Revelation 14

The Lamb protects His own (vs. 1-5)--Chapters 12 and 13 introduced us to some fearsome monsters, adversaries of God's people who have great cunning, strength, power, authority, and charisma. Who can protect the elect from such horrible creatures? A Lamb. Quite an irony. Perhaps the most helpless animal on earth can defeat the most terrible foes of God's faithful. In verse 1, He stood on Mount Zion, with 144,000 with Him--the totality of the saints, not one being overlooked. They had "His Father's name written on their foreheads.” Remember, in chapter 13, that those who serve the beast have "a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads" (13:16). God's people carry His stamp. There was great rejoicing in heaven; a new song was sung that only the redeemed could sing (v. 3). Nothing, NOTHING could harm them as long as they remained pure and followed "the Lamb wherever Him goes" (vs. 4-5). Incidentally, if the 144,000 is literal, as the Jehovah's Witnesses and some others teach, then why not the statement "these are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins"? No women among the 144,000? This shows the tremendous danger of trying to literalize apocalyptic language. His people, pure in life and tongue, will be perfectly protected in the judgment to come.

Judgment announced upon the wicked (vs. 6-13)--For truly judgment was about to come. Again, keep in mind John's readers. They were under the threat of severe persecutions. Frightful enemies had been introduced (chapters 12 and 13). But here they are given assurance that they will be sheltered by the Lamb they serve and that those who trouble and hurt them will get their just due. In verses 6 and 7, and angel appears "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" (v. 6). His message of good news is for all of mankind. And that message is one including judgment (v. 7). Thus, all men are encouraged to "fear God...and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water" (v. 7). Another angel followed and pronounced doom upon "Babylon": "Babylon is fallen, is fallen" (v. 8). This language is borrowed from Isaiah 21:9 regarding the destruction of that once-powerful city/empire. No doubt John's readers would understand this to be Rome, "that great city, [which] has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." Babylon, in ancient times, was a symbol for wickedness and debauchery, and the saints in the first century would certainly believe the same of Rome.

A third angel then appeared "saying with a loud voice" (so that all could hear and understand) that any who served the beast in any way would "drink of the wine of the wrath of God" (v. 10). So those who drank Rome's "wine of wrath" would soon drink of God's "wine of wrath." Those who meet that fate "shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb" (v. 10). In the presence of the angels and Jesus? Are those in hell going to be able to see the joy and rejoicing in heaven? Luke 16:19-31 (the rich man and Lazarus) seems to indicate so as well. Regardless, their punishment is eternal (v. 11). There is, of course, an implicit warning for John's readers. Christian martyrs who were burned at the stake suffered only a few minutes of torment, and afterwards possessed eternal life in fellowship with God. The torment of fire never ends for those who reject the Lamb. Indeed, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on" (v. 13). They rest from their labors and their works follows them (v. 13). Who are these people? Those who have been patient, "those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" (v. 12). The contrast in eternal destinies could not be starker.

The sickle of judgment (vs. 14-20)--John then sees a "white cloud" (purity and holiness) with one "like the Son of Man" sitting on it. He had a crown on His head ("King of kings") and a sharp sickle in His hand (v. 14). Another angel came forth ("out of the temple") and announced the reaping of the earth via the Son of Man's sickle (v. 15)--"the time has come...the earth is ripe." This reaping takes place in verse 16: "He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped." Two more angels then make their appearance, one carrying another sharp sickle, and another telling him to "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe" (v. 18). The angel with the sickle obeyed, and cast the vines "into the great winepress of the wrath of God" (v. 19). The grapes were trampled, and blood came out, "up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs," about 200 miles (v. 20). The judgment of God is severe upon those who oppose Him and harm His saints. This chapter (and the coming ones) give great encouragement to the readers. Satan has vicious, powerful foes and many will submit to them. The saints will be oppressed (13:17), but, as long as they stay faithful, a new day of victory and judgment will dawn, all demonstrated in the typical signs and symbols of apocalyptic literature.