Dig Deeper:
THE LAMB CRUSHES THE BEASTS: Today's chapter marks both the end of the fourth perspective on Christ's victory in v13 (v1-13 are a another picture of the victorious Lamb sitting on the throne of God), and the beginning of the fifth perspective in v14 (once again the storyline backs up and John sees the risen Christ).
WELCOME TO HEAVEN, HERE'S YOUR HARP: One of the stereotypical views of what heaven is like involves the idea of the saved floating on a little fluffy cloud and strumming their own little harp for all of eternity. Sounds boring, right? Verse 2 contains one of the only mentions of harps and heaven together in the Bible, and if you look closely, John just says that the sound was like harps. We need to be careful to make sure our view of what heaven is like is built off of what the Bible says, not what our culture would have us think.
MORE MYSTERIOUS NUMBERS: Just like yesterday, there's another hotly debated number introduced in chapter 14: the 144,000. Does this mean only 144,000 are saved? Are they the super-saints while the rest of us are something less? No, not at all. This group are the firstfruits of all who have been sealed by God.
ANGELS THEY WILL HEAR ON HIGH: While this perspective shows Christ in victory, it is not yet the ultimate victory. Three angels are sent out to warn those still living of the impending judgment of man. John echoes his advice for you again in v12: have patient endurance; keep God's commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
FUNERAL POTATOES: John records a voice from heaven which should provide a massive amount of comfort for those who lose loved ones. In fact, it's a verse often read at the funerals of God's faithful:
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” - Rev 14:13
It certainly hurts when those close to us die, but in the middle of all sorts of visions of beasts and monsters, Revelation 14:13 reminds you that those who die trusting in the Lord are blessed.
THE FINAL HARVEST: Just like in a televised sports broadcast where each play is looked at several times from multiple camera angles, John begins looking at Christ's victory from a new angle in v14. This perspective begins with the Son of Man, prophesied in Daniel 7 and Jesus' favorite name for Himself, harvesting the earth.
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our great God will make the unrepentant 'drink the wine of His fury after it has been poured full strength into the cup of His wrath' (v10)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Once again, ask God to help you to patiently endure, keep God's commands, and remain faithful to Jesus (v12)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
