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Revelation Chapter Fourteen

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

Three Kinds of Reaping and Four Kinds of Declarations

I. Three kinds of reaping:

  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 Babylon (v.8)

  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 Mount Zion and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand having His Father's name written on their foreheads.

   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: Zion”: drystone sunny happy.

   Literal Meaning: “Then I looked and behold a Lamb standing on Mount Zion ” “Mount Zion” refers to the heavenly Mount Zion (See Heb. 12:22) because the condition that the firstfruits’ (See v.4) being carried up into heaven before the great tribulation is recorded in the scriptures from v.1-5.

“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 Israel (See 7:4-8) are two different groups of men. The people there refer to the Jews who are kept by God during the great tribulation and here they refer to believers who are carried up into heaven before the great tribulation.

“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 Babylon is fallen is fallen that great city because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’”

   YLT: “And another messenger did follow saying `Fall fall did Babylon the great city because of the wine of the wrath of her whoredom she hath given to all nations to drink.'”

   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 Babylon.

“‘Babylon is fallen is fallen that great city because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’” “The wine of the wrath of her fornication” refers to giving two different kinds of wine according to different targets: 1) the wine of her fornication is given to those who are unfaithful to the Lord that they would commit the sin of the spiritual fornication; 2) the wine of the wrath is given to those who are faithful to the Lord to punish them.

    Babylon that great city” according to the spiritual meaning the city of Babylon have symbols both on the religious aspect and the physical aspect (See 17 18). And here it seems to lay particular stress on the city of Babylon in the religious aspect. “Fallen” refers to destruction.

  In this verse the main points of the theme of the sentence are concentrated on the declaration to the city of Babylon and the details of the sentence are recorded in the seventeenth and eighteenth chapters.

   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 Rom. 2:7).

   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 valley of Jehoshaphat (See Joel 3:9-13) where the evil troops of antichrist will be trampled as grapes were trodden in the winepress (See Is. 63:1-6).

 

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 Jerusalem (See 11:13; 16:19).

“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 temple of God (See 7:15)

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)

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren