Four Climactic Announcements and the Harvest and the Vintage Revelation 14:6-20

The Structure of Daniel’s 70 th Week (aka The Day of the Lord) 3.5 Years Beginning of Birth Pangs The Great Tribulation Abomination of Desolation Rapture of the Church Return of Christ You are here.

Outline of Revelation Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1 – 8:1) The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets (8:2 – 11:19) Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls (12:1 – 18:24) Background of the Bowls (12:1 – 14:20) Background of the Bowls (12:1 – 14:20) The woman, the male-child, and the dragon (12:1-17) The woman, the male-child, and the dragon (12:1-17) The beast out of the sea and the beast out of the earth (13:1-18) The beast out of the sea and the beast out of the earth (13:1-18) The Victorious Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5) The Victorious Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5) Four Climactic Announcements and the Harvest and the Vintage (14:6-20) Four Climactic Announcements and the Harvest and the Vintage (14:6-20)

Overview of Revelation 14 The whole of chapter 14 is proleptic, i.e., the scenes are described from the vantage point of a future point in time. The whole of chapter 14 is proleptic, i.e., the scenes are described from the vantage point of a future point in time. The first 5 verses feature the Lamb and His follower’s victory over the beast. The first 5 verses feature the Lamb and His follower’s victory over the beast. The rest of the chapter furnishes an outline of both the catastrophes and the bliss that will be treated chronologically and in more detail in 16:17-22:5. The rest of the chapter furnishes an outline of both the catastrophes and the bliss that will be treated chronologically and in more detail in 16:17-22:5. Thus chapter 14 provides an important word of encouragement for the faithful by describing the ultimate triumph for those who refuse the mark of the beast and the doom of those who do receive it. Thus chapter 14 provides an important word of encouragement for the faithful by describing the ultimate triumph for those who refuse the mark of the beast and the doom of those who do receive it. The latter part of the chapter consists of a series of 4 announcements that provide incentives to give glory to God by remaining faithful to the Lamb and resisting the demands of the beast. The latter part of the chapter consists of a series of 4 announcements that provide incentives to give glory to God by remaining faithful to the Lamb and resisting the demands of the beast.

The Everlasting Gospel (14:6-7) The angel who makes this announcement is the first of six to participate in the announcements and events of this chapter. The angel who makes this announcement is the first of six to participate in the announcements and events of this chapter. His location in midheaven enables him to be seen and heard by all on the earth. His location in midheaven enables him to be seen and heard by all on the earth. His exhortation is to give glory to God and worship Him as the Creator of the universe. His exhortation is to give glory to God and worship Him as the Creator of the universe. The true God must be recognized for who He is, and the dragon and false Christ must not be worshipped! The true God must be recognized for who He is, and the dragon and false Christ must not be worshipped! The basis of the command is God’s impending judgment. The basis of the command is God’s impending judgment. This is the last chance for those on the earth to declare their allegiance to the one, true God. This is the last chance for those on the earth to declare their allegiance to the one, true God.

The Fall of Babylon (14:8) The second announcement proclaims the fall of Babylon, the consequence of those who reject the command in the first announcement. The second announcement proclaims the fall of Babylon, the consequence of those who reject the command in the first announcement. This announcement anticipates a further description of Babylon’s fall in 16:17-18:24. This announcement anticipates a further description of Babylon’s fall in 16:17-18:24. Babylon here should be understood as the literal city on the Euphrates River, but also representing a worldwide political and religious system connected with that city. Babylon here should be understood as the literal city on the Euphrates River, but also representing a worldwide political and religious system connected with that city. This city and its associated system have exercised their power over the earth’s inhabitants and caused them to choose a path of rebellion against God. This city and its associated system have exercised their power over the earth’s inhabitants and caused them to choose a path of rebellion against God. Babylon’s fornication here refers to all types of unfaithfulness to God. Babylon’s fornication here refers to all types of unfaithfulness to God. Accepting Babylon’s wine of fornication also requires that one drink the undiluted wine of God’s wrath (v. 10). Accepting Babylon’s wine of fornication also requires that one drink the undiluted wine of God’s wrath (v. 10).

