Two Harvests & One Harmony
Revelation 14:14-15:4
Two Harvests & One Harmony
Revelation 14:14-15:4
Acts 17:30–31a: The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed…
Main Idea: We join the song of the Lamb because Christ saves his people and judges righteously.
I. The Grain Harvest of Salvation (14:14-16)
John now looks and sees a “white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand” (14:14; cf. 1:7, 13). This figure is a callback to Daniel 7:13-14, and this description suggests complete rule and reign over all of creation (Ps. 110:1).
“On that great day, he will come sitting upon a cloud…. It must mean that his judgment-seat will be far more glorious than the thrones of mere mortal monarchs. They may sit upon thrones of ivory; they may exalt themselves upon thrones made of gold and bedecked with myriads of gems shining like the eyes of the morning, or the stars of the midnight sky; but their thrones can never be compared in splendor with the judgment seat of Christ. A great white throne shall come sailing along the sky, and on it shall sit the King of kings, and Lord of lords, the Judge of all, who has the right to sit in judgment, whose decisions will be impartial and infallible, and whose sentences will assuredly be carried out. He asks not for any throne that this world could supply; he borrows no leave to judge from Parliament, or Pope, or prince. He is Judge by divine right, as himself God, and as the Mediator, appointed by God to judge the quick and the dead.”
~ Charles Spurgeon, “The Harvest and the Vintage”
This “Son of Man” has a sharp sickle in his hand, used for harvesting. This first harvest seems to be an “ingathering” and a “reaping” of the plentiful harvest of salvation, frequently referenced by Jesus:
Matthew 9:37–38: Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
The Parable of the Sower (Mt. 13:1-9, 18-23)
The Parable of the Wheat & the Weeds (Mt. 13:24-30, 36-43)
Matthew 24:29–31: Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
God’s people must wait with a patient endurance for the harvest day of salvation to come. This is the day of our “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) that we must keep before us in faith as we endure persecution and resist the schemes of the enemy.
II. The Grape Harvest of Judgment (14:17-20)
While the Son of Man himself does the reaping of the “harvest of salvation,” here he commissions “the angel who has authority over the fire” (cf. 8:5) to reap with a sharp sickle. This reaping is unmistakably one of judgment, and treading a winepress is often used symbolically in the OT to speak of God’s judgment (cf. Isa. 62:2-3; Lam. 1:15; Joel 3:13).
This winepress is “outside the city,” and not safe within Mt. Zion (cf. Heb. 13:12-13). The running blood for “1,600 stadia” symbolizes full and final judgment on evil, sin, and wrongdoing. This grape harvest of judgment is the answer to the prayer of “how long?” that permeates Revelation (6:10) and our human experience in this fallen world (cf. Ps. 13).
Matthew 3:7–8: But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
III. The Great Harmony of the Saints (15:1-4)
John now sees another “sign in heaven” that points to the resolution of the conflict between the first two “signs” of the woman (12:1) and the dragon (12:3). The “sea of glass” that the conquering saints stand beside (or on) reminds us of two realities:
The sea of glass in the heavenly throne room (4:6)
The Israelites crossing through the Red Sea, led by a pillar of fire (Ex. 14)
These saints, with harps of God in their hands, “sing the song of Moses” (Ex. 15; Deut. 32), and the song of the Lamb. Just as Israel responded to their own salvation through judgment by singing, so too the saints of God throughout all of human history sing and worship the Lamb, who has saved them through judgment.
The Song of the Lamb emphasizes:
The Greatness of God - “Great and amazing are your deeds…”
The Goodness of God - “Just and true are your ways… You alone are holy”
The Glory of God - “All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
“Revelation began with a vision of the Christ whom we worship (Rev 1) and was followed up with a vision of God’s people at worship (Rev. 4-5); it will conclude with the newly created heaven and earth fashioned into a place of worship, a sanctuary (Rev. 21-22). John, an exiled pastor with responsibility for seven congregations of Christians subject to a barrage of violence and propaganda from without and infiltrated within by cunningly attractive lies, can think of nothing better than to call them to worship. His insistence on contextualizing everything that they think, experience, and feel in the act of worship is not the fussiness of a liturgiologist who cannot bear the mess of ordinary life and so escapes into the arranged beauties of incense, chant, and ritual. No spiritual leader has shown as much evidence as John has of being in touch with and responsive to the manifold difficulties of living a difficult life in a difficult world… his recurrent representations of worship are not pious, escapist fictions, but theological convictions… In a world in which we are constantly subject to dizzying disorientations, worship is the act in which we are reoriented. Worship is the essential and central act of the Christian.”
