HEROES OF THE FAITH

Revelation 14
Bob Bonner
February 26, 2006

Recently, my wife and I saw the movie, “The End of The Spear,” the true story of five heroic missionaries who gave up their very lives to reach the lost for Christ. They denied themselves, took up their crosses and followed Him to their end. In the past, there have been singularly great, heroic and faithful followers of the Lord, but never will there be such a large group of heroic followers of Christ at one time, who will live such uncompromising and committed lives to the service of Jesus Christ, as the individuals we are going to read about this morning. These individuals will emerge from the worst holocaust in history weary but triumphant, to go straight into the Millennial Kingdom without dying.

As we continue in our study of the book of Revelation, allow me to remind you of what we have already learned and where we are in our study. For the past several weeks, we have been looking at the largest section of the book of Revelation, chapters 6-19, which deals with that three and-a-half-year period known as the Great Tribulation. This section is made up of two sets of threes. There are three groups of judgments, the seals, the trumpets and the bowls; and there are three parenthetical sections that give us incidental information about the entire three-and-a-half years. Today, we find ourselves in the second and largest parenthetical section, in chapter 14.

Chronologically, I believe that what we read in this chapter takes place in literally the very last days of life on planet earth, maybe even the last week! Following the events of what we are reading about in this parenthetical section, will be the Millennial Kingdom, when Christ literally sets up His throne in Jerusalem, and will reign for 1,000 years on what will be a restored planet earth.

Chapter 14 presents a contrast between how God will deal with those who will be saved and those who will be lost. It speaks about God’s blessing to the faithful and his wrath or judgment on earth against those who have rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In vv. 1-5 we are introduced to this most triumphant group of people that I believe the world will ever know.

Let’s begin our study by reading about a special group of Christians who will have lived through the entire Great Tribulation unharmed and will be the first to see Christ and enter into the Millennial Kingdom. Beginning with chapter 14, verse 1 we read, ¹Then 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. ²And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. ³And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. ⁴These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. ⁵And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.

Here we read that 144,000 with the lamb, Jesus Christ, will be standing on Mount Zion, the mountain upon which the city of Jerusalem rests. It is reasonable to conclude that this is the same group of 144,000 mentioned in 7:4-8, those Jewish believers in Christ, who were promised protection by God throughout the Great Tribulation. These believers carry on them the mark of Jesus in contrast to the mark of the beast mentioned in chapter 13, which will be on all who reject Christ. These 144,000 were first presented at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. It is preferable to view these verses taking place after the victorious end of the Great Tribulation, with Jesus and these believers on Mt. Zion or Jerusalem beginning the reign of the earthly Millennial Kingdom.

In contrast with many others who become believers who die during this period, these 144,000 believers live through the entire Great Tribulation. However, they are not the only believers to survive this period. There will be other gentiles and Jewish followers of Jesus who will somehow escape death during this period and will welcome Christ at His return. But these 144,000 Jewish Christians are a special group who will have lived for Christ through the entire Great Tribulation only to stand with Christ, in Jerusalem as the triumphant “first fruits,” first believers to enter into and to rule with Christ on earth in the Millennial Kingdom. 

Allow me to just briefly mention the five character traits of these triumphant believers. They are:

• 1. Worshipful...as evidenced by their praise song to the victorious Jesus Christ, which we will look at in just a moment.
   
• 2. Sexually pure 
   
• 3. Loyal only to Christ...meaning that with all that was going on in their attempts to survive, they never lost sight of the mission, to be His ambassadors with His message of salvation.
   
• 4. Without deceit.
   
• 5. Blameless...which does not mean that they were without sin, but that they took responsibility for their sin and did what was necessary to make right the hurt or wrong they caused others.

According to verse 3, these triumphant believers come together with some other heavenly participants to make up a choir. This heavenly group who joined the earthly group were the four living creatures, which were identified in chapter 4, (as seraphim and cherubim?), and the twenty-four elders.

