Revelation 14

The book of Revelation speaks to suffering believers.  It was written from a suffering place, by John who was suffering, and to suffering people.  Sin is the reason all suffer, but all suffering in not from sin.  The suffering in the world can be traced back to sin and its curse with the fall of mankind in the book of Genesis.  No suffering can separate us from God’s love.  Believers identify with Christ’s suffering and through our suffering we are brought closer to Him.  Peter called for all believers to rejoice in their suffering, because through it we are identified with Christ.  One day there will be no more suffering.  Until then He holds us in His hands.

How have you suffered?

How are you using your suffering?

Are you allowing Him to come closer to you or are you shutting Him out?

Do you trust God’s purposes in your suffering even though you don’t understand?

Revelation 14 is a preview of the harvesting of the earth.  The believers are separated from the unbelievers and then the unbelievers are destroyed.  It’s a fast forward of what will happen in the end, which we will see in the following chapters. 

Revelation 14:1-5 – The Lamb and the 144,000

John saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion.  He had the 144,000 with Him.  John heard a roar of like rushing waters and a loud peal of thunder.  He also heard a sound like harpists singing a new song before the throne and before the 4 living creatures and elders.  No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth.  They didn’t defile themselves with women and followed the Lamb wherever He goes.  No lie was found in them and they are blameless.   (Rev. 14:1-5)

Who are these 144,000?  I think they are the same as in chapter 7.   If they weren’t, I think scripture would tell us so.  John is describing them in more detail here.  They were sealed with God’s name on their foreheads and in their hearts and minds.  They have victory over the beast and his mark.  They are redeemed from the earth.  They are God’s people who have withstood the attack of Satan.  The church is often referred to as a woman.  Not defiled with women means they did not accept the doctrines of the corrupt church.  God often speaks of the purity of His people in terms of sexual immorality.  These 144,000 have not been compromised by the world, but remain loyal as a virgin bride to the future groom.  They remain pure toward Christ.

How are you loyal to Christ?

Do you have God’s seal?

Do you follow Him wherever He leads you?

Revelation 14:6-13 – The 3 Angels

John saw 3 angels who have 3 important declarations from God.

The 1^st angel was flying and proclaiming the eternal gospel to all the people of the earth.  “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come.  Worship him who made the havens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” – Rev. 14:7  He is warning people to fear or respect God instead of the Antichrist and to give God the glory, not the Antichrist.  This is good news to those who receive and obey it, but bad news to those who reject it.  This seems to be God’s last offer to proclaim Jesus as Lord before the final wrath to come.

The 2^nd angel followed, “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.” – Rev. 14:8  I think the Babylon here may not be a literal city, but a world system that opposes the church and Christians.  Babylon is symbolic of the world and its evil system.

The 3^rd angel followed, “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath.  He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.  And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever.  There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.” – Rev. 14:9-11  As we studied before those who have the mark on their forehead belong to the beast.  Just as the 144,000 belong to God by His name being on their foreheads, these who take to mark are sealed for Satan.  There will be torment that will not last for a short time, but forever.  There will be no end!  This forever is just as heaven is forever for believers.  They will drink God’s wrath undiluted.  His judgment is not going to be watered down.  They will receive the full force of God’s anger.  There will be people who will be deceived and take the mark.  The angel is pointing out the consequences of those who do so.

“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” – Rev. 14:12  He is giving believers another call for endurance.  They are not to give in to the temptation to worship the beast, but to remain faithful even to death.  “Write:  blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” – Rev. 14:13  John was told to write that those who die during the Tribulation as martyrs will be blessed and reign with Christ during the Millennium (Rev. 20:4).

What things of this world do you worship?

What in this world defiles you?

Do you follow the Lamb wherever He goes?

Is your faith strong enough to endure to the end?

Revelation 14:14-20 – The Harvest

John saw a white cloud with one like a son of man sitting on it.  He had a golden crown and a sharp sickle. (Rev. 14:14) Then another angel came out of the temple and called out, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” – Rev. 14:15 

The angel coming out of the temple shows he has the authority and is speaking directly from God.  So he swung his sickle over the earth, and gathered God’s people.  The crown on the one like a son of man shows his authority.  I think this is a representative of Jesus.  In the verses 15 and 17 it says another angel suggests a previous angel so I don’t think this is Jesus, but His angel.  Jesus would not need someone to tell Him it was time for the harvest.  Also Matt. 13:39 says at the end of the age the reapers are angels.

Another angel came out of the temple with a sickle.  Then another angel called in a loud voice, “Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.” – Rev. 14:18    Again the angle is speaking directly from God.  The angel swung his sickle and gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath.  They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out, rising as high as horses’ bridles for 200 miles. 

