Hello, and welcome to the Takeaway, where we teach through the Bible, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse, to help you understand God's Word so that you can have a more intimate relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Hello, welcome again to the takeaway. I'm your host, Pastor Harry Barrens, and in today's episode, we're going to be looking at Revelation chapter 14. This chapter is a continuation of the sign John was given from chapter 10 to this point. Prior to chapter 10, we saw the trumpet judgments taking place up to the sixth trumpet. Then at chapter 10, we entered into a parentheses or a pause in the judgments. Throughout chapters 10 through 14, we have been given a recap of the last half of the tribulation with more detail of the events or judgments that are taking place. Starting in chapter 10, John was given a sign of a great angel proclaiming that there should be no more delay, and that the final and full judgment of God would be completed, and with it the coming of our Lord's kingdom on earth. Chapter 11 showed us that God placed two witnesses in Jerusalem for this time period to proclaim his judgments. Chapter 12, we saw Satan cast out of heaven once and for all, which resulted in him turning his anger against God's people in chapter 13 with the rise of the beast, the Antichrist and the false prophet. Now in Chapter 14, we will see our Lord coming to reap and judge this wicked world. During these chapters we have seen a lot of behind-the-scenes events that take place in the heavenly realm that have an impact on the earth. The trumpet and bold judgments are the results of these heavenly signs that John has given. This helps us to better understand the context of what we are reading and what is driving all these things to take place. You have to keep this perspective in mind that John is describing heavenly and earthly events in this book and jumps back and forth between the two. It's important to know which is which so that we understand what we are reading. Understanding that this chapter is still heaven, a heavenly sign of Jesus' return helps us to know that these are not literal events. The literal events to these signs will take place in the coming chapters. The point I believe John is trying to drive home here is that the heavenly realm has a tremendous impact on the earthly one. What God is ultimately showing us is that He is in total control of it all. On earth, these events are still yet future, while in heaven these are as good as done. The future is no surprise to God, as He is the beginning and the end. Revelation chapter 22, verse 13. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Starting in verse 1, then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his father's name written on their foreheads. So starting off in verse one, we see the Lamb, which we know is Jesus. He is standing on Mount Zion with the hundred and forty-four thousand we were introduced to in chapter seven. If you remember, God had held back judgment until these individuals were marked. Now in this verse, we see what that mark is. It is the name of the Father and Jesus. As we will see in the next couple verses, this seal is different from that which the church has. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit and kept from God's wrath and out of the tribulation. These individuals are the firstfruits of what will be many. They fall into a different category of salvation, as we will see in a minute. Notice that they were standing on Mount Zion. This has created debate among scholars as to whether this is heaven or earth. We know that there is a Mount Zion on earth, but many forget there is also one in heaven. In Hebrews chapter 12, verses 18 to 22. You have not come to a mountain that can be touched, and that is burning with fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, to a trumpet blast, or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded. If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death. The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear. But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to a to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly. The question is whether these 144,000 are meeting Jesus in heaven or on earth. If in heaven, then they have either died or been called up to meet him, just as the church was. If they died, then of what use was the seal of God on them that was meant to protect them through the tribulation? If called up to heaven, it's less of a problem, but we don't have any clear indication of that taking place. The other side of the coin is that they meet him on the earthly mountain. If we look at this chapter as a sign and a look forward to what is going to happen, it's much, it's not much of a problem. If we look at it as if this is part of the chronological order of events, then it seems out of place. You have Jesus back on earth prior to the bull judgments. I think the only two views that fit the context of scripture is either they are called up to meet Jesus in heaven just before the end of the tribulation, prior to his coming, or it is looking forward to an event that takes place at the physical return to earth, or his physical return to earth. In either case, it doesn't change the fact that Jesus protected these individuals during the tribulation so that they could fulfill the mission of spreading the gospel around the world. Verses two through five. And I heard a sound from heaven, like the roar of rushing waters, and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths, they are blameless. These verses give us a little more insight into the hundred and forty-four thousand, and it seems here that they are indeed in heaven as they are before the throne, the four living creatures and the elders. We know from chapters four and five that John saw this in heaven, but again, I don't think we should focus so much on the when or where, but on the who. These are a special group of people that find a special place in the presence of God. They are fully dedicated to God and represent the first fruits of the of the first to be saved from God's chosen people during the tribulation. We've even seen there is a song that only they could sing and no one could learn but them. Notice in verse 2 the sound from heaven, like the roar of rushing waters and peals of thunder. If you were with me when we started in Revelation, then you know this is the voice of God. But here there is something different about it. Instead of it being described as a fearful thing, it is described as a pleasant, harmonious sound like harps. These individuals bring great joy and pleasure to God, and he gives them the ability to sing a unique song that is just for them. This could even be indicating that God is the one teaching them this song and maybe even singing it with them. I have no doubt that God gets great pleasure from those who live for him and don't defile themselves with the things of this world. Philippians chapter two, verse thirteen says, For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. God delights in seeing believers walk by faith as his great grace empowers them. Psalms 37, 23 says, The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and he delights in his way. Does your life bring pleasure to God? Do you set yourself apart from this world so that you can be distinguished as his? This is what brings glory and pleasure to God when we decide to set ourselves apart and not defile ourselves because we love him and want to represent his love in our lives. Verses six and seven. Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth, to every nation, tribe, language, and people. He said in a loud voice, Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens and the earth, the sea and the springs of water. In Matthew 24, 14 it says, And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Many churches teach that the Lord won't come back until the gospel is preached to the whole world, and they would be correct. However, many are wrong in thinking that the church is the one that will share it with everyone. I think it's a great goal to have, and we should be doing everything we can in our power to accomplish that, but we are not the ones who fulfill God's promise. God is capable of fulfilling his own promises and doesn't need our help. And here in verse 6, we see that he dispatches an angel that will fly through the air to preach the gospel to everyone on earth. I can't say what this will look like, but it will be something spectacular, I'm sure. The purpose of this is to fulfill the promise Jesus made in Matthew 24, 14, that the gospel would be preached to the whole world before he came back. Now, some teach that this gospel is not the gospel of salvation, but the gospel of judgment. If you don't know what gospel really means, it means good news. How can judgment be good news? Some will argue that the good news is for the saints who have been martyred and that God is finally getting justice for them. They use verse 7, where the angel says, God's judgment has come to back this argument. I believe this is a bit of a stretch and takes the scripture out of context. First, all through revelation and all through scripture for that matter, God always gives the wicked an opportunity to repent before judgment comes. In revelation, there are sequences of judgments that increase in intensity, and before each one there is a warning and an opportunity to repent. Second, every time the word gospel is used, it always refers to the good news that Jesus died for us and that we will be saved if we put our trust in him. Third, if we look at what Jesus said right before Matthew 24, 14 in verses 9 through 13, we will get more clarity as well. Says, Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. What Jesus says here does not indicate that the wicked being judges good news. In verse 13, he says, But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. That's the good news. That's the gospel. The angel in verse 6 and 7 is sharing the good news. He is telling people, This is your last chance because judgment is coming. It must come. It has to come because God has to deal with all the wickedness in this world. But even at this point, he gives one last chance for everyone to hear and respond to the good news. They will be without excuse, and God will make sure of it. This is also good news for us today. How many opportunities have you missed to share the good news with someone? I know I've missed more than I can count, but the beautiful thing is this no one's final destination is determined based off of what we have said or not said. God will make sure that everyone will have a fair shot and will be without excuse. We have never failed God in this. It brings him pleasure that we try, but the results are not ours. They are his. That's grace. But the ones who take the mark of the beast will not have grace. Let's look at verses twelve and thirteen. This calls for patience, endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands, commandments, and remain faithful to Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven say, Write this blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Sport Spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them. There's that word patience again. We just saw it in Revelation 13, 10. Here is the patience and faith of the saints. And now, here again, it is in conjunction with God's people. These are the people who have heard and accepted the everlasting gospel. They are being reminded to have patience and keep their faith in Jesus. These individuals are living in a horrible time and are most likely going to die or at least be brought to the brink of death. It's going to be the worst of the worst time ever on this planet. But God says these individuals are blessed if they die, holding on to the testimony of Jesus. We are told this many times throughout scripture. I can't stress enough how important it is that we encourage each other to stay awake and be grounded in our faith so that we don't fall. There will be many people who abandon Jesus because they were never truly grounded in him to begin with. I've said this time and again. Jesus is Lord and Savior. Everyone wants the Savior Jesus, but few desire the Lord Jesus. But the two go together. If he is to be your savior, then he has to be the Lord of your life. The fear people have is that Jesus will lead them to their death. But let me tell you a secret. Luke 17, 33. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I've shared this before, and it should be nothing new at this point. But Jesus isn't just talking about the breath of life in our lungs. He's talking about everything we hold on to that brings us to, brings us joy or fulfillment outside of him. We have to die to it all. And sometimes, yes, we have to physically die as well. But guess what? You're going to physically die anyway. You might as well die for a worthy cause and have your life be worth something. What better cause than to die for the kingdom of God, in which we have special promises and rewards waiting for us? God does not take it lightly when people die for him. He knows the sacrifice that it is to lay down your life and will not let it be for nothing. If you need a refresher on this, I suggest you go back to listen to Episode 3 on Revelation chapter 2, 8 through 11, the Church of Smyrna, the martyr church. This will give you a good recap on God's thoughts and promises for those who lay down their lives for him. Moving on to verses 14 and 16. I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe. So he who was seated on the cloud swung a sickle on the earth, and the earth was harvested. Verse 14 is a picture of Jesus coming on the clouds and gathering all the wicked for judgment. We will see the details of this event in the coming chapters and exactly how this plays out. But for now this is a sign that Jesus is the one gathering the wicked, and he is the one that's going to bring the full wrath of God upon the wicked generation. He is once again going to use the evil intentions of Satan to accomplish his will. In chapter 17, verses 14, it says, These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with him are called chosen and faithful. And again in chapter 19, verse 19, and I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to make war against him who sat on the horse and against his army. What we read here in chapter 14 reminds us that what we will be about what we will be reading about in the coming chapters is Jesus is gathering them for judgment when they think they are being gathered for war. But this war will be no war at all. They have no idea they are being gathered up for the wine press of God's wrath, and they are going to be killed. Verse 17 through 20 it says, Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. Still another angel who had the charge of the fire came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe. The angel swung his sickle on the earth, 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 of the press, rising as high as the horses. Bridles for a distance of 1,600 furlongs. These ripe grapes are the wicked people of the earth, and they are fully ripe and ready for judgment. Jesus is now going to deal with them once and for all. The amount of blood that it says will be spilled will cover an area nearly 200 miles long, six feet deep. Now, as this is still a sign, it's possible this is just talking about the amount of blood that will be spilled in general, or it could be talking about it literally. We already know that this army of wicked people will come to the Valley of Meghetto for the battle that we call the Battle of Armageddon. It just happens to be that this valley is a little more than 200 square miles in size, and that a great multitude will be gathered there to fight Jesus. But in turn, he just destroys them. And we know that this is going to be a bloodbath, because in chapters 19, verses 17 and 18, it says, Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses, and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great. Everyone and everything will be killed in this battle, and the birds will be feasting for months on their carcasses. This will indeed be a sight to behold. It's really hard to imagine that people will still hate God so much that they will even gather for battle to fight against him after everything they have lived through. How much do you fight God? What do you blame him for? Do you hate him because he won't fix your life to your liking? Do you hate him because he took someone from you? We live in a world today that says we should do whatever makes us happy and hate whatever comes against that. Jesus clearly comes against that way of thinking. This world is his, not ours. We are his creation and we are formed by him to glorify him. Does that bother you? That you were not created to get what you can out of this world, but that you were created for his pleasure? Even if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and you live for him, there is some truth in these questions for you also that we still battle with today. I know I do. Every day I have to evaluate myself and decide whether or not I will make the best decisions for me and my pleasure or for his. It's not a one-time thing, it's a daily dying to self. This is a hard thing to grasp. Your flesh wants what it wants, and you can't change that, but you can overcome it by the Spirit. Matthew 26, 41, it says, Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. The second you let your guard down, because you think you got it all together, is the same moment you will start to lose it. Go read Matthew chapter 26, and you will see right before Jesus said this that his disciples were falling asleep and not keeping watch, as Jesus asked. What happened next? If you don't know, go and read it. Let's pray. Father, thank you for your word that we can be encouraged and gain understanding on how to stand fast in patience and faith. Help us to overcome our flesh by the spirit you have given us. We know that the flesh is weak and desires its own things, but the spirit desires to please you. Help us to stay in your word and in prayer, so that we could be grounded in the truth of your word, that we can live a life pleasing to you. Jesus, we love you and we thank you for your word and revelation. Amen. Romans chapter 8, 5 through eleven. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit, the things of the spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh, but in the spirit. If indeed the spirit of God dwells in you, now if anyone does not have the spirit of Christ, he is not his. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Holy Spirit who dwells in you. Thank you for joining us today. I hope this message helped you take a step closer in your relationship with Jesus and that you have a better understanding for just how much God loves you and wants you to know him. In our next episode, we will be in Revelation chapter 15, back in heaven, looking at the preparation of the bold judgments that are about to come upon this world. This will be the last of God's judgments, and with it the kingdom of our Lord will be ushered in. Before we go, I want to encourage you to visit us at thetaway.faith. On our website, you can find out more about who we are and sign up to receive emails to get notifications on new episodes and ministry updates. This also makes it easy to share our podcast and allows you to use it as a resource to help others. On our website, you can easily send us a message, a word of encouragement, questions, or comments. And we would love to hear from you and encourage you to send us a message soon. So God bless, and we'll see you next time on the takeaway.