Revelation 14:1-20
Rev 14:1. 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.
The disciple John is seeing a series of visions up in heaven and Rev 14:1 is a continuation of these visions e.g.,
Rev 12:1. Now a great sign appeared in heaven.
Rev 12:3. And another sign appeared in heaven.
Rev 12:7. And war broke out in heaven.
‘Rev 13:1. Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea.
Rev 13:11. Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth.
Rev 14:1. Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion.
So this text is part of a series of visions John sees in heaven and this vision has symbols for example a Lamb.
What is a Lamb a symbol of in Bible prophecy?
John 1:29. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
Rev 5:6. And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain.
Rev 7:14. These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 21:22. But I saw no temple in it (the New Jerusalem) for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Conclusion
The Lamb in Bible prophecy is a symbol of Jesus Christ.
What is Mount Zion?
“Originally the name of the southeastern hill of the later city of Jerusalem, the hill on which was situated the old Jebusite fortress that David conquered and renamed the city of David. (2 Samuel 5:7. 1 Kings 8:1). This hill lay between the valleys of Kidron and Tyropeon, and south of the later temple hill. When David transferred the ark into his new capital, Zion became the name especially of the place where God dwelt.”[1]
Who are the 144,000 standing with Christ on Mount Zion up in heaven?
See my website www.ayindk.com/Rev 7:1-8.
What is this name of the Father written on their foreheads?
It is related to the following:
Isaiah 9:6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and his name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (This name refers to Christ).
Rev 3:12. (The church in Philadelphia). He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from God. And I will write on him my new name.
Rev 22:3.4. (The throne of God and the Lamb). They shall see his face, and his name shall be on their foreheads.
Exodus 13:9. It shall be a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord´s law may be in your mouth. (Between your eyes is the same as the forehead. The Lord´s law is the Ten Commandments).
Deuteronomy 6:6-8. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. Between the eyes is the same as the forehead. This text is referring to the Ten Commandments from the previous chapter 5: which should be bound between the eyes or the forehead).
Matthew 22:36-40. Teacher, which is the great commandment in law? Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Exodus 3:13.14. Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, the God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say to me, what is his name?” what shall I say to them? And God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel,” I Am has sent me to you.”
Amos 4:13. For behold, he who forms the mountains, and creates the wind, who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, who treads the high places of the earth – The Lord God of hosts is his name.
Conclusion
The Father´s name is related to the following: Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, the New Jerusalem, God is love, keep the ten commandments og God, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, you shall love your neighbour as yourself, I Am who I Am and the Lord God of hosts.
Rev 14:2. 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 harps.
What does the voice of many waters mean?
Rev 17:1. Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters.
Rev 17:15. Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues.” (These people are related to one voice of praise and worship in the fallen church worldwide, which is the opposite to the voices of the 144,000 who keep the Ten Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ Rev 14:12).
Rev 1:15. His voice as the sound of many waters. (Refers to the voice of Christ in heaven).
Rev 7:9.10. After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Rev 19:6. And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunder.
Conclusion
Many waters are related to the voice of Christ up in heaven and the 144,000 up in heaven. Many voices are related to the 144,000 singing a new song and the voice of the great multitude praising God in heaven.
Rev 14:3. 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.
This voice and a new song came from the 144,000 up in heaven.
Do we have an idea what this song was about?
Exodus 15:1-19. Writes about the song of Moses; the opening of the Red sea and the destruction of Pharoah´s army.
Rev 15:2-4. 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. 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 Saints! Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are Holy. For all nations shall come and worship you. For your judgments have been manifested.”
Deuteronomy 31:32. Another song of Moses before his death. Deuteronomy 31:19. Now therefore write down this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
Deuteronomy 31:21. Then it shall be, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify against them as a witness.
Conclusion
This new song in heaven is related to the song of Moses after the opening of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh´s army. Another song of Moses and the Lamb: sung by those who have gotten the victory over the beast, his image, his mark and his number. Even more, a song of Moses before his death to be sung as a witness for God´s help in the past.
Who are the 144,000 (one hundred and forty-four thousand)? See my website www.ayindk.com/Rev7:.
Rev 14:4. 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 firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
What does it mean that, “these are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins?”
The rule of prophetical translation is: if the context is a physical narrative, then these words are to be translated as a physical narrative. However, if the context has symbols used, then these words should be translated symbolic.