The sickle is judgment.  The wine press is God’s wrath.  The clusters of the vine or grapes represent the unbelievers of the earth, those who have followed and worshipped the Beast.  It was outside the city that Jesus died so God will punish the people outside the city.  The city was Jerusalem.

With which group do you identify?

Sounds like a horrible sight and place to be.  Only the Lamb can rescue you from God’s wrath.  We all deserve God’s wrath and we all need the gospel.  The Lamb offers escape from His wrath that will last forever.  If you are a believer, thank God for His grace and mercy He has given you that you will not have to endure this.  If you have not yet become a follower of Christ, I hope this wakes you up.  See the bottom of this blog page for the plan of God’s salvation.

 Next week we will study Revelation 15-16.  Hope to see you here.

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Revelation 13

Revelation 13:1-10 – The Antichrist

Rev. 13:1-4 - John saw a beast coming out of the sea.  He had 10 horns, 7 heads, 7 crowns and each head a blasphemous name.  He looked like a leopard with feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion.  The red dragon gave the beast his power, his throne and his authority.  One head seemed to have a fatal wound that had healed.  The world was astonished and followed him.  Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast.  They also worshiped the beast.

The beast is a man.  He is the Antichrist rising up out of the sea.  The sea represents the nations of the world.  The Antichrist is the false messiah we’ve all heard about that will come someday.  He will set himself up as ruler and God.  He will be the final ruler of the world.  He is also known as the little horn in Daniel 7:8.  This will be a time of confusion and uncertainty and people will be looking for a leader.  They will get their wish, but he will be much more than they bargained for.  He will not protect them, but will be a cruel dictator and demand that all worship him.  He opposes Christ and God’s people.  He is Satan’s answer to Christ, hence the name Antichrist (1 John 2:18).

The sea means large numbers of people.  The heads of the beast show dominion.  The 10 horns show power.  He looks like a leopard, a bear and a lion which refers to the 3 beasts in Daniel 7 representing the empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece.  All these empires come out of the Roman Empire.  We see the beast again in Rev. 17.

Rev.13:5 – God allowed the dragon to give the beast authority for 42 months (3 ½ years).  The beast spoke proud words and blasphemies to exercise his authority.  He blasphemed God and slandered His name.  He is granted authority to make war with the saints.  This is the beginning of the Great Tribulation Daniel called the Abomination of Desolation – also in Matt. 24:15.

Satan has his own false trinity.  He acts as a father, the Antichrist as the son, and the False Prophet as the spirit who attempts to bring glory to the Antichrist.  The Antichrist will declare himself as God.  He will have Godlike characteristic, perform miracles, and will deceive many people.

The last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation is called the Great Tribulation.  During these last years the Antichrist will be a man endowed with demonic powers. During that time he will be Satan himself.

In Matt. 24:15-21 Jesus warned the Jews.  “So when you see standing in the holy place the abomination that causes desolation spoken of through the prophet Daniel – let the reader understand – then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.  Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house.  Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.  How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!  Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.  For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again.”

When the Antichrist stands in the holy place (the temple) and proclaims himself to be God, there will be world-wide persecution of the Jews greater than ever before.  Daniel calls this abomination of desolation.  How will God protect them?  It is believed they will flee to a city called Petra, which is about 90 from Jerusalem.  There many Jews will finally believe in Jesus and be saved.

Rev. 13:7-8 – He will make war with the saints and all the people on the earth whose name is not written in the book of life will worship him.  The unbelievers will be deceived in believing he is God.  Only those whose names are written in the book of life will refuse to worship the Beast.  “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” – 2 Thess. 2:4:11.  God’s people must be strong through suffering.  Many will go to prison or be killed.  They must suffer with patience.  God will save them for their eternal home.

If you are here during the Great Tribulation, how will you be able to deny taking the mark?

Will you stand firm in your faith and trust God to help you?

The book of life – There are some who believe that there are 2 books – the book of life and the Lamb’s book of life.  There are disagreements about this, but we really don’t know the right answer.  I believe they are the same book.  I believe God registered the names of everyone in this book before the world began.  In this book, He knows who will accept Him.  The book belongs to the Lamb.  Those who are saved never have their names removed from this book.  If you choose not to believe in Jesus during your lifetime, your name will be blotted out of the book of life and you will not go to heaven.  “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book.” – Ex. 21:33  “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white.  I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.” – Rev. 3:5

Some look at this book as having 3 categories of people:

The unsaved – all names are written in the book, but if they die before believing in Jesus their names are blotted out.

The saved or the elect– all names are written in the book and if they believe in Jesus their names are retained in the book.

The beast worshipers in Rev. 13:8 – these people are hardened and are destined to reject Jesus and their names were never written in the book.

Again, we really don’t know since there are scriptures that are used to argue all points.  When it comes down to it, all that should matter to us is that if we believe in Jesus and stand firm in our faith, our names are in the Lamb’s book and we will go to heaven when we die.