Together, both the heavenly and earthly participants made up a choir singing praise to God and the Lamb, or Jesus Christ, such that all of creation heard their worship. The tenor of their song is described in the voice that comes from heaven: it sounds like many “waters and thunder” which speaks to its origin being a divine message. However, by including the “sound of harps,” which suggest throughout Scripture joyous praise, the message of this song is not judgment but joyful praise as to what has just happened, the victory of Christ and as to what has come, the entrance into the Millennium. All heaven will overflow with praise because God’s work on earth will have been accomplished

In contrast to these 144,000 who will be gloriously rescued and ushered into the Millennial Kingdom, in verses 6-12, we read about three angels’ declarations concerning the lost who still remain on earth. These words will take place literally during the last day or days of the Great Tribulation, at the very end, probably sometime during the bowl judgments to come.

We read about the first angel’s message to the earth’s inhabitants, in verses 6-7, ⁶And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, [that place in the sky high above the earth, such that all can see and hear what he has to say] having an eternal Gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; ⁷and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”

This first angel preaches with a “loud voice,” one that can be heard throughout the earth, such that no one will be able to claim, “I never heard that!” For this will be the last time they hear the Gospel preached. It will be the last time they can repent. Every human being on earth who has not yet committed their lives to Christ will have this one last opportunity. Nonetheless, “the beast” will still convince many that he is in charge of the world, and that their destinies are in his hands, and that they should ignore this angel’s message.

In verse 8, we read of the second angel’s message. He preaches about the judgment which is to immediately come upon those who have refused to entrust their lives to Christ. This angel’s message sadly indicates that many still will have rejected or ignored the first angel’s message. We read, ⁸And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.”

When we get to the last parenthetical section in Revelation, chapters 17-18, we will see that Babylon refers to two aspects of the cultural world at the time. First, it refers to that in which all of the world will put their trust and confidence---that is, the one-world false religion and its endless pursuit of hedonistic pleasure. 

The second aspect to which Babylon refers is the commercial/political workings of the world at the time. There is a debate amongst biblical scholars as to whether Babylon represents an actual capital or it is symbolic. I’m convinced that Babylon refers to an actual city. There is nothing here in this context to convince me otherwise. If I am correct, there are two options to which city “Babylon” refers. The first, is the city of Babylon, rebuilt in what is known as Iraq today, or the second would be the city of Rome. At this point, I lean toward the city being the Babylon of Iraq. I don’t really believe we can know for sure today which city is meant here, but it will become clearer as we approach this period in future history.

In a word, this city, Babylon, although literal, represents everything evil, rebellious and contrary to the living God.

The third angelic message, in verses 9-11, logically follows the previous two: first the message; then the message of judgment to come for those who reject the Gospel message; and finally the message of damnation to those who did not heed God’s message. Notice: all of these angelic messages have been given in such a manner that no one will have an excuse as to not knowing the truth or for not having heard these messages. We read about this third message beginning with verse 9. ⁹Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, ¹⁰he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will 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 goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.

Many Christians today have a difficult time with the concept of eternal damnation for those who reject Christ. “Can’t they just die and cease to exist? Do they have to be tortured for the rest of their existence?” they complain. Somehow they want to soften the blow of a Holy God’s judgment. But verse 11, along with many other passages spoken by Christ and others (Isa. 66:24; Dan. 12:2; Mt. 3:12; Lk. 3:17; 2 Thess. 1:9; Mt. 18:8, 25:41,46; Mk. 9:43,48) clearly teaches that those who reject Christ are destined for an eternal torment along with Satan that is unending. God’s holiness cannot allow for anything but that. For us to suggest otherwise reveals we have very little concept of or appreciation for the Holiness of God. 

Still unsatisfied will such a judgment, some ask, “How can a God of love actually permit His creatures to suffer eternal torment?” But we must keep in mind that God’s love is a holy love, not one based on sentimentality, and therefore He must justly deal with sin. We may not like the word “torment,” but it is here just the same. We must also keep in mind that God has repeatedly warned sinners and given them opportunity to repent.

Furthermore, to emphasize that this is not just a damnation that ends with a human breath, but is one that is truly eternal, the Greek language, in which this is written uses the strongest expression for eternity that it is capable of using. The words, “torment goes up forever and ever” literally is translated “into the ages of ages.” The suffering will continue, never to stop or have a break.

