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The Book of Revelation
Chapter Fourteen

Preface


Chapter 14 is a continuation of a parenthetical section of chapters from 11:16 through 15:4. At this time the reader should be reminded that the book of Revelation is primarily a book of prophecy, which is to say that it portends end time events. It is interesting to note that prophecy is often the “neglected child” of Bible study. Most Bible readers avoid prophecy for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that they believe they are either unable or were not intended to understand it. This attitude is appalling, abysmal and inexcusable-for the following reason.

Prophecy fulfilled is God’s ordained method of proving Himself

One might believe that miraculous signs and wonders are the criteria for the proof of God. One would then be very wrong! If supernatural signs and wonders were the standard for proving one is from God or is God, then Satan and his minions would be able to prove such claims.

Never forget that Satan has supernatural powers and has and will use them to convince unbelievers to follow him. In Exodus 7:10 he turned rods into serpents. In Revelation 13:15 he gives breath (life) to the image of the beast. While Christ was in the wilderness (Matthew 4), Satan was able to transport Christ to different locations and show Him “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.” All these “kingdoms and their splendor” he apparently could have given Christ-representing a very significant miraculous feat.

Never forget that false Christs, prophets and deceivers who will be able to work supernatural signs and wonders have always existed and will especially be present in the latter days. At that time if anyone says to you, `Look, here is the Christ!' or, `There He is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. (Matthew 24:23, 24) Also see Matthew 5:15; 24:5, 11; Mark 13:22; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 2:18; 2 John 7, not to mention many Old Testament references.

On the other hand, Satan and his minions are apparently confined to knowledge of the past and the present, as humans are so confined. This is why today there are so many psychics and psychic programs, e.g., “Crossing Over,” which steer people away from the true and living God with their knowledge of the past or spurious predictions of events to come. Frankly, even though Satan may intellectually know (by memory) Scripture, he is not able to understand it. Bible doctrine and prophecy are understandable only under the guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit (Nehemiah 9:20; Luke 12:12; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 John 2:27).

Only God is unlimited by time and space. He is omnipresent, which is to say that He exists at all times everywhere. He therefore is the only One who can foretell accurate details in the future. For this reason alone, God has ordained “prophecy fulfilled,” which is to say “accurate prophecy,” as proof that He is God. It is also the only proof that a prophet is speaking by the power of God.

Jesus disparaged “signs and wonders,” with only one exception-that of prophecy. Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to Him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you." He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:38-40)

Peter elevated prophecy over signs and wonders. And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:19) The King James Version says it this way, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy. . . .” Peter walked with Christ. He saw all the signs and wonders accomplished by Christ during His sojourn on earth, but here Peter declares that prophecy is more important.

God associates His claim as God with His ability to predict events accurately. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. (Isaiah 46:9, 10) "I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not give My glory to another or My praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you." (Isaiah 42:8, 9)

Jesus stated that accurate prophecy would prove His testimony. “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.” (John 13:19)

It is well to remember that Christianity, which is not religion-but is a union or relationship with Christ, totally rests upon the Principle of Faith. (1) That which does not come from faith is sin-Romans 14:23, (2) The just shall live by faith-Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 2:20; 3:11 and Hebrews 11 and (3) Faith comes not by sight, signs or wonders, but by hearing the Word of God-Romans 10:17. And much of God’s Word is expressed prophecy. If you wish to test a “prophet” (Deuteronomy 18:20, 22) or a “spirit” (1 John 4:1-3), then the only way to do it is with the Word of God.

The Minister of Music of the Rio Hondo Baptist Church (Rio Hondo, Texas), Vance Greek, quoted a most astute saying to his congregation on Sunday (July 7, 2002). The saying went something like this, “When Satan tries to remind me of the terrible things I’ve done in my past, I simply respond by reminding him of his future.” The point is that Satan only really knows our past; whereas, we prophetically know his (and our) future. As Christians, we have through Christ the superior position.

Now, to the commentary.

Revelation 14:1
Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.


