Chapter 14
Jesus and the 144,000
1 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
John sees Jesus standing on Mount Zion[1] with the 144,000 Messianic Jews (those in the line of Jacob that have accepted Jesus as the Messiah and their personal Savior) that were sealed earlier (see Revelation 7:3-8). We read that the ‘seal’ given to these people included the names of God the Father and God the Son written on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
John then hears a voice from heaven. He first describes the voice’s intensity, it was as loud as thunder, similar to the roar of a large waterfall or that of pounding waves. He further describes the voice as sounding like harps playing, perhaps like that of a modern-day piano. But there is no mention as to what the voice said. Then the 144,000 began to sing a new song before God, the four living creatures, and the twenty-four elders. But no one else could follow along as the 144,000 were the only ones that knew the song. Perhaps due to them being the only ones that were redeemed from earth, being undoubtedly a unique song about their redemption. This is different from the last time a ‘new song’ was sung, when everyone sang that song (see Revelation 5:9-10).[2] It appears that they are singing on Mount Zion on earth to a heavenly audience. Some debate that the location of Mount Zion in this context is also in heaven (see Hebrews 12:22). However, the 144,000 were sealed, protecting them from any harm, something that would be unnecessary in heaven. They were sealed to survive the Tribulation and will likely enter Jesus’ thousand-year reign on earth without going to heaven first.
4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.
We are given more information about these individuals, first, they are men who have not had sex with a woman. In the Old Testament we read in several locations where Israel is referred to as “the virgin daughter of Zion” or the “virgin Israel” (see 2 Kings 19:21; Isaiah 37:22; Jeremiah 18:13; 31:4, 21; Lamentations 2:13; Amos 5:2). They follow Jesus wherever He goes, some believe that this refers to them following His instructions (such as to evangelize) or read the Word of God (like believers are to do today), instead of literally physically following Him. These men have been redeemed (made righteous) from mankind and serve as firstfruits (in context, the beginning of a great harvest, see verses 14-15) for God and His Son Jesus. We are also told that they do not lie, and that they are blameless (made holy). It is important to note that as Christians, we are also made blameless, not by our own doing but by what Jesus did for us (see Ephesians 1:4; 5:27; Colossians 1:22; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19; Jude 1:24).
Three Angels with Three Warnings
6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
John sees an angel flying above him with an eternal gospel to proclaim to everyone on earth (this is the first of seven angels introduced in this chapter). The prefix of ‘eternal’ before the word ‘gospel’ is a powerful statement that demonstrates that the gospel message of salvation through Jesus is never out of date, nor will it ever expire. The gospel is just as effective today as it was 1,000 years ago, and will always be effective. This angel is also proclaiming that time is running out, as judgment is about to begin. Since a person has up until their time of death to repent, having judgment coming that could result in death, would end the opportunity for salvation.
The angel’s message begins with fearing God, that includes accepting the fact that there is a God and then to follow His wishes, which includes accepting His Son as their Savior, and recognize that He alone deserves honor and glory, leading them to worship the only true God, the Creator of all things.
8 Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”
A second angel appears and announces, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great…” Another highly-debated question is, what city (or cities) is this (and other references to Babylon in this book, see also Revelation 16:19; 17:5; 18:2, 10, 21) referring to? Here the angel notes that Babylon is a location that “made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.” But the Babylon in the Old Testament is currently in ruins. While it is true there have been several efforts in the past to revitalize this ancient city, it certainly in no position to influence nations. This is a prophecy of Babylon falling (the same concern of Babylon falling can be read in Revelation 18:2), we will see this name come to prominence later in chapters 17 and 18.
Many point out that the name Babylon could be used to symbolize a spiritual condition, like how the names of Sodom and Egypt were used in Revelation 11:8. There is some evidence that the name can represent a fallen or corrupt nature and possibly an apostate church. We will explore several points of view later in the commentary for Revelation chapter seventeen.
