(Chapter 14)

First, we discussed the beginning of chapter Fourteen significantly in Chapter Seven. And we will now engage in some repetition, with regards to the beginning of chapter Fourteen and the meaning and significance of the 144,000.

However, since you should now have a foundational understanding of this prophecy; and how it flows, and repeats itself - I believe that it would be good to point out another aspect of chapter Fourteen. And that is how it is a global Summary of virtually EVERYTHING which has taken place in this prophecy - up to this point.

God loves to repeat himself in scripture. He is a LOVING GOD - who cares DEEPLY for us! And He knows that we are dense, hard headed, stubborn, and self-willed. Therefore - since He deeply loves us, and wants us to understand principles of Himself, justice, scriptures, and coming events - He repeats Himself all over the place in various scriptures of the Bible.

Consequently, chapter Fourteen - is a virtual summary . . . Take a look!

        Fourteen (v1 - 5): Discusses the Bride who will not experience the great tribulation.

        Fourteen (v6 - 8): States judgement has come (see R11:17 - 18); and Babylon has been destroyed.

Fourteen (v9 - 13): Repeats that if you receive the mark of the Beast or worship the Beast and his image; that you will ultimately never have rest, and will be in eternal torment. And it is again stated that this time of tribulation - requires great patience, and endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints!

Fourteen (v14 - 16): Is a different perspective of the last Trumpet; and the events and actions which were observed and seen (R11:11 - 12).

Fourteen (v17 - 20): The day of God’s wrath against those who rejected the true Jesus is now seen. It is stated that the level of Blood will be up to a horses bridle or mouth for a distance of 1,600 Stadia. A Stadia is equal to approximately 200 yards. The level of blood will be over 4 feet (1.2 meters) high for over 181 miles or 292 Km.

The end of Fourteen is a segue into the judgements and wrath of God. Chapter Fifteen reveals the seven angles carrying the seven bowls of God’s wrath. In Fifteen - we spiritually see how the judgements come about, and in Sixteen - we will observe the actual judgements against those who rejected the one true triune God! In Fifteen, the temple is open. We also see it opened or open - at the end of chapter Eleven - just after the declaration that the day of God’s wrath has come! (see R11:19)

With this understanding of how Fourteen repeats what has already been stated; let’s continue . . .

Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. (Rev 14:1 - 5)

As you may recall, the word Zion is another reference for GOD. And the reference to Mount Zion calls to mind the Holiness, Strength, and Might of God.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalms 18:2)

. . . The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalms 27:1)

The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him, saying, “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth . . . (Psalms 52:6 - 7)

He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge . . . (Psalms 144:2)

The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever. As for you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion . . . (Micah 4:7 - 8)

The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. (Psalms 28:8)

(If you do not remember these truths, perhaps you should revisit the commentary on chapter seven.)

And the 144,000 reference the Wife of the Lamb. The only portion of believers who will not experience the great tribulation.

Just as Jesus is called the Son of God; so these are found occupying the Holy Mountain - and are the Daughter of Zion.

First - we see that the 144,000 are standing on Mount Zion (God) with the Lamb or Jesus.

Now scripture assigns various names to Jesus or the Christ. Just as scripture assigns various names to God, the Father. One of those names which is a reference to Jesus; and His sacrifice for us - is the Lamb. The Lamb of God. The Lamb shed his blood for us, and gave His life for us. (R1:5; R5:8,9)

Second - in this prophecy - every time it uses the word Wife, or Bride - this is ALWAYS in reference to the word Lamb or Jesus. The common phrase Bride of Christ is essentially the same as: Wife of the Lamb. It carries with it identical meanings. But the phrase Bride of Christ - does not exist in all of scripture. The meaning and concept of the phrase Bride of Christ is clearly seen in various verses; such as John 3:28 - 29; and statements Jesus made with regards to Wedding Banquets & Bridegrooms.

Chapter fourteen opens not only with the 144,000 standing on God - but they are also standing next to the Lamb. The 144,000 are the ONLY group identified in this prophecy - as having not only Jesus’ or the Lamb’s name written on their foreheads - but ALSO the Father’s name.

In ALL of Revelation - this is the ONLY group identified with being given the Father’s name. Of course I say that - knowing and understanding that the ‘church’ of Philadelphia - is also given the Father’s name.

. . . I will write on him the name of my God . . . (Rev 3:12)

Philadelphia (love of brother/sister) - I stated in discussion on Chapter three - was the first description of the Bride of Christ. Or the Wife of the Lamb. The church of Philadelphia, and the 144,000 - are one and the same. The same group of individuals.

Third - we have a great sound of wonderful music. God gives us living water; and we have the sound of the roar of rushing waters, with Harps being played. And then they sing a song - which they alone are allowed to sing! A glorious new song. A new life, a new start. A wedding is often referred to as starting a new life together. And at weddings - the Bride and Bridegroom - frequently have their own song. Sometimes they sing it to one another; other times they have someone play it for them . . . But Bride and Bridegroom - often have ‘their song’. Same with these verses. A loud, joyful celebration; with the Bride and the Bridegroom - having ‘their’ song. Only a song they are allowed to sing.

Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. (Psalms 149:2 - 3)

Fourth - then we have the statement that they did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. And they follow the lamb wherever he goes.

In scripture, and even in today’s life - the wife is generally expected to go - wherever her husband goes . . . In many places of the world - marriage vows include the words: “In sickness and in health . . . till death do us part.”

And a man who is marrying the woman he loves - desires for her to be a virgin. For her not to have been being intimate with various men . . . So too - with God! He is looking for intimacy with us, and with His Bride. So Zion is declared to be a virgin; and so too - are the 144,000 declared to be virgins! They have waited on their bridegroom, and kept themselves pure.

The statement: “did not defile themselves with women”; is not in ANY way stating that being married is a defilement. For the marriage bed is undefiled.

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure . . . (Hebrews 13:4)

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled . . .  (Hebrews 13:4  KJV)

Neither is it stating that all of the 144,000 (symbolic number) are males! No, a marriage statement is being made here at the beginning of chapter Fourteen; and the fact that the Bride is pure and Holy is being declared. These people are declared by God to be virgins - they are the Daughter of Zion; and they have just been married to the Lamb! The phrase “defile themselves with women” is given for two reasons:

1. Because these verses open up discussing the Wife of the Lamb. So the verses are stating that she is pure, and undefiled.

2. As believers in Christ - if we wish to be part of the Bride; and not experience the great tribulation; if we wish to be part of that select group who are found WORTHY to be the wife of the Lamb - then we are required to be intimate with God. To put off all of the pleasures and distractions of this world - which so easily entangle us, and which encourage us not to be focused on God, and listening to our teacher - Mr. Holy Spirit!

The 144,000 have been focused on, and intimate with God. They LOVE Jesus, and OBEY His commands. They LOVE God; and they LOVE their fellow brethren, and the people all around them - who hate them. They have decided not to be caught up in this world - but to be totally consumed by God - who is a consuming fire. They allowed God to heat them up, and refine them. They allowed themselves to become so intimate with God - that they became absolutely pure . . . And so God consumes them; and they are pure and holy; and they are found worthy to be the Wife of the Lamb.

Fifth - these 144,000 are declared to be FirstFruits. Jesus was the firstfruit and first born for our salvation. And so is His Bride. She has made herself ready, and has clothed herself in righteousness. She is Blameless. FirstFruits, and the sacrifices made for atonement, and celebration of various feasts and harvests - using Bulls, and Lambs, etc. were always to be without any Blemish; and had some age restrictions. Perfection, a Holy virgin with sufficient oil. Note also that they were purchased or redeemed from among men. The first offspring from any womb was required to be redeemed, or purchased. The 144,000 were purchased by Jesus; dedicated to serve God, and given by God to the High Priest of the first born of the resurrection of the dead - Jesus the ultimate High Priest - to be His. The best of the best was given to the Priests who served God.

Just as God made Adam, the first man; and then took a rib from Adam, and made Eve - the first woman; as a wife for Adam - so too Jesus saved and redeemed us all; and God has taken the best of the best from the Church; and made a Wife for the Lamb. Eve was taken from the body of Adam; and the Bride is taken from the Body of Christ - the Church.

. . . They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. (Rev 14:4 - 5)

I have repeated some significant portions from the discussion of chapter Seven. This is necessary to remind you of several things . . . The entire prophecy is very interlaced and woven together. And the prophecy repeats itself in various ways, from several perspectives.

To have a genuine discussion of chapter Seven - it was necessary to delve Deeply into the beginning of chapter Fourteen. And so now, at chapter Fourteen; we have repeated a small portion of what was previously stated.

If you have not read the discussion of chapter Seven - I strongly suggest you do so. I dealt with the opening of Fourteen in tremendously more detail - at that chapter. This was necessary for a correct understanding of chapter seven.

Now chapter One of Revelation states that you are BLESSED if you read it, and take it to heart. It also states that Jesus is God, and the entire world will mourn when Jesus returns.

Chapter Two - Three discuss the various possible spiritual conditions of the Christian believer; using the known cultural traditions and histories of the cities named. The emphasis always narrows to the individual; and focuses on learning to Hear the Spirit of God - and being obedient to Him. And, we are introduced to the genuine idea of the Wife of the Lamb; and her number one qualification - LOVE. Deep, DEEP LOVE - for Jesus, God, and believers and unbelievers alike.

Chapters Four - Five reflect on Jesus’s worthiness above ALL and everyone else - to totally RULE all of His creation. And we see Jesus receiving the redemption scroll; or ‘property deed’ for mankind. Man was originally given dominion; but he gave his authority over the earth to Satan - when he sinned; and Jesus has purchased mankind back into holiness and an intimate relationship with Him - for anyone who desires to be pure, holy, and to have a beautiful relationship with God.

Chapter Six reflects the basic overall foundational crises which will occur and build to the terrible tribulation period of the anti-Christ ruling, and killing anyone who refuses to worship him. And we flow from that - to the ultimate prophetic judgement - the day of God’s wrath.

