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Revelation
Chapter Fourteen
Revelation 14
In chapter 14 we have the dealings of God with the evil
only first owning and setting apart the remnant. The remnant belongs entirely
to the renewed earth: they are seen on that which is the centre of dominion and
glory in it-Mount Zion where the Lamb shall reign. They had His and His
Father's name on their foreheads; that is
by their open confession of God and
the Lamb they had been witnesses of it
and suffered as Christ had suffered in
His life in owning God His Father: only they had not suffered death. It was a
new beginning
not the assembly
not heavenly
but the blessing of a delivered
earth in its firstfruits in those who had suffered for the testimony to it.
Heaven celebrates it with a voice of many waters
and as of thunder
but with
joy. This voice was the voice of harps. A new song is sung before the throne
and beasts and elders. Here the fact is the important thing. There had been a
song in and of heaven
in chapter 5 in connection with redemption; but those
who were redeemed there were made kings and priests. Here it was redemption in
connection with earthly blessings
not with the kingdom and priesthood on high;
and it is sung before the heavenly company and throne. Heaven however is
directly connected with the song. It was connected with triumph over the power
of evil by patient endurance of suffering.
What specially characterised them was purity from the contamination
that surrounded them. This passing through sorrow and overcoming connects them
directly with the heavenly conquerors. It was not the new song of heavenly
redemption; still it was victory when down at the gates of death
though not
actually in it. It was "as it were a new song." This none could learn
but those who had shared the earthly sufferings of the Lamb
and would now be
His companions in His earthly royalty; they had followed Him
they would follow
Him whithersoever He went. They are the firstfruits of the new scene. They had
not corrupted themselves where all did. They were not of those who loved or
made a lie
or gave in to it. Corruption and falsehood they had been kept free
from
openly confessing the truth. They had not the heavenly place
but they
are without fault
and they share the Lamb's earthly place and glory
accompanying
Him whithersoever He goes
in the manifestation of that glory. All that led to
these privileges had no place when once the kingdom was set up. It was then too
late to shew faithfulness in this way. There is a connection with the heavenly
saints which is not in chapter 7. The white-robed multitude stood before the
throne and the Lamb. They are before the throne of God
they worship in His
temple
and the Lamb comforts them. Here there is special association with the
Lamb on earth
in their path and in their consequent place. It is the remnant
of the Psalms (especially 1---41). But
though on earth with the King
they are
redeemed from among men before Christ comes to earth; and the song they learn
to sing is sung before the elders and living creatures. They are not with them
but they sing the song sung before them; that is
the Gentile multitude are
admitted to special privileges before God and the Lamb; the Jewish remnant are
associated with the Lamb on earth
and
in a certain sense
with heaven.
The progress of God's ways follows-warning to the earth
to leave idolatry; for the hour of God's judgment was come. The everlasting
gospel is the testimony of Christ's power
from paradise onward
as in contrast
with the special announcement of the assembly
and glad tidings connected with
it. Babylon is announced to be fallen; threats and warnings to any that should
own the beast; but the time is now come when dying in the Lord was to cease;
only their blessedness remained henceforth. Dying and tribulation were over.
They are looked at as one whole body; and while any remained yet to die
they
were diers in the Lord
not rested and blessed. Now their rest is come and
their reward.
Christ then reaps the earth-separating
gathering
and
judgment; and treads the winepress
exercise unmingled vengeance on the wicked.
Hence in this last judgment it is the angel who had the power over fire who
calls for it; it was full divine judgment. This judgment was not within the
limits of Babylon--was not in the sphere in which man had formed and ordered
his organization in opposition to God. This closes the whole scene of that
which the history had begun by the catching up of the Man-child to heaven. He
has returned in vengeance. An interesting question here arises-What is the vine
of the earth? It is that which is the fruit bearing organization
or what
should be so (that is the idea of it)
in professed connection with God
as His
planting in the earth. Israel has the vine brought out of Egypt. Christ on
earth was the true vine. It is not connection with Him in heaven. There we are
looked at as perfect
not to bear fruit and be pruned. But analogously it went
on after He had ascended on high
and professing Christians are the branches.