~ Eugene Peterson, Reversed Thunder
Confidence in Chaos
Revelation 14:1-13
Confidence in Chaos
Revelation 14:1-13
Main Idea: When everything in our lives is actually out of control, we can trust Jesus, who is absolutely in control.
I. Our Final Outcome is Secured (14:1-4)
Revelation 14:1: Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads…
Where are they standing? On Mount Zion, God’s holy hill (cf. Ps. 2:1-6)
Who is standing there first and foremost? The Lamb (cf. Rev 5)
Who is standing there with Him? The saints who are sealed with His name and His Father’s name
What are they doing as they stand there? They are singing with a loud voice
There are two major truths to be taken from this vision:
First, everyone sealed in the beginning shall be safe in the end.
These did not obtain “saint” status by their performance, rather they were “redeemed from the earth,” “redeemed from mankind.” This is not a thing done by them, but a thing done for them by Another, namely by the Lamb.
Second, the ascendancy of “the beast” has absolutely no bearing on the outcome of the war.
For all intents and purposes, it looks like the dragon is winning, that the Kingdom experiment has failed, that the creation will disintegrate into the chaos from which it came. Then, in what appears to be the last flicker of humanity’s hope, John looks “and behold, on Mount Zion, stood the Lamb, and with Him 144,000.” There it is. Game over. Victory won. It wasn’t even close!
II. Our Game Plan has not Changed (14:5-11)
In the context of the chaos in which we have been placed:
We are to “Fear God and give Him glory” by proclaiming the eternal gospel to those who dwell on earth.
We are to keep ourselves “unstained from the world” (James 1:27) by remembering that “Babylon is fallen, fallen.”
We are to “Watch and pray that we may not enter into temptation,” for “if anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath…and he will be tormented…forever and ever”
Here is the great irony of this vision of the angels: The ones who are putting the saints at risk of their lives are the very ones at the greatest risk. Their one hope is the very people they persecute. Those who proclaim to them the everlasting gospel that has power to save even the worst of sinners.
Here is the encouragement to the saints from the vision of the angels: The plight of the perishing is not lost on us. We know what it is to be “lost” and we know what it is to be “redeemed.” We know that the Lamb has called us to love our enemies and preach the gospel for the glory of His Father, even if it results in our suffering and death. The love of Christ compels us to keep telling everyone we can.
III. Our Marching Orders are Clear (14:12-13)
Revelation 14:12: Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
This endurance is marked by two features:
The saints who endure “keep the commandments of God.” They obey what their Lord has told them in spite of threat, in spite of opposition, in spite of ridicule. They seek to observe everything that the Lord has commanded us to do. (Mat 28:20)
The saints who endure “keep…their faith in Jesus.” This means they not only obey the direct and clear commandments of their Lord, they also orient and organize all of their lives to and around the gospel. They keep “in step with the truth of the gospel.” (cf. Gal. 2:14)
There are two implications in this concept of obedience under “the endurance of the saints”
The first is obedience under the threat of certain death.
The second is obedience in the scope of uncertain life.
The Unholy Trinity
Revelation 13:1-18
The unholy trinity
Revelation 13:1-18
Main Idea: We resist the deceptive schemes of Satan through faithful, enduring worship and loving the truth.
I. The First Beast: Deceptive Power (13:1-10)
John sees the dragon call up a beast from the “sea,” the place of chaos (cf. Rev. 21:1). The description of this beast is a call back to Daniel 7. John sees a combination of the first three beasts of Daniel’s vision (representing Babylon, Persia, and Greece) in a grotesque fourth beast, representing the Roman Empire.
This first beast represents governmental tyranny throughout history working against Christ and his church. It is political and governmental powers demanding the loyalty that belongs to Christ alone. Because this beast is so devious, we don’t always recognize the work of the beast for the tyranny it is. Sometimes the evil of political, social, and economic entities is subtle. Instead of appearing beastly, it appears beautiful. Instead of outright persecution, its ideas and actions are much more subtle, yet equally as evil. They are beastlike in the way they demand loyalty to their philosophies, language, sexual ethics, priorities, and methods.
~ Nancy Guthrie, Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation
1 John 2:18: Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4a, 9-10: Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship… The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
This beast is an “antichrist” and a counterfeit parody of Jesus:
He is given “power and great authority” with many horns and diadems, just as the Father gives his Son power and authority (13:2b; cf. 5:6; 19:12; Jn. 5:22-27)
He received a mortal head “wound” (cf. Gen. 3:15), but has a counterfeit resurrection and recovery (13:3; cf. Isa. 27:1)
He prompts the worship of the Dragon, the one who gave him authority (3:4; cf. Ex. 15:11)
Authority is given to the beast over “every tribe, and people, and language and nation” (13:7b; cf. 5:9, 7:9, 11:9)
The beast is allowed to “make war on the saints and to conquer them” (13:7a). However, it is through being “conquered” that the saints actually overcome, “for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (12:11; 13:10). This is all a “call for endurance and faith of the saints,” who must not yield and worship the seemingly powerful beast, and who must not grasp for power or position that belongs to God alone and become like the beast themselves (Dan. 4; Gal. 5:15).
II. The Second Beast: Deceitful Propaganda (13:11-18)
John sees a second beast summoned by the dragon, this time from the earth (the land). This beast deceives by providing “religious” justification to worship the first beast. He speaks with authority, but what he says is deceitful and false.
Whereas the first beast speaks loudly and definitely against God, the second beast makes the first beast’s claims sound plausible and persuasive. False teachers within the church are encouraging compromise with the culture’s idolatrous institutions.
~ G.K. Beale, Revelation: A Shorter Commentary
Jesus and the Scriptures continually warn of false and deceptive teachers like this beast:
2 Corinthians 11:13–14: For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Matthew 7:15: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (cf. Act 20:29)
Matthew 24:24: For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
This beast is a “false prophet” (cf. 16:13; 19:20) and a counterfeit parody of the Holy Spirit:
It directs worship to the first beast, just as the Holy Spirit has a “spotlight ministry” on Christ (13:12)
It is able to perform great signs and wonders (13:13), like the prophet Elijah (fire from heaven - 1 Kgs. 18:38-39), and the scene at Pentecost (Acts 2)
It was allowed to give breath and life, just as the Holy Spirit does (Gen. 2:7; Ezek. 37)As a consequence of Satan’s removal from heaven, he is no longer able to make accusation against the people of God (cf. Job 1; Zech. 3). Though he once had a case against a guilty people, there is “now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).
The “mark of the beast” is a counterfeit “mark” to the saints who have the “seal” of God on their foreheads (Rev. 7:3; 9:4; Deut. 6:8). This “mark” is an invisible spiritual reality that a person thinks (on the forehead) and acts (the right hand) in a manner consistent with the beast. It was a needed “stamp of approval” to participate in the economic and cultural life of society.
Matthew 10:28: And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
The number 777 represents perfection, but John says 666 is the number of a man. The number 666 represents what is anti-god and antichrist, all that is in opposition to the one true God. If 777 represents holiness and perfect goodness, then 666 signifies the enormity and totality of evil.
~ Thomas Schreiner, ESV Expository Commentary: Revelation
This scene requires “wisdom” and discernment from the saints; when we try to grasp for the position of God, we end up becoming less than what we were created for, and serving the beast. When we humbly submit ourselves to God, loving the truth, and worshipping him with faithful endurance, we resist the beast.
The Woman and the Dragon
Revelation 12:1-17
The Woman and the Dragon
Revelation 12:1-17
Main Idea: Though Satan wages war on God’s people, we have victory in Christ who has defeated the dragon.