From the reading of these verse and the other verses we can see symbols are used e.g., the Lamb, the beast in verse 3 and his image, his mark and his number. Therefore, these words women and virgins should be translated symbolically.
What does the word “women” mean symbolically in the book of Revelation?
There are two women that are emphasized in Rev 12: and Rev 17:
The woman in Rev 12: represents all true Christians from the first century to the Protestant reformation and hereafter. See my website www.ayindk.com/Rev 12:.
The other woman is named in Rev 17: and is a harlot and she represents all believers in the fallen church throughout the world. See my website www.ayindk.com/Rev 17:.
So what does this word “women” mean in Rev 14:4?
Women is written in the plural meaning many. The word defiled means one is not contaminated with the doctrines and beliefs of these various fallen churches under the symbolic name of the harlot. It means you have given your heart to the beliefs and doctrines of the harlot which are false doctrines not written in the Bible.
When the text in Rev 14:4 says these ones were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. This suggests that those who defile themselves with women are likened to those who have intercourse with a prostitute and those who were not defiled with women were virgins and did not have intercourse with the prostitute symbolizing the fallen worldwide church who do not keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ Rev 14:12.
These virgins who follow the beliefs in the Bible, follow the Lamb. Who is the Lamb a symbol of in the Bible? John 1:29. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Hence, these virgins: true Christians follow the Lamb who is Jesus Christ wherever he goes in heaven. These virgins include the symbolic number of 144,000. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits to God and the Lamb.
Rev 14:5. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
These virgins or the 144,000 were without fault before the throne of God.
How are we made complete and without fault before the throne of God?
John 3:16. Whoever believes in Christ will have eternal life.
How do we get a belief or faith in Jesus Christ?
Romans 10:17. So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. E.g., Believing in the prophecies that have been fulfilled in the bible.
Romans 3:23. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
How do I know that I am sinner?
Romans 7:7. I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”
By keeping the Ten Commandments of God we reveal that we are sinners when we fail to obey one of them.
1 John 2:4. He who says, “I know him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Paul says in Romans 3:31. We establish the law. What shall we do when we find out that we are sinners?
Peter said at Pentecost when the people found out that Jesus Christ died for their sins. He said to them in Acts 3:19. “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”
How do we repent?
Stop sinning with our willpower and ask God to forgive us our sins.
Will God forgive us our sins? 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he his faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
What happens at the day of judgment when we confess our belief in Jesus Christ? Romans 8:1. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
What do we experience in our hearts when we confess our sins and believe in Jesus Christ as our Saviour? Romans 5:1. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
What happens to our minds when we give our lives to Jesus Christ? Romans 12:2. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
What happens to our lives when we give our hearts to Christ? 2 Corinthians 5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things become new.
After all these steps, do we have the assurance that we have eternal life? 1 John 5:13. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
Who do we come to when we fall in sin while we are believers in Christ Jesus? 1 John 2:1.2. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
When we have followed all these steps into salvation then 1 John 5:7 says, “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
How are we made complete and without fault?
Hebrews 13:20.21. Now may the God of peace – – – make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you what is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen!
Rev 14:6.7. 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 – 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.”
At what time in the earth´s prophetic history did this first angel preach the everlasting gospel?
Judging by the context of these verses, the time comes between Rev 13:11-18 referring to the beast coming out of the earth, and Rev 14:14-20 referring to Christ´s Second Coming. The beast coming out of the earth represents Protestantism and Republicanism in the USA when they started up as a nation just after the French Revolution in 1798.
“The message of salvation has been preached in all ages; but this message is part of the gospel which could be proclaimed only in the last days, for only then would it be true that hour of judgment had come.
The apostle Paul warned the church not to look for the coming of Christ in his day. ´That day shall not come, ` he says, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed. ` 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Not till after the great apostacy, and the long period of the reign of the `man of sin, ` can we look for the advent of our Lord. The `man of sin, ` which styled `the mystery of iniquity, ` `the son of perdition, ` and `that wicked, ` represents the papacy, which, as foretold in prophecy, was to maintain its supremacy for 1260 years. This period ended in 1798. The coming of Christ could not take place before that time. It is this side of that time that the message of Christ´s second coming is to be proclaimed.”[2]
“Like the great Reformation of the sixteenth century, the advent movement (the preaching of the everlasting gospel and the hour of God´s judgment is come) appeared in different countries of Christendom at the same time. In both Europe and America men of faith and prayer were led to the study of the prophecies, and tracing down the inspired record, they saw convincing evidence that the end of all things was at hand. In different lands there were isolated bodies of Christians who, solely by the study of Scriptures, arrived at the belief that the Saviour´s advent was near.”[3]
For example: William Miller (USA) in 1821 arrived at exposition of the prophecies pointing to the time of judgement. Joseph Wolf in 1821 was born I Germany and his father was a Jewish rabbi. While young he was convinced of the truth of the Christian religion. He became a missionary to the world.