As with various passages within this book, this chapter lends itself to different interpretations among equally fundamental and dedicated expositors of God’s Word. There is no disagreement regarding the “Lamb” as being Jesus Christ, but there is disagreement as to the timeframes of the events in this chapter. There also exist different views regarding “Mount Zion” and the “144,000.” In fairness, differing interpretations will be discussed.

Some Bible scholars hold that the events of this chapter are a preview of events at the end of the Tribulation Period. This position may be defensibly explained, except for the ministry of the three angels in verses 6-13. It seems of little consequence or purpose to have an angel spread the “eternal gospel” to all the earth when most have been destroyed by the seven bowl judgments. Likewise, the warning to those who will worship the beast would have no impact if there remained no time to heed such a warning. Even though the pronouncement by the second angel regarding the fall of “Babylon the Great” can be seen as a “completed action,” it can also be seen as an action “about to take place.” This writer finds that it makes more sense to place these events chronologically and starting at the midpoint of the Tribulation, which would then make the chapter’s events consistent with the events of the previous chapter.

Whereas some expositors have the Lamb standing on earth on Mt. Zion at the end of the Tribulation Period with the 144,000 witnesses, who were presented in chapter 7, this too involves chronological difficulties with the mission and activities of the 3 angels portrayed subsequent to this event. On the other hand, there is the view that John sees this scene in heaven, where Christ and the 144,000 are standing on the heavenly Mount Zion. Although this may be the case, the difficulty is then one of transition. Since the “great dragon” (Satan) was hurled down to earth in 13:9, John has primarily been viewing events upon the earth.

The following view is respectfully and non-dogmatically advanced as a possibility that will cause the least confusion. Regardless of one’s interpretation, the very definite and destructive bowl judgments, Christ’s Second Coming and the final war between God and Satan will play out chronologically and with clarity. It is for certain that as we draw ever so nearer to the Tribulation Period, and especially for those who participate (not the Church) during this time, these events will continue to become “unsealed,” i.e., more understandable.

The chapter opens with John in a position to see events on three different plains. He will be able to see events on earth and in all the heavens, e.g., mid-heaven (atmospheric) and higher to the Throne of God. At first he is still viewing events upon the earth and he sees the Lamb (Jesus Christ) standing on Mount Zion. Mount Zion was the name of a fortified hill controlled by the Jebusites, which was captured by King David. He then built a city around the fortress that was called by two names: (1) the City of David, and (2) Jerusalem. In the prophetical and poetical books of the Old Testament, Zion occurs no less than 148 times and in the New Testament it occurs seven times as either “Sion” or “Zion,” depending on the translation (Matthew 21:5; John 12:15; Romans 9:33; 11:26; Hebrews 12:22; 1 Peter 2:6; Revelation 14:1). Sometime Zion is used to denote the whole of Jerusalem, but in its literal and restricted sense, it was the southwestern hill of Jerusalem. On every side but the north, this hill was surrounded with deep valleys having precipitous sides. Although there are other hills around it, e.g., Moriah and Ophel, Zion is the higher hill, being 105 feet above Moriah and 2,539 feet above the level of the Mediterranean Sea. In later writings, Zion was no longer confined to the southwestern hill, but sometimes denoted Jerusalem in general (Sept.: Psalms 87:2; 149:2; Isaiah 33:14; Joel 2:1); sometimes it meant God’s chosen people (Psalms 51:18; 87:5); and sometimes the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22). To many, Zion has come to symbolize the aspirations and hopes of God’s children.

In this verse, and since John is continuing his view on earth, the scene takes place during the middle of the Tribulation Period and he sees Jesus Christ before the 144,000 servants of God on Mount Zion, which is on earth. Chapters 12 &13 describe events that culminate in the middle of the Tribulation. Several things occur during this time. The Antichrist and his kingdom will overcome the one-world church (the prostitute of Chapter 17). He will break his “covenant with many,” which has insured peace for Israel, and drive her out of the Holy Land. The persecution of the Tribulation saints will now come under the auspices of the ecumenical church. This church or religion will function much like the National Council of Churches today. It will not oppose evil or immorality, but will persecute those who believe in the deity of Christ, His sacrificial work on Calvary, His resurrection and salvation by grace through faith in Him. As previously mentioned and will be revealed in chapter 17, this ecumenical church will be overthrown by the Antichrist, and the only religion remaining will be one cultivated and fostered by the False Prophet-and the Antichrist will be its god.