Do you think your name is in the book?  Why or why not?

If not, what will do about it?

The Bible gives us another warning to not let this go in one ear and out the other.  “He who has an ear, let him hear.” Rev. 13:9.  We are called to have patient endurance and faithfulness. (Rev. 13:10b)  John is saying to pay attention to what he just said.

Revelation 13:11-18 – The False Prophet

Rev. 13:11-17 – John saw another beast coming out of the earth.  He had 10 horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon.  He exercised all authority of the first beast on his behalf and made all inhabitants of earth worship the first beast.  He performed great and miraculous signs, because he, too was given power to deceive people.  He ordered an image of the first beast to be made and caused it to come alive.  He will demand that all people worship the image.  He will force everyone no matter who they are to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead so no one can buy or sell unless they have the mark.  This mark is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

How can Satan give life?  Satan doesn’t have the power to create life.  Only God can create life.  I believe this giving life to the image will probably be done through modern technology like holograms or robotics.  Or it may be another one of his miraculous signs that he was given the power by God to do.  What about the mark of the beast?  How can that be done?  This can probably be done through microchips under the skin, like they do for pets.  These chips can be easily scanned or maybe even traced by satellite.  So you can see we are living in the end times.  God’s judgments are not far away.  Are you ready?

This second beast is the False Prophet.  He will speak the words of Satan.  He will cause people to worship the Antichrist.  Now Satan’s false trinity is complete.  Christ received His power from the Father (Matt. 11:27).  The beast (Antichrist) and the (second beast) False Prophet received their power from Satan.  The Holy Spirit is the agent on behalf of Christ (John 16:14).  The False Prophet is the agent for the Antichrist (Rev. 13:12).

Those who do not worship the Antichrist will be killed – beheaded. See Rev. 20:4.  Jesus warns us to watch out for false prophets in Matthew 7:15.  Before the Antichrist comes there will be many antichrists.  Some have already come and are working in the world today.  They are people who oppose Christ.  They try to destroy who Christ is and what He has done.  They are enemies of the church and of Christians.  They hate all those who belong to Him.

How are you equipped against false prophets and false teaching?

How can you identify false prophets and false teaching?

“This calls for wisdom.  If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number.  His number is 666.” – Rev. 13:18.  Sometimes people use numbers instead of letter for a name.  There are many views about this number, but we really don’t know exactly what this mean.

The mark of the beast – DO NOT TAKE THIS MARK!!  People will need food for their families so the pressures at this time will be very strong.  Jesus will help you to stand strong.  If anyone accepts this mark during the Tribulation he is permanently disqualified for heaven.  Give your allegiance to God and not the Antichrist even if it means death.  Remember you will live forever with Christ in heaven.  This earth is not your home. 

Can you take the mark of the beast accidentally?  I don’t think so.  To accept the mark you would have to willing renounce God. 

Summary:

The dragon is Satan.

The 1^st beast from the sea is the Antichrist.

The 2^nd beast from the land is the False Prophet.

The false trinity is Satan, Antichrist and the False Prophet.

The mark of the beast is a mark that is forced upon people during the last 3 ½ years in order to buy or sell.  Those who take this mark are renouncing God and will not enter heaven.

The book of life or Lamb’s book of life is a record of all people written before the foundation of the world.  If you choose not to believe in Jesus during your lifetime, your name will be blotted out and you will not go to heaven.

Satan will mock the Holy Trinity by setting up his unholy trinity in order to deceive the world.

The work of Holy Trinity is defined by peace, wisdom, gratitude in our hearts to God, forgiveness, love, humbleness, faithfulness and thankfulness.  The false trinity is defined by war, threats, fear, dictatorship and authority over people.

Wow!  This study is really scary.  Remember the Bible is telling us all these things so we will be knowledgeable and know what is going to happen and we won’t be surprised - that way we will know exactly what to do and not to do.  We will be able to recognized false teachings and false prophets and especially be aware of the coming Antichrist and his agenda.  God doesn’t want us to be deceived.  He wants us to be assured that He wins in the end.

If you want to study more chapters in Revelation, you will find all of them on my website.  I don’t have all the answers, no one does.  I write about what God has revealed to me and what I believe.  Next week we will study Revelation 14.  Hope to see you here.

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Revelation 12 - The Woman and the Dragon

The events that follow are about the seventh trumpet, which are the last 7 judgments.  These are described in chapters 15 - 18.  Chapters 12, 13, and 14 summarizes the same period.  This period is called the Great Tribulation.  John wrote about events that happen before those troubles or judgments.  He takes us back to the original rebellion when Satan is cast to earth along with 1/3 of his angels.