“Wolf believed in the coming of the Lord to be at hand, his interpretation of the prophetic periods placing the great consummation within a very few years of the time pointed out by Miller.”[4] “The Arabs of Yemen he (Wolf) says, are in possession of a book called Seera, which gives notice of the Second Coming of Christ and His reign in glory; and they expect great events to take place in the year 1840.”[5]
“As early as 1826 the advent message began to be preached in England – – -. Mourant Brock, and English writer, states that about seven hundred ministers of the Church of England were engaged in preaching `this gospel of the kingdom`. The message pointing to 1844 at the time of the Lord´s coming was also given in Great Britain. And in 1842 Robert Winter, an Englishman by birth, who had received the advent faith in America, returned to his native country to herald the coming of the Lord.”[6]
“In South America – – -Lacunza a Spaniard and a Jesuit, found his way to all the scriptures and thus received the truth of Christ´s speedy return. Impelled to give the warning yet desiring to escape the censures of Rome, he published his views under the assumed name of `Rabbi Ben Ezra,` representing himself as a converted Jew.
In Germany the doctrine (of the Second Coming of Christ) had been taught in the eighteenth century by Bengel, minister in the Lutheran Church and a celebrated Biblical scholar and critic”[7]
“The light shone also in France and Switzerland. At Geneva where Farel and Calvin had spread the truth of the Reformation, Gaussen preached the message of the second advent.”[8]
“In Scandinavia also the advent message was proclaimed, and a widespread interest was kindled. – – – But the clergy of the State Church apposed the movement, and through their influence some who preached the message were thrown in prison. In many places where the preachers of the Lord´s soon coming were thus silenced, God was pleased to send the message, in a miraculous manner through little children.”[9]
“To William Miller and his co-labourers, it was given to preach the warning in America. This country became the centre of the great advent movement. The testimonies of the prophecies which seemed to point to the coming of Christ in the spring of 1844 took deep hold of the minds of the people. There were comparatively few ministers, however, who would accept this message; therefore, it was largely committed to humble laymen.”[10]
What does it mean in Rev 14:7 “the hour of his judgment has come?”
A similar judgment scene is written in Daniel 7:9.10. I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; his garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came fourth from him. A thousand thousands ministered to him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was seated, and the books were opened.
When did this event take place?
“The coming of Christ here (Dan 7;13.14) described is not His second coming to the earth. He comes to the Ancient of Days in heaven to receive dominion and glory and a kingdom, which will be given to Him at the close of His work as a mediator. It is this coming, and not His second advent to the earth, that was foretold in prophecy to take place at the termination of the 2300 days in 1844.”[11]
This work is described in Rev 20:11-15. Then I saw a great white throne and him who sat on it, from whose face from the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead whop were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Who is to be judged from this period of 1844?
“So in the great day of final atonement and investigative judgment the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. The judgment of the wicked is a distinct and separate work, and takes place at a later period.”[12]
However, having said this, all cases for non-believers and believers to be admitted into heaven have to finalized before the second coming of Christ. Fx:
Mat 25:31-33. Christ will divide the sheep from the goats.
Mat 13:1-8. The parable of the Sower – Some seed fell on the pathway and the birds ate them up. Some seed fell on the stony ground and the sun dried them up when they started to grow. Some seed fell among thorns and thistles and when they tried to grow, they were choked by the thistles. Some seed fell on good ground, grew up and delivered a harvest of hundredfold.
The seed represents people but not all come to the heavenly kingdom.
Mat 13:30. Another parable of what happens at Christ´s second coming. The parable of the wheat and tares. When they have grown up and ready for harvest, the tares representing the non-believers are bound up and burnt while the wheat representing all believers in Christ come into the heavenly kingdom.
