“Revelation 14 serves as a connecting link between the description of the mid-tribulation events of chapters 10-13 and the events of the second half of the tribulation in chapters 15-16.”
Fruchtenbaum, Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 260
I can’t believe we are wrapping up the events of the middle of the tribulation this week in our study! After the 6th trumpet was blown in chapter 9, we began a parenthetical section in Revelation extending from chapters 10-11:12. We switched briefly back to the chronological order in Revelation 11:13-19 (the blowing of the 7th trumpet). The next parenthetical section we encountered consists of chapters 12-14. These chapters include events prophesied to occur in the middle of the tribulation. Although we don’t know the order of these events, here is one of many possible scenarios:
- The Antichrist is Killed (Rev. 13:3)
- Satan is Cast Down to Earth (Rev. 12:7-12)
- The Antichrist (Beast) is Resurrected (Rev. 13:3)
- The Death & Resurrection of the Two Witnesses (Rev. 11:7-13)
- The Abomination of Desolation & Breaking of the Covenant (Dan. 9:27)
- The Worship of the Beast & his image (Rev. 13:3-10)
- The False Prophet (Rev. 13:3-10)
- The Persecution of the Jews & Flight to the Wilderness (Rev. 12:1-17; Mt. 24:15-28)
- The Mark of the Beast (Rev. 13:16-18)
This week, we are studying the conclusion of the mid-tribulation events. In Revelation 14, we find 7 Heavenly Proclamations announced before God’s final judgments are poured out on the earth. (These proclamations are outlined in Fruchtenbaum’s book, The Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 261-264).
The first heavenly proclamation is found in Revelation 14:1-5. “Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads” (Rev. 14:1 NASB1995). This appears to be a millennial scene depicting the 144,000 Jews standing victoriously on Mount Zion with Jesus Christ. “The question is: Why bring in a millennial scene at this juncture of the book of Revelation? The answer lies in its connection with the previous two chapters, where Satan organized his attempt to destroy the Jews” (Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 261-262).
After the tremendous onslaught of the dragon and the beast against the saints in chapter 13, the 144,000 sealed of God are seen three and a half years later protected and triumphantly standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion! This proclamation emphasizes the “justice and sovereignty of God” over the earthly realm (Precept Austin, Rev. 14:1). “This shows that Satan’s attempt at total Jewish destruction will fail” (Fruchtenbaum, p. 269). As John sees the 144,000 on earth, he hears glorious praise from heaven, a new song that no one could learn except the 144,000 who had been purchased from the earth (Rev. 14:3).
Walvoord says, “The heavenly group is probably the martyred saints of the tribulation, in contrast to the 144,000 who are on earth and do not suffer martyrdom. Both groups, however, experience the trials of the great tribulation and therefore are alone worthy to enter into the song of redemption recounting their victory over their enemies and praising God for His grace which has numbered them among the redeemed” (The Revelation of Jesus Christ, p. 215).
The second heavenly proclamation is seen in verses 6-7 and “is a final call to the world to accept the gospel” (Fruchtenbaum, p. 262). “This proclamation is a call to the inhabitants of the world to choose between Messiah or Antichrist. With the announcement of a final call to heed the gospel comes an announcement of the coming final series of judgments about to be poured out from heaven. In light of the coming bowl judgments, the inhabitants of the world are urged to worship the Creator God” (Fruchtenbaum, p. 262-263).
“The time of His judgment is certain and imminent as if it is already underway. Now is the time of decision.”
Precept Austin, Rev. 14:6-7
The third heavenly proclamation is found in Revelation 14:8 and announces the fall of Babylon. “The announcement here is prophetic as the actual fall of Babylon comes later” (Walvoord, p. 218). The identity of Babylon is certainly a mystery as there are many views on its actual location and meaning. We’ll be getting there when we study chapters 17-18. For now, the most important thing to know is that “when her destruction comes, it will be sudden (Jer. 51:8), ‘in one hour she is made desolate’ (Rev. 18:18), ‘her plagues will come in one day’ (Rev. 18:10” (Precept Austin, Rev. 14:8).
