Revelation #10 The Lamb & The 144,000 Revelation 14

The Lamb & the 144,000 Revelation 14 In recent chapters we’ve seen: >a war in heaven that results in Satan being defeated and cast down >so he tries instead to persecute the woman and her children >two beasts (from sea & earth: political power & false religion) to try to destroy them

The Lamb & the 144,000 Revelation 14 In this chapter, we will see: >the Lamb on Mt. Zion >with 144,000 &>God’s wrath being poured out in the harvest of the earth.

The Lamb & the 144,000 Revelation 14 The Lamb has overcome! v.1a -though Satan tried thwart His coming through out the ages, -tried to use Herod to kill Him, -got His own to reject and even crucify Him, HE STILL WON! Now he victoriously stands on Mt. Zion- the very pinnacle of heaven, Heb.12:22.

The Lamb & the 144,000 Revelation 14 The Lamb has 144,000 with Him, v.1b -these are probably the same as in chp.7 but they represented the faithful on earth; these are now in heaven with the Lamb -like before, they are sealed with the name of God on their foreheads, cf. 7:3-4 If this number is literal, then: -they are all Jewish men, 7:5-8 -also celibate; no liars; blameless, vv.4-5

The Lamb & the 144,000 Revelation 14 Next, a series of Angels appear: The first brings eternal good tidings, vv.6-7 Final opportunity is given to people living on the earth to repent and worship God. The second proclaims the fall of Babylon, v.8 Babylon was a past world empire being used here (the first of six times) to represent the current wicked empire of Rome. (cf. Isa.21:9 Isaiah prophesied Babylon’s decline)

The Lamb & the 144,000 Revelation 14 The third angel announces the destruction of worshippers of the Beast, vv.9-12 Those who receive the mark, will drink of God’s wrath full strength (undiluted), v.10a They will be tormented with fire, v.10b (like Satan, 20:10; 25:41) It is an eternal torment- not annihilation, v.11 But the “perseverance” of the saints assures final victory with Christ, v.12.

The Lamb & the 144,000 Revelation 14 Then a voice from heaven said, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!” v.13a How are we to define “in the Lord” ? Note: “their deeds follow with them.” v.13b The record of life gives proof: all of the works, sufferings, testimony given to others, etc. define in the Lord!

The Lamb & the 144,000 Revelation 14 Now as Christ ( cf. Dan.7:13 ) looks on, a fourth angel urges Him: “Put in your sickle and reap because the hour to reap has come” v.15 But why would an angel tell Christ what to do? He isn’t telling Him what to do so much as when to do it! cf. Matt.24:36 This harvest seems to refer to the gathering from earth the righteous. cf.1Thess.4:16-17

The Lamb & the 144,000 Revelation 14 Then the fifth and sixth angels appear, vv They too have come to reap a harvest. But theirs is the harvest of the wicked. Note: >their harvest was thrown into the great wine press “of the wrath of God”! v.19 >out of it flowed “blood” v.20 >deep as the horses’ bridles >for two-hundred miles!

The Lamb & the 144,000 Revelation 14 Conclusions: The vision is not yet complete, but is sufficient for us to get the picture. What will it be for you? -Which mark will you take for yourself? -One is given rest from his labors at the harvest and allowed to sing the “new song” around the throne of God forever. -The other is given eternal torment of fire with Satan and those who belong to him.