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Revelation 14:1-7 (KJV)  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.  [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:  [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.  [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.  [5]  And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.  [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,  [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.

In The Midst Of Tribulation The Lamb Stands

In the previous chapter we saw the rise of the unholy trinity, the devil, the Anti-Christ, and the False Prophet. But as we come to chapter 14 we see that the devil has not won the day. The devil and his evil partners have led many into receiving the mark of the Beast in their right hands and foreheads. The False Prophet …

Revelation 13:16-18 (KJV)  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:  [17]  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.  [18]  Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

You might think that the entire world would be under the devil’s spell, but you’d be wrong. As we enter this chapter we read:

Revelation 14:1 (KJV)  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood …

The Lamb STOOD. He has not fallen. He STOOD. He STOOD tall, and strong. He STOOD undefeated. How can a Lamb stand against all the forces of evil? Because He is the Lamb of God. He is the Lamb foretold in the sacrifices of Israel. He was represented in the Lamb without spot or blemish. He was introduced to Israel at the first Passover at Exodus 12:

Your Lamb shall be without blemish (vs 5)
You shall keep it until the 14^th day of the month (vs 6)
You shall kill it in the evening, and take its Blood
Striking it on the two side posts and upper door post (vs 7)
You shall eat it’s flesh, and burn the rest (vs 9-10)
For I will pass through and smite every household where there is no Blood.
When I see the Blood, I will pass over you (vvs 13)

Though an animal at the Exodus, it represented the Lamb of God. It was Jesus that Isaiah saw when he wrote:

Isaiah 53:5,7 (KJV)  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. … Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

When John the Baptist came preaching he saw the Lord, and declared:

John 1:29 (KJV) … Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Though God Eternal, Jesus came to this earth to redeem a people. He lowered Himself to be the Lamb of God. He died on Calvary to save a wretch like me … and you! It is His Blood shed on Calvary that paid our sin debt. The Apostle said our redemption is not purchased with money or gold …

1 Peter 1:19 (KJV)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Worthy is the Lamb in the midst of the Throne of God (Revelation 5:6, 12). This is the Christ, sacrificed for our sins. BUT THE LAMB STOOD. He STANDS. Beaten and bruised, nailed to a Tree, mocked and scorned, He died for you and me. He was laid in a borrowed tomb. BUT THE LAMB STOOD. Death could not hold Him. The devil could not defeat Him. He was dead. The soldiers knew it. The Centurion who executed Him …

John 19:34 (KJV) …. with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

He was dead. He was embalmed. His body was wrapped, and laid in a borrowed tomb. But the Lamb STOOD. He rose again on the third day, just as He promised. He could not be defeated.

In The Midst Of Tribulation
The Lamb Stands On Mount Zion

Revelation 14:1 (KJV)  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion,

The Lamb is standing firm on the mount Sion. Peter wrote:

1 Peter 2:5-6 (KJV)  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  [6]  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in SION a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Peter was actually quoting from Isaiah

Isaiah 28:16 (KJV)  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in ZION for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Zion or Sion are actually the same place. Zion is the City of God, the City of David, Jerusalem. The Scripture declares:

Psalms 87:2-3 (KJV)  The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.  [3]  Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

Zion or Sion is God’s Jerusalem. On earth it is the City of David. In Heaven it is the City of God. Overlooking the earthly Zion is a Mount called Mount Zion or Mount Sion. This was a high place on the southeast size of the city of Jerusalem where King David built a citadel to protect that city. The Lamb STOOD on Mount Sion. He guards God’s City. Who stands with Him?

Revelation 14:1 (KJV)  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.

We were introduced to the 144,000 back in …

Revelation 7:4 (KJV)  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

These are 144,000 HEBREWS. They are from the tribes of

Judah
Reuben
Gad
Asher
Naphthali
Manasseh
Simeon
Levi
Issachar
Zebulon
Joseph
Benjamin

Though the False Prophet is busy making disciples of hell, these 144,000 are sharing the Gospel to Israel. God is not done with Israel. The Lamb STOOD in the midst of Mount Zion. Though many are fallen to the devil, many are coming to Christ, to the Lamb of God. What can we learn about these 144,000?

Revelation 14:3 (KJV)  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.

The 144,000 sung a new song before the Throne of God, a song that only they could sing. The Psalmist wrote:

Psalms 40:3 (KJV)  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

These 144,000 have a special mission, a calling from God that only they can do. They are redeemed from the earth. They are special emissaries from God.

In The Midst Of Tribulation The Lamb Stands
On Mount Zion With Firstfruits

Revelation 14:4 (KJV)  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 emissaries forgo sex. They are virgins. Their focus is not on self gratification, but on Jesus. They follow the Lamb where ever He goes. They are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, and their allegiance is to Him and Him only.

They are FIRSTFRUITS. These 144,000 Hebrews are not the only redeemed that come out of the Great Tribulation. The term “firstfruits” is used in the Bible of the first and greatest harvest of the field. The tithe was to come from the firstfruits. During the Church Age the genuine Blood bought Christian is the “firstfruit” of the redeemed. James wrote:

James 1:18 (KJV)  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of FIRSTFRUITS of his creatures.

