The three great enemies of the people of God have been set before us, and we might expect the last struggle to begin. So terrible, however, are the judgments about to fall that we must be specially prepared for them. This preparation is made by the visions of the present chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:1. FIRST THE LAMB is seen STANDING ON THE MOUNT SION. It is the same Lamb that we have already met with at chap. Revelation 5:6, the once crucified, but now risen and glorified, Lord. The ‘mount Sion' is neither the literal Sion at Jerusalem, nor the Christian Church, but simply the mo... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:2. A voice is heard out of heaven. The description of it shows that it is a voice of mingled terror and sweetness.... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:3. The song referred to is not said to be sung by the 144,000, and perhaps we ought to think simply of a great body of praise going up before the throne. AND NO ONE COULD LEARN THE SONG SAVE THE HUNDRED AND FORTY AND FOUR THOUSAND, EVEN THEY THAT HAD BEEN PURCHASED OUT OF THE EARTH. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:4-5. THESE ARE THEY WHICH WERE NOT DEFILED WITH WOMEN, FOR THEY ARE VIRGINS. The description is in three clauses each beginning with the word ‘These.' (1) ‘They are virgins' not all of them literally so for the 144,000 represent the whole multitude of the redeemed. Nor on the other han... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:6. The angel referred to in this verse cannot be reckoned ANOTHER with reference to any angels previously mentioned, for in Revelation 14:8-9 we read of the ‘second' and ‘third' angel by whom he is followed, thus making this the first. He is simply therefore ‘another,' because he intro... [ Continue Reading ]
The visions contained in these verses are of the same preparatory character as the preceding vision. The structure of the passage is remarkable. It will be observed that it consists of seven parts, each part except the fourth, which in a series of seven is always the central and most important, bein... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:7. The angel now utters his cry, FEAR GOD, AND GIVE GLORY TO HIM, BECAUSE THE HOUR OF HIS JUDGMENT IS COME. The ‘fear' and the ‘giving glory' spoken of are those of unbelief and hardness of heart (comp. chap. Revelation 11:13). On the word ‘hour' comp. Daniel 4:33. There is no ‘great e... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:8. AND ANOTHER, A SECOND, ANGEL FOLLOWED. He is second to the angel in Revelation 14:1. SAYING, BABYLON THE GREAT IS FALLEN, IS FALLEN, WHICH HATH MADE ALL THE NATIONS TO DRINK OF THE WINE OF THE WRATH OF HER FORNICATION. The proclamation is simply anticipatory of what is to be more... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:9. AND ANOTHER ANGEL, A THIRD, FOLLOWED THEM, SAYING WITH A GREAT VOICE. It is curious to meet here again the ‘great voice' which is met in connection with the first angel, but not with the second. The circumstance is perhaps to be accounted for by the tendency of St. John to return at... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:10. HE ALSO SHALL DRINK OF THE WINE OF THE WRATH OF GOD, THE POURED OUT UNMINGLED WINE IN THE CUP OF HIS ANGER. The punishment of such is now described in four particulars, the number four being perhaps taken because it is the ungodly world with which we are dealing, and because it is... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:11. AND THE SMOKE OF THEIR TORMENT GOETH UP FOR EVER AND EVER. The third of the four particulars of their miserable doom, which is unto ages of ages, that is, ‘for ever.' AND THEY HAVE NO REST DAY NOR NIGHT WHO WORSHIP THE BEAST AND HIS IMAGE, AND WHOSOEVER RECEIVETH THE MARK OF HIS N... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:12. HERE IS THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS, THEY THAT KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD AND THE FAITH OF JESUS. The first of the two sayings is an encouragement to the faithful afforded by the fact that God will execute His judgments upon the ungodly in the way which has been described (comp. c... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:13. AND I HEARD A VOICE OUT OF HEAVEN SAYING, WRITE, BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHICH DIE IN THE LORD FROM HENCEFORTH. Those that ‘die in the Lord' are obviously in contrast with the followers of the beast spoken of in Revelation 14:11, and the verb used in the original, not ‘fall asleep' bu... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:14. It has been already stated that the chapter now under consideration divides itself into seven parts, the first three introducing to us three angels (Revelation 14:1-13), the last three doing the same (Revelation 14:17-20). Revelation 14:14-16 thus constitute the fourth or leading p... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:15-16. The fourth angel of the chapter now appears, and cries WITH A GREAT VOICE TO HIM THAT SAT UPON THE CLOUD that the HOUR IS COME TO REAP. The message is from God, for the Son knows not the hour Himself (Mark 13:32; comp. Acts 1:7), and no sooner is the message heard than the Divin... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:17. In this verse the second of the second group of three angels appears. He also has a sharp sickle like that of the Person mentioned in Revelation 14:14. But he is not on that account to be identified with Him he only carries out His will. The sickle too is to be used for another pur... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:18. The third of the second group of three angels comes not merely from the temple, but OUT FROM THE ALTAR, the most sacred part of it that altar over which the angel stands who presents the prayers of the saints to God, and who casts its fire upon the earth (chap. Revelation 8:3-5). I... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:19. The vintage is described. Not merely the grapes but the VINE OF THE EARTH itself is gathered, the vine being wholly rooted out according to the words of the Lord, ‘Every plant which My Heavenly Father planted not shall be rooted up' (Matthew 15:13). After this the vine is cast into... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 14:20. AND THE WINEPRESS WAS TRODDEN WITHOUT THE CITY. In the words ‘without the city' we can hardly fail to see another instance of the _lex talionis:_ our Lord had suffered ‘without the gate.' AND BLOOD CAME OUT OF THE WINEPRESS EVEN UNTO THE BRIDLES OF THE HORSES, AS FAR AS A THOUSAND... [ Continue Reading ]