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.
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.
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.
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.
Overview of Revelation Chapter 14
Revelation Chapter 14 presents a vivid and symbolic depiction of the end times, focusing on themes of judgment, redemption, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. The chapter is structured around various visions that convey messages of hope and warning to the faithful and the wicked alike.
Key Themes
- The Lamb and the 144,000: The chapter opens with a vision of the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, accompanied by 144,000 individuals who have been redeemed from the earth.
- The New Song: The 144,000 sing a new song that only they can learn, symbolizing their unique relationship with God and their purity.
- The Proclamation of Judgment: Three angels deliver messages of judgment, warning of the fall of Babylon and the consequences of worshiping the beast.
- The Call to Endurance: A call for the saints to endure and remain faithful amidst persecution, with a promise of rest for the faithful dead.
- The Harvest of the Earth: The chapter concludes with a vision of the harvest, symbolizing the gathering of souls for judgment.
Detailed Analysis
The Lamb and the 144,000 (Verses 1-5)
The chapter begins with a powerful image of the Lamb, representing Jesus Christ, standing on Mount Zion. This signifies His authority and victory. The 144,000 are described as those who have been sealed and redeemed, indicating their protection and special status before God.
- Symbolism of Mount Zion: Mount Zion is often associated with God’s presence and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.
- Characteristics of the 144,000: They are described as having not defiled themselves, indicating purity and faithfulness, and they follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
- The New Song: The song they sing represents their unique experience of salvation and the joy of being in the presence of God.
The Proclamation of Judgment (Verses 6-13)
Three angels appear in succession, each delivering a critical message regarding judgment and the fate of the wicked.
- First Angel (Verses 6-7): Proclaims the eternal gospel to every nation, urging repentance and worship of the Creator.
- Second Angel (Verse 8): Declares the fall of Babylon, a symbol of corrupt political and religious systems that oppose God.
- Third Angel (Verses 9-11): Warns against worshiping the beast and receiving its mark, highlighting the severe consequences of such actions, including eternal torment.
This section emphasizes the urgency of repentance and the certainty of divine judgment, reinforcing the need for believers to remain steadfast in their faith.
The Call to Endurance (Verses 12-13)
In the midst of warnings, a call for endurance is issued to the saints. This serves as an encouragement for believers to remain faithful despite trials and tribulations.
- Definition of the Saints: The saints are identified as those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the faith of Jesus.
- Promise of Rest: The verse concludes with a comforting promise that the faithful will find rest from their labors, indicating hope for eternal life.
The Harvest of the Earth (Verses 14-20)
The chapter concludes with a striking vision of harvest, representing the final judgment of the earth.
- The Son of Man (Verse 14): Described as having a crown and a sickle, symbolizing authority and readiness to reap.
- The Harvest (Verses 15-16): An angel calls for the harvest, indicating the gathering of the righteous and the judgment of the wicked.
- The Grapes of Wrath (Verses 17-20): Another angel gathers the grapes, symbolizing the wicked, which are thrown into the winepress of God’s wrath, illustrating the severity of divine judgment.
Conclusion
Revelation Chapter 14 serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of the end times, encapsulating the dual themes of judgment and hope. It reassures believers of their ultimate victory through Christ while warning the unrepentant of the dire consequences of their choices. The imagery and symbolism used throughout the chapter emphasize the seriousness of faithfulness and the reality of divine justice.
