Revelation 14 – God’s Wrath, the Second Coming and Armageddon

by Dr. Gary Linton | Updated August 21st, 2023

In chapter 14 we see the Lamb of God standing on Mount Zion, and the 144,000 singing a new song in the presence of the beasts and the elders. These are those who have not been defiled and who have been redeemed from the earth. They have no taint of impurity whatsoever. Then we see an angel flying in the midst of heaven with the everlasting gospel to preach. What follows is a preview of the wrath of God upon a Christ rejecting world and the second coming of Christ culminating with the Battle of Armageddon and Christ’s triumph over His enemies.

Watch the Message

A Lamb Standing on Mount Zion

Revelation 14:1 – “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Zion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads.”

John sees a Lamb. This is none other than the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world. This is an ever reminder of what Christ did for us on Calvary’s cross. Where He was crucified and shed His blood in payment for our sins. This will also be an ever be a reminder to a world that has rejected Him that they could have been forgiven but because they didn’t turn to Jesus and trust Him solely they will face the wrath of God.
If you have not yet accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior you must do so NOW before it’s too late. Now is the time to trust Him and what He did for you on the cross. At this time it appears it will be too late and the judgment of God will follow and fall upon all who have rejected Him. This is not God’s will for you. He desires above all to forgive you but if you refuse Jesus you will face His wrath. If you make Jesus your Lord today you will be spared God’s wrath. Sadly, the world, at this time, chooses to worship the beast instead.
2 Corinthians 6:2 – “For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.”
John 1:29 – “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
Isaiah 53:6-7 – “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth.”
Revelation 5:12 – “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”
Romans 5:9 – “Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
Standing on Mount Zion. Zion excluding mount usually refers to the earthly city. Whereas with mount in front of it typically refers to heaven. Jesus came as a lamb at His first coming to pay the ransom price for our sins. He’s coming back the second time in victory for all those who eagerly look for and wait for Him. At this time He will come for salvation and deliverance for the redeemed and judgment upon the world. He’s standing on Mount Zion, looking over the portals of heaven, on the judgments that are about to transpire.
Hebrews 12:22-23 – “But ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.”
Hebrews 9:28 – “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
Romans 1:18 – “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.”
2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 – “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.”

With Him the 144,000

Revelation 14:1b – “With Him an hundred forty and four thousand.”