9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”
Now a third angel appears and offers a stern warning, if anyone worships the beast, including its image, and receives a mark on their forehead or hand, they will suffer God’s wrath. The angel illustrates using an Old Testament metaphor of a ‘cup’ referring to a period of intense anguish, wrath or judgment (see also Psalm 75:8; Isaiah 52:17; Jeremiah 25:25; Lamentations 4:21; Ezekiel 23:32; Zechariah 12:2; Mark 10:38; John 18:11). Here the angel adds drinking of the wine of God’s wrath poured “full strength” (nothing held back) into the cup of His anger. The warning includes the fact that the wrath will continue with torment from fire and sulphur for all of eternity. The Greek word ‘enōpion’[3] translated here as ‘presence’ (both times) can be used metaphorically and does not imply continual physical presence.
12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
It is clear that these three angels are conveying warnings to prevent people from eternal torment and destruction. God does not want anyone to die without accepting the free offer of salvation (see 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Peter 3:9). Warning after warning is given. For those that do choose to accept Jesus as their Savior after the rapture during the Tribulation they are called to endure as they will likely suffer and die a martyr’s death, but will enter heaven.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
John hears a voice from heaven instructing him to write that the believers who die from this point on will be blessed. John then notes that the Holy Spirit fully endorsed the saying by adding “Blessed indeed…that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” Being a witness in this hostile environment will undoubtedly be laborious, let alone trying to survive, but those labors will be laid up in heaven (see Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:18-19).
Considerations
The Hebrew name for Babylon is ‘Bā·běl’,[4] the name given to a city founded by Nimrod who spearheaded the construction of tall towers with the concept of meeting up with God. It was during construction of these towers that God introduced multiple languages forcing the project to fail due to workers inability to communicate with each other (see Genesis 10:8-12; 11:1-9). The name has become synonymous with confusion or speaking ‘gibberish’ due to this event in history. From the beginning, this location has been a major stronghold of Satan. Based on prophecy it will be rebuilt again.
Jesus often spoke about keeping the commandments of God (see John 14:15, 21; 15:10, John added several more, see also 1 John 2:3, 4; 3:22, 24; 5:2, 3). Sadly, many believe that the observance of these commandments are required for salvation, that they need to do “their part” to be saved. Since Jesus did all the work (that would be everything, one hundred percent), thinking like that would be considered a form of heresy, a belief contrary to the teaching of the Bible. No one is saved by keeping the commandments (see 2 Corinthians 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9). But then we come back to verses like verse twelve above, “those who keep the commandments of God.” Here this phrase is used to amplify or define those who are the saints. If compliance is not necessary then why the reference? Obedience is due to a desire, not an obligation or requirement. Those that are saved will obey out of love. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) He is not saying that as a command but as a normal response, believers obey because they want to please Him. Volunteer compliance and obedience are outward signs of a loving heart.
Harvest Time
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand.
John sees a white cloud and seated on that cloud was Jesus wearing a golden crown holding a sharp sickle in His hand.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped.
Then another angel comes out of the Temple (likely in heaven) and calls over to Jesus that it was time to reap the harvest. This is a task that only Jesus can do, “For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.” (John 5:22) His Father gave Jesus full authority which includes judgment, “And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.” (John 5:27, see also Matthew 28:18; John 9:39; Acts 10:42). Without delay the harvest on earth was reaped. Jesus takes away those that He knows, those that accepted Him as their Savior. The harvest of those saved is now complete.
17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia.
John sees another angel come out of the Temple in heaven holding a sharp sickle, followed by yet another angel coming out from the bronze altar, who had the authority over fire (a Biblical idiom for judgment, first seen in Genesis 19:24 in judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah). The second angel calls out to the first angel to proceed and “gather the clusters from the vine.” The grapes are gathered and then thrown into a large winepress to experience the wrath of God. The winepress was located outside the city of Jerusalem (see also Leviticus 4:12; Numbers 19:3; Hebrews 13:11) and when the winepress was tread on, the blood (see also Genesis 49:11; Isaiah 63:1-6; Joel 3:13) flowed out as high as a horse’s bridle (depending on horse, 4-6 feet) for 1,600 stadia (plural for stadium, a Roman measure of distance, thought to be between 600 to 625 feet), making this blood flow being four to six feet high for approximately 185 miles. This appears to be a prophecy of what will transpire later and reported in Revelation 19:15.
