The contrast between the scenes on earth and the scenes in heaven remind us of the roller-coaster of emotions that John must have experienced during these visions. I must remind you we are still in the THIRD interlude that started in Chapter 12:1 and ends in Chapter 15:1-4. In a chronological flow of events, we would have seen the breaking of the seven Seals, then the blowing of the seven Trumpets and then the emptying of the seven Bowls. But Jesus knew the revelation would be so overwhelming to John, that He chose to pause from time to time to remind John of the victorious end that was coming. Once John was able to balance his emotions, then Jesus would again reveal in great detail other chronological events. We are about to see in the remaining chapters (15-22) the following events: the pouring out of the seven bowls of God’s wrath; the conclusion of The Great Tribulation; The Second coming of Christ with His Bride, the true Church; The 1,000-year (Millennial) reign of Christ; the final battle of Armageddon; The Final Judgment; The Eternity Future. But before we get to those events, we must finish the long interlude that continues in Chapters 14 and concludes in Chapter 15:1-4.

Seven FUTURE things are seen by John that actually center around the seven Bowls yet to come. The reaping of the wheat occurs just before the bowls are poured out; five things happen during the pouring of the bowls and one thing happens after the bowls are emptied.

1. The success, victory and redemption of the 144,000. (14:1-5)

Chapter 14:1-5

Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being first-fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

      This is the same group in Chapter 7 at the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

      They have been preserved thru it and redeemed from it without loss.

      Now they are singing on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem after the Great Tribulation.

      They are standing with Jesus before the Millennial throne.

      They are morally clean (spiritual virgins, so to speak) from evil of 7 years.

      They are scripturally obedient, following Christ, not the antichrist.

      They are doctrinally pure by not teaching false beliefs just to save their lives.

      They are the first fruits of the Millennial harvest to encourage new converts.

2. The worldwide preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (14:6-7)

Chapter 14:6-7

6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

      This is the final preaching to remaining lost before the Bowls of wrath come.

      The message is now only focused on deliverance from God’s wrath.

      It is God’s final time of mercy before the end.

      Matthew 24:14

      “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the                    nations, and then the end will come.”

3. The fall of the commercial, political and false religious system. (14:8)       

Chapter 14:8

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

      The Babylon mentioned here is not the religious system of Rev. 17. That 
                 Babylon was actually destroyed at the midpoint of the Great Tribulation.

      The Babylon mentioned here is the commercial, political and religious of Chap. 18
                 Because she caused the world to commit spiritual fornication with Satan.

4. The coming judgment of all beast worshippers. (14:9-12)

Chapter 14:9-12

9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 
10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. 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 ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” 12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

      The true definition of the “unpardonable sin.” Accepting Satan as your god.

5. Those who will be martyred will receive test and reward. (14:13)

Chapter 14:13
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

      Dying as a martyr for Christ will be a blessed way of escape from persecution.

      They will receive rest and then they will receive a great reward.

6. The reaping of Earth’s harvest of those who accepted salvation during the Great
   Tribulation. (14:14-16)

Chapter 14:14-16

Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

      The reaper here is Jesus. He redeems those who turned to God before the end.

7. The reaping of Earth’s harvest of all who accepted the mark of the beast. (14:17-20)

Chapter 14:17-20

Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs. (a distance of 180 miles!)

      The second reaper is not Christ, but is one of the angels.

      The lost souls are placed into the winepress of God’s wrath and trampled upon.

      The flow of blood reaches 5 feet in height and a river of 180 miles long.

      This is symbolic language of the slaughter that will take place in Palestine.

      All the world’s armies will gather to kill the Jews and destroy their Jerusalem.

      Joel 3:2; 3:9-12; Zephaniah 3:8; Zechariah 14:2; Revelation 16:13-14.

      Reference here could be to the valley of Jehoshaphat outside Jerusalem.

      Joel 3:12-16; Zephaniah 3:8; Zechariah 12:3-4 and 14:3; Isaiah 26:21; Rev. 19:11-20

Chapter 15:1-4 (this will end the third interlude).

Prelude to the Bowl Judgments

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.

2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:

“Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints! 4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”

Since Veteran’s Day is to be celebrated officially this Thursday, November 11th, I will spend my remaining time today focusing on a SOLDIER’S dedication.

> They are men who march to a different drum beat. 

> They keep themselves for the cause only.

> They follow the Commander throughout the earth.

> They are picked as the “first-fruits” of the harvest.      

> They are transformed men.

> They know the price of freedom is worth the sacrifice of their very lives.

ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus going on before!

Christ the royal Master, leads against the foe,

 forward into battle, see His banner go! 

(Chorus)

Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph, Satan’s host doth flee; on, then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!

Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise,

Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise!

(Repeat chorus)

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;

Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod;

We are not divided; all one body we,

One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

(Repeat chorus)                                                                                                                                  

Onward then ye people, join our happy throng,

Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song;

Glory, laud and honor, unto Christ the King;

This thro’ countless ages, men and angels sing

(Repeat chorus)