These are with Him. This is none other than the sealed “hundred forty and four thousand” evangelists of Revelation 7. These were twelve thousand from the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. They are in heaven at this time. We have no record of them being martyred therefore we can assume that they were probably raptured after their mission was fulfilled.
These are sealed with His Father’s name.
Revelation 14:1c – “Having His Father’s name written in their foreheads.”
In chapter seven they were to receive a seal in their foreheads protecting them from God’s judgment and from all who might seek their harm. During their mission on earth they had the Father’s favor, care, and protection while they preached the gospel during the tribulation period. We’re told here that the seal they had received was the Father’s name. As with the two witnesses in Revelation eleven we can’t be harmed until we have finished all God has called us to do. Whether we’re raptured out before the tribulation or we remain we can rest assured that God will take care of us so long as we are pursuing God’s purpose for us.
They sang a new song before the throne.
Revelation 14:2-3 – “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: 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.”
This is in contrast to the worship of the four beasts, the elders, and angelic host in Revelation five. They sang a new song before the throne. This one is a special song that was given to the 144,000. Nonetheless both groups were worshiping. It should be noted that their worship was extremely exuberant for it was “as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder.” All who’ve been truly redeemed by the blood of the Lamb should worship Him with all the enthusiasm we can muster up. This is seen throughout scripture and in heaven. Praise and worship should be radical!
Psalms 103:1-5 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalms 150:1-6 – “Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts: Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: Praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: Praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: Praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”
Revelation 4:8-11 – “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, Who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Revelation 5:9-12 – “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”
Revelation 7:9-12 – “Lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”
Revelation 19:1-6 – “After these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are His judgments: for He hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of His servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshiped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
The purity of the 144,000.
Revelation 14:4-5 – “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 first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”
1. They are virgins. Virginity is the state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse. They are sexually pure. This may be referring to those who have abstained from sexual intercourse but most probably refers here to spiritual purity. Israel as a nation and people were often referred to as a virgin as well as the church. When we have been washed, cleansed, and purified by Jesus’ blood we stand as spiritual virgins in His sight.
  Israel:
  Jeremiah 18:13 – “Therefore thus saith the Lord; Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things: the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.”
  Jeremiah 31:4 – “Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.”
  Jeremiah 31:21 – “Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.”
  Amos 5:2 – “The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up.”
  2 Kings 19:21 – “This is the Word that the Lord hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.”
  Isaiah 37:22 – “This is the Word which the Lord hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.”
  The Church:
  2 Corinthians 11:2 – “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
  Ephesians 5:25-27 – “Even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
  John 15:3 – “Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.”
  Matthew 25:1-13 – “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
  In the Middle East and under Jewish customs a wedding feast would go on for several days. The bridesmaids would wait with the bride for the coming of the bridegroom. No one knew when exactly he would come so they had to be ready for him at all times. When he did arrive the marriage would take place. Afterwards they would carry the bride and bridegroom in a carriage throughout the town displaying them in celebration. The bridesmaids would follow along rejoicing with them. The bridesmaids were not the bride but followed the bride and groom. Even so, the 144,000 are not the bride but follow the bride and groom.
2. No guile or falsehood in their mouths. There is no false religion in them as opposed those who worship the beast and ecclesiastical Babylon. We must speak truth as opposed to falsehood. There must not be any guile or falsehood in us. We must preach and teach purity of doctrine with no mixture of false doctrine at all. We live in a day where great deceptions are all around us. In the midst of it we must speak truth and sound doctrine even when it’s not popular.
  2 Timothy 4:1-4 – “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
  Titus 2:1 – “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.”
  Hebrews 13:9 – “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.”
3. Without fault before the throne. These 144,000 “are without fault before the throne of God.” One might think how fortunate they are to be able to stand without fault before the throne of God. They are indeed blessed! But the church is as well. We’ll be presented as chase virgins before the Father clothed in the righteousness of Christ. We are without fault because we are clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. We will be without spot or wrinkle in the presence of God because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross on our behalf. What a reason for rejoicing is ours. These will be faultless before the throne as well because of the redemptive work of Christ.
  2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
  Ephesians 5:26-27 – “Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
  Isaiah 61:10 – “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of His righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
  Jude 24 – “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”

An Angel With the Everlasting Gospel

Revelation 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.”

It is an Everlasting Gospel, in that, it is ageless and unchanging and to all generations the same. This angel is flying in the midst of heaven or mid heaven. Many have speculated this to be either satellite TV or internet. They suggest that this is the means by which the gospel is able to be preached to all nations before the end comes. I personally believe this is a literal angel declaring the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ throughout the heavens to all that dwell on the earth.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

Matthew 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.”

This by no means negates our responsibility to preach the gospel now. We must do so to reach as many as we can before the end times come to fruition. I do believe we expedite the Lord’s return by reaching as many as we possibly can. It’s not God’s will that any perish but that all come to repentance. He desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. At this time a strong delusion has already come over most of the world. We must reach as many as we can NOW. Much of this delusion is already here.

Mark 16:15 – “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

Romans 1:14-16 – “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

1 Corinthians 1:18 – “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

Revelation 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.”

The gospel this angel is preaching seems to no longer be the gospel of grace but one of judgment, “for the hour of His judgment is come.” The good news appears to be that God is at last going to execute vengeance upon a world that has rejected the gospel of grace. God is about to deal with the world in righteousness, judgment, and His sovereignty. The gospel has always been clear that those who reject it will face God’s wrath. Judgment is coming forthwith!

