Place: Lurgan 23:3:2004

Reading: Revelation 14:1-20

EXPLORING THE FUTURE

20. VOICES OF VICTORY

In order to refresh our memories about things concerning this last book of the Bible, there are three things that I want to do by way of introduction.

(1) THE PLAN OF THE BOOK:

Go back to ( 1:19 ) Notice here that God divides the Book of Revelation into 3 parts. (1) " The things which thou hast seen,” This was the vision of the glorified Lord. ( Ch 1 ) (2) " The things which are,” This was the message to the churches. ( Ch 2 & 3 ) (3) " The things which shall be hereafter,” ( meta tauta ) The meaning is,

" Write the things which shall be after the churches when the churches are no more.” Now look at ( 4:1 )

So chapter 4 introduces the third section of the book. Now remember ( Ch 2&3 ) deal with seven successive periods of church history which closes with the Laodicean age, which is the church of today. But look at how ( 4:1 ) opens. " After this.” After what ? After the church age. So from ( Ch 4-22 ) we have the third section of the book, which focuses on prophecy after the church age.

(2) THE ABSENCE OF THE CHURCH:

Here is an amazing thing. Up to the end of ( Ch 3 ) the churches have occupied a central place in this Book. But at the end of ( Ch 3 ) and beginning with ( Ch 4 ) the churches disappear. My .... there are 16 references to the church in the first three chapters of Revelation, whereas ( Ch 6 .... 18 ) which cover the Tribulation period do not mention the church once. Why ? Because the church will not be there. Indeed the next time we see the church is in ( Ch 19 ) where she is the Bride of Christ, coming with her Lord in glory. How did she get to glory ? ( 4:1 ) This is a picture of all believers being " caught up,” to the throne at the Rapture ! (1) (2)

(3) THE MENTION OF THE SEVENS:

I think we could say that the entire Book of Revelation is divided into four sevens. There are the letters to the Seven Churches, then the Seven Seals, ( 6:1-8:5 ) then the Seven Trumpets, ( 8:6-19:21 ) and finally the Seven Vials. ( 16:1-19:21 ) Now in ( Ch 14 ) there is a series of seven separate visions, each complete in itself. These visions or pictures are not intended to present a chronological sequence of events.

Indeed one of the problems in interpreting Revelation is that it does not run chronologically. For example, chronologically the events in ( Ch 15&16 ) occur before the reaping and harvest visions in ( Ch 14 ) In ( 14:8 ) a brief announcement shows the judgment of Babylon, but her actual doom is described under the seventh vial of wrath in ( Ch 16:17-21)

So what we have in ( Ch 14 ) is a like a table of contents. It takes us back to the beginning of the Tribulation week and carries us forward to the end of the week. ( Ch 13 ) describes the Beast and his Mark.

( Ch 14 ) describes the Lamb and His mark. Now we have entitled this study " VOICES OF VICTORY.”

Indeed in ( Ch 14-16 ) the word VOICE is used eleven times. Look at ( 14:7,9,13 ) So what we have are

“ Voices of Victory.” Our society loves winners. Whether in politics, business, entertainment, sports or war we idolise those who succeed. On the other hand, we do not tolerate losers. Managers who are lose are fired, players who lose are sold, executives who fail are replaced, politicians who fail are voted out of office. Our heroes are those who overcome all obstacles and triumph in the end.

While not endorsing the world’s superficial definition of success, the Bible nevertheless speaks of the Christian life in triumphant terms. Paul says, “ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” ( Rom 8:37 ) In his first epistle the apostle John writes, “ For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.” ( 1 Jn 4:4-5 ) The Bible speaks of the Christian life in victorious terms, yet believers triumphs and victories in this life are incomplete and marred by setbacks and defeats. The world, the flesh, and the devil take their toll on our best efforts. ( Rom 7:14-24 ) The Christians greatest triumphs are flawed because “ there is no man that sinneth not,” ( 1 Kings 8:46 ) “ for there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not.” ( Eccl 8:20 ) Yet the opening verses of

( Rev Ch 14 ) introduce us to some of the most triumphant men the world will ever know. Here are a group of men who will emerge from the worst holocaust, the Tribulation, battle weary but triumphant, they will be like 144,000 Daniels.

Think of it, they will survive both Satan’s wrath and persecution and God’s judgments on this sinful world.

