Don't Drink the Wine!

For the last two weeks, we have seen the unholy trinity from Revelation 12-13.  It is made up of the great, red dragon or Satan the Devil, beast from the Sea or the Antichrist, and the beast from the earth or False Prophet.  Because Satan the devil will be thrown out of heaven and to the earth to begin the last three and half years of the Tribulation period, chapter thirteen is very depressing because of all that the he and the Antichrist and the False Prophet will do in wreaking havoc on the nation of Israel and the followers of destroying the lives of Christians.

 

In light of Revelation 12-13, you may have been very discouraged about the future as revealed in these last two sermons.  However, I have good news, and it is Revelation 14. 

 

Revelation 14 was meant to encourage the first and second century readers as they were discouraged by Revelation 12-13 as well.  It will also serve us well this morning by encouraging us to persevere even when the situation looks bad.

 

In chapter 14, we are going to see three separate scenes, but they are also very much related to one another, and as I said previously, it’s hard to know of these events are sequential or synonymous.  However, we’re going to see a scene in heaven, a scene on earth, and a scene in hell.

 

 

1. John’s Vision of Exultation in Heaven, Revelation 14:1-5

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

 

In verse one, John looked, and he saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion.  A big question to begin this morning is where is this happening?  Is this earth or heaven?

 

It is true that Zion usually refers to Jerusalem.  Therefore, this could be a scene on the earth at the end of the Tribulation and as Christ returns to the earth.

 

However, some see it as being a foreshadowing of the millennial kingdom and eternity.  John blends heaven and earth and makes this a difficult question to answer.

 

In my opinion, I believe this first scene is happening at the end of the Tribulation in heaven.  In Revelation, the Lamb, which is Jesus Christ, is always presented as in heaven. 

 

We also see the one hundred and forty-four thousand.  They were introduced in Revelation 7:1-8.  They are twelve thousand from the twelve tribes of Israel.  In other words, these are Jews.

 

Because I believe they are in heaven in this scene, they must have finished their task.  Also, I don’t think they will be martyred because God will protect them.  I simply believe when their task is done, God will take them to heaven. 

 

Verse 2 introduces a call to worship with the sound of many waters and the sound of loud thunder and the sounds of harpists playing their harps.  Then the 144,000 Jews began to sing a new song unique for them. 

 

They are gathered around the throne with the four living creatures and elders from chapters four and five.  Remember, the four living creatures represent believers who have died.  The twenty-four elders represent the raptured Church. 

 

Verse 4 tells us more about these Jews.  It appears that they were 144,000 Jewish single men.  I know that sounds strange, but the text seems to say that.  They were chaste and had not been defiled with women. 

 

Does this speak negatively of women or marriage?  No, it speaks positively of having a single focus during the time on this earth that will be the most difficult for followers of Christ. 

 

The second half of verse 4 says they follow the Lamb where He goes.  This speaks to their daily commitment to follow Christ in every area of their lives. 

 

They serve as a first fruit offering to the Lord and as a sign that more will follow in the earthly reign of Christ.  This is coming in chapter 20. 

 

Finally, verse 5 says no lie was ever found on their mouths.  They practiced honesty, and God honored their faithfulness as they were found blameless…not perfect or sinless, but blameless.

 

Does all of this sound weird?  Does 144,000 single, Jewish men who are followers of Christ and protected by the Lord sound weird?  You just wait.  Soon enough, we’re going to be see a dead man who came back to life will come back to earth on a white horse.  Now, that is weird, and 100% true.

 

 

1. John’s Vision of an Invitation on Earth, Revelation 14:6-7

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

 

Our second scene will happen on earth and introduces the first of three angels.  These could be real angels or they could be humans as angels as we have seen elsewhere in Revelation used as a title for pastor in Revelation 2 and 3. 

 

This first angel offers an invitation to be saved and worship the Lord.  Notice that the invitation is universal.  It is to all those who will be living on the earth during this time, to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.

 

By the way, if our church is going to look like the heavenly church, our church needs to look like Emory and Rains County.  That means ethnicity and socio-economic status. 

 

Notice that the invitation is also exclusive. It is to worship God alone.  Fear God and give glory to Him.  It is not an invitation to worship Buddha or Mohammed or any other supposed gods.  It is an exclusive invitation to worship God in heaven who created the heavens and the earth and the sea. 

 

Thirdly, the invitation is limited in how long it will be offered.  It is offered now and will be offered here, but once judgment begins, there will be no more offers.  There will be no more opportunities.  There will be no more second and third and fourth chances.

 

If that is you today and you have never called on the name of the Lord to be saved, why wait any longer?  One of Satan’s favorite words to use with you and us is tomorrow.  Ladies and gentlemen, the invitation for your to be saved is being extended today, this day.  Will you receive it?

 

• John’s Vision of Condemnation in Hell, Revelation 14:8-11

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.”  9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

 

In verses 8 and following, we see two more angels or preachers.  The second angel is introduced in verse eight and says Babylon is fallen.  Who is Babylon?

 

Without going into too much detail because I will explain more in chapters 16, 17, and 18, the original city was the introduction of idolatry in Genesis 11 and the Tower of Babel. 

 

Some commentators remind us that first-century Christians used Babylon as a code name for Rome as they were seeing Rome and the Roman Empire do its best to eradicate Christianity.  However, it may very well simply be the devil’s evil empire and world system that stands in opposition to God. 

 

Regardless, she will seek to spiritually intoxicate all humans and lead them and Christians to commit spiritual immorality against the Lord God.  Therefore, please don’t drink the wine.

 

The third angel enters the picture in verse 9.  We now see that if you don’t worship God on earth, you won’t worship in heaven, but you will worship the devil in hell.

 

Verse ten, speaks of the wrath of God along with His anger that will be in hell and on these individuals. For the unbeliever who worships the devil on the earth, you will also worship him in hell and experience the wrath of God and anger of God that will be torment, and according to verse eleven, that torment will be forever and ever.  There will be no rest in hell only torment day and night. 

 

Don’t believe the lie that hell will be fun, easy, or painless.  It will be the wrath and anger of God and torment on the devil and his demons and the unbeliever forever and ever and ever.

 

 

Conclusion

12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.  13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’”  “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

 

Verses 12-13 have our final encouragement.  There is blessing and rest for the follower of Christ who is patient and perseveres to the end. 

 

Even though life will get very difficult on earth, eternity will be sweeter than you can imagine.  You will be blessed in heaven and will rest from your labors because there will be no need to evangelize your brothers and sister as they worship the Lord.

 

Will you accept the invitation this morning to fear God and give glory to Him and receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior?