Study – Grow – Know

Rev 14: The Lamb and Proclamations

January 25, 2023 at 1:14 PM Leave a comment

In Revelation 14, we see a number of things occurring. The first of which is the image of the Lamb of God standing on Mt. Zion. This image is extremely profound. Jesus was born into humanity as a human and clothed His deity for the time He was here (Philippians 2), lived roughly 30 years without sin, finally offering Himself in death as the only adequate propitiation for our sin, then rose from the dead and ascended to the Father’s throne where He intercedes for His own and waits until the timing set by the Father to bring all things under the Son’s feet. Yet, when we see Him in Revelation 14, we do not see a babe in a manger or a tortured dying man on the cross. We see God, very God in absolute and total victory standing firmly on Mt. Zion, having physically returned to this earth to claim what He gained on the cross.

1 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. 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. 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. 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.

John looks and sees the Lamb of God in His glory, returning to the earth as Judge and King. Nothing will stand in His way. Nothing will preempt His return. Nothing. The aura, if you will, surrounding Jesus is also profound. His voice is extremely loud with depth. Music and song accompanies Him as the four living creatures and the elders surround Him.

Another group is also near. The 144,000 (from Revelation 7), who were and remain thoroughly dedicated to Him and who will follow Him anywhere and everywhere He leads. This dedication was proven during their earthly lives when they gave up the choice to marry and even cohabit with women. Their oneness of mind in following their Lord, Savior and Messiah was what set them apart for total service to Jesus. Because of this tremendous dedication, they sing a song only they know; only they have permission to sing it. Without hesitation, they follow Jesus. We can assume at this point that they were likely martyred for their faith after their service to their Lord and God was completed on earth. Their great reward is not only to be with Jesus eternally, but to be close enough to Him to follow and serve Him in whatever He chooses to do. In other words, these dedicated men cannot get enough of their Lord Jesus. To them, following Him, serving Him and being with Him is their sweet reward and they consider that to be an eternal privilege granted to them by God.

Interestingly enough please note that in these 144,000 men, there was no hint of deceit or fault. They had arrived to that vaunted position (by Jesus’ empowerment via the Holy Spirit), so that their every thought, word and deed will forever glorify Him. This part of the description will apply to all believers who leave this life and are welcomed into the next.

Revelation 14 acts as a bridge between Revelation 10-13 and Revelation 15-16. Chapters 10-13 dealt with the activities of the counterfeit trinity (Satan, Antichrist and False Prophet), and their attempts to usurp God and destroy all those who refuse to stop worshiping Him.

Chapter 14 also provides seven proclamations to the world, given by angels for the following three reasons:

1. To predict the failure of program of counterfeit trinity
2. To announce results of approaching last 7 judgments (bowls)
3. To give assurance, encouragement and comfort to the saints living in 2nd half of tribulation

Proclamation #1
This proclamation is found in Revelation 14:1-5 above. The purpose of the proclamation apart from what has already been outlined above provide specific information:

• First verse appears to be a millennial scene
• 144,000 Jews of Rev 7 now with Lamb on Mt. Zion
• They have the Name of God on their foreheads
• This Name protected them from death (Rev 7:3-4) •This proves Satan’s attempts to destroy all Jews fails
• This proclamation will provide comfort to Tribulation believers

Proclamation #2
This second proclamation is found in Revelation 14:6-7:

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 is fascinating because angels are thoroughly involved in this process! Imagine the reaction of those living on earth. This proclamation amounts to…

• Final call to the world to accept the Gospel in light of Rev 13 (Antichrist declares himself to be god, etc)
• In essence, humanity is to choose between Antichrist and Christ
• An announcement of the coming final series of judgments

Proclamation #3
This particular proclamation is also ushered in by an angelic being in Revelation 14:8.

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.”

Whether a physical city or area or a system, this angel’s job is to declare that it is officially ending.

• This proclamation announces fall of political Babylon (Revelation 18 also)
• The worldwide capitol of Antichrist is due for destruction

Proclamation #4
This proclamation – also instituted by an angel – found in Revelation 14:9-11, highlights the choice that all people on earth will have to make. There will be no exceptions.

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.”

• Taking the mark of the beast is THE point of no return
• Salvation will be available if mark is not taken
• Accepting the mark means
• Accepting Antichrist as true god
• Forfeiture of any further opportunity to be saved
• No one will take the mark out of ignorance
• Angels states what will happen to those who take the mark (vv 10-11)

We will finish up Revelation 14 in our next lesson, but what is to be gained for us from the text? In other words, what is the application for Christians today who are not living in the Tribulation? Is Revelation 14 and other portions of prophetic Scripture not necessarily for us since we are not there yet when all these things will be happening? It is absolutely for us today because there are truths that we can take to heart, information from Scripture that can be used to buoy us up in difficult times outside of the Tribulation period, which will be, according to Jesus, the worst time this world will have ever experienced (Matthew 24).

Application
One of the biggest points that this text drives home is that God is GOD and there is no other! The fact that things are done according to God’s timing and for His glory often make us question His involvement in the affairs of humanity. However, it becomes exceedingly clear from Scripture that God is not only involved in our affairs (in our lives, locally, statewide and federally as well as globally), but in the affairs of all people throughout the globe! Our God not only holds all these things in His extremely capable hands, but nothing escapes His notice. Nothing.

More takeaways from Revelation 14.

• If God controls all things including the rise of the final kingdom, the defeat of Satan & Antichrist, He can be sovereign over every aspect of our lives!
• As the 144,000 and angels in Revelation 14 worship, praise and sing to God, do WE spend enough time doing that?
• What can we be thankful for that we find difficult in our lives now?
• How can we praise God above all things in spite of difficulties in life?
• Is there room to give God more of ourselves?
• Put another way, is God KING over everything in our lives?
• Like the 144,000 will we follow Jesus wherever He leads us?
• Do we know Him as much as we would like?
• Do we know Him better today than yesterday?
• Finally, what are some ways we can further our relationship to God

I hope this has been beneficial to you. Please join me next time when we finish up Revelation 14.

Video and Transcript (including PDF PowerPoint) is available here: SermonAudio.com/StudyGrowKnow

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