements of the world’s luxury, business practices and ungodly attitudes and in essence deny the claim of Jesus Christ on our lives. We should never yield to ungodly promises of power, money or prestige that would compromise our witness for Jesus Christ and undermine the Gospel message. For we have been promised to sit in heavenly places with Christ forever { Eph. 2:4-7} and to sit in judgment over angels { 1 Cor. 6:3 }. There is absolutely nothing in this world that could possibly even come close in comparison to that!

Revelation 14 -7- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel REV. 14:9-11
JUDGMENT & DESTRUCTION TO THOSE WHO WORSHIP SATAN [9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name .”]

As Babylon and all it represents will be destroyed, so too will all those who worshipped the beast be destroyed. They will drink the wine of God’s fury which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. The Greek word used here is “undiluted”.

Sometimes people ask, “Will those who receive the mark of the Beast, 666, be eternally doomed to condemnation in Hell or is there hope for their salvation?” This passage answers that question with a firm and ominous, “No!”

Note that it says here that the torments of Hell await all those “…. who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name .” These will “….. also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation ”.

Babylon is the prime example God’s why His wrath in judgment will come upon sin and rebellion. What form does this rebellion take? Historically, rebellion most often manifests itself as idolatry, of which the theory of evolution is a modern example. But it can also take the form of despising the things of God by opposing & suppressing His Truth: His precepts, laws, commands and character. Refer to Romans 1:18-32 and 2:1-10 .

Ultimately, the highest form of rebellion is the denial that the God of the Bible even exists, that man can live and is better off without Him. This is called the “religion” of Humanism.

“Babylon” here represents consummation of Humanism – all that which sets itself up in opposition to and in rebellion of God. The source of this rebellion (which is as the sin of divination or witchcraft ; 1 Samuel 15:23 ) is Satan himself.

What is Humanism? Humanism is basically glorified atheism . It is a belief system that embraces the concept of man’s upward evolution and accepts the fact that we are our own “gods”. Perhaps its purpose and character is best summarized by the following quote from The Humanist magazine article 4.

“The battle for humankind’s future must be waged in a public school classroom. By teachers who correctly perceive their role as the proselytizers of a new faith. The classroom must and will become an arena of conflict between the old and the new: the rotting corpse of Christianity and the faith of Humanism”.

4 A Religion for a New Age ; The Humanist (magazine), 1989.

Revelation 14 -8- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel The world’s economic, social, political and religious system, which has been permeated with Humanism, will ultimately be destroyed. [See Rev. 16:17-21 (the 7 th Bowl of Wrath) and Rev. 18:1-3; 9-20 ]. The stock markets of the world will crash never to recover. We will see this graphically detailed in chapters 17 and 18.

Just as ancient Babylon was judged by God and destroyed, so too will this “modern” Babylon. One day God will push the “reset button” – all that the world holds dear will be done away with. Peter quotes Isaiah 40:6-8 when he reminds us: “ All men are like grass and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall but the Word of the Lord endures forever ”. ( 1 Peter 1:24-25 ).

REV. 14:12-13
BLESSING & SALVATION TO THOSE WHO WORSHIP THE LORD [12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 13 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 ”.]

Ah…………’patience’. It is one of the greatest virtues in a Christian’s life, but it does not come without a cost. If you have ever prayed for it you have already learned the hard way not to do that again.

Here is echoed the admonishment to believers found in Rev 13:10 ; that is to remain patient and faithful in the face of the worst kinds of trials possible. One gets the idea that not only do patience and faith seem to go together, but they are supposed to be an essential character trait of a Christian. Are you an impatient believer? Then you need to examine the health of your faith.

God cannot simply give us patience as if handing it to us on a silver platter. Patience comes by learning it through various trials of pain, suffering, distress and hardship and overcoming them. It is like an athlete training for the Olympics, he/she cannot just gain strength and endurance ‘overnight’ nor can he/she expect to gain a competitive physical advantage without training hard and painfully for it. Patience is learned with time and with an expense involved.

These GREAT TRIBULATION saints have gone through the worst kind of ordeal imaginable, but they were victorious. How? Through consistently obeying God’s commandments and keeping their faith in Jesus strong. These saints were “……looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of their (and our) faith. This is the One who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God . { Heb. 12:2 }.

