The Revelation of Jesus Christ: A commentary by John F. Walvoord The Victory of the Lamb and His Followers Chapter 14

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1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ: A commentary by John F. Walvoord The Victory of the Lamb and His Followers Chapter 14 Vs. 1 We are seeing, through John s eyes, the end of the Tribulation period. The 144,000 are the Jewish Christians whose foreheads had been sealed by God. These Jewish Christians were not persecuted during the Tribulation period but were protected by God (Ch. 7:1-4) This vision shows the 144,000 standing with the Lamb, Jesus Christ, on Mount Zion (Jerusalem). These 144,000 will be mighty witnesses for Christ during the Great Tribulation. Vs. 2-3 John heard a mighty song from heaven (5: 8-10). This was a new song and apparently one which only the martyred and the 144,000 could learn. The martyred were singing this song in heaven while the 144,000 were learning it on earth. This new song will be sung by the 144,000 after Christ comes. Again, these 144,000 are those who were sealed by God and protected from Satan s wrath during the Tribulation period. Vs. 4-5 The 144,000 apparently did not marry and had kept themselves pure and holy. These witnesses were complete and devoted followers of Christ. Vs. 4 states these witnesses will always be followers of the Lamb. This could mean during and or after the tribulation period. The phrase, Purchased as first fruits indicated these 144,000 will precede the salvation of a larger group of Israelites who will turn to the Lord at the end of the Tribulation. First Fruits-Leviticus 23:9-14 The Feast of First Fruits was to be celebrated on the 16th day of Nisan or the day after the Sabbath. The Feast of First Fruits involved presenting a sheaf (an omer, about two qt) of barley (from the harvest) to the Lord. This was to occur on the second day of the feast of Unleavened Bread. First Fruits symbolized the consecration of the entire harvest to God.

2 In the Old Testament, God allowed heathen nations of Canaan to inhabit the land until the Israelites arrived. Israel disobeyed God by not completely clearing Canaan of the heathen nations. On the day of First Fruits the manna stopped. First Fruits symbolized what Jesus did on the cross by consecrating all those who would put their faith and trust in him. Vs. 6-7 The angel announced God s judgment to the world. This announcement showed how God will pursue unbelievers toward a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The angel s announcement will probably take place before the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation period. Vs. 8 There could be several interpretations for Babylon. Babylon as the false religion Babylon as the political system Babylon as the city (Rome or Babylon) This announcement could be prophetic rather than real time since the fall of Babylon will not take place until the end of the Great tribulation. Vs The third angel announced judgment upon those who received the mark of the beast. This announcement will take place during the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation period. These unbelievers will experience God s wrath and will be tormented with fire and brimstone forever and ever. These unbelievers will have no rest day or night. Vs For those who have put their trust and faith in Jesus Christ, they will find rest from their labors and will be rewarded for their faithfulness. Many of these believers will have been martyred for their faith. The Saints will be able to endure the hardships of the tribulation since they know God will punish their enemies. (Ryrie) Vs Apparently, there will be two harvestings at the end of the Great Tribulation: A harvesting of believers (vs ). Or

3 A harvesting of judgment upon the earth. A second harvesting of judgment upon unbelievers (Armageddon). This second harvesting is carried out by an angel while the first harvesting is apparently carried out by Christ. Vs This second angel was instructed to put his sickle over the earth and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth. These clusters represented unbelievers during the Tribulation period. The blood will flow approximately 200 miles and up to the horses bridles. This human carnage will be described in Revelation 19:17-19, 21. The pressing of the clusters represented the great battle of Armageddon. At this time, unbelievers will experience their final earthly judgment. Application As God sealed the 144,000 and kept each one safe through the Tribulation, so will He keep every Christian eternally secure. (Eph. 1:13-14; II Corinthians 1:21-22). This sealing gives every Christian the assurance of eternal security. Every person has the choice to accept or reject Christ s saving grace. Those who accept Christ s grace will live with Him eternally; those who reject his grace will experience eternal punishment. The knowledge of such an eternal destiny should give every Christian a desire to reach the world for Christ.