But here it is the vine of the earth
that which has its character and growth
therein
but with the pretension to take the religious place by succession on
the earth. The true saints are gone on high
or are a persecuted individual
remnant. I have no doubt the Jews will be the centre of that system then
but
they will be mixed up with Gentiles
have turned to idolatry
and have seven
spirits worse than that; and the apostate Gentiles will be fully associated
with it all. (See Isaiah 34
63
65
66)
── John Darby《Synopsis of Revelation》
Revelation 14
Chapter Contents
Those faithful to Christ celebrate the praises of God.
(1-5) Three angels; one proclaiming the everlasting gospel; another
the
downfal of Babylon; and a third
the dreadful wrath of God on the worshippers
of the beast. The blessedness of those who die in the Lord. (6-13) A vision of
Christ with a sickle
and of a harvest ripe for cutting down. (14-16) The
emblem of a vintage fully ripe
trodden in the wine-press of God's wrath.
(17-20)
Commentary on Revelation 14:1-5
(Read Revelation 14:1-5)
Mount Sion is the gospel church. Christ is with his
church
and in the midst of her in all her troubles
therefore she is not
consumed. His presence secures perseverance. His people appear honourably. They
have the name of God written in their foreheads; they make a bold and open
profession of their faith in God and Christ
and this is followed by suitable
actings. There were persons in the darkest times
who ventured and laid down
their lives for the worship and truth of the gospel of Christ. They kept
themselves clean from the wicked abominations of the followers of antichrist.
Their hearts were right with God; and they were freely pardoned in Christ; he
is glorified in them
and they in him. May it be our prayer
our endeavour
our
ambition
to be found in this honourable company. Those who are really
sanctified and justified are meant here
for no hypocrite
however plausible
can be accounted to be without fault before God.
Commentary on Revelation 14:6-13
(Read Revelation 14:6-13)
The progress of the Reformation appears to be here set
forth. The four proclamations are plain in their meaning; that all Christians
may be encouraged
in the time of trial
to be faithful to their Lord. The
gospel is the great means whereby men are brought to fear God
and to give
glory to him. The preaching of the everlasting gospel shakes the foundations of
antichrist in the world
and hastens its downfal. If any persist in being
subject to the beast
and in promoting his cause
they must expect to be for
ever miserable in soul and body. The believer is to venture or suffer any thing
in obeying the commandments of God
and professing the faith of Jesus. May God
bestow this patience upon us. Observe the description of those that are and
shall be blessed: such as die in the Lord; die in the cause of Christ
in a
state of union with Christ; such as are found in Christ when death comes. They
rest from all sin
temptation
sorrow
and persecution; for there the wicked
cease from troubling
there the weary are at rest. Their works follow them: do
not go before as their title
or purchase
but follow them as proofs of their
having lived and died in the Lord: the remembrance of them will be pleasant
and the reward far above all their services and sufferings. This is made sure
by the testimony of the Spirit
witnessing with their spirits
and the written
word.
Commentary on Revelation 14:14-20
(Read Revelation 14:14-20)
Warnings and judgments not having produced reformation
the sins of the nations are filled up
and they become ripe for judgments
represented by a harvest
an emblem which is used to signify the gathering of
the righteous
when ripe for heaven
by the mercy of God. The harvest time is
when the corn is ripe; when the believers are ripe for heaven
then the wheat
of the earth shall be gathered into Christ's garner. And by a vintage. The
enemies of Christ and his church are not destroyed
till by their sin they are
ripe for ruin
and then he will spare them no longer. The wine-press is the wrath
of God
some terrible calamity
probably the sword
shedding the blood of the
wicked. The patience of God towards sinners
is the greatest miracle in the
world; but
though lasting
it will not be everlasting; and ripeness in sin is
a sure proof of judgment at hand.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Revelation》
Revelation 14
Verse 1
[1] And
I looked
and
lo
a Lamb stood on the mount Sion
and with him an hundred
forty and four thousand
having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
And I saw on mount Sion — The heavenly Sion.