Here in this passage is also a wonderful promise and assurance that those who persevere and die in the Lord Christ Jesus will be blessed. Their destination is Heaven forever safe in the care of their LORD and Savior and their reward is the approval of their Master.

Revelation 14 -9- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel APPLICATION : What a comfort to know that Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, our Great Shepherd and Overseer of our souls understands perfectly the trials we face, and even worse ones we shall never know, having gone through them with us, and is there to comfort, encourage and bring us through any ‘tribulation’ we may have in this world. In the Old Testament the phrase, “It came to pass” is used repeatedly to mark the passage of events. It has been pointed out that trials do not ‘ come to stay ’ but ‘ come so they can pass ’. Things are constantly changing, and God intends that all the changes are for His glory in us—Hallelujah!

That great old hymn “How Firm a Foundation ” has it totally correct 5. Because the words of this hymn are so appropriate at this point they are reproduced here in their entirety. Note especially the 3 rd , 5 th and 7th stanzas.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled? In every condition, in sickness, in health; In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth; At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea, As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be. Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid; I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand. When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow; For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply; The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine . Even down to old age all My people shall prove My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love; And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn, Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne. The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to its foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

5 Historical notes: Words written in 1787 by Rev. John Rippon and it is comprised of seven stanzas. This hymn was sung at the funerals of Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. It was a favorite hymn of President Andrew Jackson’s wife (Rachel, a.k.a. Deborah) and by his request it was sung at his deathbed. This hymn was also a favorite of Gen. Robert E. Lee and was sung at his funeral. It was and remains the theme song for J. Vernon McGee’s Through the Bible radio program.

Revelation 14 -10- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel These two characteristics; (1) keeping the faith of Jesus by loving God and (2) keeping God’s commandment s are essential earmarks of the child of God. Indeed the writer of Hebrews tells us that:

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. —Heb. 11:6

Indeed, as believers we have been giving this encouragement to ‘keep on keeping on’:

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God ?—1 John 5:3-5

It is interesting to note that as people age they become either more patient or much less patient. Most people go through similar experiences of good times and bad. But it is in the difference of how a person handles these trials.

When hardships and trials, yes even the deepest tribulation, come our way the temptation is to ‘give up’ or maybe take a compromising way out. But God’s Word has promised us that

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it .—1 Cor. 10:13

James 1:2-6 tells us (a) the attitude we should have, (b) why our faith is tested and (c) the ultimate reason for cultivating patience:

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind .”

APPLICATION : The trials and tribulations we experience here on earth provide an ‘attitude adjustment’; a ‘reality check’ for the child of God. They are preparing us to long for Heaven, not in a morbid, “death wish” kind of way, but in a way echoed by the Apostle Paul; “ For me to live is Christ and to die is gain ”.

The hardships we face and the difficulties we go through help to break the gravitational pull of worldly pursuits, interests and pleasures. After all, Jesus did not talk to us about Heaven while kicking back on some sun drenched island paradise, but in an upper room where one sat who would betray Him, where talk about His death filled the air and where a hasty Passover meal was eaten.

Here then is a reminder why it is worth it to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and remain faithful: “….. that they may rest from their labors and their works follow them .”

Revelation 14 -11- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel REV. 14:14-16
JESUS CHRIST —THE SON OF MAN COMES FOR HIS HARVEST OF JUDGMENT [14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped .]

The One on the white cloud has been identified with Jesus Christ 6. He appears with a cloud and He is wearing a golden crown and He is referred to as ‘ the Son of Man’ —a title given to Jesus throughout the Gospels. “Clouds” in the Bible are generally associated with the activities of God. And the ‘golden crown’ indicates His royal position in Heaven.

I believe that this is a reference to the LORD Jesus Christ coming back from Heaven to destroy those who have gathered against Him as described in Rev. 19:11-18 . The imagery of the sickle coming to cut down the overripe grain is graphic but appropriate since a horrific harvest is about to be described!