4 The next slides are supplemental and not in the notes Vs. 14 One like a son of man seems to represent Christ (1:13) Son of man was the term Christ used to describe his earthly position: Matt. 8:20; 9:6 Son of man was based upon Daniel 7:13-14 Ryrie notes the title Son of God represents Jesus divine name Matt. 8:29; Son of David His Jewish name Matt. 9:27 which linked Christ to the messianic line; and Son of Man which represents his earthly name. The word like in the phrase like a son of man has an interesting connotation. The Greek word for like is homoios meaning one and the same. It means of the same kind: Matt 22:38-39-the two commandments both form the sum of the law. What John was seeing may not have been the actual physical appearance of Christ but an equal representation of him. The idea would be the same as the manifestation of Christ as a Lamb: Rev. 14:1; 5:6. The crown would symbolize a ruler with authority. Only Christ would have such a position. Vs Vs. 15 states another angel came. this would actually be angel #4. Rev. 14:6 announces angel #1, 14:8 announces angel #2, and 14:9 announces angel #3. Some commentators feel the personage in vs. 14 could not be Christ since the angel in vs. 15 is giving Christ an order to reap. I believe this order can be explained in Matt. 24:36. This fourth angel is coming out of the heavenly temple-the Holy of Holies (this would be the throne room of God. God has determined the day and the hour of Christ s return. He sent this fourth angel to Christ to announce the gathering of unbelievers for judgment (Matt. 25: 31-32). Vs A fifth angel appears from the temple and a sixth angel appears from the alter (of incense). The angel from the alter had the power over fire. I believe this angel is the answer to the martyrs prayers (Rev. 6:9-10; 8:3-5). This harvest gathering is the collection of the armies for Armageddon (Rev. 16:16; 19:17-19, 21). The blood of the Armageddon battle will flow for two hundred miles and will come up to the horses bridles.

5 The Revelation of Jesus Christ: A commentary by John F. Walvoord The Vision of the Seven Last Plagues Chapter 15 Vs. 1-2 Chapter 15 introduces the seven bowls of judgment. This chapter will continue the chronological development of end time events from: the seven seals (6:1-17; 8:1) And the seven trumpets (8:1-9:21; 11:15-19) The second coming of Christ will climax the seven bowls of judgment. Each set of judgments follows the previous set. The seven trumpets follow the seven seals and the seven bowls follow the seven trumpets. The word another in vs. 1 referred to two previous signs in heaven: the woman who appeared as a great wonder in heaven (Revelation 12:1) the great red dragon (Revelation 12:3) The third sign will be the bowls of judgment. These three signs represent important elements in the prophetic scene: (1) The woman represented Israel. (2) The red dragon represented Satan and the final world empire. (3) The seven bowls represented God s judgment. The number seven was used to describe each of the three judgments. The number seven represented completeness. The sea in verse 2 reflected the glory of God. The sea mingled with fire spoke of divine judgment. The saints standing on the sea represented God s faithfulness to those martyred during the Tribulation period. The harps apparently were not given to all the martyred dead (7:9-17). The harpers privileged position was their reward for refusing to worship the beast. The harpers were those saints martyred during the Great Tribulation. Vs. 3-4 Verse 3 indicated those martyred were singing two separate songs; The song of Moses The song of the Lamb. The song of Moses was a recount of the faithfulness of God to Israel. The song of the Lamb recounted the redemption from sin toward all saints.

6 Some scholars feel the Song of Moses was the one recorded in Deuteronomy 32 and was personally written and spoken to the children of Israel by Moses at the close of his career. The song was a comprehensive picture of God s faithfulness to Israel. The song of the Lamb expressed God s righteous and true character. Verse 4 indicated all nations would eventually recognize and worship God. No one will be without excuse for having rejected God s son. Vs. 5-6 John saw a temple of the tabernacle in heaven. The temple referred to the inner holy place of the Tabernacle (the Holy of Holies). The expression the tabernacle of the testimony is a reference to the whole tent like structure. The expression, the tabernacle of the testimony also indicated the tabernacle contained the Ten Commandments. The Seven angels who came out of the sanctuary represented the righteous judgments of God. Vs. 7-8 One of the four beasts was probably the beast of Revelation 4:6. These verses gave a solemn reminder that God lives forever and His wrath will always be poured upon those who reject Him. Smoke filled the sanctuary which represented God s glory. This showed God s judgments were holy and true. This scene could be compared to the cloud that filled the Tabernacle in Exodus 40: Application Chapter 15 is a powerful reminder of God s faithfulness. Though Christians may face trials and persecutions in this life, a wonderful reward awaits them for all eternity. God is faithful to bring us safely into His kingdom.