An hundred forty-four thousand — Either those out of all mankind who had been the most eminently holy
or
the most holy out of the twelve tribes of Israel the same that were mentioned
Revelation 7:4
and perhaps also
Revelation 16:2. But they were then in the
world
and were sealed in their foreheads
to preserve them from the plagues
that were to follow. They are now in safety
and have the name of the Lamb and
of his Father written on their foreheads
as being the redeemed of God and of
the Lamb
his now unalienable property. This prophecy often introduces the
inhabitants of heaven as a kind of chorus with great propriety and elegance.
The church above
making suitable reflections on the grand events which are
foretold in this book
greatly serves to raise the attention of real
Christians
and to teach the high concern they have in them. Thus is the church
on earth instructed
animated
and encouraged
by the sentiments temper
and
devotion of the church in heaven.
Verse 2
[2] And I heard a voice from heaven
as the voice of many waters
and as the
voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their
harps:
And I heard a sound out of heaven — Sounding clearer and clearer: first
at a distance
as the sound of many
waters or thunders; and afterwards
being nearer
it was as of harpers harping
on their harps. It sounded vocally and instrumentally at once.
Verse 3
[3] And
they sung as it were a new song before the throne
and before the four beasts
and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and
four thousand
which were redeemed from the earth.
And they —
The hundred forty-four thousand-Sing a new song - and none could learn that
song - To sing and play it in the same manner.
But the hundred forty-four thousand who were
redeemed from the earth — From among men; from all sin.
Verse 4
[4] These
are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are
they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from
among men
being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
These are they who had not been defiled with
women — It seems that the deepest defilement
and
the most alluring temptation
is put for every other.
They are virgins —
Unspotted souls; such as have preserved universal purity.
These are they who follow the Lamb — Who are nearest to him. This is not their character
but their reward
Firstfruits - Of the glorified spirits. Who is ambitious to be of this number?
Verse 5
[5] And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before
the throne of God.
And in their month there was found no guile — Part for the whole. Nothing untrue
unkind
unholy.
They are without fault — Having preserved inviolate a virgin purity both of soul and body.
Verse 6
[6] And
I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven
having the everlasting gospel
to preach unto them that dwell on the earth
and to every nation
and kindred
and tongue
and people
And I saw another angel — A second is mentioned
verse 8; a third
verse 9. Revelation 14:8
9 These three denote great
messengers of God with their assistants; three men who bring messages from God
to men. The first exhorts to the fear and worship of God; he second proclaims
the fall of Babylon; the third gives warning concerning the beast. Happy are
they who make the right use of these divine messages! Flying - Going on
swiftly.
In the midst of heaven — Breadthways.
Having an everlasting gospel — Not the gospel
properly so called; but a gospel
or joyful message
which was to have an influence on all ages.
To preach to every nation
and tribe
and
tongue
and people — Both to Jew and gentile
even as far as
the authority of the beast had extended.
Verse 7
[7]
Saying with a loud voice
Fear God
and give glory to him; for the hour of his
judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven
and earth
and the sea
and
the fountains of waters.
Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour
of his judgment is come — The joyful message is properly this
that
the hour of God's judgment is come. And hence is that admonition drawn
Fear
God and give glory to him. They who do this will not worship the beast
neither
any image or idol whatsoever.
And worship him that made — Whereby he is absolutely distinguished from idols of every kind.
The heaven
and the earth
and the sea
and
fountains of water — And they who worship him shall be
delivered when the angels pour out their phials on the earth
sea
fountains of
water
on the sun
and in the air.
Verse 8
[8] And
there followed another angel
saying
Babylon is fallen
is fallen
that great
city
because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her
fornication.
And another angel followed
saying
Babylon
is fallen — With the overthrow of Babylon
that of all
the enemies of Christ
and
consequently
happier times
are connected.
