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Revelation
Chapter Fourteen
I.
Content of the Chapter
Three Kinds of Reaping and Four Kinds of
Declarations
A. the firstfruits before the great
tribulation (v.1-5)
B. the harvest of the earth in the last
phase of the great tribulation (v.14-16)
C. the fully ripe grapes of the ending
of the great tribulation (v.17-20)
II. Four kinds of
declarations:
A. preaching the everlasting gospel
(v.6-7)
B. declaring the fallen of the great
city of
C. declaring the punishment of those who
worship the beast (v.9-12)
D. declaring the blessing of the dead
who die in the Lord (v.13)
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Rev. 14:1 “Then I looked
and
behold
a Lamb standing on
YLT: “And I saw
and lo
a Lamb having stood upon the mount Sion
and with him an hundred forty-four
thousands
having the name of his Father written upon their foreheads;”
Meaning of Words: “
Literal Meaning: “Then I looked
and behold
a Lamb standing on
“And
with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand” “one
hundred and forty-four thousand” and the hundred
and forty-four thousand ones who are sealed in the children of
“Having
His Father's name written on their foreheads.” “His Father’s name” is “His name and His Father’s
name” in the Chinese version and it refers to the name of the Lamb and the name
of God the Father. Name refers to the subordinate relation and it means that
these men are of the Lamb and God the Father.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “One hundred and forty-four thousand” is a thousand times of one hundred and
forty-four (multiplying 12 and 12) and it symbolizes the plentiful fullness of
eternity. The terminal purpose of God’s salvation is to gain a group of men to
be His perfect witnesses of eternity.
2) The name of the Lamb and the name of God the
Father symbolize the result that the being of the Holy Trinity has been fully
enjoyed by those who are of Him
that they can be God’s glorious manifestation
and witnesses in eternity.
Rev. 14:2 “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.”
YLT: “and I heard a voice
out of the heaven
as a voice of many waters
and as a voice of great thunder
and a voice I heard of harpers harping with their harps
”
Meaning of Words: “harpist”: harper
a
person who plays the harp; “play”: pluck (the verb).
Literal Meaning: “And I heard a voice from heaven
like the voice
of many waters
and like the voice of loud thunder.” “The voice of many waters” describes the sound as
loud
magnificent and powerful. “The voice of loud thunder” describes the sound
as dignified and solemn.
“And
I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.” “The sound of harpists playing their harps” describes the sound as pleasant to hear
and beautiful and melodious.
Enlightenment in the Word: the most beautiful singing is the praise from the
full heart and the most impressive music is the playing with the full activity
of the player.
Rev. 14:3 “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.”
YLT: “and they sing
as
it were
a new song before the throne
and before the four living creatures
and the elders
and no one was able to learn the song except the hundred
forty-four thousands
who have been bought from the earth;”
Meaning of Words: “new”: fresh
latest; “redeem”: buy; “learn”: imitate
acquire.
Literal Meaning: “They sang as it were a new song before the
throne
before the four living creatures
and the elders;” “before the throne” refers to before God
in heaven. “The four living creatures and the elders” refers to the four living
creatures in the midst of the throne
and round about the throne and the twenty
four elders (See 4:4
6). “A new song” refers to the song which has not been
sung and it should refer to their experience of victory because the four living
creatures and the elders had sung a new song of redemption (See 5:8-10).
However
what they sang is the song of redemption that they knew objectively
and what this group of men sang is the song of salvation that they knew
subjectively.
“And
no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who
were redeemed from the earth.” “Were redeemed
from the earth” it proves that they are in heaven at the moment and they are believers
who have been redeemed. “No one could learn that song” because no one formerly
has the same experience with them yet.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers’ every new experience of the Lord
composes music and writes words for our new song in heaven.
2) There must be certain things upon us which are
different from others and cannot be learned by others. These are the marks kept
by our individual and secret communion with the Lord.
Rev. 14:4 “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.”
YLT: “these are they who
with women were not defiled
for they are virgin; these are they who are following
the Lamb whithersoever he may go; these were bought from among men -- a
first-fruit to God and to the Lamb --”
Meaning of Words: “defile”: soil
stain; “women”: with women; “virgin”: virginity
maiden; “firstfruits”: fruits
which are bore the earliest.
Literal Meaning: “These are the ones who were not defiled with
women
for they are virgins.” This sentence
cannot be interpreted literally because if is interpreted literally
overcomers
must be brothers and only those who have not been married have the
qualification. Here it means that they always hold fast to the simplicity that
is in Christ (See 2Cor. 11:3).