Now, at the mid-point of the Tribulation, John sees the Lord Jesus Christ on Mount Zion, and with Him are the 144,000 servants of God who had their foreheads sealed (chapter 7) with the names of God the Father and God the Son. Tim LeHaye in his book, Revelation Unveiled, would have us believe this scene takes place in heaven and the 144,000 figure is not the same group as is seen in chapter 7, but rather “the most outstanding 144,000 saints of the Church from the early days of the spread of the gospel to the Rapture of the Church.” Mr. LeHaye presents a detailed chart comparing and contrasting what he sees as two different groups. Although his presentation has merit, it is not this writer’s opinion. There are enough similarities between this 144,000 and the 144,000 in chapter 7 to conclude they are one and the same.

After this point in the Tribulation we no longer read anything regarding the ministry of the 144,000 of chapter seven. Does this mean that by the middle of the Tribulation the ministry of the 144,000 has been fulfilled? This isn’t revealed. The last we see of them is their meeting with Christ on Mount Zion. It can be concluded that since they were introduced in chapter seven until now in chapter fourteen, their number has remained the same. This is a group that Satan has not been able to touch. The same is true of all God’s servants. Satan can touch no one called of God until God’s ministry through that person has been fulfilled.

One difficulty in this view may be seen in having Christ at the Throne of God in heaven and yet on earth with the 144,000 on Mount Zion. As stated previously, this position is not presented as dogma. Yet, considering that Christ is God and therefore omnipresent, the writer has no difficulty with seeing Christ at the right hand of God and also with these believers. Today, during the Church Age (dispensation), He resides with every believer through the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, which indwells every believer. He will function no differently during the Tribulation. In this case it is felt that John simply sees a physical manifestation of Christ meeting with the 144,000 on Mount Zion. This may (1) serve as verification that they are totally protected from the onslaught of Satan while they minister upon the earth during this horrible time in history, and (2) serve as a “graduation ceremony” where they will be congratulated for a “job well done,”-since God will now spread the “eternal gospel” through angelic means in the latter half of the Tribulation Period. It is not known whether God takes these 144,000 via a “rapture experience” directly to heaven or leaves them to continue to serve during the last half of the Tribulation Period.

Revelation 14:2-5
And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.


While John is pondering this scene before him, he hears a very loud sound emanating from the ramparts of heaven, which is denoted by the expressions “roar of rushing waters” and “a loud peal of thunder.” To John this sounds like “harpists playing their harps.” Additionally, these harpists sing a new song before the throne, the four living creatures and the elders. It is not revealed who is actually singing this “new song,” other than they are “harpists.” It is revealed to John that no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who have been “redeemed from the earth”-a most curious expression. Immediately following this expression, he states it in a different way, “purchased from among men,” and adds to it, “and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.”

The word for “redeemed” and “purchased” is the Greek word agorazo, which is used three times in the New Testament (here twice and in Revelation 5:9). It is not unlike the other Greek words used to denote redemption, e.g., the Greek lutrosis-from lutroo (from lutron) or the Greek exagorago, all indicating the payment of a price for someone so that person will not be obligated for it. Yet agorazo, a form of agora, places emphasis on the “place from which the object or person is bought,” in addition to the fact that “the buyer has right of possession.”

This being the case, these 144,000 were a very special group of Jews who were bought “out of” the “market place” of Christ-rejecters who occupied the Tribulation. This was accomplished spiritually by the “blood of Christ” (salvation) on the cross of Calvary and physically (protection from harm) during the Tribulation. Just as Christ is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep or died (1 Corinthians 15:20) and Christians are a “kind of firstfruits of all He [Christ] created (James 1:18), the 144,000 are the “firstfruits to God and the Lamb” of those who come out as redeemed from the Tribulation Period, but especially of those of the nation Israel who will turn to God during this time. Now whether or not this “redemption” is more than spiritual, i.e., also physically transported to heaven at some point during the Tribulation, we are not informed. But we are informed they are “pure.”