Babylon the great — So
the city of Rome is called upon many accounts. Babylon was magnificent
strong
proud
powerful. So is Rome also. Babylon was first
Rome afterwards
the
residence of the emperors of the world. What Babylon was to Israel of old
Rome
hath been both to the literal and spiritual "Israel of God." Hence
the liberty of the ancient Jews was connected with the overthrow of the
Babylonish empire. And when Rome is finally overthrown
then the people of God
will be at liberty. Whenever Babylon is mentioned in this book
the great is
added
to teach us that Rome then commenced Babylon
when it commenced the
great city; when it swallowed up the Grecian monarchy and its fragments
Syria
in particular; and
in consequence of this
obtained dominion over Jerusalem
about sixty years before the birth of Christ. Then it began
but it will not
cease to be Babylon till it is finally destroyed. Its spiritual greatness began
in the fifth century
and increased from age to age. It seems it will come to
its utmost height just before its final overthrow. Her fornication is her
idolatry; invocation of saints and angels; worship of images; human traditions;
with all that outward pomp
yea
and that fierce and bloody zeal
wherewith she
pretends to serve God. But with spiritual fornication
as elsewhere
so in
Rome
fleshly fornication is joined abundantly. Witness the stews there
licensed by the Pope
which are no inconsiderable branch of his revenue. This
is fitly compared
to wine
because of its intoxicating nature. Of this wine
she hath
indeed
made all nations drink - More especially by her later
missions. We may observe
this making them drink is not ascribed to the beast
but to Babylon. For Rome itself
the Roman inquisitions
congregations
and
Jesuits
continually propagate the idolatrous doctrines and practices
with or
without the consent of this or that Pope
who himself is not secure from their
censure.
Verse 9
[9] And
the third angel followed them
saying with a loud voice
If any man worship the
beast and his image
and receive his mark in his forehead
or in his hand
And a third angel followed — At no great distance of time.
Saying
If any one worship the wild beast — This worship consists
partly in an inward submission
a persuasion that
all who are subject to Christ must be subject to the beast or they cannot
receive the influences of divine grace
or
as their expression is
there is no
salvation out of their church; partly in a suitable outward reverence to the
beast himself
and consequently to his image.
Verse 10
[10] The
same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God
which is poured out without
mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire
and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels
and in the presence of the
Lamb:
He shall drink —
With Babylon
Revelation 16:19.
And shall be tormented — With the beast
Revelation 20:10. In all the scripture there is
not another so terrible threatening as this. And God by this greater fear arms
his servants against the fear of the beast.
The wrath of God
which is poured unmixed — Without any mixture of mercy; without hope.
Into the cup of his indignation — And is no real anger implied in all this? O what will not even wise men
assert
to serve an hypothesis!
Verse 11
[11] And
the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no
rest day nor night
who worship the beast and his image
and whosoever
receiveth the mark of his name.
And the smoke —
From the fire and brimstone wherein they are tormented.
Ascendeth for ever and ever — God grant thou and I may never try the strict
literal eternity of this
torment!
Verse 12
[12] Here
is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God
and the faith of Jesus.
Here is the patience of the saints — Seen
in suffering all things rather than receive this mark.
Who keep the commandments of God — The character of all true saints; and particularly the great command to
believe in Jesus.
Verse 13
[13] And
I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me
Write
Blessed are the dead which
die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea
saith the Spirit
that they may rest from
their labours; and their works do follow them.
And I heard a voice —
This is most seasonably heard when the beast is in his highest power and fury.
Out of heaven —
Probably from a departed saint.
Write — He
was at first commanded to write the whole book. Whenever this is repeated it
denotes something peculiarly observable.
Happy are the dead —
From henceforth particularly: 1. Because they escape the approaching
calamities: 2. Because they already enjoy so near an approach to glory.
Who die in the Lord — In
the faith of the Lord Jesus.
For they rest — No
pain
no purgatory follows; but pure
unmixed happiness.
From their labours —
And the more laborious their life was
the sweeter is their rest. How different
this state from that of those
verse 11
Revelation 14:11 who "have no rest day or
night!" Reader
which wilt thou choose? Their works - Each one's peculiar
works.
Follow — or
accompany them; that is
the fruit of their works. Their works do not go before
to procure them admittance into the mansions of joy; but they follow them when
admitted.
Verse 14
[14] And
I looked
and behold a white cloud
and upon the cloud one sat like unto the
Son of man
having on his head a golden crown
and in his hand a sharp sickle.
In the following verses
under the emblem of
an harvest and a vintage
are signified two general visitations; first
many
good men are taken from the earth by the harvest; then many sinners during the
vintage. The latter is altogether a penal visitation; the former seems to be
altogether gracious. Here is no reference in either to the day of judgment
but
to a season which cannot be far off.
And I saw a white cloud — An emblem of mercy.
