SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 14
BIBLE VERSES:
“He said in a loud voice, “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.” (Revelation 14:7)
“I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man[ with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.” (Revelation 14:14-16)
THE LAMB AND THE 144,000 (vs. 1-5)
John saw a Lamb standing on Mt. Zion and the 144,000 with the Father’s name written on their foreheads. Then he heard a sound from heaven like that of harpist playing harp. They sang a new song before the throne and before the 4 living creatures and the elders. Only the 144,000 who had been redeemed could learn the song because they were pure and blameless.
THE THREE ANGELS (vs. 6-13))
1st Angel – He proclaimed the gospel to the earth, to every nation, tribe, language and people and warned them about the coming judgment.
2nd Angel – He denounced the Great Babylon for making all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adultery.
3rd Angel – He announced that those who worshiped the beast and his image and received his mark on the forehead will drink the wine of God’s fury.
THE HARVEST OF THE EARTH (vs. 14-20)
John saw a man like the son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. An angel came and told him to harvest the earth. So he harvested the earth. An angel with a sharp sickle appeared out of the temple of heaven. Then another angel told him to gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine because its grapes were ripe. So the angel gathered the grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath.
THOUGHTS:
The 144,000 represents believers who have endured persecutions but separated and dedicated wholly to Christ. They are now ready to enjoy the eternal benefits and blessings of life with God forever. The first angel proclaimed the gospel to the world. This is the first call for people to come to Him. The second angel pronounced the fall of Babylon. Babylon refers to the apostate religious system head up by the Beast in conjunction of the apostate world church. The third angel announced the wrath of God and the judgment to all who wear the mark of the Beast. They will suffer eternal torments.
Christ will come as a reaper, bringing judgment to the world. A terrifying picture is recorded in verse 20 where the blood will run 1600 stadia which is equivalent to 200 miles out of the city of Jerusalem signifying the winepress of God’s wrath.
Let us remain faithful through every trial and persecution. Trust God to give us patience to endure. Be sure to live on God’s value and produce fruits that will last forever..