INTRODUCTION Chapter 14 is a continuation of the previous one. Here is a brief outline of this chapter. Description of those who refuse to worship the beast. (1-5) Babylon is introduced. (6-11) Another view of judgment. (14-20) _ 1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion,... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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._ A. There are several issues that are often discussed here. 1. DOES THIS PASSAGE AUTHORIZE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN WORSHIP? The argument is o... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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._ A. The voices are here identified as coming from the 144,000. They sing a new song.... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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._ A. Who are these 144,000? They have not engaged in immoral or adulterous behavior. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God._ A. The description continues - There was no deceit in them. They were blameless. The American Standard translates this “without blemish.” B. In the church at Sardis there were some who had not defiled... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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-_ A. An angel is seen flying in heaven. This angel carries the gospel. The angel is not seen preaching the gospel. Rather, G... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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.”_ A. The angel instructs us to do three things: 1. FEAR GOD. Reverence and a sense of awe will be apparent when we realize... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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.”_ A. In contrast to the 144,000, who are pure and blameless, we now meet Babylon. An angel says, “Babylon is fallen.” We are to... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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 sha... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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.”_ A. God will punish the immoral. He will punish Satan, the beasts, and all who oppose God or do harm to God’s sealed peo... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus._ A. God is patient with us. He is longsuffering, waiting for us to repent. Now, God is telling the saints under persecution to be patient. B. This generation is one of instant gratifica... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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.”_ A. This voice seems to be the voice of God. Three times previously in this chapter an an... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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._ A. We now move to another graphic scene of the final judgment. John sees a white cloud. On the cloud is Jesus. Some deny this is Jesus bec... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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.”_ A. Now the fourth angel in this chapter begins to speak. This angel announces that the... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped._ A. Jesus, the righteous judge, thrusts the sickle on the earth. The earth is reaped. B. The message is clear. The righteous will be separated from the wicked. The wheat will be separated from the tares.... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle._ A. We are now introduced to the fifth angel in this section of Revelation. This angel has a sharp sickle. The sharpness of the sickle in the hands of Jesus was not described until now. The word “also”... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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.”_ A. In rapid succession, here comes the sixth... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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._ A. The angel with the sharp sickle begins the actual harvest. The vine of the earth, the fruit of all immorality, the product of all false teaching, the... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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._ A. The torment of the wicked is outside the city. This term will appear again in Revelation 22:14-15. The obedient are inside the city of God... [ Continue Reading ]