His proclamation is to Fear God and give Him glory for the hour of His judgment is come. What is about to take place will be terrifying but we’re exhorted to give Him glory for the judgment that’s forthcoming. God is to be worshiped and praised even for His judgments. We see this also in Revelation 19 just prior to Jesus’ return at the second coming. He’s praised for the judgment and retribution that has been poured out on a Christ rejecting world. We’re challenged to worship the creator as opposed to the creation or any created being. Fallen man is prone to worship the works of his hands rather than the One Who created all things. We’re challenged to worship God as opposed to those who are worshiping the beast.

Romans 1:18-25 – “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

The passage that follows flows right into dealing with homosexuality. Because they insist on doing whatever they want God gives them over to a reprobate or depraved mind to do what is improper. We live in a day where Wokeness is celebrated and worshiped. We have bowed the knee to rampant LGBTQ and transgenderism and the mutilation of the flesh, even of our children. We have worshiped at its altar. We take an entire month to celebrate gay pride. “Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). If anyone speaks out against it they are canceled out and labeled homophobic and hate mongers. The Bible calls it sin and an abomination to God. Our world has been given over! God’s judgment is forthcoming!

Fox News did an interview with a young man who had undergone surgery to transition from a boy to a girl. He has now detransitioned. He claimed that psychiatrists made his transitioning from a boy to a girl sound glamorous. After he went through the procedure he underwent immense psychological problems. He was deceived and his life was ruined. Now he must live with what he has done. God is going judge this sick world for what they are doing.

Romans 1:26-32 – “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

Babylon is fallen

Revelation 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.”

At the height of its glory in the 7th and 6th centuries B.C., the ancient city of Babylon was the largest and wealthiest in the world. Under the ruthless and ambitious King Nebuchadnezzar II, the sprawling settlement in what is now modern-day Iraq grew into a major city as large as Chicago, and boasted towering temples, ornately tiled palaces and imposing city walls thick enough for two chariots to pass each other side by side. Is Babylon to be rebuilt a literal city? Many believe it has to be rebuilt to fulfill this verse.

I personally don’t think this is the case. Rather it’s the false religious and economic system represented by Babylon. In the days of its glory it was represented by its false gods and trust in its wealth. We’ll delve into this more specifically in Revelation 17 and 18 which describes ecclesiastic and economic Babylon. This is a preview of what takes place there. “The wine of the wrath of her fornication” here speaks of the world being intoxicated with all this Babylonian system has to offer. It very well could be the kingdom of the Antichrist. This will be near the end of the tribulation period just prior to the Battle of Armageddon, the Second Coming, and the millennial reign of Christ.

Judgment on Those Who Worship the Beast

Revelation 14:9-11 – “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, 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: 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.”

This forewarns of the judgment of God that is about to be poured out on the world in the seven last plagues of the vials or bowels of God’s wrath. These will be the most severe of the judgments thus far. They will be much worse than seal and trumpet judgments. All who worship the beast and his image “shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation.”

It also forewarns of the final judgment of hell. There all who refused God’s grace and mercy through the cross will spend eternity “tormented with fire and brimstone.” There will be no end to their suffering. We know this because “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night.” Some have attempted to falsely teach that hell will only be temporary. They allege that there will be an initial suffering but then those cast into hell will simply be consumed and will cease to exist. They will be destroyed.

This is an utterly false and deceptive assertion. The scriptures do not teach this. They teach the contrary. Hell will be a place of eternal torment and everlasting destruction. Meaning their destruction will never end, it’s never over. There will be no limit to the suffering of those who reject Christ. It’s forever and ever. God provided a way out so no one need go there through His Son Jesus Christ. He’s the only way to escape the horrors of hell (John 14:6 and Acts 4:12). Accept Him NOW as your Lord and Savior and you will be spared the horrors of hell. You say, “I don’t want to surrender my life to Him.” Then HELL will be your lot throughout eternity.

Romans 2:5 – “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.”

Matthew 8:12 – “The children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 10:28 – “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Matthew 13:41-42 – “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; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 23:33 – “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”

Matthew 25:41 – “Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”

Mark 9:44 – “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 – “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.”

Revelation 20:11-15 – “I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

The Patience of the Saints

Revelation 14:12-13 – “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 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 labors; and their works do follow them.”

