REVELATION: THE BEGINNING OF THE END

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

The Revelation Series / Revelation 14:1-20 (NKJV) 

RECAP: 

• Chapter 1 – John’s vision of Jesus, Jesus’ message for the churches, and His plans for eternity
• Chapters 2-3 – Jesus delivers a message to each of the 7 churches
• Chapters 4-7 – Jesus pulls back the curtain and unveils what things must happen and will happen
• Chapters 8-10 – We walked through the 7 trumpets, then the Little Scroll that God had them seal up what the seven thunders said and not write them down
• Chapters 11-12 – We were introduced to 2 witnesses who were killed by the antichrist and continues the campaign of persecuting Israel as an attack on God and His promises to Israel with the ultimate goal of destroying Jesus Christ
• Chapter 13 – The beast of the sea and the beast of the earth
• Chapter 14 – Jesus lines up the winning team to fulfill His plan

1. God’s Promise Confirmed

Rev. 14:1-5 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. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

• “144,000” are the same group discussed in Revelation 7:4

“That is, the hundred and forty-four thousand are composed of twelve thousand from each tribe of the children of Israel”[1]. – Harry A. Ironside

• This mark contrasts with the marks of the beast from Revelation 13:16-17
• This “anthem” is a song which celebrates the promise of God
  • Here the voice is not one but many. Duvall says John hears “a resounding heavenly anthem.[2]

2. God’s Gift Revealed

Rev. 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.”

• Here we are introduced to the first of six angels who bring Heavenly messages during this “beginning of the end.”
• This angel “preaches” the Gospel around the world.

1. Vernon McGee says, “The times are so intense in the Great Tribulation period that only angels can get the messages of God through to the world. Angels are indestructible.”[3]

3. God’s Judgment Begins

Rev. 14:8-13 And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” 9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” 12 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 arethe 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.”

“Babylon” is God’s name for the world system of “the beast,” the entire economic and political organization by which he rules.”[4] – Warren Wiersbe

• These are angels of warnings to those in the world during the Great Tribulation.
• The message is clear – “Follow God or else!”
• “fire and brimstone” should be taken in a literal sense as a descriptor of eternal torment in Hell.

“The cup of wrath represents the final and irrevocable judgment of God against the unbelieving and the unrighteous. This final judgment will be without mercy. Thomas says, “To imbibe of this cup is tantamount to eternal torment in fire and brimstone.” The references to “fire and brimstone,” “the smoke of their torment,” and “no rest day and night” (Rev. 14:10–11) point ahead to the lake of fire (cf. 19:20; 20:10; 21:8).”[5] – Ed Hindson

“A consideration of ultimate realities sustains the people of God. They must pass through troubles, but they know that their troubles are temporary whereas those of their tormentors will be eternal.”[6] – Leon Morris

4. One Day Becomes Today

Rev. 14:14-16 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

• “One like the Son of Man” is a clear reference to Jesus Christ.

“The divine, heavenly “terminator” has come. Judgment day has arrived and it cannot be delayed. God’s wrath comes via the Lamb. God’s wrath comes on time. The ministry of mercy is over. Sowing the seed of the gospel is at an end. Tomorrow or “someday” is now today.”[7]

• God begins to carry out His judgment on the earth on those who have committed the sin of rejecting Christ.

5. The Final Battle Begins

Rev. 14:17-20 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” 19So 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.

• This angel brings about the beginning of the Battle of Armageddon.
• This is a current statement about the future event.
• “horses bridles” equals about 4-5 feet
• “one thousand six hundred furlongs” equals about 184 miles

Warren Wiersbe said it best – “Better to reign with Christ forever than with Antichrist for a few short years!” [8]

[1] Ironside, H. A. Lectures on the Book of Revelation. Neptune, N. J.: Loizeaux Brothers, 1920.

[2] Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Revelation, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2016), 240.

[3] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary: The Prophecy (Revelation 14-22), electronic ed., vol. 60 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 40.

[4] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 607.

[5] Ed Hindson, Revelation: Unlocking the Future, Twenty-First Century Biblical Commentary Series (AMG Publishers, 2002), 157.

[6] Leon Morris, Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 20, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 175.

[7] Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Revelation, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2016), 247.

[8] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 608.