The Way - Day 224 (Revelation 14)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Revelation 14:1-20
Continuing his supernatural vision given to him by God, John sees a Lamb (Jesus) on Mount Zion (Jerusalem) with the 144,000 Jewish witnesses (see Revelation 7:3-8). They have been given special protection while spreading the good news about Jesus Christ throughout the earth. John says that these 144,000 can be identified because "…they have the Father's name written on their foreheads" (14:1). In contrast to the mark of the beast (13:16-18), these servants will have a distinct mark to show God's ownership over them. John describes these witnesses as singing a new song of redemption to God as those who had been kept pure through God's power (14:3-4a). Their most identifiable characteristic was that they followed the Lamb wherever He went and were found righteous before God. This righteousness was not a result of their own works, but a right standing before God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

After seeing the vision of 144,000 witnesses, John mentions some angels who appear in heaven.

"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 - saying with a loud voice 'Fear God and give glory to Him for the hour of judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.'" (Revelation 14:6-7)
Through this angel, the world will hear of the salvation available to all who will repent and believe in Jesus Christ. This angel was admonishing people to turn their loyalty from the Antichrist to Jesus Christ, who has the ability to save them. Many must ignore the declaration of the first angel because John sees another angel declaring that "…Babylon is fallen...because she has made all nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (14:8). Babylon is the center of the Antichrist's kingdom on earth and will eventually be destroyed (see Revelation 16:17-19). A third angel appears and proclaims judgment on any who worship the Antichrist (14:9-11). The final punishment for those who give their loyalty to him will spend eternity in hell where they will live in torment forever and have"…no rest day or night" (14:11).

John then sees a white cloud where the Son of Man sits with a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in His hand (14:14). An angel cries out to Him saying, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of earth is ripe" (14:15). In reaction to the angel's words, Jesus thrusts His sickle into the earth, which signifies severe judgment. A second angel comes out of the temple in heaven with a sickle and a third angel comes from the altar in heaven telling the other angel to "…thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the wine of the earth, for the grapes are fully ripe (14:17-18). The angel thrusts his sickle into the earth and "..gathered the wine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God" (14:19). This angel's actions caused great judgment to come upon the earth. John describes the results of this judgment.

"And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs [about 180 miles]." (Revelation 14:20).

In these judgments, God's wrath will be unleashed on those who have rejected salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. This passage is another sobering look at the swift destruction to come upon the residents of the earth.

Dear God, I cannot imagine the devastation here on earth when You pour out Your wrath upon those who hate You. I know You love people and do not want them to suffer eternal punishment, so I pray You would send a fresh anointing upon Your people. Give us a passion to share the good news of Jesus Christ and the hope He offers to all who will repent and believe.