Patience of the saints may refer to them patiently waiting for God to judge their persecutors. Hence, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” They have been waiting with patience for God to exact His judgment on a world gone amok. This is what was going on with those who had been “slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held” or maintained under the fifth seal judgment.

Revelation 6:9-11 – “And when He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”

It also may be referring to our patiently awaiting the coming rest from our labors and our final reward. “Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” We are saved by grace and there’s nothing at all we can do to earn our salvation and standing with God. It’s not earned or deserved but solely based on Jesus’ finished work on the cross on our behalf. However, reward is earned. At the Judgment Seat of Christ our works for Him will pass through the fire and all that remains we’ll receive reward for.

2 Corinthians 5:10-11 – “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. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.”

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 – “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

Five crowns given as reward:

The Incorruptible Crown – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Reward for temperance, self control and a disciplined life.

The Crown of Rejoicing – 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20. This is reward given for soul winners!
The Crown of Righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:6-8. This is given to those who love and long for His appearing.
The Crown of Glory – 1 Peter 5:1-4. This is for faithful elders and leaders within the body of Christ.
The Crown of Life – James 1:12. This is for those who have endured much in life yet continued to love Him.

The Battle of Armageddon

Revelation 14:14-20 – “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. 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. And He that sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 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. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine press of the wrath of God. And the wine press was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the wine press, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”

Compare to: Joel 3:12-17, Isaiah 34:1-8, 63:1-6, Zechariah 14:3-9, and Revelation 16:12-16.

The Valley of Megiddo, also known as the Valley of Jezreel, is a large fertile plain and inland valley in the Northern District of Israel. It is bordered to the north by the highlands of the Lower Galilee region, to the south by the Samarian highlands, to the west and northwest by the Mount Carmel range, and to the east by the Jordan Valley, with Mount Gilboa marking its southern extent. This is where the Battle of Armageddon will be fought. The battle of Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel 38-39 will occur at this time. Revelation 16:14-16 summarizes these events at a high level.

The fullness of the world’s rebellion against God has come to fruition at the Battle of Armageddon. The armies of the earth have gathered themselves together for the last final conflict. They are actually seeking to overthrow the Lord Himself. It will be at this time that the Lord Jesus returns and will execute His vengeance and wrath upon the nations of the earth that are in rebellion against Him. No doubt the armies of the Antichrist are come together to fight against God.

The utter delusion that has had to come over the world to actually believe they could win a battle against God. Even now the majority of our world is fighting against God and all He stands for. The world in which we now live opposes God, His Word, and all He stands for. It’s only a matter of time until the fullness of their delusion will overflow to this day. Now it’s mostly philosophical and moral. At this time it will culminate into a physical battle at which time God exacts His Judgment on a rebellious, Christ rejecting world. After this Jesus will set up His kingdom, the millennial reign of Christ.

Psalms 2:1-2 – “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed.”

Psalms 2:8-9 – “Ask of Me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

The commission goes forth, “Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine press of the wrath of God. And the wine press was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the wine press, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”

The clusters of the vine of the earth are gathered because her grapes are fully ripe. This pictures grapes so fully grown in their prime that they are almost ready to burst with juice. The first harvest is the saints and the second harvest is that of the wicked. This represents the rotten moral and spiritual condition of mankind. Its wickedness has come to fruition and is in need of reaping. The release God’s of wrath will be so severe that the blood of those slain in this battle will come up to the horse’s bridle for 1,600 furlongs which is approximately 200 miles.

The spurting of grape juice under those treading grapes under foot in the wine press is compared to the spurting of blood under the judgment and wrath of God. This speaks of the awful human carnage of Revelation 19:17-21. The area covered is 1,600 furlongs which is approximately a 200 mile radius of Jerusalem. The land of Israel covers about 200 miles from north to south and specifies that the area within a 200 mile radius of Jerusalem will be filled with blood by this final battle between the forces of evil and the army of the Lord. This battle will be so intense and massive that blood from it will be to the horse’s bridle.