Although the Bible does not advocate celibacy, except on rare occasion, during the horrific events (judgments from God and persecutions from Satan) transpiring during the Tribulation Period, it is better that God’s servants are unmarried as they labor to preach the Gospel. The 144,000 remained chaste (literally and spiritually) and unimpeded in their ministry by refusing to be married. Instead they are totally committed to following Christ “wherever He goes,” i.e., they are totally controlled by God’s Holy Spirit at all times during this awful passage of earth’s history.

Revelation 14:6-12
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” A second angel followed and said, “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.” A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of His wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.” This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.


John now shifts his view from the earth up to mid-heaven, which is to say the earth’s upper atmosphere. The text transitions from the 144,000 servants of God, whose ministry is primarily performed during the first half of the Tribulation (and may in fact extend into the second half), and now focuses upon three angels (of six angels introduced in this chapter) and their ministries, which begin in the second half of the Tribulation Period. This denotes a radical change in the protocol of God’s communication with earth. As the Tribulation now heats up, God changes method in the broadcasting of His various messages. Whereas previously it was up to His 144,000 servants and His two witnesses with supernatural powers, now that the Tribulation is so intense it appears that only angels are able to get the messages of God through to the world. These angels are apparently indestructible, and each angel has a message to deliver to earth, as follows:

First Angel

This angel’s ministry is to deliver the “eternal gospel” to everyone on earth as he circumnavigates the earth in the mid-heaven (atmospheric heaven). It was not too many years ago when this would have been a difficult statement for earth’s population to accept. But now with satellites buzzing above us and a television in most every household, it is not farfetched to understand how this angel will serve as a broadcasting station for all of earth.

The first angel’s message is characterized by the phrase, “eternal gospel.” Immediately we recall the words of Christ as He explained to His disciples what events would transpire that would reveal the sign of His second coming and the “end of the age.” He said, And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14) There is little doubt that the “eternal gospel” and the “gospel of the kingdom” are one and the same. The problem with various expositors of God’s Word lies with the content of the “gospel of the kingdom.” There appears to be many who hold that this gospel is no different than the “gospel of grace,” which is preached today. There are other scholars who believe there is a distinct difference in the “gospel of the kingdom” and the “gospel of grace.” To them the gospel of the kingdom is the proclamation that Christ, as the promised Messiah, will come to set up His everlasting kingdom. And of course, there are those who attempt to differentiate a variety of gospels, e.g., of the kingdom, of grace, of judgment, Paul’s gospel, etc.

Although this writer finds merit in the distinguishing factors between a the “gospel of grace” and the “gospel of the kingdom,” he concludes that the “gospel of the kingdom” cannot take place apart from the “gospel of grace.” At the very least, and since the Greek word for “gospel” means “good news,” the “eternal gospel” proclaimed the coming kingdom of Christ for those who accept by faith alone Christ alone, which is the “gospel of grace.” In addition, the angel very specifically included the warning of judgment for those who would not “fear God.” Any Bible student knows that the word fear (Gk: phobeo) as it relates to man’s relationship with God essentially means, “to have a reverence or deep respect for-to stand in awe of God.” Nevertheless, the “good news” in this “eternal gospel” for the Tribulation believer is that the end of the Tribulation is now drawing near, their pain and suffering will soon cease and the unjust (those who will not worship God) will receive their due punishment.

Second Angel

Following the first angel comes a second angel who proclaims the anticipatory announcement of the certain and impending fall of “Babylon the Great.” The word “fallen” in the original Greek is in the prophetic aorist tense. In other words, this proclamation is so sure that the angel speaks as though the event had already taken place. It is just as sure as if, at the time of the pronouncement, it were history already. The word “fallen” denotes the destruction of “Babylon the Great.” In subsequent verses it will be seen that this destruction comes swiftly and not over a protracted period of time. So what is the angel referring to with the phrase “Babylon the Great?”

