Revelation 14

In Rev. 11 we learned of two great witnesses in the last half of the great tribulation.  In Rev. 12 we learned of Israel’s persecution and preservation.  In Rev. 13 we learned of the rule of antichrist.  Today we are brought to the end of that time and the judgments that will be poured out in Rev. 15-16.

The chapter opens with a magnificent scene, of Christ standing on Zion.  This is a vision in anticipation of His return.  He is with 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth.  It is most likely they are the same group of Jewish believers in Rev. 7.  Perhaps they were permitted to be martyred and then taken to heaven as were the two great witnesses.

This scene is followed by three angels who make important announcements that are motivated by God’s love for men.

·        The first (v6-7) announces the everlasting gospel to every person on earth, as Jesus promised (Matt. 24:14).  The gospel has always been a call to faith in Christ, the Lamb of God.  God gives men the only good news.  Perhaps the 144,000 are seen at Jesus’ side because they had a significant part in taking the gospel to every person on earth.

·        The second (v8) announces the fall and failure of the Satan-inspired world system (covered in detail in Rev. 17-18).  This message makes clear to men the failure of anything else in which they might put their faith.  To fear God and give Him glory by accepting the gospel message is the only way.

·        The third (v9-13) makes it clear that faith in God means rejecting the mark of the beast.  All who take it will share in the judgment of those behind it.  A choice must be made.  What a gracious warning; and it encourages patience among those who will lose their lives for their faith.  What a magnificent line: 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.’

This final call of God to mankind is followed by the judgment that has always been predicted.  This appears to be the judgment of those still on the earth who reject the gospel.  Perhaps v14-16 sees Christ as the judge (all judgment is His, Jn. 5:22; 12:48) and v17-20 sees the angels carrying out His determination.

Do you see God’s grace at work?  The next chapter opens with seven angels with the seven last plagues in which the wrath of God is complete.  The time when these things occur is the most difficult imaginable.  To exercise faith in Christ will mean certain death.  There will be no other way of “blessing,” even as there is no other way TODAY!  We often refer to Psalm 2 as the record of God’s promise to His Son to give Him the nations as His inheritance and the ends of the earth as His possession (2:6-9).  Consider, the closing words of that Psalm:

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little.  Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.