[:en]SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 14
“Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water” (v. 7)
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. They will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them” (v. 13)
THE LAMB AND THE 144,000 (vs. 1-5)
As John looked, he saw the Lamb standing in Mount Zion with the 144,000. He heard the 144,000 singing a new song before the 4 living creatures and the elders. These 144,000 are believing Jews which are spiritually separated and dedicated to Christ. They became the “first fruit” offered to God and the Lamb (v. 4)
THE THREE ANGELS (vs. 6-13)
First Angel – He said in a loud voice calling men to fear God and give Him glory because the hour of his judgment has come.
Second Angel – He declared the fall of Babylon.
Third Angel – He warned on God’s wrath to fall upon those who worship the beast and receive his mark on the forehead or on their hand. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb (v. 10)
THE HARVEST OF THE EARTH (VS. 14-20)
John saw a white cloud with one who is like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Another angel came out calling him to take his sickle and reap. So the man swung his sickle over the earth and the earth was harvested. Another angel came out of the temple in heaven had a sharp sickle. Still another angel, who had charge of fire came from the altar and called the one who had the sickle to gather the grapes from the earth’s vine. The angel swung his sickle on earth and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. Blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia (about 300 kilometers)
SUMMARY:
Time of judgment is at hand. God has sealed 144,000 servants who, through Tribulation, had remain true to Him. They will sing praises to the Lord.
God is going to establish His kingdom and pour His wrath to those who reject the Gospel and follow the Beast. The nation of the world will reap what it has sown. God is ready to apply the sickle when the vine of the earth is ripe for harvest. Let us be rooted on the True Vine and bear more fruits for the Lord.
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