He refers to both (1) a literal city named Babylon, which represents corrupt governments and commercial centers (social, cultural, political and commercial life apart from God) and (2) a mystic Babylon, which represents religion (idolatry and any system seeking the approbation of God through “works”). Babylon the Great, inclusive of both concepts, has been Satan’s headquarters from the earliest of times. It is known as the “city of Satan” because of its history of idolatry, astrology, witchcraft, and other occult practices. The destruction of both Babylon’s will be covered in detail in subsequent scriptural passages. Babylon the city will be destroyed by God; whereas, “mystic Babylon,” which at the time (mid-point of the Tribulation) will have evolved into a one-world religion will be brought down by the Antichrist and his kingdom.

The city of Babylon is mentioned more than 260 times in the Bible, more than any city other than Jerusalem. It was the capital city of the first great monarch of the earth, King Nebuchadnezzar. It was the city of the king who destroyed Judea, destroyed Jerusalem and destroyed the temple of God. It was the city of Nimrod, the builder of the Tower of Babel. Babylon is the place where idolatry began-the birthplace of religion, i.e., the worship of anything other than God and the practice of “working one’s own way into heaven.” The city was never completely destroyed. Although the city “died out” centuries ago, during the 1980’s and 90’s Saddam Hussein poured hundreds of millions of dollars into rebuilding it. The Persian Gulf War slowed this process, but eventually the city will become a great center of religion and trade, under the personal control of Satan-during the Tribulation Period. The Antichrist and the False Prophet will administer their evil affairs from this rebuilt center of religion and corrupt government (dictatorship).

The word “fallen” is repeated twice in the second angel’s pronouncement. This indicates, as mentioned previously, two separate falls or destructions-of the actual city and the mystic one. The religious system will be destroyed first when the Antichrist turns on it just after the mid-point of the Tribulation Period. The rebuilt city of Babylon will be destroyed when it is burned to the ground in one hour near the end of the Tribulation Period.

Third Angel

Following the second angel is a third angel with another loud proclamation directed to the inhabitants of earth. This third angel is not the bearer of good news, as with the first angel. He, as with the second angel, proclaims impending doom-but this time the message is not for a city or system-it is directed to individuals.

As was seen in chapter 13, the False Prophet [second beast-out of the earth] forced everyone to receive a mark on either his forehead or right hand. This mark was “the name of the beast [first beast-Antichrist] or the number of his name (verse 17). Now, the third angel announces to the world that anyone who takes on this mark will no longer be eligible for God’s salvation. In effect, he is stating that this act of receiving the mark of the Antichrist is the “last straw.” The angel makes it very clear that anyone who receives the mark has nothing to look forward to but the terrible judgment of God-to be tormented with burning sulfur (the Lake of Fire) for all of eternity. To receive such a mark denotes a person’s willingness to worship the Antichrist and his image that has defiled God’s temple and; therefore, will thereby seal that person’s eternal fate.

It is then said that this proclamation calls for “patient endurance” on the part of believers. They refuse to take the mark, even though this means they will not be able to participate in any trade or activity of livelihood. By their refusal, they are subject to the continuous penalties and tortures imposed on them by the Antichrist and his kingdom. But now they are to patiently endure such hardship knowing that their suffering will be only temporary; whereas, the suffering and torment of those who follow the Antichrist will be eternal.

Revelation 14:13
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."


There is no question that the Tribulation Period will be a very terrible time for Christians. During the first half of it, the one-world (ecumenical) church will pursue, persecute and murder those who profess Jesus Christ. During the second half, the Antichrist and the False Prophet will do the same but with a greater passion and with increasing intensity. On top of this the judgment bowls of God will be far worse than any of His prior earthly judgments.

So now comes the voice of the Holy Spirit crying from heaven and instructing John to write “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on-they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Now, at the mid-point of the Tribulation, when suffering and pain will engulf the world and all who are upon it, when the persecution of the saints will flourish, as never before; it will be a greater blessing for the saints to die and rest from their labor in the Lord.