The Torment of the Beast Worshipers (14:9-12) The warning of the third announcement is this: the suffering you avoid if you worship the beast is much less severe than the eternal punishment you will endure if you do worship him. The warning of the third announcement is this: the suffering you avoid if you worship the beast is much less severe than the eternal punishment you will endure if you do worship him. Notice the progression of the first 3 announcements: Notice the progression of the first 3 announcements: The command to worship God as Creator The command to worship God as Creator The fall of Babylon to motivate such worship The fall of Babylon to motivate such worship The eternal punishment for those who reject the truth The eternal punishment for those who reject the truth God’s eschatological judgment will be without mercy! God’s eschatological judgment will be without mercy! Just as Abraham saw smoke from Sodom and Gomorrah as a sign of God’s punishment of those cities (Gen 19:24-28), smoke will also serve as a token of God’s future, eternal punishment of the wicked in the lake of fire. Just as Abraham saw smoke from Sodom and Gomorrah as a sign of God’s punishment of those cities (Gen 19:24-28), smoke will also serve as a token of God’s future, eternal punishment of the wicked in the lake of fire. John adds a word of admonition to steadfastness, serving as a warning to the one who may be thinking of defecting to beast-worship and an encouragement to the faithful to endure. John adds a word of admonition to steadfastness, serving as a warning to the one who may be thinking of defecting to beast-worship and an encouragement to the faithful to endure.

The Blessedness of Those Dying in the Lord (14:13) The fourth announcement comes by a voice from heaven and deals with the blessing that belongs to those who are faithful unto death. The fourth announcement comes by a voice from heaven and deals with the blessing that belongs to those who are faithful unto death. In this context, the promise is not a general one to all martyrs of all time, but to those who die at the hands of the beast. In this context, the promise is not a general one to all martyrs of all time, but to those who die at the hands of the beast. In contrast to those who will suffer eternal torment, these will receive rest from their labors and reward for their deeds. In contrast to those who will suffer eternal torment, these will receive rest from their labors and reward for their deeds.

The Harvest and the Vintage (14:14-20) One more scene remains in this section furnishing background to the seven bowls. One more scene remains in this section furnishing background to the seven bowls. The scene is in two parts, picturing the coming judgment as a: The scene is in two parts, picturing the coming judgment as a: Harvest Harvest Harvesting is an OT figure for judgment (Joel 3:13; cf. Matt 13:30, 39), especially judgment for Babylon (Jer 51:33). Harvesting is an OT figure for judgment (Joel 3:13; cf. Matt 13:30, 39), especially judgment for Babylon (Jer 51:33). Christ (“one like a son of man”) is the one who performs this harvest. The crown upon His head is an emblem of His imminent conquest over His enemies. Christ (“one like a son of man”) is the one who performs this harvest. The crown upon His head is an emblem of His imminent conquest over His enemies. Vintage Vintage Another angel takes another sharp sickle and separates the grapes from their vines, “because her grapes are ripe,” i.e. the time is right for judgment. Another angel takes another sharp sickle and separates the grapes from their vines, “because her grapes are ripe,” i.e. the time is right for judgment. This judgment takes place chronologically in 19: This judgment takes place chronologically in 19:11-21.

The Harvest and the Vintage (14:14-20) This vineyard has produced the wrong kind of fruit and must now be trodden in the “the great winepress of the wrath of God” which is outside the city (i.e. Jerusalem). This vineyard has produced the wrong kind of fruit and must now be trodden in the “the great winepress of the wrath of God” which is outside the city (i.e. Jerusalem). The result of this treading out was blood flowing from the winepress “up to the bridles of the horses from [a distance of] a thousand six hundred stadia” (about 180 miles), which is approximately the length of Palestine. The result of this treading out was blood flowing from the winepress “up to the bridles of the horses from [a distance of] a thousand six hundred stadia” (about 180 miles), which is approximately the length of Palestine. Such a depth and coverage of blood suggest a massive slaughter and loss of human life. Such a depth and coverage of blood suggest a massive slaughter and loss of human life.

Next Week: Rejoicing Over and Preparation for the Seven Last Plagues (Rev 15:1-8) Read Rev