Nothing will be able to harm them, because God will seal them, they are:

(1) THE FOLLOWERS OF THE LAMB

Look at ( 14:4 ) " These are they ... He goeth.” Now this is the same company of 144,000 Jews who were sealed by God in ( Ch 7 ) In ( Ch 7 ) we see them at the beginning of the tribulation, in ( Ch 14 ) we see them at the end of the tribulation, preserved by God through the fearful days of persecution and standing triumphantly with the Lamb on Mount Zion at the beginning of the millennial reign. ( Ps 2:6 Is 24:23 ) This passage describes the return of Christ to the earthly Mount Zion. " These are they .... He goeth.” They have no Rival to Christ, no Refusal to Christ, no Restraint for Christ. Whatever He wants they will do. Wherever He goes they will follow. Is it not amazing that these people act like this during the Tribulation, while so many of us during this age of grace are unwilling to follow the Lord ! We could all learn from the motto of the French Foreign Legion, " If I stumble, pick me up. If I falter push me on. If I retreat shoot me.” That’s the attitude of someone totally surrendered to the Lord. Now have a look at these 144,000 Jews for a moment and notice that:

(a) THEY ARE SEALED:

" And I looked .... Forehead.” ( 14:1 ) Do you recall in

( Ch 7) these 144,000 were Sealed ? ( 7:3 ) Now in Scripture a seal indicates ownership and protection. In contrast to " the mark of the beast,” that Antichrist will give those who follow him, ( 13:17 14:11 16:2 19:20 ) these will have the " mark of the Lord,” ( 14:1 ) and this seal will protect these chosen Jews despite the rage of the Dragon and the Beast. My .... every single Jew who was Sealed by God was Saved by God. Not one of the number is missing. There were 144,000 at the beginning of the Tribulation, and now they are 144,000 at the end of the Tribulation ! Do you know something ? If God can keep 144,000 through the Tribulation then He can keep me ! Today, we are Sealed by the Holy Spirit. Paul says, " Having believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” ( Eph 1:13 ) This is God's guarantee that we are saved and safe, and that He will one day take us to heaven ! My …. believers are eternally secure. The Lord Jesus said, “ and I gave unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” ( Jn10:28 ) (a)

(b) THEY ARE SINGING:

Look at ( 14:2-3 ) Now if the 144,000 are on earth in Zion, who then are this company in heaven ? Probably the martyred saints of the tribulation and both groups who experienced the trials of the tribulation are praising their God ! Heaven’s praise overflows to earth where the new song is taken up. You see the Book of Revelation, so full of sorrow, strife and tears is also a book filled with song. Bring the Lamb into the picture and immediately there is a song ! The Lord has an amazing ability to make His people happy, and when we are filled and controlled with the Spirit we sing. (a) (b)

(c) THEY ARE SEPARATED:

" These .... virgins.” ( 14:4) The phrase " defiled with women,” does not imply that sex within marriage is evil, because it is not. ( Heb 13:4 ) I think what is in view here is sexual purity. Here are men who will stand apart from the sin of their culture, 144,000 morally pure preachers amid the defilement that surrounds them.

Do you know something ? Sexual purity is essential to victorious Christian living. Paul wrote plainly, “ For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.” ( sexual immorality )

( 1 Thes 4:3 ) He admonished the young pastor Timothy,

“ Flee also youthful lusts, but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” ( 2 Tim 2:22 ) Those who would seek to serve the Lord effectively, must lead holy, pure lives.

The godly 19^th century preacher must Robert Murray McCheyne gave the following words to an aspiring young minister.

“ Do not forget the culture of the inner man …. I mean of the heart. How diligently the cavalry officer keeps his sabre clean and sharp, every stain he rubs off with the greatest care. Remember you are God’s sword, His instrument, I trust a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. Its it not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand

of God.” Yes they are (a) (b) (c)

(d) THEY ARE SYMBOLIC:

For ( 14:4 ) says, " These .... the Lamb.” Now the term

" first-fruits,” means " the very finest.” But it also carries the idea of an expected harvest. Do you recall what happened on the feast of first-fruits ? Well, the priest would wave the sheaf before the Lord as a sign that the entire harvest belonged to Him. ( Lev 23:9-14 ) It was not the whole harvest but it indicated that a larger harvest would follow. Now of what group are these 144,000 the first-fruits ? Apparently they indicate the harvest of many other Israelites who will turn to the Lord at the end of the tribulation when Christ returns.

In that day “ they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourned for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

( Zech 8:22 12:10 Is 2:3 ) My …. are you beginning to see the picture that John is giving us here of these 144,000 Jews ? (a) (b) (c) (d) But look again:

(e) THEY ARE SINCERE:

" And in their mouth was found no guile .…,” ( 14:5 ) They are truthful. My .... the era in which they will live will be one where deceit and falsehood will reign. The Antichrist will come in the power of Satan with " lying wonders." ( 2 Thes 2:9 ) The Devil himself is " a liar, and the father of it,” ( Jn 8:44 ) and his man who is the Antichrist, will appear in the Tribulation as " the liar.”

