__________________________ ___________________________ Trumpets First half First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth __________________________ Second half Seventh = End of Trib. Seals First half First Second Third Fourth ___________________________ Second half 5. Fifth 6. Sixth (Armageddon) 7. Seventh = 8:1-19:21

Ascension Rapture Return Biblical Time Line Ascension Rapture Return Parenthesis Eternal The Law (Church Age) Trib. Kingdom State OT NT 7 years 1,000 years Day of the Lord

Rev. 14:1 – God’s agents – The 144,000 revisited These are those sealed before the judgments on the earth. “Mount Zion” Where Christ will rule on earth. Isa. 2:3; 24:23; Micah 4:1, 7

Rev. 14:1 – God’s agents – The 144,000 revisited The Beast’s followers are identified by his mark, The 144,000 have the Father’s name on their forehead. They will reign with Jesus Christ. Rev. 2:26-27; 3:21 Rewards is a heavy theme in Revelation.

Rev. 14:2-3 – God’s agents – Their song of victory A unique, special song reserved for this group. Psalm 40:1-3 This song of victory will be eternally theirs, it will be eternally significant.

They are males, pure, and follow Christ faithfully. “Firstfruits” Rev. 14:4 – Their character They are males, pure, and follow Christ faithfully. “Firstfruits” The first converts of the two witnesses. They seem to have been saved and sealed early in the Tribulation (7:3-4) and discipled throughout the first half.

If the rapture is not a Pre-tribulation Rapture, Rev. 14:4 – Their character If the rapture is not a Pre-tribulation Rapture, why would they be called the “Firstfruits”?

They are not deceitful, like Satan’s agents, and live upright lives. Rev. 14:5 – Their character They are not deceitful, like Satan’s agents, and live upright lives. Col. 1:22-23

Not the new religion of the Beast. Rev. 14:6-7 – Announcement #1 Not the new religion of the Beast. Not the good news of everlasting life, but that of true worship and peace with God. Acts 17:22-31

Rome is “often described as the ‘city of seven hills’”. Rev. 14:8 – Announcement #2 Judgment on Rome. 16:19; 17:1 Rome is “often described as the ‘city of seven hills’”. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, p. 971 17:9

Directed at and about unbelievers. Rev. 14:9-11 – Announcement #3 Directed at and about unbelievers. The “wrath” of the Tribulation and the Lake of Fire will be their future.

But it is quite clear that it is true. Rev. 14:9-11 – Announcement #3 One of the more difficult truths of the Bible is the eternality of suffering. But it is quite clear that it is true. 19:20; 20:10, 14-15; 21:8

Rev. 14:12-13 – Encouragement for believers “The faith” Teachings of the NT – Jude 3 The reality of God’s justice will encourage believers to obey.

Rev. 14:12-13 – Encouragement for believers “Should a believer somehow fail to take advantage of God’s grace in this matter, God may remove him from the temptation or even take his life. But no believer will succumb to worshipping the Beast and receiving his mark!” TGNTC p. 1302

Rev. 14:12-13 – Encouragement for believers “Rest from their labors” Heb. 4 “Their works follow them” God will eternally remember them and reward. 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 22:12

Rev. 14:12-13 – Encouragement for believers “The faith” Teachings of the NT – Jude 3 The reality of God’s justice will encourage believers to obey.

Rev. 14:14-16 – Reaping the Harvest “One like the Son of Man” A clear reference to Christ (1:13; Dan. 7:13-14; Mt. 24:30; 26:64), but this may be an angel representing Him. “Crown” He is victorious.

Rev. 14:14-16 – Reaping the Harvest “Sickle…harvest” Like a grain harvest, the time is right swift and devastating judgment to fall on the whole earth. This leads to the end, to Armageddon.

Rev. 14:18-20 – The Grapes of Wrath “Clusters” May represent the armies gathered against Christ at Armageddon. Zech. 12:3; 14:2

Rev. 14:18-20 – The Grapes of Wrath The outpouring of God’s wrath (temporal judgment) is like grapes being trampled. Isa. 63:1-6; Rev. 19:15

Rev. 14:18-20 – The Grapes of Wrath “One thousand six hundred furlongs…horses’ bridles” 200 miles, 4-5 feet deep.

The devastation is terrible, but the warnings are clear. Revelation 14 The devastation is terrible, but the warnings are clear. God is not anxious for this to occur! 2 Peter 3:9

If this bothers us, did we ever stop to think how much is bothers God? Revelation 14 If this bothers us, did we ever stop to think how much is bothers God? Matt. 7:11; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9

Judgment on humanity is necessary. Something has to give. Revelation 14 Judgment on humanity is necessary. Something has to give.

What does all of this mean to us? Revelation 14 What does all of this mean to us? To our relationships with unbelievers? To our relationship to God?

Or, we can ask the right questions. Revelation 14 We can be like those in Revelation and just be angry that it is happening. Or, we can ask the right questions.

If God doesn’t want it, what has been done to force His hand? Revelation 14 If God doesn’t want it, what has been done to force His hand? If judgment starts with believers, what are we ignoring in our lives that needs attention? How are we duplicating their attitudes?

Revelation 14 – Closing observations It is the clear teaching of the NT that we are not to take vengeance and “pay others back”. It is also clear teaching that God takes care of that – Rom. 12:17-21 We will probably do it badly; too much, too little, wrong motives Vengeance is God’s right, not ours We are promised He will set things right We are to do all we can to live peaceably with others Proper recompense is promised by God

Revelation 14 – Closing observations 2. God is a god of love, but He is also a God of justice. To only represent God from one perspective is inaccurate. 3. Some sins are more serious than others in their consequences and impact – Ex. 20:1 4. Imagine how serious all of this is to God if He gives such a strong response to those who worship the Beast. 5. Those who are faithful to God are remembered and highly honored. 6. We can and should take encouragement in God’s reaction to those who mistreat us.

Revelation 14 – Closing observations 7. It is difficult to overstate that the responsibility lies with humanity to recognize what Scripture calls “obvious”. This is a world clearly made by a personal Creator. 8. The fact that consequences are revealed in advance only heightens responsibility. 9. Any attempt to suggest free will and human responsibility are not taught in Scripture is misguided. 10. The terrible nature of this judgment increases our responsibility to be a positive influence on people.