“These
are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” According to the present tense of the verb in
this sentence
here it indicates that they follow the Lord closely at present
and in future
unlike the previous sentence which refers to their past. It
shows that they are the closest to the Lord and ape the Lord at every step.
“These
were redeemed from among men
being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.” “Were redeemed from among men” means that
they are men instead of angels and they are the Lord’s believers. “Firstfruits”
refers to the fruits which become mature the earliest in the same cycle and are
the best. It shows that this group of men is different from the majority of
believers and they are carried up into heaven the earliest because they have
the qualification of victory. As for the majority of believers
they will be
left on the earth and be disciplined during the great tribulation and finally
become mature and be raptured (See v.15-16).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Even though our behavior is not perfect
our
hearts to the Lord should be perfect (See Matt. 5:48).
2) May the Lord draw me
we will run after Him (See
S. of Sol. 1:4).
3) The Lord Himself is the firstfruits (1Cor.
15:23) and those who love the Lord should hope to be perfectly like Him and
become firstfruits among those who are of Him.
Rev. 14:5 “And in their mouth was
found no deceit
for they are without fault before the throne of God.”
YLT: “and in their mouth
there was not found guile
for unblemished are they before the throne of God.”
Meaning of Words: “found”: get
look
for
see; “deceit”: guile
falsehood; “without fault”: unblemished.
Literal Meaning: “And in their mouth was found no deceit
” it means that they have the same character
with Christ who is faithful and true (See 3:14; 19:11).
“For
they are without fault before the throne of God” it means that they not only have the objective
status of holiness because of the blood of the Lamb but also have the
subjective experience of holiness. Their behavior is bright and blameless (See
19:8).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Since Christ is the faithful and true witness
our words should not be yea and nay (See 2Cor. 1:18).
2) Our life falls short of holiness or
unblamableness
however
we have to deal with ourselves and repent constantly
and we might be bright and holy before God (See 1John. 1:7).
Rev. 14:6 “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--”
YLT: “And I saw another
messenger flying in mid-heaven
having good news age-during to proclaim to
those dwelling upon the earth
and to every nation
and tribe
and tongue
and
people
”
Meaning of Words: “heaven”:
mid-heaven
the top of heaven; “preach”: spread
declare; “nation”: country;
“tribe”: kindred
clan; “tongue”: dialect
language; “people”: race
ethnic
group.
Literal Meaning: “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of
heaven
” “in the midst of heave” it shows that the sign that John the
apostle saw was not in heaven but on the earth. He looked up and saw angles
flying in the midst of heaven and being about to make a great declaration to
all the world.
“Having
the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth” “the everlasting gospel” is different from “the gospel of grace”
preached by believers. The gospel of grace makes men have life eternal through
believing in the Lord Jesus (See John. 3:16) and the everlasting gospel makes
men enter into life eternal because of the fear of God (See Matt. 25:46).
Please
note that having life eternal and entering into life eternal are different.
Having life eternal means that the everlasting life enters into men and
entering into life eternal means that men can enter into the realm of living
forever. Men who have life eternal fully enjoy the life of God as their whole
and those who enter into life eternal do not have the life of God in them and
they still need the leaves in the trees of life to heal them (See 22:2).
“To
every nation
tribe
tongue
and people--” the different countries or unions
kindreds or
clans
dialects or languages
races or ethnic groups receive the last chance
during the great tribulation to hear the everlasting gospel instead of the
gospel of grace.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Thank God for He is kind and righteous. He is
not willing that any should perish
but that all should come to repentance
(2Pet. 3:9) and therefore He must give everyone the just opportunity to choose.
It’s no wonder that He still sends angels to preach the everlasting gospel at
the last minute.
2) God considers every nation
tribe
tongue
and people. God treats us righteously and justly
regardless of our family backgrounds.
Rev. 14:7 “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."”
YLT: “saying in a great
voice
`Fear ye God
and give to Him glory
because come did the hour of His
judgment
and bow ye before Him who did make the heaven
and the land
and sea
and fountains of waters.'”
Meaning of Words: “fear”: be afraid
be in awe of.
Literal Meaning: “saying with a loud voice
‘Fear God and give glory to Him
” what is described in this verse is the content of
the everlasting gospel and it mainly persuades men to fear God.
“For
the hour of His judgment has come;”
“His judgment” refers to the judgment before the throne
of Christ’s glory (See Matt. 25:31). When Christ comes publicly
all the
nations who are still alive on the earth will be gathered before Him and be
judged. At that time
one will be rewarded or condemned according to whether he
fears God and treats men of God (both believers and the Jews are included) well
or ignores them (See Matt. 25:31-46).
