Friday, September 16, 2022

From Heaven to Armageddon, Revelation 14

 


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. Revelation 14:1

Oh, for crying out loud, there’s that forehead business again.

The scar on mine, is healing fine. Thank you. It isn’t pretty, but it could’ve been a whole lot worse. Last Sunday before Church, one of my friends pulled me aside and said; “When they remove those bandages, if there's a 666—I’m gonna cut your head off.”

I said, please do.

(You can see how Divine Timing, used my wounded head as an object lesson for the beast and then the mark of the beast by clicking here: The beast from the sea; and here: What number does the devil dial instead of 911?)

Now, as we flip the page from chapter thirteen to fourteen, the difference is night and day—well, except for the forehead part, but even that’s different.

Chapter thirteen, ends ugly. The beast forces himself on the people, they must worship him, to live; they must receive his mark, on their foreheads (or right hand) to eat.  

But here, in the Son shining dawn of chapter fourteen, we see the Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, standing on beautiful Mount Zion with His friends, the 144,000, who have the glorious name of, The Father, written on their…foreheads. Not forced on them, but given to them as a great badge of honor, a crown of glory. 

Perhaps my forehead can be used as an object lesson for the good guys, this time, for a change.

The Lamb, we know, of course is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Lamb, His favorite name for Himself, in Revelation.

Jesus is referred to as the Lamb, once in the Old Testament, Isaiah 53:7; twice in the Gospels, John 1:29, 36; once in the Epistles, 1 Peter 1:19; However, He is referred to as, the Lamb, around twenty-eight times in Revelation. 

The Lamb bleeds Salvation to the very end.

Mount Zion is Jerusalem. But which one? Sometimes it’s referred to as in heaven, other times on earth. There’s a difference of opinion among respected theologians. It can be intelligently reasoned both ways. Let’s hold off on making a decision just yet, and see if the Word, offers any further clarification. Remember the best commentary on the Bible, is the Bible.

But really, it doesn’t matter so much whether they’re standing on dirt or clouds, just as long as their standing with Jesus. That’s really all that matters—for them, and us. Amen.

2 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.

The folks that say they are standing on the earthly Mount Zion, use this verse as evidence. They say, if they were in heaven, he wouldn’t say, I heard a voice from heaven. We’ll talk more about this in a bit, but first, can you hear it? It sounds like something awesome is about to happen.

The voice of many waters, loud thunder, some translations say, “pealing” thunder. And harpists, playing harps.

Many waters, loud thunders, harps harping—from what we’ve seen so far in Revelation, when talking about heaven, we know they are always ready at any moment, to drop whatever they’re doing, to have a celebration of worship.

This sounds like another flash-mob concert is about to break out in heaven. 

3 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.

See. Concert breaks out. And better yet they’re featuring the 144k song, debut.

 This verse, seals the deal for those (like me) who think the Mount Zion we’re talking about is in heaven. The voice is from heaven, as noted in verse two; now, the 144,000 are in concert, singing their new song, before the throne in heaven, before the four living creatures, in heaven, and the elders, in heaven.

Furthermore, this verse closes by saying they were redeemed, from, the earth.

4 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. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Jesus is always the star, however, for the moment, the spotlight remains on the 144k. 

They are sold out for Jesus during the tribulation. In a time when corruption runs rampant, they keep themselves pure and their eyes on the Lamb.

They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. Like Mary had a little lamb, in reverse. Instead of the lamb following, they follow, The Lamb.

Notice, they are before the throne of God (one more clue, that they are indeed in heaven).

They are called firstfruits. That’s a clue to what's coming. First fruits indicate harvest time is here. The first pickings, are given, to the LORD of the Harvest.

Speaking of the harvest, Jesus is still knocking, reaching, calling, for any and whosoever will, to come Home.

Since the 144,000 evangelists have crossed the Jordan, and are in their Promise Land, with the Lamb, in heaven; the Lord of the Harvest, still not willing for any to perish, dispatches a trio of Evangelist Angels.    

6 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— 7 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.”

This first angel may sound a whole lot like Billy Graham. He preaches the simple gospel all over the entire globe. Wonder if they’ll have an angelic flash mob altar call, singing, Just as I am…

For the most part, in human HIStory, God has put humans in charge of spreading the gospel. But now, He dispatches angels. Why?

Perhaps there’s not many Christians left. It’s likely that the media will be destroyed or controlled entirely by the antichrist (kind of like now, in communist countries, like China, Iran, Russia…like much of the regime in America is trying hard to be).

Remember, Jesus words, “If these are silent, even the rocks will cry out.” Perhaps the angels are chosen—because rocks can’t fly.  

Notice the simplicity of the eternal Gospel: 

1. Fear God.

I must decrease. He’s God. I’m not.

2. Glorify Him.

He must increase.

3. Judgement has come

Urgency. Days are numbered.

4. Worship, the Creator.   

The earth is the Lord’s. Even me. Follow the Lamb wherever He goes

 

8 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.”

Notice the first angel, starts with the simple gospel message to the whole wide world; it’s an invitation, but make no mistake, it’s not a suggestion, it’s a command.

Now the message starts to narrow; making it real, driving it home. Stepping on toes. Real life scenario. Consequences for not following the first invitation, the first command. Economies collapsing. Government corruption exposed. Fake Religion failing…

HIStory proves over and over again, corruption crumbles powerful entities, whether, nation, or city, or economy. We see it happening exponentially, right before our very eyes, today. This will continue until all governments fail…except one, which will be run by One. And the government shall be upon His shoulders.  

Our Salvation is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ and His Righteousness.   

For every trampling boot of battle and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:5-7.

 

9 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, 10 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. 11 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.”

Now it gets very personal. He’s not just broadcasting a broad message to the whole world, or to a city, but right inside our neighborhood, living room, heart, motive, thought life.

This passage indicates that whoever takes the mark, willingly sells their soul, to feed the flesh for a moment, and inherit an eternity of torment. There will be no repentance after this, no do-overs, no take-backs; like Esau, when he sold his birthright for a bowl of soup—found no repentance although he sought it earnestly.

Listen, this is serious.

The word for indignation, in the original text, is, orge; which reflects anger from a settled disposition. This is the word most commonly used describing God’s settled opposition against sin. However, the Greek word for wrath is thymos; which describes passionate anger. This is used eleven times in all of the New Testament; ten of which, are in Revelation.

He is serious.

   

12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Here’s where the rubber meets the road. The leather meets the hide. Where we separate the men from the boys. The sheep from the goats. Here’s where we see what real Christian’s are made of.

13 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.”

Here we eavesdrop on a heavenly conversation. It takes an eternal perspective to grasp.

We have a comment about the endurance of the saints; but victory, in this case, isn’t staying alive physically, but Spiritually. Blessed are those who die, in the Lord.

This conversation is so important, that the Spirit speaks up, and adds a little clarification, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

Works matter. God notices. The things we do, for Christ, no one else may see, the world won’t give you credit, but God sees, He knows…and that, is enough.  

Life is but a dream…and when we die, that’s when we really wake up. The important question is; where will we wake? Heaven? Or hell? The decision must be made, before we sleep.

 

Let’s pray,

Lord Jesus, we pray these words will be like one of Your preaching angels, reaching the world, pointing to You. If anyone, hears these words and does not know where they’ll wake, help them to know, here and now. We call out to You, for them, that they not delay in asking You to come in, and live with them, so they can live for You. And be assured that when they wake, they’ll hear You say, “Well done.”   


NEXT: Lord willing, we'll finish chapter 14 by walking a harvest field, and a battle field. 


Remember, we love you.

Most importantly, 

Jesus loves you.


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