Revelation Chapter 14
We who are born again are happy to know that there is still an opportunity for people to accept Christ during the tribulation years. We are happy to know that stubborn friends and relatives who have thus far rejected Jesus will possibly accept Him at this point. Thankfully God does give people this last opportunity to turn to Him, but it will honestly be the scariest time in the history of the world to be a Christian.
The chapter opens with a view of Mount Zion and the Lamb standing on it. We might think this is the Mount Zion on earth, but the following verses give more of an indication that this is the heavenly Mount Zion as we read that there are the four living creatures and the elders present. This would mean that the 144,000 witnesses or evangelist that God sent out from Israel have been martyred because they are present too as the instruments are played before the throne. That may seem terribly unfair that God allowed His servants to be martyred, but when we stop and think about it, the 144,000 are in a far better place than to be on this old earth any longer. But just a note – there are several differing views on this group of 144,000. It does seem clear that these are the same ones who in chapter 7 God marked their foreheads. They were protected for a while, but their purpose on earth was completed and their reward was waiting for them in glory.
Let's Reflect
1. What does John see the 144,000 doing in heaven along with the four living creatures and the elders?
2. We learn something new about this group of men, the 144,000 – they had set themselves apart in service to God as His witnesses. What were some of the things they resigned themselves to while on earth?
3. It would seem that there is no one left on earth to share the gospel with the all the lost people. What did John say happened in verses 6-7 that gives us a little bit of hope for the people?
4. Verse 8 talks about that city Babylon that keeps coming up in prophetic writings. As you will recall Babylon was the city that grew into a small empire and conquered the southern kingdom of Judah in the Old Testament. Then we learn that just a few short years later Babylon was swallowed up by the Persian empire and there was nothing left but the dust of the city of Babylon. When the Bible writers now refer to Babylon, they are referring to a religious system. This is the religion of rebellion against God and a religion of self-indulgence. What does the angel decree will happen to this government of self-indulgence?
5. The third angel makes a cry of judgement against all those who received the mark of the beast. This will be a mark that shows the heart of mankind for they have either decided to align themselves with the evil one or they have not. There is a saying we know that in this case is so sad “they sold their soul to the devil.” And in so doing they will reap the wrath of God. Not a place that anyone would want to be in. But those who do not receive the mark, who do not align themselves with the devil; even though they will suffer greatly and die for their faith, a voice from heaven can be heard saying what about them? See verse 13.
6. The remaining verses of this chapter are a preview of the great battle we know as the Battle of Armageddon. It is time. It is time for the judgement of God to begin and the blood that will be shed will be horrendous. How is the bloodshed described in verse 20?