“And
worship Him who made heaven and earth
the sea and springs of water.’” It refers to worshipping God who creates
everything instead of the idols which are made.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (See
Prov. 9:10). There are many good things upon those who fear God.
2) If we can walk under the light of God’s judgment
seat daily and constantly
we shall not be afraid of the coming of God’s final
judgment.
Rev. 14:8 “And another angel
followed
saying
‘
YLT: “And another
messenger did follow
saying
`Fall
fall
did
Meaning of Words: “fallen”: fall in
drop
fall down; “wrath”: rage
indignation; “fornication”: whoredom
harlotry.
Literal Meaning: “And another angel followed
saying
” it is the declaration after the first
angel preached the everlasting gospel and it is the sentence upon the great
city of
“‘
“
In this verse the main points of the theme of the sentence are
concentrated on the declaration to the city of
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Everyone should be responsible for his behavior
today. Whatever a man sows
that he will also reap. He who sows to his flesh
will of the flesh reap corruption
but he who sows to the Spirit will of the
Spirit reap everlasting life (Gal. 6:7-8).
2) Men’s buildings on the earth will fall one day
no matter how sound they are. However
we will never fall if we do the word of
God (See Matt. 7:24-25).
Rev. 14:9 “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
”
YLT: “And a third
messenger did follow them
saying in a great voice
`If any one the beast doth
bow before
and his image
and doth receive a mark upon his forehead
or upon
his hand
”
Meaning of Words: “follow”: accompany
follow after; “mark”: stamp
graven.
Literal Meaning: “Then a third angel followed them
saying with a
loud voice
” it is the third
declaration and it is the sentence upon men who worship the beast and the image
of the beast.
“‘If
anyone worships the beast and his image
” refers to worshipping antichrist directly or
indirectly.
“And
receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand
” refers to worshipping antichrist publicly or
privately.
Rev. 14:10 “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.”
YLT: “he also shall drink
of the wine of the wrath of God
that hath been mingled unmixed in the cup of
His anger
and he shall be tormented in fire and brimstone before the holy
messengers
and before the Lamb
”
Meaning of Words: “poured out”:
mingle; “wrath”: anger
rage; “full strength”: without mixture.
Literal Meaning: “he himself shall also drink of the wine of the
wrath of God
” “the wine of the
wrath of God” indicates that God reveals His righteous judgment by wrath (See
Rom. 2:5; Ps. 75:8).
“Which
is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation” “full strength” indicates that there won’t
be mercy and grace any more in judgment and God will render His wrath purely to
those who do not obey the truth
but obey unrighteousness (See Rom. 2:8).
“He
shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels
and in the presence of the Lamb.”
“Be tormented with fire and brimstone” refers to the everlasting punishment of
the lake of fire (See 19:20; 20:10
14).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) God always showed some mercy and grace when he was
angry with men in the past. However
one day He will show the wrath fully
without mercy and grace.
2) Men sin against God the most that they not only
deny Him before men but also confess that they are of antichrist (See v.9). He
whoever truly believes in the Lord should never speak thoughtlessly for the
situation
attempting to get by under false pretences before men
however
what
he has done is recorded before the Lord.
Rev. 14:11 “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.’”
YLT: “and the smoke of
their torment doth go up to ages of ages; and they have no rest day and night
who are bowing before the beast and his image
also if any doth receive the
mark of his name.”
Meaning of Words: “ascend”: arise
go
up; “rest”: ease
intermission.
Literal Meaning: “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever
and ever;” it describes the
extreme degree and the everlasting continuance of the torment.
“And
they have no rest day or night
who worship the beast and his image
and
whoever receives the mark of his name.’”
“Having no rest day and night” refers to suffering continuously and
ceaselessly.
Rev. 14:12 “Here is the patience of
the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of
Jesus.”
YLT: “Here is endurance
of the saints: here [are] those keeping the commands of God
and the faith of
Jesus.'”
Meaning of Words: “patience”:
endurance; “commandment”: injunction
command; “faith”: belief
fidelity
assurance.
Literal Meaning: “Here is the patience of the saints;” it indicates that the patience of the
saints who would rather die than surrender in the great tribulation here shows
that it is worth paying the price.
“Here
are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” “Keeping the commandments of God” refers
to the Jews who keep the commandments of God
especially the first and second
commandments----
You shall have no other gods. You shall not
make for yourself a carved image (See Exod. 20:3-4). “Keeping the faith of
Jesus” refers to believers who have held fast to the faith of the Lord Jesus
especially the doctrine of the salvation (See Heb. 6:6).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) What’s the most essential thing for believers in
tribulation is patience. But he who endures to the end shall be saved (Matt.
24:13).