And on the cloud sat one like a son of man — An angel in an human shape
sent by Christ
the Lord both of the vintage
and of the harvest.
Having a golden crown on his head — In token of his high dignity.
And a sharp sickle in his hand — The sharper the welcomer to the righteous.
Verse 15
[15] And
another angel came out of the temple
crying with a loud voice to him that sat
on the cloud
Thrust in thy sickle
and reap: for the time is come for thee to
reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
And another angel came out of the temple — "Which is in heaven
" verse 17. Revelation 14:17 Out of which came the judgments
of God in the appointed seasons.
Verse 16
[16] And
he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was
reaped.
Crying — By
the command of God.
Thrust in thy sickle
for the harvest is ripe — This implies an high degree of holiness in those good men
and an
earnest desire to be with God.
Verse 18
[18] And
another angel came out from the altar
which had power over fire; and cried
with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle
saying
Thrust in thy sharp
sickle
and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are
fully ripe.
And another angel from the altar — Of burnt offering; from whence the martyrs had cried for vengeance.
Who had power over fire — As "the angel of the waters
" Revelation 16:5
had over water.
Cried
saying
Lop off the clusters of the
vine of the earth — All the wicked are considered as
constituting one body.
Verse 20
[20] And
the winepress was trodden without the city
and blood came out of the
winepress
even unto the horse bridles
by the space of a thousand and six
hundred furlongs.
And the winepress was trodden — By the Son of God
Revelation 19:15.
Without the city —
Jerusalem. They to whom St. John writes
when a man said
"The city
"
immediately understood this.
And blood came out of the winepress
even to
the horses' bridles — So deep at its first flowing from the
winepress! One thousand six hundred furlongs - So far! at least two hundred
miles
through the whole land of Palestine.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Revelation》
Chapter 14. Three Harvests
Rest in the
Lord
They Are Blessed
I. Offered as
Firstfruits
II. Angels with
the Message
III. Reap the
Harvest and the Grapes
── Chih-Hsin
Chang《An Outline of
The New Testament》
Chapter Fourteen General Review
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To examine the series of scenes depicted in this chapter 2) To appreciate how they would have provided comfort to the Christians of John's day SUMMARY
Following the troubling description of the beasts in the previouschapter
this chapter provides scenes which appear designed to reassurethe saints to remain faithful to God. First there is the Lamb and 144
000 having the Father's name written ontheir foreheads
standing on Mount Zion throne
the four living creatures
and the elders
the great company isdescribed as male virgins
redeemed from the earth as firstfruits toGod and to the Lamb. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes
and arewithout fault before the throne of God (1-5). I suggest this is apicture of the saints triumphant in heaven. Both the number anddescriptive terms are symbolic
illustrating the blessedness promisedfor those who will persevere in their faithfulness to God. Next comes three angels and their proclamations. The first angel andhis proclamation may indicate that the gospel will continue to bespread (despite the efforts of the dragon and the beasts). Peopleshould therefore fear God and worship Him (not Caesar)
for the hour ofGod's judgment has come (6-7). The proclamation of the second angelannounces the fall of Babylon The third angel proclaims the terrible judgment and eternal torment tobefall those who worship the beast and his image
and receive his mark(9-11). The three proclamations are then followed by an explanationthat the patience of the saints consists of keeping the commandments ofGod and the faith of Jesus
with a voice from heaven telling John towrite of the blessedness of those who die in the Lord (12-13). The chapter concludes with a depiction of two harvests. The firstshows the Son of Man on a white cloud reaping the harvest of the earth(14-16). The second depicts an angel reaping the grapes of the vine ofthe earth
which are then thrown into the great winepress of the wrathof God
producing a river of blood almost two hundred miles long(17-20). These two harvests may be different ways of describing thesame judgment about to come upon those who follow the beast
or the first may depict that Jesus will safely harvest His own while God's wrath is being poured out on His enemies. I do not believe eitherrepresents that which will occur when Jesus comes at the end of time(though they may certainly foreshadow that great event). Instead
likethe angelic proclamations they reassured the Christians of John's daythat God's hour of judgment was soon to come upon their enemies (e.g.
the Roman empire ). OUTLINE