Mat 22:1-14. The parable of the wedding feast. All people are invited to the wedding feast, but the king only accepts those who have wedding garments on representing Christ´s righteousness. This parable is an investigative judgment is where the king looks around and analyses all who are invited to see if they are clothed with wedding garments. All peoples are invited but not all are accepted. Only those who are clothed with the garments of Christ´s righteousness were accepted.
Isaiah 61:10. (The garments of righteousness). I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
The problem with William Miller, Wolf and many who proclaimed that Christ would come around 1844 was, they did not see the fulfilment of this prophecy. Why? Was God behind this proclamation and worldwide movement? Was God behind the errors of this prediction?
A similar event happened to the twelve disciples of Christ. After three years of personal teaching about the kingdom of God and the gospel to all nations, the disciples asked Christ after the resurrection: Acts 1:6. Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him saying, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
For many years the disciples were taught in the synagogues that when Christ comes, he will come as a mighty king and a general of the Israelite army, like King David, and cast the Roman soldiers from their country. Then they will reign supreme throughout the whole of the world. The passages from the Old Testament referring to the sufferings and crucifixion of Christ: Isaiah 53: and Psalm 22: were never read or explained in the Jewish synagogues. Why? Because these teachings did not fit into their political ideology.
The same occurred with William Miller and all those who taught of second coming of Christ in 1844. They misunderstood the scriptures referring to the judgment and the heavenly sanctuary teachings from the Bible: that Christ should enter the final phase of his work from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary in 1844.
Miller and his associates misinterpreted Daniel 8:14. For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed. Miller and his associates believed the sanctuary to be cleansed was referring to this earth and not the heavenly sanctuary.
Like the error of the disciples waiting for the establishing of the government of Israel, and the error of Miller and his associates, God allows and works with errors of man so we later can come to a better understanding of the Holy Scriptures.
Rev 14:7. Worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.
Why does the first angel´s message commands us to worship God who created the heaven and the earth?
We must remember the time setting of the first angel´s message which was given around the early 1800´s. What teaching sprang up in the universities at that time in contrast with the creation in the Bible? Charles Robert Darwin (1809-82) was an English naturalist and sailed to many parts of the world on the H.M.S. Beagle (1831-36). This started the work of observation, investigation and correlation that led to his theory of evolution by natural selection. This theory, which is not a fact, was written in his book “On the Origins of Species by Means of Natural Selection” in 1859.[13] The book explains that humans and animals had evolved from small cells to larger bodies over time. This theory is the opposite teaching to the creation story in the book of Genesis 1: and 2:
Therefore, God foreseeing this false teaching entering the western world, commanded that we should proclaim the first angels message using science and the Bible, that he is the original creator of this world in six days.
One of the greatest pieces of evidence against the theory of evolution is that no one has found the intermediate skeleton form of life between an ape and a human being.
Furthermore, Darwin admits that his theory is not factual because looking at the development of the eye, it can only operate and exist at the same time and not evolve over many years. “In the Origin of Species, Darwin wrote that the idea of natural selection producing the eye “seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest possible degree.”[14]
A theory is an educated guess and not factual proof, until there is scientific evidence to support it.
In this case with Darwin, there is no evidence to support the theory of evolution and Darwin himself admits this when analysing the creation of the eye.
Rev 14:7. Worship him who made heaven and earth, in six days and rested on the seventh day.
This is the part of the first angel´s message that we should proclaim along with the judgment message from God. We should worship the God created the heaven and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh. The seventh day is the sabbath, which is Saturday and not Sunday as many Christian denomination keep. There is no scriptural evidence for the keeping of Sunday as a holy day in the Bible. Therefore, it is the first angel´s message to proclaim the correct day of worship which is from Friday evening at sunset to Saturday evening at sunset.
After 1844 Adventists began to understand the correct day of worship from the Bible and from Seventh day Baptists. This message became part of their proclamation in the first angel´s message. Leviticus 23:32. From even to even shall you celebrate your sabbath.
Rev 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 question is who does Babylon represent as a symbol in prophetic interpretation?
Rev 14:8 is a repeat of what is said in Rev 18:2. Babylon the great is fallen and in Rev 18:3 for all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Furthermore, in Rev 17:1.2. Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Babylon in Rev 17: and the great harlot in Rev 18: are of the same group of people. Babylon and the great harlot represent the fallen Christian church worldwide. For further details you can see an explanation of Rev 17: on my website www.ayindk.com under Revelation 17:1-3.
Babylon and the great harlot represent the following:
- Church of the East – 0.6 million.
- Restoration and Non-Trinitarianism – 42-48 million.
- Anglicanism – 85 million.
- Oriental Orthodoxy – 86 million.
- Eastern Orthodoxy – 225-300 million.
- Protestantism – 800 million.
- Roman Catholicism – 1.2 billion.
www.kids.kiddle.co/list_of_christian_denomionations_by_number_of_members.
When comparing these denominations with the text Rev 17:10. Six of these Christian denominations have fallen and followed the teachings of the Roman Catholic church. Protestantism has not fallen yet. There will come a time in the future when Protestantism will fall and join hands in word and doctrine with the Roman Catholic church.
“Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.”[15]
It says in Rev 14:8. Babylon has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. What does this mean? See my website www.ayindk.com Rev 17:2 for the answer.
Rev 14:9-12. 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, 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. 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. Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. `
Who is this beast in this text?
The beast is the Roman Catholic church system throughout the whole wide world. (See my website www.ayindk.com Rev 13:1-10 for a full explanation).
The next question is what is the image of the beast and the mark on the persons forehead and on his hand?
The beast is the Roman Catholic church system. The image to the beast is explained on my website www.ayindk.com Rev 13:15.16.
The image to the beast is worshipping on a Sunday the false sabbath which is opposite to the Bible sabbath on a Saturday.
How is this mark of the beast written on a person´s forehead or on the hand?
This involves the keeping of the commandments of the beast which is the Roman Catholic church system and is in opposition to the 10 commandments of God Exodus 20:1-17. See my website www.ayindk.com Rev 13:16. The original 10 commandments of God have been changed by the papacy in the roman Catholic church in their Bible and are therefore different to the Hebrew Bible.
Rev 14:9.10. Those who worship the beast, worship on a Sunday and do not keep the 10 commandments of God will experience the wrath of God. This prophecy will occur in the future. This wrath involves being tormented with fire and brimstone for ever and ever.
This text has presented a problem for many people who have read the Bible, and they conclude that if God is a God of love, then he will not punish non-believers in fire and brimstone for ever. Therefore, God is not a loving God.
The problem with this text is our understanding of the words, fire and brimstone for ever and ever. In the Koine Greek language in which the New Testament was written the words are αίωνας αίωνων ever and ever. These words can also be translated to be eternal instead of for ever and ever.
In the Bible the words eternal or for ever and ever can have three different meanings or definitions.
- Psalm 90:2. Even from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Ever and everlasting are the same. This text is saying God is from eternity and lives to eternity. He has no beginning and no ending. That is the meaning of the word’s everlasting in this text.
- John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The word everlasting in this text means that when a person believes in Jesus Christ, everlasting life has a beginning, and it never ceases. It carries on to eternity.
- Jude 1:7. As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Sodom and Gomorrah were cities which existed South of the Salt Sea in Judah. They suffered the wrath of God with eternal fire from heaven. This fire had a beginning and an ending. The ashes are still there today and there is no more fire. So this eternal fire lasted for about 14 days and ceased to exist.
The word everlasting or eternal has three different meanings or definitions from the Bible.
Whenever the Bible text uses the word eternal or everlasting in relation to the word fire from God, like in the book Revelation 14:9-12, then we can guarantee it is a short period of time and not a long period of time like hell fire which the Roman Catholic church teach.
For example, there are texts referring to fire from God in the Bible:
Leviticus 10:1.2. Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took a censer, and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. (This fire from the Lord lasted only a few seconds).
1 Kings 18:36. (Elijah on Mount Carmel). Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. (This fire from the Lord only lasted a few seconds).
Numbers 16:35. (The rebellion of Korah against Moses and Aaron). And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense. (This fire from the Lord lasted only a few seconds).
2 Kings 1:10. So Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. (This fire from the Lord lasted only a few seconds).
2 Chronicles 7:1. When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. (This fire from the Lord lasted only a few seconds).
Rev 20:9. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. (This fire from the Lord lasted only a short period of time and not more than 14 days like Sodom and Gomorrah).