John in heaven saw a great sign: a woman clothed with the sun, moon at her feet and crown of 12 stars on her head.  She was with child and cried out being in labor and in pain to give birth. (Rev. 12:1-2).  This woman is Israel and the child is Jesus.  This refers to the birth of Jesus and Christianity.  The pain is the period when Israel waited for the promised Messiah to come.

Then he saw another sign, a red dragon with 7 heads and 10 horns and on his head were 7 crowns.  This red dragon is Satan.  His tail swept away 1/3 of the stars and threw them to earth.  These stars are angels who followed Satan.  The dragon stood before the woman (Israel) ready to devour her child (Jesus).  She gave birth to a son who is to rule all the nations.  God protected her child and took Him up to His throne. (Rev. 12:3-5).  This refers to Jesus’ resurrection and is now setting on the right hand of God.  When He returns, He will rule over all nations and the King of Kings.

The dragon is described as red because of his murderous and destructive personality.  His 7 heads, horns and crowns are evil governments that come from Satan himself.  He rules over them.  His tail sweeping 1/3 of the stars is the description of the original demonic uprising against God.  These are called fallen angels who serve Satan.

The woman fled into the wilderness prepared by God and there she will be nourished by 1,260 days.  During the last 3 ½ years Satan will try to kill all the Jews, but God will protect those who believe and will keep them safe. (Rev. 12:6)  I think this refers to a time when Israel will take refuge among the Gentiles nations where God will care for her during the Great Tribulation.

When have you felt Satan pursuing you?

How did God protect you?

Do you feel guilty over past sins that you have already confessed and been forgiven? 

When Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.

John saw a war in heaven with Michael and his angels against the red dragon (Satan) and his angels.  This war will happen sometime during the tribulation.  Satan and his angels will be defeated and be thrown down from heaven forever. (Rev. 12:7-9)  Remember Satan use to be an angel, but wanted to be equal with God.  He was thrown out of heaven along with angels who followed him, but still could go back and forth from earth and heaven.  Michael is one of the chief angels of God.  In this war that John is seeing, Michael defeated Satan and his forces and now they had no access to heaven.   Not only will Satan be defeated in heaven, but he will be defeated on earth as well when he and his demons will be thrown into the Lake of Fire.

How does God’s power give you comfort and courage?  We see in Job 1-2 that God is in control and Satan must ask God for permission before he messes with God’s people.

Then John heard a loud voice in heaven.  “Now have come the salvation, and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ.  For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.  They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” – Rev. 12:10-11

“Who accused them before our God day and night” – The devil is tossed out once and for all time.  His time is soon over and he knows it.  During the last half of the Tribulation there will be terrible trouble on earth.  It will be his final attempt to deceive people.  Ones of his favorite places to water down God’s Word and Jesus is in the church.  He wants to prevent the reign of Christ.

“They overcame him by of the blood of the Lamb” - When Jesus became the perfect Lamb sacrifice, Satan was defeated.  We have the ultimate victory through His sacrifice.  

“And by the word of their testimony” - When we open our mouths and declare Jesus is Lord and believe in Him and what He did, we are saved.  When we speak His truths, we are witnesses for Him to others.

“They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death”- Life on earth is not valuable.  Only life in heaven is important.  That is where our home is.

Where will you spend eternity?

Have you declared Jesus as your Lord?

If not, what are you waiting for?

SATAN IS REAL!  Satan is also called the serpent of old, the father of lies, a deceiver, and a murder.  His mission is to lead the whole world astray.  God is more powerful than Satan.  Satan is under God’s control and he can only do what God allows.  He cannot be everywhere at once like God.  He can temp only 1 person at a time, but his demons are everywhere.  He does not know the future, but only know what God allows him to know.  He runs around the world seeking to devour anyone he can.  He knows his time is short so he is working extra hard.  He doesn’t bother the lost, because he already has them.  He is after the believer.  He causes trouble, doubt and sickness.  He accuses us before God, but we know we are triumphal.  We know who wins in the end.

  “Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.” – Rev. 12:12.  He was defeated when Jesus died on the cross and rose again.  Those who believe in Jesus have overcome the world and Satan.   

Satan could not kill the child so he turned his attention to the woman.  These are the Jews that are true believers and trust God.  God will protect them in the last 3 ½ years.  The dragon will try to hurt the woman, but will not be able.  God promised to protect Israel during the last days and He will do what He promised.  God will save Israel.   “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring”. (Rev. 12:13-17)  Satan can’t get Jesus so he goes after His followers.

God’s people will suffer during those last 3 ½ years.  Many will die because of their belief in Jesus.  What a terrible time that will be. 

If you have friends or loved ones who don’t know Jesus, what are you going to do about it?

Next week we will study Revelation 13 and learn about the beast that comes out of the sea, which is the Antichrist.  You don’t want to miss that.  Hope to see you here.

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