( 1Jn 2:22 ) But over against all this deceit there will be a 144,000 who will remain true when everyone else will be conforming to a lie ! " In their mouth was not found the lie,” is the way some render it. They will be like their Lord of whom it was said, “ who did no sin neither was guile found in His mouth.” ( 1 Pet 2:22 ) Notice finally:

(f) THEY ARE SPOTLESS:

" For they are without fault before the throne of God.”

( 14:5 ) The word implies they are without blemish, just as the O.T. sacrifices were without blemish. Animals offered on Jewish altars were scrutinized to make sure they were spotless. Here then is a company of God's people who are saved, sealed, separated, sanctified and spotless. It does not mean that they were perfect for they too had to be redeemed, it does not mean that they were sinlessly perfect, that they had never sinned since their salvation, but it does mean that their walk was holy. They were (1) What a statement with which to open the chapter. " And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb.”

The Doctrine of the Lamb is one that pervades the whole of Scripture. Do you recall what John says in

( 13:8) ? He speaks " of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” My .… that is the Lamb SANCTIFIED ( set apart for Calvary ) In

( Exod Ch 12 )on the night of the Jewish Passover we see the Lamb TYPIFIED. Isaiah speaks of the Lord Jesus when he says, " He is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter.” ( Is 53:7) That is the Lamb PROPHESISED. John the Baptist stood one day and said, " Behold the Lamb .... World.” ( Jn 1:29 ) That is the Lamb IDENTIFIED. At Calvary we see the Lamb CRUCIFIED. Here in ( 14:1 ) we see the Lamb MAGNIFIED and in the last chapter of this great book we see the Lamb GLORIFIED ! " Worthy O Lamb of God art Thou: That every knee to Thee should bow.” (1)

(2) THE MESSENGERS OF THE LORD

You see three angels now appear, commissioned with messages, announcements, and warnings for earth. The word " angel,” here literally means " messenger.” Notice that these Messengers of the Lord come with three messages. Firstly there is:

(a) THE PROCLAMATION CONCERNING BELIEF:

Look at ( 14:6-7 ) Now during this present age, the angels are not privileged to preach the gospel. ( Acts 10 ) That responsibility has been given to us. But here in the Tribulation period while the nations will fear " the beast,” and give honour to him, this heavenly messenger will summon them to fear and honour God alone. Did you notice the angels message ? " The everlasting Gospel.” ( 14:6 ) Is this the same gospel that we preach today ? It must be for there is no other. Paul says, " But though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” ( Gal 1:8 ) Any person who tampers with this gospel is accursed. But there are other aspects or phases of the good news, phases which apply to ages other than ours.

When Christ was here they were talking about " the gospel of the kingdom,” ( Matt 10:7 ) The good news that the King had come to redeem Israel. Today we speak of the gospel of the grace of God. ( Acts 20:24 )

But in the Tribulation period it will be " the everlasting gospel,” the good news that God at last is about to deal with the world in righteousness and establish His sovereignty over the world. Incidentally did you notice how this angel is getting about preaching this gospel ?

" And I saw another angel Fly .…,” What a rebuke to our tardy, dawdling way of doing the Kings business .(a)

(b) THE PROCLAMATION CONCERNING BABYLON:

( 14:8 ) Now this is the first mention of Babylon in the Book of Revelation, but it is by no means the last.

" Babylon,” is Gods name for the world system " of the beast,” and this brief statement gathers up all that is unfolded in ( Ch 17&18 ) This proclamation anticipates the complete collapse of the political, economic, and religious system of the beast. So there is (a) (b)

(c) THE PROCLAMATION CONCERNING THE BEAST:

( 14:9-12 ) My .... the issues are now clear. " Worship me,” cries the beast " or be doomed,” " Worship me,” cries the Lamb " or be dammed.” Notice here:

(1) THE DOOM OF THOSE WHO DEIFY THE BEAST:

Those who take the brand of the beast, follow the Antichrist, and worship him during the Tribulation Period will be cast into hell. They will be tormented,

" and the smoke of their torment ascendeth for ever and ever.” ( 14:11 ) Now some will 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. Listen to these solemn words again, " And the smoke .…,” ( 14:11 )