Due to the use of the word ‘vine’ in this vivid picture of judgment, one that is scheduled to take place at the end of the Tribulation, these four verses are often either misunderstood or allegorized. In this scenario we see it uniquely pointing to those who have fully rejected Jesus.
The use of the vine in a figurative way, frequently found in the Bible in relation to Israel (Ps. 80:8, 14–15; Isa. 5:2–7; Jer. 2:21; Ezek. 17:5–8; Hosea 10:1), is also used of the church in John 15:1–6. Just as Israel and the church were to bear fruit of righteousness to the Lord, so here we have the vine producing the fruit of wickedness and corruption.[5]
Considerations
In this chapter we see Jesus sitting on a cloud. The presence of God throughout the Bible is often described as being accompanied by a cloud. When the Israelites were following God in the wilderness (see Exodus 13:21-22; 14:19-24); when the Israelites were before God as Moses introduced them to “bread from heaven” (see Exodus 16:9-10); when the Israelites received the law the first time (see Exodus 19:9, 16, 18; 24:15-18); when the Israelites received the law the second time (see Exodus 34:1-5); during God’s indwelling of the Tabernacle (see Exodus 40: 34-35); when a cloud was seen over the Tabernacle it meant for the Israelites to stay at that location (see Numbers 9:15-23); a cloud came to Moses when he was to share the Holy Spirit on seventy elders (see Numbers 11:24-25); a cloud was seen when the Ark was brought into the Temple for the first time (see 1 Kings 8:10-11); God was seen with the clouds of heaven (see Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1:17; 14:14-16); a cloud overshadowed everyone during the transfiguration (see Matthew 17:5, later referred to as the majestic glory of God by Peter, see 1 Peter 1:17); when Jesus ascended in a cloud (see Acts 1:9); and two major events promised in the future, during the rapture (see 1 Thessalonians 4:17) and the return of Jesus (see Matthew 24:30; 26:64; Luke 21:27; Revelation 1:7). Most theologians believe that, like what Peter described, the clouds relate to God’s glory. Some refer to this as God’s ’Shekinah Glory.”
The term 'Shekinah' (or 'Shekhinah') is a non-Biblical word that refers to God’s visible presence, it can be found in the Talmud and other ancient Jewish literature. Its origin is believed to be related to the story of Moses' encounter with the "Burning Bush." The first twelve verses of Exodus chapter three records this amazing time with God visibly seen as a burning bush. In that brief story we learn a lot about God, including His name. The Hebrew word for 'bush' appears in only one other location in the Bible, Deuteronomy 33:16 which reads, “with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness and the favor of him who dwells in the bush." In that verse the Hebrew words 'šō·ḵenî'[6] (translated as 'dwells') and 'seně(h)'[7] (translated as 'bush') are found together potentially forming the sound 'Shekinah'. While the word or phrase may not be found in the Bible, many theologians, commentary writers, etc., use this term and the phrase “Shekinah Glory” as it has become an acceptable term to represent or describe any visible evidence of God's presence.
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[1] In the City of David where the Temples were built, see "Temple Location Revisited" in Considerations under Revelation 11:1-2.
[2] See also “A New Song” in the Considerations under Revelation 5:13-14.
[3] Strong’s Greek 1799.
[4] Strong’s Hebrew 894.
[5] Walvoord, J. F. (2008). The Revelation of Jesus Christ (p. 221). Galaxie Software.
[6] Strong’s Hebrew 7931.
[7] Strong’s Hebrew 5572.