In contrast to these three solemn pronouncements by these three angels, we have in verses 12,13 a blessing to those true believers living at that time. These verses are often quoted in regard to God’s general blessings on all Christians, but the context indicates that these verses specifically apply to those who die in the Great Tribulation. For them, the end of the Great Tribulation will be a blessed release from persecution, torture, and trial and a deliverance into the glorious presence of the Lord. We read, ¹²Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. ¹³And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”

Whereas in verses 9-11, where the message is “no rest for the wicked,” here we read about the glorious eternal rest for the saints who have suffered at the hands of the wicked during the Tribulation days. Furthermore, we are told “Their deeds follow with them.” This is a reference to God’s promise to reward them with eternal rewards that they will enjoy not just during the millennium, but throughout eternity.

Following these brief words of encouragement to the Tribulation saints, we return to a second round of three angelic messages of judgment to come upon those who reject Christ, in verses 14-20. These verses depict two agricultural motifs: one of a grain harvest (14-16) and the other of a grape harvest (17-20). Some view that the significant difference between the two motifs is that the grain harvest refers to the non-Jewish peoples of the world, whereas the grape harvest points to the judgment of the unbelieving Jews, since the vine and grapes throughout the Old Testament pointed to the nation of Israel. Ultimately, we know for sure that these messages point to the final harvesting of souls into eternal judgment before God. 

We read about the grain harvest in verses 14-16. ¹⁴Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. ¹⁵And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.” ¹⁶Then He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.

Jesus, coming on a “white cloud,” symbolizing His glory and majesty is ready to take dominion over the earth. The “golden crown” mentioned here is the one worn not by a king but by a victor in either war or athletic events. It is the crown of triumph. The use of the sickle is a picture of the Lord’s literally mowing down His enemies, like one would mow a hay field.

God the Father sends a message via the angel to God the Son, that now is the time to exercise His right to judge all that God the Father has delegated to Him. The earth is ripe for judgment. In fact, the word for “ripe” literally means “over ripe” revealing that God has exercised extreme patience and long suffering toward the world before He has judged it. He has gone beyond being fair and just to give people time to repent and put their trust in Christ. By the time He reaches this point, no being on heaven or earth, knowing all the facts will be able to present one legitimate gripe against God for the judgment that is about to take place.

In verses 17-20, we come to the grape harvest. ¹⁷And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. ¹⁸Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe.” ¹⁹So the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. ²⁰And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles.

The final two verses of this chapter, those speaking of the “trampling of the wine press” refer to the final war, the blood bath of Armageddon. It is called the battle of Armageddon, not because Armageddon is where the battle will take place, but because Armageddon is the only place that millions of soldiers will be able to stage or get prepared to fight the battle. The name, “Armageddon” literally means “Hill of Megiddo.” Megiddo, for centuries was a fortress from which armies protected the major trade route that passes down the seaboard of the Mediterranean Sea. From Megiddo, one can view everything that takes place in this valley.

This valley or future staging area is about 60 miles north of Jerusalem. Make no bones about it, the focal point of the final war will be the city of Jerusalem. However, the fight itself will probably be throughout the western side of Israel.  During this war of human armies led by the antichrist against Jesus, which will not take maybe even one day from start to finish, so many people will be killed in and around Jerusalem that the ravines or shallow valleys that surround Jerusalem will be flowing in two to four feet of human blood. Jesus’ angels will do the killing, as the divine General directs His heavenly forces on earth. 

What we are reading about here is the end result of what we have yet to study, but is coming up in chapter 16, the seven bowl judgments. The angels, by direction of Jesus, will pour out these final judgments upon the earth that will kill what is left of the remaining human life on the planet. With the end of the war, will begin the Millennial Kingdom here on earth.

So, where does this leave us today? What would the Lord have us take away from our study of His Word? Here are a couple of messages I hear Him convicting my heart about. The first comes from Christ’s own words to His first century disciples, which also applies to us as well as to those 144,000 believing Jews who will come to Christ during the Great Tribulation. It is the verse that declares the requirement to being a true follower of Jesus. Christ said to his disciples, in Matthew 16:24 “ If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” What that means for those future 144,000 believers, those heroes of the faith who will live during the Great Tribulation, is also meant for us today. I am to continually make sure that my wishes, desires, expectations take a back seat to those of my Lord, Jesus Christ. I have to deny even my rights at times. Furthermore, I am to realize and accept that oftentimes that commitment will require taking up my cross, or uncomfortable, inconvenient, painful tasks, and sometimes even suffer injustices. For what purpose? That I obey His mission and commission for my life, and follow after Him.