Revelation 14:9-12 contains the fourth heavenly proclamation and announces impending doom on the worshipers of the Beast. It “concerns those who take upon themselves the mark of the beast. This is the point of no return. The opportunity of salvation will be available to all as long as they are without the mark. But once the mark is taken, signifying the acceptance of the Antichrist as the one true god, they will have forfeited any further opportunity to be saved” (Fruchtenbaum, p. 263). Those who take the mark will have to drink the wine of the wrath of God poured out in full strength, and its results will be everlasting torment with fire and brimstone for those who worship and receive the mark of the beast (see Rev. 14:10).
Verse 12 mentions the patience or perseverance of the saints. “The patience of the saints is found in their acceptance of God’s sovereign control over their lives (Rev. 13:10) and in the knowledge that God will avenge their blood at the hands of those who rejected Him (as here). As terrible as it might be, the awful experience of the saints at the hands of the Beast cannot compare with the doom which meets Beast worshipers” (Precept Austin, Rev. 14:12).
The fifth heavenly proclamation is found in Rev. 14:13. “As a further word of encouragement and comfort, this proclamation concerns the saints who will die during the second half of the tribulation. A special blessing is promised them” (Fruchtenbaum, p. 264). “The stern warning addressed to all worshipers of the beast is also an encouragement to those who put their trust in Christ in the time of the great tribulation. Though some of them will face martyrdom and others will need to go into hiding, they are assured that their lot is far preferable to those who accept the easy way out and worship the beast” (Walvoord, p. 220).
The sixth heavenly proclamation found in verses 16-17 “is one of reaping.” Fruchtenbaum says, “Reaping is a common symbol for salvation. Thus, this proclamation announces that despite the many who will accept the mark, there will be others who, during the second half of the tribulation, will come to a saving knowledge of Yeshua the Messiah” (p. 264).
“And He [Jesus] said, ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is at the end of the age; and the reapers are angels.”
Matthew 13:37-39 NASB1995
The seventh heavenly proclamation is found in Revelation 14:17-20. “This proclamation is one of the treading of the grapes. While reaping is a common symbol of salvation, treading is a common symbol of judgment. The grapes are gathered and then undergo God’s severe wrath, which is expressed in the coming bowl judgments” (Fruchtenbaum, p, 265).
Verses 19-20 speak of the great wine press of the wrath of God. The winepress of God’s wrath will culminate in the Kidron Valley outside of Jerusalem at the Battle of Armageddon. We’ll be studying that in a few weeks. “The bloodshed associated with the judgment which falls at the Campaign of Armageddon at the close of the Tribulation is unprecedented” (Precept Austin, Rev. 14:20).
“The implications of the message for today are only too plain. Today is a day of grace, but what is true of the tribulation is also true of today, namely, that God will ultimately judge all men. Today, however, the invitation is still open to those who will trust in Christ and who thereby can avail themselves to the grace of God and be saved from entering this awful period which may be impending for this present generation” (Walvoord, p. 224).
Daily Homework Reflections:
Days 1-2
- Read Revelation 14:1-5 and list everything you learn about the 144,000. How does this compare with the information given in Rev. 7:3-4?
- Read Isaiah 35:10, 51:11; and Jeremiah 31:11-12. What do you learn about the ransomed returning to Zion? How do you think the 144,000 are first fruits to God and to the Lamb?
- How does the description of the 144,000 in Rev. 14:4-5 compare with Ephesians 1:4; and Jude 24?
- Read Revelation 14:6-7. What does the fact that the Gospel will be proclaimed in mid-heaven at this time tell you about God’s heart for the lost?
- Read Matthew 14:14 and Mark 13:10. What insights do you have?
Day 3
- Read Revelation 14:8. What does the second angel say about Babylon?
- Read Revelation 14:9-12 and describe what will happen to the worshipers of the Beast.
- Read Revelation 14:13. What is promised for those who die in the Lord during this future time?
- Read Rev. 20:4. What do you read about the tribulation martyrs?
Day 4
- Yesterday we looked at the blessing for those who die in the Lord during the tribulation. Read 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; Is. 57:1-2; and Luke 23:43. What do you learn about the eternal rest of all believers?
- Read Rev. 14:14-16. How is Jesus described? How does this compare to Dan. 7:13; Matt. 26:64; and Matt. 13:37?
- What do you learn about Jesus in Matthew 13:37-38?
Day 5
- Read Rev. 14:17-20. List everything you learn about the winepress of God.
- How does this compare with Matthew 13:39-43?
- Read Joel 3:12-14. How does this compare with Rev. 14:14-20?
Simply Persuaded 