REVELATION 14, Grapes of Wrath

The 144,000 were sealed and protected from God’s wrath, but not necessarily so from the beast and his anger. Since we see the Lamb on Mt. Zion, we can assume that John is getting a glimpse of the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom, when Christ physically returns, along with the saints (including the 144,000).

John hears an angelic choir singing about the joy over the redemption of the saints, knowing that the future reign of Christ and the redeemed is very near. There will never again be another group like the 144,000, specially consecrated to their work for Christ, highlighted by their abstinence and truthfulness.

Verse 6 seems to refer to another angel besides Michael, with the reference and meaning being similar to that type of described angel. His gospel message is clear to all: “Fear God and give Him glory”. Perhaps this angel does not specifically invite people to salvation, but he says just as much by noting the Creator, who is worthy of worship. People are to get the message to repent as a result, as they are enjoying worship of the beast instead.

John then sees the rejection of that message, and the fall of Babylon. Further, the “wine of Babylon” represents all the excess of the wicked living that expresses unfaithfulness toward God. Babylon is likely a reference to a literal city, and the world under its control.

Anyone having the mark of the beast is doomed to meet disaster, both physically and spiritually forever. They will experience the reality of God’s wrath, and the angels send a message of warning to the weak to not defect to worship of the beast, tempting as it will be to do so. The message also serves as an encouragement to the faithful believers to persevere. It will be better to be killed by the beast than to suffer eternally with him. Further, the blessing in verse 13 seems to be on believers executed by the beast.

In verse 14 Christ is seen prevailing, and the angel informs Him that the time for the harvest has come. The harvest of the condemned is described in two separate images here, stressing the severity of the judgment. To sum it up, the earth will be filled with evil fruit that is to be collected. The vineyard must be trampled. (“He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored” – Battle Hymn of the Republic).

There is no easy way to write about such a massive slaughter and loss of human life. John provides some gruesome detail. To make matters more grave, seven bowls of God’s anger awaits.

SO WHAT…?

So, the Tribulation will certainly be a time of testing the faithful. I also face testing daily as a Christian. Choices of obedience to God must be made regularly. What I am in Christ, internally, will guide what I do externally.

So, I think it appropriate to formulate a plan of witnessing around a great statement resulting from this chapter: It will be better to be killed by the beast than to spend eternity with him. Dear friends who are un-saved need to know that the Christian life may not always be fun and games, and it will always be glorious from an eternal perspective.