Image: "Grapes of Wrath", 2008, Fingerlakes Vineyard, NY
Revelation 14:1–3 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. 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. 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.
Revelation 14:6–7 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—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.”
Revelation 14:12–13 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 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.”
Revelation 14:19–20 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. 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.
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The first thing we encounter in this chapter is the glorious song rung out from heaven as our Christ is standing with His full elect (144,000) on Mt. Zion. This is a picture of Jesus, at last united in Person to His beloved disciples, standing on the ground from whence he first ascended (Acts 1). They are marked differently than all those who bear the number of the beast. They have God's name "written on their foreheads," (vs.1) and thus are preserved inviolate (vs. 4) in their spiritual purity. These and these alone "could learn" the song that rang out like a "voice of many waters" from heaven.
We shouldn't be too "hung up" with the description of this group as not being "defiled with women." (vs. 4) Their "virginity" is spiritual in that they have not been lured by the harlots of Satan (cf. Proverbs 2:16-19). There is no Scriptural teaching that implies godly sexual relations as spiritually defiling. What John sees are the pure spirits of the "blood-washed" elect who "follow the Lamb" wherever He goes. (vs. 4) Note that vs. 5 drives the point home: "they are without fault before the throne of God." Though they, while still living, are beset with temptations and often stumble, yet in their spiritual presence before God, He sees only their perfected sanctification wrought by the Holy Spirit.
The chapter then moves on to a more somber sight. First, there is an angel giving the sin-ridden world a "last chance" to repent. The "everlasting gospel" is preached to every nation and tribe as Jesus said must happen before "the end" would come. (Mat. 24:14) Here is the grace, mercy, and longsuffering of our God fully illustrated. As long as there is time there is opportunity. The great justice God will show forth in His final catastrophic reaping will be clearly evidenced by man's obstinate refusal to repent when he has heard the warning: "Fear God and give glory to Him... worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." (vs. 7) Another angel then proclaims the details: there is an eternal Hell awaiting all of those who "worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." None of those bearing the name of God will ever feel that Hell's torments but woe indeed to those who serve Man's autonomous spirit rather than God.
What follows then is a graphic representation of the horror of final judgment. The symbology in verses 17-20 serves to highlight just how great the mass of unbelievers actually is. Their judgment will truly appear to be as if their blood covers the entire earth. The true people of God have always been a relatively small remnant and therefore their numbers in salvation will pale in comparison to those being condemned.
Yet, even as we read in verse 12: "Here is the patience of the saints..." We are encouraged and awestruck by God's revelation of what shall ultimately transpire. Our task is indeed to be patient. To not give up nor fall into doubt and uncertainty. We have only to "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Whatever God places before us will ultimately contribute to the song that we, members of the remnant, alone will be able to learn. It will be a song of mercy and grace and glory... to our Christ.
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