2) To us Christians
the word of God and the faith
of Christ are the base line for our walkings. We should measure everything with
the standard whether it denies the word of God and conflicts with the faith of
Christ.
Rev. 14:13 “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.’”
YLT: “And I heard a voice
out of the heaven saying to me
`Write: Happy are the dead who in the Lord are
dying from this time!' `Yes
(saith the Spirit
) That they may rest from their
labours -- and their works do follow them!'”
Meaning of Words: “rest”: stop
cease;
“labor”: toil
diligence; “works”: labor
deed; “follow”: follow after.
Literal Meaning: “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me
” it is the fourth declaration and only the
sound from heaven is heard and the one who spoke is not seen.
“‘Write:
‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “The dead who die in the Lord” refers to
the martyrs who were persecuted by antichrist to death during the great
tribulation (See 20:4). “Blessed” indicates that the pain had become the past
and they shall enjoy the everlasting blessing after that.
“‘Yes
’ says the Spirit
‘that
they may rest from their labors
”
“says the Spirit” because the Holy Spirit always helps them to pass through the
difficulties when they are suffering pain. “Rest from their labors” refers to
the blessing from the negative aspect and they no longer suffer the struggle
and torment.
“And
their works follow them.’” “Works” refers to
works or deeds in the original. It is the blessing from the positive aspect and
God will reward them according to their performance during the great
tribulation (See
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers would rather die in the Lord than be
mortally afraid of death out of the Lord. We would rather labor to death for
serving the Lord than have nothing to do daily for the sake of enjoying ease.
2) If we live for Christ
to die will be gain (See
Phil. 1:21). A believer whose responsibility and purpose is to live for the
sake of manifesting Christ can have no regard to life and death (See Rom.
16:3-4).
Rev. 14:14 “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.”
YLT: “And I saw
and lo
a white cloud
and upon the cloud [one] sitting like to a son of man
having
upon his head a golden crown
and in his hand a sharp sickle;”
Meaning of Words: “like”: as
similar;
“having”: have; “sharp”: keen
sharp-edged.
Spiritual Meaning: “Then I looked
and behold
a white cloud
and
on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man
” “Then I looked
and behold” it refers to another
sign and the things described here are close to the last phase of the great
tribulation. “And on the cloud sat” refers to coming with clouds (See 1:7).
“One like the Son of Man” is the Lord Jesus Christ and He will judge all the
people as the Son of Man at the last day (See John. 5:27).
“Having
on His head a golden crown
and in His hand a sharp sickle.” “Having a golden crown” Jesus was crowned
with glory and honor because He had tasted the death (See Heb. 2:9). “And in
His hand a sharp sickle” symbolizes that He shall reap the harvest on the earth
(See v.15-16). According to the Gospel of Matthew
the reapers of the harvest
at the end of the world are the angels (See Matt. 13:39) and therefore the
sharp sickle in His hand symbolizes the angels.
Rev. 14:15 “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."”
YLT: “and another
messenger did come forth out of the sanctuary crying in a great voice to him
who is sitting upon the cloud
`Send forth thy sickle and reap
because come to
thee hath the hour of reaping
because ripe hath been the harvest of the
earth;'”
Meaning of Words: “reap”: harvest;
“ripe”: dried
mature.
Spiritual Meaning: “And another angel came out of the temple
” This angel is the one who transmits orders
and he is transmitting the order of God the Father.
“Crying
with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud
” “who sat on the cloud” is the Lord Jesus Christ.
“‘Thrust
in Your sickle and reap
” “thrust” is
“sending forth” in the original. This sentence means sending forth angels to
reap.
“For
the time has come for You to reap
”
it means that at that time the great time almost ended.
“For
the harvest of the earth is ripe.’”
It means that the great tribulation was close to the end at that time.
“The harvest of the earth” refers to men of the
Lord who were left on the earth (See Matt. 24:40-41) at the earlier stage of
the great tribulation because they had not reached the standard of being
raptured----“the firstfruits” (See v.1-5). And they were believers who received
the painful discipline of the great tribulation. “Being ripe” indicates that
the earthly part of believers decreased gradually through the painful
discipline of the great tribulation
as the harvest was exposed to the sun and
the water was dried gradually and therefore they became mature.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If Christians do not love or pursue the Lord
actively and seek to be mature in life rapidly
we will love and pursue the
Lord passively and grow up and become mature in the double sufferings.
2) Being tormented and exposed to the sun is
helpful in the maturity of the harvest. We should receive the tough
circumstances measured by God to us with thanksgiving because they are helpful
in the maturity of our spiritual life.
Rev. 14:16 “So He who sat on the
cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth
and the earth was reaped.”
