REVELATION 14 PART 1 of 2

REVELATION 14
VERSES 1 - 12
BABYLON IS FALLEN

   1) And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father's Name written in their foreheads.

   2) And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder:  and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

   3) And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders:  and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

   4) These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.  These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.  These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

   5) And in their mouth was found no guile:  for they are without fault before the throne of God.

   6) And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

   7) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come:  and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

   8) And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

   9) And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

   10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever:  and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

   12) Here is the patience of the saints:  here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.   King James Version (KJV) Public Domain

  

COMMENTARY

   We are first given the vision of the 144,000 who had come through the tribulation standing victorious on Mount Zion with Jesus in their midst.  Then, we hear and see the singing of a new song around the throne of God; a new song "uniquely appropriate to the unique experiences of this unique body of 144,000 dedicated Christian witnesses", as Dr. Henry M. Morris worded it.

   These witnesses were not only "sealed" by God, but also prepared; they follow the commands of God, with single-mindedness, being disobedient in NOTHING.

   Now, let us look a little closer to verse 5:  "And in their mouth was found no guile".  When the Apostle Peter talked about Jesus in 1 Peter 2:22, he said, "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth".  So, in James 3: 2, we read that  "Anyone who is never at fault in what they say (has no guile in their mouth) is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check".  Let me confess right here, I am not perfect.

   Our attention is turned back to the earth, with angels visible to the earth dwellers, witnessing to them in all languages, loudly enough that all can hear, proclaiming the everlasting gospel.  Understand, that these people have had three and a half years listening to the two witnesses.  People know that there is a battle for their souls.  God continues to offer His grace.  The angel wants to first proclaim that God created the earth and all that is in it, as well as the heaven, etc.  Surely since He created all things, He owns it!  Satan, therefore, is doomed!

   The next angel follows the first proclaiming that Babylon is destroyed.  (Babylon has not physically been destroyed yet but it's destruction is imminent, so the angel is stating fact yet to come.  see Revelation 18)

   The third angel warns against fearing Satan's threat of death if they do not take his mark on them, but warns to fear God if they do.

   Verse 12 is encouragement to all who believe on Jesus, all who have been patiently awaiting for God to set things right; to all who have both kept the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.  Faith without works is dead; and works without faith is dead.  Lamentations 3:  22, 23:  It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning:  Great is Thy faithfulness!  (KJV)

    Friend, now is the time to make your eternal decision.  Don't wait until the rapture.  We are not promised tomorrow.  Click on this link to assist you in your decision:    https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html  



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