THE ULTIMATE TRIUMPH OF CHRIST

REVELATIONS 14:1-11

Lesson 17

Intro: Our attention has been focused upon some of the darkest events in human history.  As the most violent storms give place to the loveliest sunsets, so the terrible reign of the antichrist gives way to the coming of the Son of righteousness.  The reign of terror will not last, and those events we are looking at signal the approach of the Son of God.  In place of the blasphemy against God comes the song of the redeemed.  The mark of the beast or antichrist will pass, but the name of our heavenly Father endures forever.  Before us in chapter 14 comes a series of announcements.

These pronouncements and visions assure the reader as a child of God the ultimate triumph of Christ.  Christ will be victorious, and the promise we shall reign with Him is assured.

         I.      The Lamb of God and the 144,000 witnesses (Vs 1-3)

a.       The heavenly scene (Vs 1)

1.       The Lamb on Mt Zion or as we know it  the mount of olives.

a)  Zech. 14:4 and Isa. 2:2-3 bring us face to face with the physical reign of Christ upon the earth.

b)  Here the Lord Jesus Christ assumes the role which until this day He has yet to fulfill: The Messiah of Israel, The Prince of Peace, The King of Israel.

2.       The 144,000 are seen standing with Him.

a)  In Rev. 7 they are seen going into the tribulation period. 

b)  Here we see them standing triumphant as they emerge from the 7-year tribulation.

1)       They have passed through and are seen in victory.

2)       As in Daniel, the 3 children come out of the furnace, so the 144,000 Jews come through unhurt.

b.       From heaven comes a voice louder than water at full flood and the singing of a choir accompanied by harps.

1.       This no doubt refers to those saints martyred during the tribulation.  (Rev. 6:9-11)

2.       The final destination for the child of God is our home in heaven and the presence of our wonderful Lord Jesus. (II Cor. 5:6-8)

c.       A new song (Vs 3)

1.       The new song was begun in Rev. 5:9-10 and now becomes a song of victory.

2.       These who sing have passed through the fire and stand in final victory.

3.       The greater the hill, the better the view: the greater the struggle, the sweeter the victory

       II.      Description of the saints of God who make up the 144,000 (Vs 4-5)

a.       Faithfulness to God (Vs 4)

1.       It would seem that the phrase “were not defiled by women” refers to a life of uncompromising faithfulness in regards to faith.  (Not that abstinence from marriage is demanded.)

2.       But they did not defile themselves with the world or compromise with evil.

a)  They kept themselves pure in a world which is morally filthy.

b)  Remember the term virgin is used both of men and women in reference to the Church. (II Cor 11:2)

b.       Their pureness before God (Vs 5)

1.       The thing to keep in mind here is that this was in the sight of God.

a)  No lie on their lips

b)  James 3 reminds us the tongue can be set on fire of hell. (Doesn’t have to be.)

2.       They were without blemish. (Trying times with great pressure should bring out the best in us as it seems to have done in these saints.)

      III.      The second angel and his message (Vs 6,7)

a.       The everlasting gospel or eternal gospel

1.       It would seem to be adapted for all ages.  (What is the eternal gospel?)

2.       First of all, it is not the kingdom gospel or the gospel of grace.

a)  It would seem to be the good news that God is at last to deal  with the world in righteousness and establish His sovereignty over the whole world.

b)  It is ageless in the sense that God’s righteousness is ageless.

b.       Notice the scope of people God is dealing with; no one is left out.

c.       The call to worship and adore the God of all creation (Vs. 7)

1.       This is the problem today of so many who simply do not want to acknowledge the rightful place God holds.

a)  The sin of the intellectual mind in our day is to reject the God of creation.

b)  The proud heart simply cannot bring itself to the place of submission before God.

    IV.      The message of angels and judgment on those who follow the anti-Christ (Vs 8-11)

a.       Babylon is fallen (Vs 8)

1.       This is the theme of Rev. 17,18

2.       There in greater detail, the events here predicted will be revealed.

3.       The reason for the fall of Babylon is her iniquity.

a)  The thought being expressed is spiritual corruption.

b)  Behind all of this is idolatry, which can be traced back to Babylon.

4.       This corruption will increase as the age comes to a close. (I Tim 4:13, II Tim 3:1-7) (As a preview of the fornication we will be studying please note.  Rev.17: 1-5, 18:3)

b.       Those who worship the anti-Christ will drink of the wrath of God. (Vs 9-11)

1.       Announcement of the angel (Vs 9)

a)  This is directly against those who have acknowledged the anti-Christ and have worshipped him.

b)  The mark 666 received in the forehead or right hand indicates commitment and allegiance.

2.       The judgment for receiving the mark and submitting to Satan (Vs 10)

a)  As one has drunk of the wine of fornication, so he/she will drink of the wine of God’s wrath.

b)  This chapter has assured all who trust God with ultimate victory.

1)       Here we have total punishment of disobedience.

2)       All should remember the 12 references to hell (gehanna).  11 of those times it was the Lord Jesus Himself who taught on this subject that no one wants to accept as true.

3.       Notice this is a permanent situation and not some passing judgment. (Vs 11)

4.       This is the end of those who dishonor the incarnate Word and contradict the written Word.

5.       May we never forget that we are dealing with eternal principles here?  Heb. 9:27)