The “ harvest of the earth is ripe ….” in the Greek actually refers to being overripe . The idea is that the fruit is so far gone it is beginning to dry up and shrivel on the vine. The Greek word used for ‘ ripe ’ here is always translated ‘ withered ’ or ‘ dried up ’ in the Gospels! The fruit will be harvested but it is apparently inedible.

This conjures up images of Jesus’ parable of the Vine Dresser and the Vine whose branches, if not rooted in the Vine, will dry up and whither and are thrown into the fire to be burned {see John 15:1-6}.

The earth was reaped at the mount of slaughter—the Valley of Megiddo. Here is the reason why when the 6 th Seal was opened {refer to Rev. 6:15-17 } the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man want to hide themselves in the caves and cry out to the rocks and mountains saying; “ Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand ?”

6 Jon Courson does not really comment on this aspect of the passage and leaves out a discussion of this subject from his commentary. John F. Walvoord states that although some think this is another archangel he identifies this person as Christ Himself. J. Vernon McGee states that this is evidently the LORD Jesus Christ. In Acts 7:56 Stephen as he is being stoned to death sees the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God – clearly a reference to Jesus Christ.

Revelation 14 -12- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel REV. 14:17-20
VISION OF THE BATTLE HARVEST OF ARMAGEDDON . [17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe”. 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs { STADION }.]

We now have here a synopsis of the great and awful BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON which culminates with the visible, physical return of Jesus Christ to the earth. The word Armageddon itself means “ hill of Megiddo ” and it refers to an expansive valley southwest of the Sea of Galilee. The Valley of Megiddo is part of the Plain of Esdraelon 7 which is about twenty miles long and fourteen miles wide. If you were to do a word search for ‘Megiddo’ in the Bible you would find that it already holds a very prominent place in Israel’s history but we will discuss that further in Revelation chapter 16.

Described here is the activity prevailing during the 7TH TRUMPET JUDGMENT {Rev. 11:15-19 } and the 7TH BOWL OF {God’s} WRATH {Rev. 16:13-21 }. This period of time is also described by the additional details given in Rev. 19:11-21 . It will be the horrific battle harvest of the bodies of men who come to battle against Israel and the LORD’s Chosen People!

Scripture testifies to this awful time. Indeed, the prophet Isaiah gives an ominous preview about this terrible time in Isaiah 34:1-8:

Also their slain shall be thrown out; their stench shall rise from their corpses, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood ….. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Edom ….. For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, the year of recompense for the cause of Zion .

And in Isaiah 63:1-6 the LORD is pictured as coming from Bozrah having His garments stained red with blood like one who has trodden in a winepress:

“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?” “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

7 It was Napoleon, whose army swept north through Israel on their way back to France after a military expedition in Northern Africa, who said of this valley, “Here, all the nations of the world could do battle”, and declared that great plain to be the finest battlefield in the world. Was he aware of this prophecy? No one knows for sure.

Revelation 14 -13- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel ….. 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 .”

The winepress was trampled outside the city, that is Jerusalem, and blood came out. It is poetic justice that as Jesus’ blood was shed outside the city so too should the blood of all those who are in rebellion against God be shed. This indicates that Jerusalem, the city from where the Messiah will reign, will be spared at least the worst of this battle.

Notice the connection of the great winepress to the wrath of God which is synonymous with the DAY OF THE LORD—the Day of God’s great wrath and anger. Obviously there is some serious reaping of the sickle going on here and the ‘harvest’ will be overwhelming. Isaiah and Zephaniah give us a glimpse of this time:

Wail, for the day of the LORD is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty …… Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it .—Isaiah 13:6, 9

The great day of the LORD is near; it is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the LORD is bitter; there the mighty men shall cry out. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of devastation and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of trumpet and alarm against the fortified cities and against the high towers. “I will bring distress upon men, and they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like refuse .”—Zephaniah 1:14-17

The entire scenario described here coincides with the prophecies given in Joel 3:1-3, 9-17 and Zech. 14:1-9 and so would be familiar to any Jewish person who has read the Old Testament prophetical books.

“Up to the horses’ bridles ……” means that blood splattered up to the height of a horse bridle—about five to six feet! This will truly be a time of tribulation such as has not been from the beginning of creation which God created until that time; nor ever shall be again {Mark 13:19; Matt. 24:21 }.