My …. this angel would strongly disagree with those who deny the eternality of hell. I wonder will this be the portion of your loved ones ? I am convinced that this message of judgment and torment is not just for the unsaved, but for we believers who are comfortable, content, complacent, but unmoved by the lost around

us ? My .... our loved ones are going to hell but do we care ? General Booth founder of the Salvation Army, said that the best training to prepare young evangelists is not course in Bible College, but a journey into hell. If he could give recruits five minutes in hell, they would come back as determined soul - winners ! My .... this is (1) But look at:

(2) THE DESTINY OF THOSE WHO DEFY THE BEAST:

( 14:12-13 ) Now this is a specific reference to those who die in this period, that is, as martyrs of the faith. It is far better to be dead at the hand of the beast, than to have favour as his worshipper. You see when the Tribulation gets to this period it will be a happy thing for any saint on earth to die. Look at the contrast between

( 14:11 and 14:13 ) No rest for the wicked eternal rest for the saints ! What way will you die ? We can only die in one of two ways. We can die in our sins ? ( Jn 8:21) Or we can die " in the Lord,” ( 14:13 ) Which way will you die ? (1) (2)

(3) THE THUNDERS OF THE LION

Now remember that in the Book of Revelation we can see the Lord Jesus in different ways. We see as the LORD in the midst of the churches ( Ch 1-3 ) we see Him as the LAMB in the midst of the throne ( Ch 4-5 )

we see Him as the LOVER in the midst of the marriage feast ( Ch 19 ) we see Him as the LIGHT in the midst of eternal glories ( Ch 20-22 ) but in ( Ch 6-18 ) we see Him as the LION in the midst of the nations.

Undoubtedly this closing section of ( Ch 14) is a judgment scene. The Person pictured here on the white cloud is our Lord Jesus Christ and here He is coming as the Judge about to sweep the earth clean of all evil. Now this judgment is likened to a harvest. The Bible says,

" be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” ( Gal 6:7 ) My .... this world has sown rejection of God, and will reap God's rejection of mankind. Now there are two harvest's spoken of here. The grain harvest symbolises the seven vial judgements and the grape harvest, the judgment of Armageddon. So there is:

(a) THE HARVEST OF GRAIN:

Look at ( 14:14-15 ) I think that our Lords parable of the wheat and tares casts light on this harvest.

( Matt 13:24-30 ) The Lord Jesus goes on to explain this parable in ( Matt 13:37-42 ) He says, " The Son of

Man …,” A tare was a noxious weed that looked remarkably like wheat in its early stages. It represents counterfeit Christians, hanging around the church sowing division and destruction. The reapers are angels sent to harvest the world at the end of the age. As the tares are gathered and burned in a crop harvest, so shall it be at the end of this world. Christ will come to bring judgment on the evil. And the frightening details of that judgement are unfolded in ( Ch 16 ) as seven rapid fire vial judgments mark the first phase of the final reaping of the earth. (a) will be followed by:

(b) THE HARVEST OF GRAPES:

Look at ( 14:18-20 ) The Bible mentions three different

" vines.” Israel was Gods vine, planted in the land to bear fruit for God's glory, but the nation failed God and had to be cut down. ( Ps 80:8-16 ) Today, Christ is the vine and we believers are branches. ( Jn 15:1 ) But the world system is also a vine, " the vine of the earth,” a vine that is ripening for judgment, a vine that will be cut down and " cast into the great winepress of the wrath of God.” ( 14:19 ) Does this harvest of grapes not picture the Lord Jesus stepping down into the arena of Armageddon to trample down the beast and those gathered to his standards ?

You see at the end of the Tribulation Period, the Antichrist will have gathered all of the armies of the world to a great valley in Israel called Armageddon. They will be massing for a final assault on Jerusalem, and at the last moment Jesus Christ will return with His saints to do battle with them. ( 14:20) tells us that,

" blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.” What an appalling scene. From Dan to Beersheba was sixteen hundred furlongs, that means

200 miles of blood, roughly five feet deep at the battle of Armageddon. ( 19:17-19 ) My .... millions will die as they are trodden under the foot of the Son of God ! This world that has sown the wind will reap the whirlwind. What a harvest of judgment as this old world hears the Thunders of the Lion of the tribe of Judah !

My .... this Literal harvest that is in the future should stir us up to see the Spiritual harvest that is in the present. The Lord Jesus said, " Lift up your eyes and look on the fields for they are white already to harvest.”

( Jn 4:35) My .... have we lost the urgency of soul-winning ? Have we forgotten that Christ is coming to exact justice on this world ? Do you have a burden for souls ? Are you praying for someone ? Are you longing for someone to find the Saviour ? Armageddon how

near ? Very near ! My .... this is an emergency hour in which we live. Will you do your bit ? Will you play your part to " pluck brands from the burning ?”