TOPICS for CHAPTER 14:
The climax of judgment in the Revelation begins in chapter 15. We suspect that chapter 14 prepares the way for that climax.
There are two ultimate destinies: 1) triumph of the righteous and 2) judgment of the evil world.
The Lamb is standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 at His side. His name and His father's name are on their foreheads. They sing a new song loud and clear before the throne. It is a song only the redeemed saints can sing.
They are first fruits to God and the Lamb, pointing to other redeemed ones to follow them. We would like to follow them also, but we still are on an evil-riddled world. In heaven, the redeemed know nothing but truth and righteousness.
John sees three angels flying in midheaven. Each one has an important message for all people on the earth.
The first angel preaches an eternal gospel, urging sinners to FEAR GOD, give HIM GLORY, and worship HIM/.
The second angel cries over the fall of the great city Babylon. The city has been an evil influence on all nations.
The third angel warns that anyone who worships the beast and his image and receives the MARK of his name will be tormented with fire and brimestone FOREVER!
This definitely puts those who claim they are BELIEVERS to the test.
After hearing a brief conversation in heaven about the blessedness of the death of the saints, John beholds one like the Son of Man with a sharp sickle in his hand. An angel tells him to take his sickle and reap, for the HOUR to reap has come.
Another angel has a sharp sickle, and he also is told to swing it on the earth to gather its grapes and to throw them into the great winepress of the wrath of God. Blood flows for 200 miles to the height of the horses' bridles.