I. The Son: Ruling & Reigning (12:1-6)
John sees two signs in heaven:
Sign #1 (12:1-2): A woman, clothed with the splendor of the sun, with the moon under her feet, and 12 stars in her crown, about to give birth. This woman represents the people of God, waiting in labor pains for the promised Messiah (Micah 4:10; Isa. 26:17-18, 54:1; Gal. 4:26).
Sign #2 (12:3, 9): A great red dragon, with seven heads, ten horns, and seven diadems; this dragon is identified as “that ancient serpent, the devil, Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.” He is the animating force behind all wicked rulers who set themselves against the Lord and his anointed (Pharaoh - Ezek. 32:2; Nebuchadnezzar - Jer. 51:34-35, Herod - Matt. 2:13-18, etc).
In a revolting picture, this dragon is prepared to devour the son who is to be born (Gen. 3:15). “[Satan] Satan “takes the rage he had against Jesus in particular and directs it toward babies in general… the demonic powers hate babies because they hate Jesus. When they destroy the “least of these” they’re destroying a picture of Jesus himself, of the child delivered by the woman who crushes their head.” ~ Russell Moore, Adopted for Life
This son is the Messiah who is to ‘rule all the nations with a rod of iron’ (Ps. 2:7-9). Despite this violent opposition, he is safely born and “caught up to God and to his throne,” a summary of Christ’s incarnation through his ascension.
This is not the nativity story we grew up with, but it is the nativity story all the same. Jesus’ birth excites more than wonder, it excites evil. Ferocious wickedness is goaded to violence by this life… The nativity cannot be sentimentalized into coziness, nor domesticated into drabness, nor commercialized into worldliness… The splendors of creation and the agonies of redemption combine in this event, this center where God in Christ invades existence with redeeming life and decisively defeats evil. It is John’s genius to take Jesus in a manger attended by shepherds and wisemen and put him in the cosmos attacked by a dragon. The consequence to our faith is that we are fortified against intimidation. Our response to the Nativity cannot be reduced to shutting the door against a wintry world, drinking hot chocolate, and singing carols. Rather, we are ready to walk out the door with, as one psalm puts it, high praises of God in our throats and two-edged swords in our hands (Ps. 149:6).
~ Eugene Peterson, Reversed Thunder
II. The Dragon: Defeated & Defanged (12:7-12)
John then sees another “angle” from heaven of the defeat of the dragon by the Son. As Jesus accomplishes redemption through his crucifixion and resurrection, Satan is thrown down to earth from heaven.
John 12:31: Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.
Colossians 2:14–15: …by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
As a consequence of Satan’s removal from heaven, he is no longer able to make accusation against the people of God (cf. Job 1; Zech. 3). Though he once had a case against a guilty people, there is “now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).
While heaven is to rejoice over the victory of the Lamb and the removal of the dragon, those on the earth face his “great wrath, because he knows his time is short” (12:12). 1 Peter 5:8-9a: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith
III. The Church: Persecuted & Protected (12:13-17)
Cast from heaven and defeated by the Son, the dragon now turns his wrath on earth toward the “woman” - the Church. He “pursues” God’s people by the means of persecution (Acts 7:52, 9:4, 22:4), deception, and seduction (cf. Rev. 13).
Despite the Dragon’s pursuit, the Lord protects the woman, like “eagles’ wings” (Ex. 19:4; Isa. 40:31) to the wilderness. She is nourished in this place for “times, time, and half a time,” which equals 42 months (Rev. 11:2, 13:5), 1,260 days (Rev. 11:3, 12:6), and 3.5 years: “in between” of the number of perfection. This is a period describing the “time in-between” Christ’s first coming and second coming.
Conclusion: How do we conquer the dragon? (12:11) By…
The blood of the Lamb
The word of our testimony
Enduring suffering unto death (Mk. 8:35)
The message of Revelation to them and to you and me is this: Yes, doing battle against the devil may mean that you lose a lot in this life. You might lose your reputation, your friends, your job. You might even lose your life. But to live and die in the Lord will turn out for your blessing. To live your days on this earth all out for Christ, no matter what assault the devil sends your way, is true victory, not defeat. You won’t regret it. Your life won’t be over. You will awake to find yourself among the many who have laid down their lives for the gospel before you. Jesus himself will comfort and reward you.
~ Nancy Guthrie, Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation