Revelation 14-16
What I Noticed Today (Revelation 14-16)
Revelation 14 & 15
In these two chapters, John describes additional details of events in heaven and on earth leading up to the bowl judgments in Revelation 16.
Revelation 14
In verses 1-5, John describes the Lamb and the 144,000. The Lamb stood on Mount Zion with the 144,000 who were sealed were with Him.
- A sound from heaven like cascading water and rumbling thunder.
- Harpists singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the 24 elders.
- No one could hear the song except the 144,000 redeemed from the earth.
- These are ones not defiled by women—they are virgins.
Note: It is unclear if they are virgins in the physical sense or the spiritual sense. Israel is often referred to as a virgin (2 Kings 9:21, Isaiah 37:22, Jeremiah 18:13).
- They follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
- They were redeemed from the human race as firstfruits for God and the Lamb.
- No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
Note: The word “blameless” is the same word Greek word (amōmoi) used to describe sacrificial animals as “without defect.”
In verses 6-13, John describes the proclamation of the three angels.
- I (John) saw another angel flying overhead to announce the Gospel to every nation, tribe, language, and people of the earth.
- He spoke with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and springs of water.”
- A second angel followed, saying, “Babylon the Great has fallen, who made all nations drink the wine of her sexual immorality which brings wrath.”
- A third angel followed them, saying if anyone worships the beast and receives the mark on his forehead or his hand, he will drink the wine of God’s wrath. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the sight of the Holy Angels and the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment will go up forever. There is no rest for anyone who worships the beast
- This demands the perseverance of the saints to keep God’s commands and their faith in Jesus.
- A voice from heaven said the dead who die in the Lord from now on are blessed. Yes, said the Spirit, let them rest from their labors.
Note: This is the second time a blessing is issued for those who persevere during the tribulation (the first was 1:3).
In verses 14-20, John describes the reaping of the earth’s harvest.
- I (John) looked, and there was a white cloud, and one like the Son of Man seated on the cloud with a gold crown, a harp, and a sickle.
- Another angel came out of the sanctuary crying out to the One seated on the cloud to reap for the time to reap has come since the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Note: The word used for “ripe” means “over-ripe.”
- So the One seated on the cloud swung the sickle, and the earth was harvested.
- Another angel with a sickle came out of the sanctuary in heaven.
- Another angel who had authority over fire came from the altar and called to the angel with the sickle to gather the cluster of grapes from the earth’s vineyard.
Note: A different word is used for “ripe,” which means “fully grown” or in “prime condition.”
- The angel swung his sickle and threw the grapes into the great winepress of God’s wrath.
- Then the press was trampled outside the city (Jerusalem), and blood flowed out of the press up to the horse’s bridles for 180 miles (1,600 stadia).
Revelation 15
In verses 1-8, John describes preparation for the bowl judgments.
- Then I (John) saw another great sign in heaven; seven angels with the seven last plagues to complete God’s wrath.
- I also saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had won victory over the beast, his image, and the number of his name were standing on the sea with harps from God.
- They sang the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb:
- Great and awe-inspiring are Your Works Lord God, the Almighty.
- Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations.
- Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name?
- Because you alone are holy for all the nations will come and worship before you because your righteous acts have been revealed.
- After this, I looked, and the heavenly sanctuary was opened.
- Out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues.
- They were dressed in clean, bright linen with gold sashes around their chests.
- One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven bowls filled with the wrath of God.
- The sanctuary was filled with smoke from God’s glory and His power.
- No one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues from the seven bowls were completed.
Revelation 16
Revelation 16 is chronologically close to the second coming of Christ. The bowl judgments occur in rapid succession, reaching a climax of world war (Daniel 11:36-45).
In verse 1, I (John) heard a loud voice from the sanctuary telling the seven angels to go pour out God’s wrath on the earth.
The First Bowl.
In verse 2, the first angel poured out his bowl on the earth, and painful sores broke out on the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.
Note: Similar to the painful sores that broke out on the people of Egypt (Exodus 9:8-11).
The Second Bowl.
In verse 3, the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea. It turned to blood, and all the creatures of the sea died.
Note: Similar to the first plague in Egypt, where the Nile turned to blood (Exodus 20-25).
The Third Bowl.
In verses 4-7, the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they also became blood. The angel declared the riotousness of God, who is and was the Holy One. The judgment came because they poured out the blood of the saints and prophets. Someone from the altar said the Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.
The Fourth Bowl.
In verses 8-9, the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun. He was given the power to burn people with fire. People were burned up because of the intense heat. So they blasphemed the name of God and did not repent and give Him glory.
The Fifth Bowl.
In verses 10-11, the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was thrown into darkness. People gnawed on their tongues because of the pain and blasphemed God because of their pain and sores but refused to repent.
The Sixth Bowl.
In verses 12-16, the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the river Euphrates. Its water dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the east.
- I saw three unclean frogs coming from the dragon’s mouth, the beasts’ mouth, and from the mouth of the false prophet.
- For they are spirits of demons performing signs to kings of the world to assemble them for the great day of battle with God Almighty.
- I am coming like a thief in the night. The one who is prepared and clothed so people will not see his shame is blessed.
Note: Verse 15 is the third blessing of the Apocalypse.
- So they assembled them at the place known in Hebrew as Armageddon.
Note: Armageddon is the Greek word Harmagedōn, which is a transliteration of the Greek words for Mount of Megiddo. The Mount of Megiddo is near the city of Megiddo in the plain of Esdraelon.
The Seventh Bowl.
In verses 17-21, then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice from the sanctuary said, “It is done.”
- There were flashes of lightning and rumbling of thunder.
- And a severe earthquake like none ever before on the earth.
- The great city (Babylon) was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell.
- Babylon the Great (see Deuteronomy 4:30) was given a cup of God’s fierce anger.
- Every island fled, and mountains disappeared.
- Hailstones weighing 100 pounds fell from the sky, and the people blasphemed God for the plague of hail.
Note: Similar to the hail and thunder described in Exodus (9:13-35).
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.