Christ is the firstfruit of the resurrection, which tells us that others shall be blessed as He was.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (KJV)  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  [21]  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  [22]  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  [23]  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

When Jesus comes for His Church we shall all be given glorious, resurrected bodies as He has. He is the firstfruits, we the second harvest. These 144,000 Hebrews are the firstfruits of the Great Tribulation. Their focus will be primarily Israel, though the whole world will have an opportunity to receive salvation and redemption through the Christ. The Lamb stands on MOUNT ZION with the 144,000. Israel is the primary focus.

Yet the world will hear the Gospel.
The world will hear the warning of impending judgment.
No one can say that they did not know.
An angel from Heaven will preach it!

Revelation 14:6-7 (KJV)  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,  [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.

The Judgment will not come without warning. Babylon must die. Man must worship the Creator, not the created. God must be honored. The Lamb of God must be revered.

The Lamb Will Stand But Babylon Must Fall

One angel preaches the Gospel and calls the world to repentance, but two other angels declare the destruction of Babylon.

Revelation 14:8 (KJV)  And there followed another ^{(the second)} 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.

There are over 100,000 false religions in America and the world.

It would take me weeks if I were to start naming them and what they believe. They are false because they depart from the clearly written Word of God. They are characterized in Scripture as Babylon. You see Babylon on television, masked as God’s Word. The Bible declares:

2 Samuel 22:31 (KJV)  As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

Isaiah 40:8 (KJV)  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Matthew 4:4 (KJV)  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

It is God’s Word that spoke creation into being.
It is God’s Word that changes the sinner into a New Creation.
It is God’s Word that holds the created together.
His Truth endureth to all generations (Psalm 100:5)
There has always been a Babylon.
It started in the Garden of Eden.
It whispered “Hath God really said?” and waited for converts to its evil.
Babylon goes by many names, by many denominations.
Yes, it even hides itself as “Non-Denominational”, which is a mask on a mask.

In ancient times Babylon was “Pharisee” or “Sadducee”.
In modern times it may be “Conservative” or “Liberal”.
The mark of Babylon has always been the mark of the world,
a departure from Scripture Truth.

The focus of Babylon has always been worship not of God but of the little “g” god of mankind and womankind. Babylon was manifest in the evil that caused the Noahic Flood. Though God destroyed all but eight by water, Babylon rose up again in hearts that would rather worship anything other than the Creator of Scripture.

Babylon was at the foot of Mount Sinai, building a golden calf.
Babylon demanded that the Prophet Daniel pray only to the King, and cast him into a lion’s den.
Babylon demanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego worship a golden statue.
Babylon ignored God’s directive and told the Israelite to marry the Canaanite.

Babylon today says that the priest can forgive sins, though the Scripture declares only God can forgive sin. Babylon prays to a man made statue and ignores the God Who has manifested Himself in glory before us.

But Babylon will die, and Christ will reign.

The THIRD angel cries out:

Revelation 14:9-11 (KJV)  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,  [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:  [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.

The third angel warns specifically against worshiping the Beast and his image. The angel is very specific. If any person WORSHIP the Beast and his image (his idol) he SHALL DRINK THE WINE OF THE WRATH OF GOD. In other words, God’s judgment shall fall on that person without dilution. Wine is not grape juice. Wine is fermented, stored, kept until it reaches a certain consistency. What is the outcome of God’s wrath?

he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:  [11]  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night

Some cults believe that there shall be no eternal punishment, just annihilation. God shall burn people up. But this is not what the Lord says in His Word. The text gives a clear presentation of eternal torment to those who worship the Beast. THEY HAVE NO REST DAY NOR NIGHT. This is not temporal, but eternal. In contrast, however, we see the Children of God at rest:

Revelation 14:12-14 (KJV)  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.  [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 labors; and their works do follow them.  

Those who love the Lamb of God rest, whereas those who love the Beast never rest. Those who love the Lamb of God their works follow them. The good that was done for Christ and for the glory of God shall be given to us as rewards in glory. We will be blessed then, though we may suffer now.

There Are Two Reapers At The End Of This Chapter

As the chapter closes, we see Two Reapers. One is like unto the Son of Man – a title for the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. We read:

Revelation 14:14-16 (KJV)  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.  [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.  [16]  And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

Jesus is reaping souls unto salvation. To those who love Him as Lamb of God, He shall reap unto salvation. But to those who reject Jesus there is another Reaper. A Grim Reaper. A Judgment Reaper.

Revelation 14:17-20 (KJV)  And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.  [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.  [19]  And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.  [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.

This reaping is unto judgment, terrible judgment. Blood will flow up to the horse bridles, about 4 ½ feet deep for about 200 miles. Thomas Constable writes:

“Much of this action will take place in the “Valley of Jezreel” in northern Israel (i.e., the battle of Armageddon; 19:17-19). There God will put vast numbers of people to death (cf. Isa. 63:1-6). The blood will evidently drain out of the Jezreel Valley for a distance of 200 miles, probably flowing eastward down the Harod Valley to the Jordan Valley, and south all the way to the Dead Sea.”

Though many saved will die during the Tribulation, they will be blessed in Eternity with Christ. Though many will choose the easy route of following the crowd and the Beast, they will suffer eternally. And Christ will destroy Babylon. He will reign supreme for He is Lord!