May 28, 2023

Glimpse of Light #

Revelation 14:1-5

Introduction

We continue in the parenthetical chapters which are shedding light on the overall picture of things, and are not part of the timeline. They do help us understand the timeline of events, but are not considered the next step in the timeline. You will remember, we left off on the 2^nd^ woe, the Sixth Trumpet in Rev 9:13, then of course the introduction is made in Rev 11:14-15 that the 3^rd^ woe, or the 7^th^ Trumpet cometh quickly, but that doesn’t fully get explained until Chapter 17… and seven vials are contained in that 7^th^ Trumpet.

We have a three fold release of sevens, 7 seals (on the book) contained in Revelation 6. 4 of those seals had a horses. The 7^th^ seal was 7 more angels with trumpets! (Rev 8:1-2)

The Seven trumpets are covered in Rev 8-9… the Final of the seven trumpets will kick off the 7 Vials (Rev 16)

Revelation 13 paints a somber, drab, dark scene, Revelation 14 brightens the horizon with light from God, and hope of things to come. This will be a better chapter!

I. The Jewish Messengers 144k (1-5) #

Who are these 144,000?
- We have no reason to believe this to be a NEW 144k, but rather the same specified in Revelation 7. They fit the mold… they were designated as sealed. Rev 7:2-4 (being sealed, Children of Israel), 5-8 (tribes and numbers)
God is NOT done with Israel -

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. 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: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

A. Sealed Saints (1) #

These will not partake of the number of the beast (666), they have been sealed in their forehead.
God the Father’s name is stamped in the forehead!

B. Song of Praise (2-3) #

A song, which only they can learn… unique experience.
Those who are saved during the tribulation period, will have unique experiences, which we do not, and will not know. Example – missionaries share experiences, pastors share experiences, saved people share similar experiences, we understand people who share the same experiences as us.

C. State of Purity (4-5) #

1. Undefiled #

God is not saying that intimacy within the bounds of marriage is ‘defiling’. This would be an obvious contradiction (Heb 13:4), but speaks to their complete dedication to God.

2. Following the Lamb – unfettered to anything in this world. #

3. Redeemed – saved, bought by a price #

4. First fruits – #

The first of the Tribulation saints to be saved.
There are those who will be saved during the Tribulation period. God keeps a witness in the world.

II. The Angelic Messengers (3 angels) (6-12) #

A. Salvation (6-7) #

1. Singularity of a true gospel! #

Gal. 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

2. A change brought about… #

At the end of the Gospel of Matthew, the church was charged with getting the Gospel to the lost world.
Hear, we see an angel now preaching?
- The church, has been raptured out, God has switched gears, the Jews are witnesses, and here we even have angels delivering the message!

Matt. 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

3. Message of Creator, Authority “him that made” #

B. End of Wickedness (Babylon is fallen) (8) #

This is covered more throughly in Chapters 17-18
Babylon always represented the wicked evilness, and is leading others into wickedness.

C. Warning of the Mark (9-11) #

1. No reversal #

Clearly, these people are wholly involved, invested, and irreconcilably lost!

2. Reality of hell – no escape #

D. Patients required. (12) #

I cannot imagine living in the tribulation period, but as a saved individual, patients is required

1. They keep the commands of God – Jews #

2. AND the faith of Jesus – Salvation #

Rom. 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Gal 2:15-16** - Must read

III. Sickle (13-20) #

Rest for the saved! (13)

A. Son of man (14) #

He is not pictured here as the redemptive Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world, but as the Son of man, with a crown = authority
Sickle – harvest & judgement

Revelation 14