144,000 with the Lamb
Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
Here, is where the Jehovah's Witness group claim to be the 144,000. They have Jehovah God on their minds, but who is standing with this group? The Lamb of God who is the Son of God. They do not see Jesus as God the Son and the way to the Father. Why am I mentioning this group? Because they claim to be the 144, 000, or shall it be said that the 144,000 were Jehovah's Witnesses, but now the multitude that follows this teaching, cannot enter heaven. They claim only 144,000 can, and that number was reached early in the twentieth century. They look forward to the Millennial reign of Christ on the earth. After this, what then if no heaven?
Let us not be taken in by error. There is much confusion from those who see Revelation without God's Spirit of truth. Who will be the 144,000? Go to chapter seven.
Rev 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
The tribes are listed, following these verses. These shall be Jewish men, chosen of God and sealed on their foreheads with the Holy Spirit of God. The Spirit of truth that brings us to Jesus and his blood shed for our sins. The blood keeps on saving even unto the end. They were protected witnesses of God, for here they stand on Mt. Zion with Jesus. Did they survive the tribulation, or were they martyred and returned with Jesus? I don't know. The important thing is they were the called and faithful Jewish witnesses during the time of trouble.
Rev 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
A voice from heaven and thunder; God the Father
Psa 93:4 The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
... I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
There was praise and worship.
Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
The angels sing too.
Rev 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
The faithful were in heavenly places, enjoying the music and praise of heaven.
Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Rev 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
These were holy, separated men, not like the world's evil people. The first fruits of Israel, witnessing to this people.
Rom 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Three angels
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
John saw in heaven an angel who was to be sent to the earth to preach the gospel to every nation and to all people. He came from heaven, so this was not a man preaching and Jesus is never an angel. Interesting, where was the church? Probably they had been raptured or caught up in the air to be with Jesus. Who would tell those remaining about Jesus, but the angel messenger of God? God is good, always wanting to give grace to those who will receive.
2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Fear God, he has made all that there is. Repent from the lies taught to you about evolution and other gods. Worship the true almighty God.
The 144,000 were probably sealed of God and were witnessing at this same time. This was before the people received the mark of the beast. There would be a great multitude saved out of the tribulation.
Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Babylon Iraq, which was the greatest city of the world under king Nebuchadnezzar. That city represents the world's power and wealth and pleasures. Babylon here represents mankind in organized rebellion against God. Those who seek the lusts of the flesh and rebel against God, even denying that he exists. They will see God's power. Come out from them and receive the Lord Jesus and be saved.
Rev 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
The third angel warns the earth's people to not take the mark of the beast. They will do so willingly or they will worship God, it is their choice. If they take the mark, it is a sin unto everlasting torment. God's wrath will be poured out upon them; fire and brimstone in hell.
their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night,
This in the presence of those who gave them warning; the angels and the Lamb of God, Jesus shall witness against them.
Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Stay faithful.
Grapes of wrath
Rev 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Blessed are the dead, who die in the tribulation, who have refused the mark of the beast. Blessed are the dead in Christ, who are covered by his blood. Blessed are they who die rather than to be numbered with the ungodly, for they may rest from their labors, in Christ Jesus. Their works follow them. Let our works be eternal fruit unto our Lord.
2 Cor 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Cor 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
2 Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Rev 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
Jesus is coming again in a cloud. When he comes he will bring judgment on the ungodly. The crown is not a royal crown, but a crown of victory. He comes as a victorious conqueror.
Rev 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
The word for ripe: xeraino, means, withered, dried up. The fruit is over ripe for harvest, rotten fruit long overdue.
Mat 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Rev 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
Rev 14:17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
Psa 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Psa 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Psa 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Isa 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
Rev 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Rev 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
Blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs, which is about two hundred miles. This must be the battle of Armageddon.
Rev 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Rev 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles (vultures) be gathered together.
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