# [Revelation 14](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2014&version=NKJV) NKJV ## 1st Scene of this Chapter (verses 1-5) "Then I looked" is our key that a new scene is being presented. “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. 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.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. 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. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.” - The Lamb standing on Mount Zion. The only time frame possible here is after the 3rd Advent, because Christ is not going to be on the Earth again until then. - The 144,000 are defined - The name written on the foreheads is the Seal of God.  That tells us the 144,000 have gone through the sealing time (which they would have to if the timeframe is after the 3rd Advent) - The new song I believe represents a unique experience they pass through that no others have.  I believe this is the experience of having to stand before the throne of God with no intercessor.  This would definitely be a unique experience for humankind that has not happened since the fall of man. This also means to me the 144,000 will have not suffered death, more specifically the first death that every other human, INCLUDING CHRIST, will have suffered.  This would be a unique song element that is related to why they are before the throne and go with Christ everywhere he goes.  They will be a unique perspective on God and his character to the universe forever that no other can give. - The combination of the Lamb and the Father’s name on their foreheads to me is the basis of the next scene’s (Revelation 14:6-13) verse 12 proclamation that the saints “are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” - They are without fault before the throne of God.  As with all their other attributes, this shows they perfected Christian character through their unique experience and the power of the Holy Spirit.  At this point they fully have the law of God and its image fully imprinted in their hearts and minds and their characters fully reflect Christ’s and God’s. - “These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins.” There are two possible meanings for this, and both could be true: - They are actual virgins in the literal sense - They are virgins in respect to not defiling themselves with the Harlot or her daughters which I believe represent Apostate Christianity at the time of the end, specifically in the form of Roman Catholicism, and her daughters the apostate denominations of protestantism.  So basically they are not wed to any human made denomination.  - All denominations claim to be God ordained, but none are imo.  They can be blessed by God IF AND ONLY IF they are doing His will, but if they deviate from it, they will not be blessed by God.  This principle is the whole point of the old testament with the state of Israel.  She was blessed only if they were following God’s will. One of the attributes of any denomination or church organization that makes it apostate is that it claims the authority of God in dictating law and doctrine.  The only function of a collection of believers is to make the carrying out of God’s will more effective.  Once it becomes to define God’s will, they cross the line.  That is an individual's responsibility, which when they define it for themselves they can work with like minded individuals.  In this way, Priests or Churches Ministers’ duties would be focused on helping individuals find that responsibility, not define it for them. Share their knowledge, not force it on them. To be clear here, I am not against Churches or forming them, but their main function imo is to assist their members in a personal relationship with God, and carrying out his purposes, not defining those purposes, that is the responsibility of God via the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. Understanding this principle will help you to understand why changing the fourth commandment is so wrong.  They are usurping the authority of God and he gives no sanction to it. It has been and will l be these apostate organizations forming the backbone of the persecution of the Saints, both since Christ left the earth, and in the end times. - This scene’s basic function is to define the 144,000 in my opinion. ## 2nd Scene of this Chapter (verses 6-13) “Then I saw” is our key that a new scene is being presented. “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—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.” 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.” 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, 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. 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.” Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 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.” - See the [[Three Angels’ Messages]] for a deeper dive into these - The events listed in this scene are reflected in [Daniel 11:33](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=daniel%2011%3A33&version=NKJV) in that I believe “those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.”  defines both those that give the three angels’ messages (at the correct times for each, which Daniel and Revelation define), and that after the messages are given they come under severe persecution.  That is why they need the patience, and promises given to those that die from this point on are blessed.  Their works (the giving of the 3 messages in their right times) will produce fruit.  The sacrifice is well worth it.  - 1st Angel’s message is that the hour of his judgment has come. - “and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water” is a definite reference to the 4th commandment, and this message to me associates the two. - The end time interpretation of this would tell me that something related to the 4th commandment is triggering God’s judgment.  This would have to be on a worldwide scale for that to happen - I assume the message is given to warn of the consequences and give those who are not aware of God’s requirements the time to make a good decision.  I believe this warning is given by the wise of [Daniel 12:10](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%2012%3A10&version=NKJV)  - This message I believe is set at a time where it is important to recognize exactly who you serve.  The only reason to do this at this point is because it is being urged by another source to worship another, not the creator.  The marks and seals are coming and this is the warning to pay attention to what’s at stake with the choice.  Satan’s side will be well represented by National and Religious institutions, with the threat of force.  God’s side will be represented by individuals and their “thus saith the Lord’s” from the bible. - The fact the verse says it followed the first Angel means it comes after it in time. - This angel may very well be the same as Revelation 17, which would make sense as verse 18 does refer to the 2nd and probably 3rd angels message also. - 2nd Angel’s message is that Babylon has fallen.  - This is the same angel as Revelation 18:1 and amplifies many identifying details about Babylon and the fall.   - The short version for me is that Babylon will be a real city, and headquarters for the Beast system, a one world order that is a conglomerate of church and state actors that are comprising the alliance that forms the first beast.  In Revelation 17:9 it says that the woman (also referred to as a harlot) sits on the seven hills.  [The Seven Hills of Rome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_hills_of_Rome) has long been associated with this, and is the only place that was known as such at the time John wrote Revelation.  I believe the first beast will be based here, along with the apostate church(es) that join with it.  [The Vatican is already showing](https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/15738/china-catholic-church) it will acknowledge National rule above God’s.  This is a step in the stairway to giving authority to the first beast as China is definitely one of the components of the first beast (See [Revelation 13:1-9](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2013%3A1-9&version=NKJV)). - The fact the verse says it followed the second Angel means it comes after it in time. - “because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” is an interesting description.  Note that in the first Angel’s message it was a two part message, fear God because judgment is coming, and worship the creator.  In the second Angel’s message it is also in two parts, Babylon is fallen, and the reason is because she made all nations partakers in her fornications.  If we relate the second part of both Angel’s messages, and we recognize that the second part of the first Angel’s message is related to the 4th commandment, then the second part of the 2nd Angel’s message must be too.  And since the word fornication means cheating or going after the wrong one, then I believe it relates to the Churches long desire to force Sunday worship, and here it found that by giving the authority of God to the first Beast, it can accomplish its desire to force the Sunday as Sabbath and thus legitimize its claim as the voice of God on earth.  In reality it brings the immediate judgment of God in the next Angel’s message. - Note this message is about Babylon itself, and its allies. - 3rd Angel’s Message is to individuals following the first Beast and his image, and that they will drink of the same wine of wrath as Babylon - The drink of the same wrath but not necessarily at the exact same time.  I believe this warning speaks that Babylon’s destruction is fine now, but that those that follow her will also suffer eternal death, but I believe that the destruction presented here is referring to the fire coming down from heaven after the 3rd Advent of Christ after the Millennium.  This will be the final destruction of the wicked.  If it was final here, there would be only the 144,000 at Christ’s coming left, and there are still many events after this where the wicked are alive. - Note this message is to individuals, not to nations or Babylon or other entities. - The prologue to the 3 Angels’ Messages is: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 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.” [Revelation 14:12-13](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2014%3A12-13&version=NKJV) This tells me: - The saints in these messages keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.  Since the messages reference the 4th commandment it is important for the writer to emphasize this here. - Probation at this point (at least up to the last message) hasn’t closed yet as I don’t believe any of those alive at the point it closes will die.  The statement that they may rest and their works follow them implies there are dying saints, and their works following them suggests their deaths can still be productive in gathering souls to Christ, which also doesn’t happen after probation closes. - There will be martyrs during this period.  Probably not a few if the next scene is related to these events.  ## 3rd Scene of this Chapter (verses 14-20) “Then I looked” is our key that a new scene is being presented. “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. 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.” So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 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.” 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. 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.”  [Revelation 14:14-20](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2014%3A14-20&version=NKJV) * I don’t like the interpretation of this section of prophecy to be honest, but here is what I see, I see Christ is gathering saints, but into two groups.  One is gathered together, but their fate is not disclosed here. The second group are still grapes, not shown as undesirable elements such as the parable of the wheat and tares, but grapes.  They are delivered to the winepress, which I believe corresponds to [Revelation 17:4-6](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2017%3A4-6&version=NKJV), the harlot with a cup of abominations, fornications and drunk on the blood of the saints, and this winepress of [Revelation 14](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2014&version=NKJV) is what fills her cup.  The power to do this is from the first Beast which she is allied with, [Revelation 13:7](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2013%3A7&version=NKJV) “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.”  The first Beast is the winepress, and the harlot gives him the grapes to fill it.  I wish I was wrong, but it seems pretty clear when you look at the big picture.  This is the time of trouble, the tribulation.  And there is no way to avoid it.  The only bright spot (other than eternal life is still the reward for those slain) is once probation closes, those that survive this tribulation will not suffer death, but are delivered from it.** <span class="center-menu">[[Home Page]]</span>