The context of Rev 20:9 is about all the millions of non-believers from the time of creation to the Second coming of Christ. They have been resurrected at the second resurrection from the dead and have surrounded the city of the new Jerusalem: the beloved city with Satan as their leader. Before they try to overtake the city, fire comes down from heaven from God and devours them all. This same fire envelopes the whole of the earth and eradicates everything related to sin.
Conclusion
When looking at these texts we can see that fire from God from heaven destroys people or objects within a few seconds or within a short period of time. Not longer than 14 days. There is no evidence from the Bible to support the teaching of an eternal burning hell for non-believers for thousands of years. As regards to the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31, see my website www.ayindk.com Rev 20:9 for a full explanation.
Rev 14:9-12 closes with the verse 12: Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
A full explanation of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ is revealed in www.ayindk.com Rev 12:17. A short explanation is that the ten commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ are related to each other and cannot do without each other. For example:
Why do we keep the commandments of God? It is not to be saved, for we are saved by grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8. We keep the commandments of God because they help to reveal our sins. Why sins? 1 John 3:4. Sin is the transgression of law. 1 John 2:4. If we do not keep the commandments, then we are liars, and the truth is not in us.
Paul says in Romans 7:7. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness, unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” This is one of the ten commandments of God in Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21.
When we find out that we are sinners from keeping the commandments of God and breaking them. What is the result? Paul says in Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. From this text one can see that the solution to the problem of sin is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The next step as regards to salvation is repentance. Acts 2:38. On the Day of Pentecost Peter stood up and preached to the crowd and they asked him what they shall do? Peter said, “Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Finally, there is the experience of the new birth. When Nicodemus came to Jesus one night, Jesus said to him in John 3:3. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. How is this done? Through the power of the Holy Spirit and through the baptism of water John 3:5. We become a new person, says Paul in Romans 6:6. “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”
Conclusion
By keeping the ten commandments of God, and we break one of them, this leads to sin. When we sin against God, then we realize that we need a saviour: Jesus Christ. Therefore, the ten commandments of God are related to the testimony or faith of Jesus Christ in the texts Rev 12:17 and Rev 14:12.
Rev 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 labours, and their works follow them.”
During the last of the seven plagues falling to the earth in Rev 16:18-21. This verse in Rev 14:13 appears isolated from all the other verses in Rev 14:
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” What kind of blessing is this?
The only explanation to this text is taken from the book, “Confrontation.”
“`Graves are opened, and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth . . . awake, some to everlasting life, and some to everlasting contempt`. Daniel 12:2. All who have died in the faith of the third angel´s message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God´s covenant of peace with those who have kept his law. They also which pierced him (Rev 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ´s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in glory and to see the honour placed upon the loyal and obedient.”[16]
This special resurrection occurs before the great resurrection of all believers at the second coming of Christ. So all who have died in the faith of the third angels message in Rev 14:9-12 during the time when worshipping the beast and his image are enforced, will be resurrected before the second coming of the Lord. Also those who have pierced him, would involve the High Priest and the roman soldiers who crucified Christ; these will be raised in a special resurrection before that great day of Christ´s second coming.
Rev 14:14. 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.
The Son of Man is none other than Christ coming to this earth at his second coming.
Mathew 24:27. For as the lightening comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Mathew 24:29.30. Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall down from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Rev 14:14. It says in this verse that the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) had a golden crown on his head.
This crown in the Greek is στεφανον staphanon. What does crown stephanon mean?
2 Timothy 4:8. Crown of righteousness.
James 1:12. Crown of life.
1 Peter 5:4. Crown of glory.
Revelation 6:2. Crown to conquer.
Revelation 12:1. Crown of twelve stars.
The golden crown combined with a sickle used for harvesting means that Christ is coming on a white cloud to conquer the non-believers on the earth who have rejected the three angel’s messages in Rev 14:6-13.
Rev 14:15.16. 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. So he who sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. (The word reaped is εξηρανθη in the Greek and means harvest of the earth is ripe – it refers also to dry corn which is ripe and represents the righteous). It seems like there are 3 more angels involved in the reaping of the harvest of the earth. Rev 14:15.17.18. Can these be the same angels used in the proclamation of the 3 angel’s messages?
When is the time ripe for harvesting of the earth?
When everyone has rejected the ten commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ, on this earth, then there is no hope for them to be saved. Rev 12:17. 14:12.
Rev 13:16.17. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or name of the beast, or the number of his name.
See my website www.ayindk.com Rev 13:16.17. for a full explanation of this text.
The buying and selling refers to, that no one is allowed to proclaim their belief in the ten commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ anymore, and these are substituted for manmade commandments from the papacy in Roman Catholic Church.
Furthermore, Rev 17:12-14. The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These have one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is the Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with him are called, chosen and faithful.
When these kings together with the beast make war with the Lamb, they are also making war with God´s people who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. This will be a worldwide war and event.
When this happens, the gospel of Jeus Christ ceases to be proclaimed. The sinner has made his choice, and the believer has made his choice. The harvest is ripe for harvesting the earth. Then Christ will come, and it is him who does the harvesting with a sickle together with the angels.
Rev 14:17. Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
This angel is related to the temple in heaven. Some say the temple was closed at this time. It is not closed, but no one was allowed to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. Rev 15:8.
We must note that the seven plagues are sent before Christ appears in the cloud and not after. This angel in Rev 14:17 came out of the temple after the 7th plague.
Rev 14:18. 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.”
Which altar is this text referring too: The altar of incense or the altar of burnt offering in the temple?
It seems like most of the punishments upon the wicked on the earth comes from the angels at the altar of incense, e.g. Rev 8:3.5.7.8.10.12. 9:1.13.
In the book Early Writings Ellen G. White refers Rev 14:14-17 to the harvest, when the Holy City the new Jerusalem comes down from heaven in Rev 21:2, after the 1,000 years. The saints are in the city and the wicked unbelievers are out of the city awaiting their harvest with a sickle.[17]
A short word study on the word sickle with a crown.
Jeremiah 50:16. Cut off the Sower from Babylon, and him who handles the sickle at harvest time. For fear of the oppressing sword everyone shall turn to his own people, and everyone shall flee to his own land. (The sickle is used for the wicked in Babylon).
Joel 3:12.13. For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow – for their wickedness is great. (Wicked nations).
Mark 4:29. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come. (Seed in this text is likened to the kingdom of God).
Rev 14:14. 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.
Rev 6:2. And I looked and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown (Stephanos) was given to him, and he went out to conquer. (Christ the rider of this horse went out to conquer with the gospel and if they refused, then the other three horses followed suit).
Hebrews 2:7. You have made him a little lower than the angels; you have crowned (Stephanos) him with glory and honour and set him over the works of your hands.
Conclusion
Th Son of Man with a sickle in his hand and a crown (stephanos) on his head reaps the whole of the earth at his second coming. Re 14:14-16.
The next angel in Rev 14:17 with a sickle but no crown on his head has the work of reaping the clusters of grapes representing the wicked who are thrown into the winepress of the wrath of God. Rev 14:19.
Rev 14:20. And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horse’s bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.
When there is mention of the city and punishment metered out by God; this can only take place after the 1,000 years millennium and fire comes down from God out of heaven and devoured the wicked non-believers. Rev 20:9.10. The city refers to the New Jerusalem. Rev 20:9. 21:9.10.
So Rev 14:14-16 is referring to the second coming of Christ and the first resurrection.
Rev 14:17-20 is referring to the third coming of Christ and the resurrection of the wicked non-believers who are destroyed by fire from God.
Rev 14:20. The winepress was trampled outside the city is referring to the judgment upon the wicked who will surround the city Rev 20:7.8. Then fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours the wicked. Rev 20:9.
[1] Siegfried H. Horn, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary, (Washington D. C.: Review & Herald Pub., Assoc., 1979), 1213.
[2] Ellen G. White, Confrontation, (Grantham, Lincolnshire: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 356.
[3] Ibid., 357.
[4] Ibid., 359.
[5] Ibid., 362.
[6] Ibid., 362.
[7] Ibid., 363.
[8] Ibid., 364.
[9] Ibid., 366.
[10] Ibid., 368.
[11] Ibid., 480.
[12] Ibid., 480.
[13] Baynard S. Cayne, Edit., The New Lexicon Webster`s Dictionary of the English Language, (New York: Lexicon Pub., Inc., 1989), 244.
[14] https://www.nyas.org/ideas-insights/blog/how-the-eye-evolved/
[15] White, Confrontation, 588.
[16] Ibid., 637.
[17] Ellen G. White, Early Writings, (Washington D.C: Review & Herald Pub., Assoc., 1882),31.