Revelation Study 19. Revelation 14:1-13 (pg 126-130)

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Some think Revelation 14:1-5 portrays the 144,000 in Jerusalem after they have passed through the beasts' persecution and reached glory in the heavenly Kingdom.
 Mount Zion (14:1). Zion was the fortress of Jerusalem, the city David captured and made into his capital. Zion came to be used as a synonym for Jerusalem. There is a heavenly Mount Zion, as in Hebrews 12:22-24 ("But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering")  In 21:2-3, the heavenly Jerusalem/Zion comes down to the new earth. (cf. Gal 4:26 "the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother", Ps 2:5 - the King is set in Zion, Ps 74:2 - God dwells in Zion.)
 
1. Explain in your own words the chief characteristics of the redeemed 144,000 (14:4-5).
  • They have the Lamb's name and the Father's name writen on their foreheads (v.1). In contrast to the mark of the beast, they belong to God.
  • They sing a new song before the throne that only those who have been redeemed from the earth can sing (v.3). cf. 5:9, 15:3. (N.B. they are distinct from the elders) (cf. Ps 96:1, 98:1, 144:5). The new, ultimate, victory brought about by the Lamb's death is celebrated. The exclusivity of the singers depends on their experience of salvation. 'Earth' contrasts 'heaven' here.
  • They have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins (v.4a). Christ’s faithful followers keep away from Babylon the harlot (v. 8; 17:1–6) as His pure bride (19:7, 8; Eph. 5:26, 27). 
  • They follow the Lamb wherever he goes (v.4b). They are loyal to Him exclusively, even to death.
  • They have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, (v.4c). A greater harvest is anticipated, but Jer 2:3 "Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest." speaks only of dedication, not of chronological priority. Or 144000 represents the faithful church while the entire harvest speaks about the redemption of all of creation (Jer 2:2-3, Rom 8:23, James 1:18)
  • In their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.(v.5). Their speech and lives are righteous.
Again, John sees ('I looked', v.1) and hears (v.2) The 'voice' like the sound of harpists playing on their harps' cf. 15:2 comes from the 144 000.
 

2. Put a star by each of these traits in which you would like to grow. Talk with God about what you and He might each need to do about this.

3. How does this vision encourage or challenge you? 
 
4. The first of the three angels is flying and proclaiming "the eternal gospel" to the inhabitants of the earth (14:6). What is the eternal gospel (14:7)?
The angel in mid-air, like the eagle of 8:13 is visible to all. His loud voice is heard by all. This is the angelic equivalent of human witness (cf. Mt 24:31 "they will gather his elect from the four winds")
 
"Eternal" in John carries not mainly the meaning of long-lasting, but of a different quality. It is unchanging, always significant, enduring forever.
It is the command that every nation (cf. 7 times in 5:9 7:9 10:11 11:9 13:7 14:6, 17:17) must repent (fear God),  and worship (give Him glory) because He is Creator and Judge of the world. Judgment is imminent.

5. Why is this the gospel-the good news?
It calls people back to the truth of God and saves them from judgment.

6. What do the other two angels proclaim?
14:8  general judgment of Babylon using language from Isaiah 21:9 ("“Fallen, fallen is Babylon"), which sets the agenda for the visions of Revelation 17–18. Both the historical and metaphorical Babylons (Rome) destroyed Jerusalem.
14:9-11 a specific warning to those who worship the beast and its image and receive its mark
Systems and individuals will be judged

For Further study: Compare the gospel In Revelation 14:6-7 to Romans 1:18-25. Why Is God's aspect as Creator mentioned In each passage? What other similarities do you find? 
  In Romans God as Creator left mankind without excuse, since Him imprinted revelation within creation.
His status as Creator gives Him the basic right to judge and to be worshipped.
Mankind does not 'honor' or 'give thanks' to God but "exchanged the truth about god for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator" 
  
7. Why does the announcement of 14:9-11 call for "patient endurance on the part of the saints" (14:12)?
In 13:10, endurance is needed because of the hardship that will be faced by those who are faithful and do not bow to the pressure of the beast (a negative reason), but here it is encouraged because of certain judgment of those who dwell on earth (a positive reason)

8. We read the first beatitude (blessing) in 1:3. Explain in your own words what you think the second beatitude means (14:13).
Those who die well find eternal rest. Not passivity but the fulfilment of all that the Sabbath was meant to be (Heb 4:9)


9. What lessons for us do the four prophecies of 14:6-13 offer?
There remains a time to repent and worship God.
What we love and have allegiance to in this world will not last
We personally must not choose to give allegiance to the world 
Death is not the end. What we do in life determines our state at death. 

 

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