As His disciple, my life today is not about my comfort, my ease, my rights or my agenda. It’s about being His ambassador and serving Him. It’s about taking seriously the building up and encouraging of other believers. It’s about being focused at getting the message of the Gospel out, not just to foreign countries, but to those who live around me. That does not mean that life will always be harsh, but when I have to choose between what is in His best interest and what is not, my temporal desires are to take a back seat. Hence, today as a Christian, I am called to live for Christ like the 144,000.

What that will look like for those 144,000 in the future will definitely be different than what it looks like for me today. However, what remains the same yesterday, today and in the future, as we see in our passage for today, are the marks of the true believer who is following after Christ. What we read that stood out and will be noticeable by others, as they deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him should also stand out in our lives. What are those marks of a true believer? Our passage listed five, in verses 4,5. They are:

Here, these Christians have had to live under extremely harsh conditions, suffering great loss of friends and family while undergoing intense persecution. Every night, I imagine them going to bed with very real reasons to fear waking up the next day to an unstable world being ruled by Satan’s henchmen, who would like nothing but to find you and kill you. Even with the promise of Christ’s protection, the pressure will be so great that I doubt there will be many cocky, arrogant believers in that day who will publically boast, “You can’t touch me, because Jesus said so!” And yet, while living in an horrible age, they will still find reason to sing, worship and praise God. If there is a chance to genuinely worship God, they will.

This past week, I received a wonderful letter from LeaAnn Hoppe, one of our missionaries in Thailand, who with the Tsunami, the earthquakes, etc. has felt the pressures of ministry, along with the other missionaries, like few of us back home have ever experienced. She and her husband Bill, a psychiatrist, serve as Christ’s agents of healing and encouragement to many of these wounded and weary brothers and sisters in Christ, who have left their homelands to reach others in Asia. And yet, when they had some time to get together with the other missionaries to worship God, listen to how she describes the scene. She writes:

• The best part of these meetings by far is the worship. Never on this earth will you hear more passionate singing. For many it is a luxury they enjoy once every year or two. We sing together with many tears: "...when I walk through the desert place.......when the storms are closing in on me ..... on the road marked with suffering..... still I will choose to say, ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord!’ Can we say it again...it is such a privilege to serve cool water to these marathon runners of the kingdom.

All of us from time to time get the “poor me’s” or tend to whine about what we are going through, but somehow, the true followers of Christ don’t stay there. Somehow, they look into the Savior’s face and are reminded of who they are because of Him and genuine perspective and worship follows. Is this characteristic of your life?

Second, John records for us that the faithful followers in the Great Tribulation were sexually pure. Not that they had never made a moral choice that was wrong or lost their virginity along the way in an unrighteous manner, but as a lifestyle, they had repented of that wrongdoing, turned away from it and in the power of Jesus living through them, had chosen to live a morally pure life.

What characterizes your thought life? What kind of information are you choosing to allow in through your eye gate, down into your soul and eventually out into your hands and feet? Are you practicing sexual purity?

Although most of us in this room are citizens of the United States of America, and want to remain loyal to our country; although most of us in this room associate ourselves with one political party or another, does our loyalty ultimately belong to Jesus Christ? Is there any other loyalty keeping us from loving other brothers and sisters in Christ and reaching out to the lost of this world, regardless of nationality, religion, race or political persuasion?

In a period of time, when others will lie, steal and cheat as a way of life, because the world will be saying, “You must, or won’t survive!” these future believers will live without deceit. Is that true of you? Is your yes, YES! And your no, NO!? Is your speech filled with many unloving half-truths?

Finally, the last characteristic of a true follower of Christ, listed in this passage is this one of being blameless. Blameless doesn’t mean without sin. Blameless means that when you do sin, you take full responsibility for it, regardless of what another may have done. It means you take the right steps toward God and others to seek forgiveness, restoration and, as best you can, repair the damage you have caused.

If we were to die today, based on these characteristics, would those we leave behind recognize us as true followers of Christ, as heroes of the faith?

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