YLT: “and he who is
sitting upon the cloud did put forth his sickle upon the earth
and the earth
was reaped.”
Meaning of Words: “thrust”: throw
cast
cast aside.
Spiritual Meaning: “So He who sat on the cloud” symbolizes the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Thrust
in His sickle on the earth
” symbolizes sending
angels.
“And
the earth was reaped” symbolizes
rapturing believers who have been ready.
Rev. 14:17 “Then another angel came
out of the temple which is in heaven
he also having a sharp sickle.”
YLT: “And another
messenger did come forth out of the sanctuary that [is] in the heaven
having
-- he also -- a sharp sickle
”
Spiritual Meaning: “Then another angel came out of the temple which
is in heaven
” It is another
sign---the angel
under the order of God
gathered the evil troops of
antichrist in Armageddon in order to slaughter and destroy them (See 16:12-16;
19:11-21)
“He
also having a sharp sickle.” If “a sharp sickle” does not refer to
angels
it should refer to the sharp weapon by which angels slaughtered.
Rev. 14:18 “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.’”
YLT: “and another
messenger did come forth out from the altar
having authority over the fire
and he called with a great cry to him having the sharp sickle
saying
`Send
forth thy sharp sickle
and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth
because come to perfection have her grapes;'”
Meaning of Words: “clusters of the
vine”: bunches of grapes
the vine
grapevine.
Spiritual Meaning: “And another angel came out from the altar
who
had power over fire” “the altar”
implies that this action is related to the slain ones’ souls under the altar
who asked God to right a wrong for them (See 6:9-11). “Having power over fire”
implies that now it is time to answer the prayers of all the saints and cast
the fire of the altar into the earth (See 8:3-5).
“And
he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle
saying
‘Thrust in your sharp sickle” “thrusting” in the original refers to “sending”
i.e. commanding angels to put into practice.
“And
gather the clusters of the vine of the earth
for her grapes are fully ripe.’” “The clusters of the vine of the earth” in the original refers to “grapes” or “the
vine” and it symbolizes the evil Gentiles. “Her grapes are fully ripe” refers to reaching the limit of crimes and
it is the time for them to be destroyed.
Rev. 14:19 “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.”
YLT: “and the messenger
did put forth his sickle to the earth
and did gather the vine of the earth
and did cast [it] to the great wine-press of the wrath of God;”
Meaning of Words: “gather”: collect;
“throw”: cast
put up
cast off; “winepress”: wine-vat.
Spiritual Meaning: “the great winepress of the wrath of God” refers to Armageddon (See the note in
v.17) and it was also called the
Rev. 14:20 “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.”
YLT: “and trodden was the
wine-press outside of the city
and blood did come forth out of the wine-press
-- unto the bridles of the horses
a thousand
six hundred furlongs.”
Meaning of Words: “was trampled”: be
trodden; “one hundred six hundred furlongs”: one thousand and six hundred
stadia and it is about three hundred kilometers.
Spiritual Meaning: “And the winepress was trampled outside the
city
” “the city” refers
to the city of
“And
blood came out of the winepress
”
it refers to a fierce battle or carnage and it is extremely severe (See 19:15).
“Up
to the horses' bridles
” it means that the
blood splashed on the one who sat on a white horse and the horses ridden by
armies in heaven (See 19:13-15; 19).
“For
one thousand six hundred furlongs”
refers to one thousand six hundred stadia and it means that the armies of
antichrist extended as long as about three hundred kilometers and the field was
littered with corpses and the dead were countless.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Three Times of Reaping
I. The firstfruits:
the overcomers
A. the time----before the great
tribulation (See 12:5)
B. the number of people----one hundred
and forty-four thousand (v.1)
C. the remarkable experience----the new
song they song cannot be learned by others (v.2-3)
D. the qualification----they are
virgins
not false and are without fault (v.4-5)
E. the task----following the Lamb
closely (v.4)
F. the aim----being redeemed from among
men
being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb (v.4)
II. The harvest of the
earth: the mature believers
A. the time----the time has come to reap
(v.15)----close to the end of the great tribulation (See 7:14)
B. the number of people----no one could
number (See 7:9)
C. the qualification----being ripe
(v.15)----clothed with white robes
with palm branches in their hands (See 7:9)
D. the aim----the harvest of the earth
(v.15-16)
satisfying God----serving Him day and night in the
III. The clusters of
the vine of the earth: the followers of antichrist
A. the time----at the end of the great
tribulation (See 16:17)
B. the number of people----the field was
littered with corpses and the blood was everywhere (v.20)
C. the reason----the great winepress of
the wrath of God (v.19)----being judged (v.10)
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Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren