Monday, April 18, 2011

Chapter 14

Revelation 14:1 "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God."

The 144,000 Jews in the third heaven

14:1 - The context is the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation. The scene is in the third heaven. Mount Sion is a heavenly city (Hebrews 12:22, Psalms 48:2). The Lamb represents Christ. Cross references: Revelation 7:3-4

14:2 - Music is used in heaven to give glory to God (Revelation 15:2-3).

14:3 - This song is the song of Moses in Revelation 15:3, 9 and they also sing the song of the Lamb showing a faith and works situation in the Tribulation.

14:4-5 - The 144,000 are single men who are physically and spiritually virgins (Matthew 25:1). Cross reference: 1 Corinthians 15:23

Revelation 14:6 "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."

Everlasting Gospel

14:6-7 - This angel preaches a gospel that is not like Paul's faith alone gospel. This is a gospel to the Gentiles in the Tribulation that deals with works and fearing God. Cross reference: Acts 14:15, 17:24-27

Revelation 14:8 "And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

Tribulation: Faith and Works

14:8 - This verse goes with Revelation 17.

14:9-10 - This shows that during the Tribulation, salvation is by faith and works. The Tribulation saint has to endure to the end and not take the Mark of the Beast (Matthew 24:13).

14:11-12 - Worship in verse 11 is connected with a kiss (Psalms 2:12, 1 Kings 19:18, Hosea 13:2, Matthew 25:48-49, 2 Samuel 15:5). Verse 12 shows faith and works by saying they have to keep the Commandments like in the Old Testament. Hell is eternal torment with fire. Cross references: Isaiah 34:10, Revelation 12:17, 22:14

Revelation 14:13 "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. 14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto 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 that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. 17 And 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, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs."

Third account of the ending of the Tribulation period

14:13 - The Tribulation saints will be rewarded at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 11:18). Cross references: Hebrew 6:12, Matthew 24:13

14:14 - This is speaking of Jesus Christ before the Second Advent (Revelation 10:1). This verse to verse 16 shows a Rapture in the Tribulation.

14:15-16 - Sometime before the Tribulation ends, Jesus will make an appearance. Cross references: James 5:7, Isaiah 17:5-6, Matthew 13:39-43

14:17-18 - Cross references: Matthew 13 and Deut. 32:32

14:19 - The vine of the earth is found in Deut. 32:31-32, which shows the Roman Catholic church. This shows God's wrath in the Second Advent (Revelation 19:13-15). Cross reference: Revelation 6:14-16

14:20 - This takes place outside of Jerusalem. Again God's wrath is shown (Nahum 1:2-6, Joel 1:15). Verses 17-20 deal with the Second Advent of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 63:1-2, Revelation 9:14, Psalms 68:23).