Chapter Seven reflects that it is possible to avoid being in the great tribulation period - which will require tremendous patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the Saints - from those who remain true to Jesus. Here, we see the juxtaposition of those who gave themselves fully to God; and are part of the Wife of the Lamb; and those who experience the great tribulation - but were victorious against the beast. They are waving palm branches - which historically signify victory.

Chapters Eight - Nine go into more detail on the judgements against man and those who reject God. The anti-Christ is ruling during all of Eight and Nine; and he uses these judgements from God - to help deceive those on the earth.

Chapter Ten shows Jesus standing on the earth - controlling the Land, Sea, and Air - protecting his very precious Bride - just as God protected the Israelites in the desert.

Chapter Eleven shows how the whole earth will rejoice in unrighteousness under the rule of the anti-Christ; reveals all of the dead in Christ being raised from the dead, and meeting Him at the last trumpet; and closes by stating that the day of God’s wrath has come, and it is time to reward those who loved Jesus; and to destroy those who rejected God.

Chapter Twelve describes how the Wife of the Lamb escapes from Satan after he is cast out of Heaven and onto the earth. She is shown flying on the wings of God to the desert place prepared for her - where her bridegroom awaits. It closes with Satan going to make war against those Christians who did not qualify for the Bride, because of our lack of faith, lack of Love, lack of intimacy with Jesus, etc. To make war against those of Jesus who remain; and to deceive all of the nations and peoples of the earth.

Chapter Thirteen discusses the great power and authority which Satan will exhibit; and how all of the nations will bow and worship before him. Everyone will be required to accept him as God (which he will ‘prove’ that he is) or be killed.

Chapter Fourteen is a summary of everything foundational and which is very important in this prophecy; and adds just a little more detail.

So, as we have seen - chapter Fourteen opens up with a further description of the Bride; and how she is with God and protected by Him.

It then moves on to state that the judgement time of God has arrived; Babylon the Great has fallen; and to remind the reader that if ANYONE receives the mark of the beast, OR worships him - he will spend eternity in HELL. If you worship the beast or receive his mark - you will drink the wine of God’s fury, and forever be in burning torment.

Punishment is given and directed for one of either two totally different actions. Worship or Mark acceptance. However - what is the condition of your heart? If you worship the anti-Christ; you will also receive his Mark(s). And if you receive his mark(s) - (the various ‘names’ and positions of power and authority and family inheritance) - then you will (of course) also worship him! But the same punishment is explicitly stated and given for either one of these two separate actions.

So chapter Fourteen reiterates what was discussed in thirteen; (worshiping Satan and or taking his mark) and describes the ultimate and final true result. (Eternal torment.)

Fourteen continues with the admonishment that this time of the anti-Christ ruling the earth - requires patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints. And that those who die for Jesus during this time of tremendous deception - are Blessed.

Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth - to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” A second angel followed and said, “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.” A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.” This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” (Rev 14:6 - 13)

Continuing in fourteen - we see a different perspective on the day the last trumpet is blown, and God’s wrath is brought to the forefront. This is a segue into chapter Fifteen & Sixteen - which open up describing how God’s wrath is going to come about and be displayed.

So the close of Fourteen opens with God’s wrath, and the gathering of all the saints to Jesus. Which, as we have seen - has already been described from several different perspectives. Jesus stated that not even He Himself - the Son - knew the time of God’s wrath, or of the gathering of the righteous.

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Mark 13:32)

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36)

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. (Acts 1:7)

In the quote from Acts above - this is the glorified, resurrected Son speaking. Note however, that He does not state that He does not know the date or time. He states that it is not for the disciples (in other words - US) to know the times or dates which the Father has set. Jesus is GOD. So, at this point - being resurrected and glorified - He might know the times. But WE are to WATCH, and be READY. To know the seasons, and what is going on spiritually. To learn to HEAR the Spirit of GOD!

Jesus is seated at the right hand of God.

Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:33 - 36)

But, since Jesus is GOD - he can be in more than one place at a time. He is sovereign. And so in chapter Fourteen - we also find Jesus sitting on a cloud - waiting to reap the righteous harvest. The time arrives - the last trumpet is blown (see chapter R11); and the righteous rise up and join our Lord. The earth is harvested. And following the harvest of the righteous; where the dead rise up and then the Bride and everyone righteous rises up into the air and the clouds - to be with our Lord - Jesus - after this amazing event - we have the ‘harvest’ of the unrighteous. The wrath of God is poured out upon all those who rejected God and His sacrifices for us.

I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one “like a son of man” with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, “Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.” The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia. (Rev 14:14 - 20)

*Chapter 13*   *Chapter 15*

"Questions??? Give a shout!"

All Greek/Hebrew definitions (unless otherwise noted) are taken from
The NIV Exhaustive Concordance by Edward W. Goodrick & John R. Kohlenberger III © 1990 by The Zondervan Corporation. ISBN 0-310-436970-7

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, International Version®, NIV84®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™
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Copyright 2011 - Revelation Disclosed Updated 10/14/11

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