Revelation 14:14-20
I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was One "like a Son of Man" with a crown of gold on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to Him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." So He who was seated on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.


At the beginning of this chapter, John’s view was focused on earth with Christ and the 144,000 servants of God on Mount Zion. He then lifts his head and his eyes focus on the upper atmosphere of earth as the three angels come on the scene. Now still watching the atmosphere he sees seated on a white cloud One “like a Son of Man” who has a crown of gold on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. Along with this Person, John sees three more angels sequentially appear, two emerge from the heavenly temple and one directly from the alter, each one with a specific duty. This writer finds some difficulty with the chronological interpretation of this event by some fundamental Bible expositors. But first a discussion on the Person who is “like a Son of Man.”

There is no disagreement that this Person is Jesus Christ among fundamental Bible scholars, at least so far as this writer has been able to determine. But even more revealing is a vision by Daniel, In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13, 14) This Old Testament passage is clearly referring to Jesus Christ, who before God the Father, is given all “authority, glory and sovereign power,” and is worshiped by “all peoples, nations and men.” And His dominion and kingdom is forever. In the latter part of chapter 19 we will see this same Jesus on a white horse and with His armies come back to take full charge of His earth (The Second Coming of Jesus Christ).

A word about the “earth’s vine,” as is mentioned in this passage. Jesus Christ is the “true vine,” as He so states, I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. (John 15:1) In contrast is the vine mentioned in this passage as the “earth’s vine.” The suggestion is that since Satan is the chief imitator of God and Christ, he here is referred to as the “earth’s vine.” Whereas Christ is the “Heaven’s Vine,” Satan is the vine from earth. From “earth’s vine” comes the sour, bitter, sinful, evil “grapes of wrath,” which now will be harvested at the end of the age. We also learn from Christ in Matthew 13:39-42 that the harvest will be at the “end of the age” and angels will participate in this event.

But here lies the rub. John sees Christ sitting on a cloud with his golden crown (denoting His kingship) and his sharp sickle (denoting a “cutting off,” or termination of life). Many expositors interpret this scene as one that chronologically jumps ahead to the Battle of Armageddon, which takes place at the end of the Tribulation Period and is referenced in Revelation 16:12-16 and 19:11-20. This chronological position is dubious, if in fact it refers to a future specific event (Battle of Armageddon), in light of the chronology of the entire chapter. As stated previously, there are differences of interpretation when it comes to the order of events in this marvelous book among various expositors, and the reader must be his own final authority-as the Holy Spirit leads him.

This writer sees this passage as a “broad view” of all God’s remaining judgments. He sees the entire two-part harvesting process as (1) the harvest of believers by Christ (Matthew 25:32-34) and (2) the grape-harvest by the angel (Matthew 25:41-46). These activities take place during the second half of the Tribulation-the entire progression during the bowl judgments as outlined in subsequent chapters and culminating in Armageddon, which is best understood as a series of conflicts (war) rather than a single battle. Here in this passage there is no mention of Christ coming to the earth. Here and at the instruction of an angel, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe," He begins what is believed to be the reaping of believers from the earth. Next comes another angel, who takes his instruction from a third angel coming from the Altar of God and who has charge of the fire. The angel then swings his razor sharp sickle and cuts off the evil grapes (human beings who are now incorrigible in so far as God’s grace salvation is concerned) that stem from the “earth’s vine.” They are then thrown into the great winepress of God’s wrath and crushed until every drop of their blood is expelled from their trampled tissues. This is accomplished through a series of bowl-judgments, which are the most terrifying and deadly judgments that God will ever release upon earth.

Eventually these judgments, along with Armageddon, results in a sea of blood as high as the horses’ bridles and extending for 1,600 stadia, approximately 180 miles-a distance from Jerusalem to the south of Edom. But notice, God’s judgment does not come without (1) ample declaration of His grace “plan of escape” (salvation by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone) and (2) ample warnings!