Blood came up to the height of the horses’ bridles over a distance of 1600 ‘stadion’ [rendered furlongs in the King James translation]. How far is this? We get our English word ‘stadium’ from this Greek word and one stadia is 600 feet. Therefore, the distance of ‘1600 stadion’ is equivalent to 182 miles. It is somewhat shocking to realize that this distance covers the entire length of Israel!

The extent of the bloodshed 8 will spread out from the Valley of Megiddo northward to Hazor and Dan and southward, down the Jordan rift valley past the Dead Sea all the way to Bozrah. Refer to Figure 14-2.

8 It is told through eyewitness testimony that during the American Civil War there was at least one instance, in the aftermath of a terrible battle, where surviving soldiers were walking ankle deep in the blood of those who died in a battle there because the area was formed by a depression in the land and the ground could not soak up the blood faster than it poured out.

Revelation 14 -14- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel

Figure 14-2. Map of Israel Showing the Distance of 1600 Stadia Covers the Entire Length of Israel.

To describe this event as the ultimate in ‘shock and awe’ would be an understatement! How will this be done? We can be sure that it will not be done with physical weapons of warfare for we are told in 2 Corinthians 10:4 that;

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds …..”

The prophetic hint is given in the latter half of Isaiah 11:4

“….. he shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked .”

Revelation 19:11-16 tells us that the destruction of the earthly armies will be done supernaturally by the sharp sword that comes from the mouth of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ Himself.

“….. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God ……”

Revelation 14 -15- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel

What is this ‘sharp sword’? Hebrews 4:12 tells us it is the Word of God 9 and Eph. 6:17 confirms this by informing us that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God . In that day the words spoken from the lips of the Living Word { John 1:1-2, 14 } will destroy the armies of all the nations that have gathered together to make war against the Messiah and His Heavenly army.

In conclusion, the prophet Joel foresaw the awful battle and slaughter that will take place at Megiddo and speaks in ominous tones about a major decision that will have to be made:

“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 .—Joel 3:12-14

In those terrible Tribulation days a person will have to choose between the horrific bloodbath of ARMAGEDDON or taking a ‘bath’ in the precious blood of the Lamb of God {Rev. 1:5 }—slain from the foundation of the world { Rev. 13:8 }.

Indeed the most significant shedding of blood that ever took place was when Jesus Christ died on the Cross of Calvary to cleanse us from our sins { Rom. 3:24-25; Eph. 2:13; Heb. 9:14, 22; 10:22 }. Hallelujah! – What a Savior!

So the irony is that the ‘day of decision ’ is here today—a person must decide who he/she will follow: Satan or the LORD Jesus Christ. That most important of all decisions will determine where one will spend eternity—separated forever from the presence of God in the ‘outer darkness ’ of Hell, were Jesus said there will be ‘….. weeping and gnashing of teeth …..”, or forever enjoying the presence of God in Heaven blessed by His wonderful light.

This choosing goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden—when Adam and Eve choose to eat the fruit in disobedience to God’s command; when Cain chose to kill his brother Abel, when Joshua and his house chose to server the LORD; and so on.

The choice to be made is epitomized by God’s warning to the people:

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil…..I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life , that both you and your descendants may live and that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days …..”—Deut. 30:15-20

9 “ For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart ”.—Heb. 4:12

Revelation 14 -16- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel What is the right decision?—it is summarized below:

But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says; “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved .”—Romans 10:8-13

HAVE YOU MADE THE RIGHTEOUS CHOICE —I HOPE SO !

Bibliography (1) New Unger's Bible Dictionary , Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright © 1988 . (2) Thru the Bible With J. Vernon McGee, 1 Corinthians-Revelation, Vol.5; The Book of Revelation , J. Vernon McGee, pp. 876-1080, copyright © 1982 (3) The Apocalypse: Exposition of the Book of Revelation , by Joseph A Seiss, Copyright © 1998. (4) Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament , Cook Communications Ministries; Copyright © 1983, 2000 . (5) Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary , Thomas Nelson Publishers, Copyright © 1986 . (6) Jon Courson’s Application Commentary , New Testament, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tenn., Copyright © 2003 .

Revelation 14 -17- Copyright  2008 K. G. Schiessel