14:1ff Chapter 13 described the onslaught of evil that will occur when Satan and his helpers control the world. Chapter 14 gives a glimpse into eternity to show believers what awaits them if they endure. The Lamb is the Messiah. Mount Zion, often another name for Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, is contrasted with the worldly empire. The 144,000 represent believers who have endured persecutions on earth and now are ready to enjoy the eternal benefits and blessings of life with God forever. The three angels contrast the destiny of believers with that of unbelievers.
14:4 These people are true believers whose robes have been washed and made white in Christ’s blood (7:14) through his death (“redeemed from among men”). In the Old Testament, idolatry was often portrayed as spiritual adultery (see the book of Hosea). Their being “virgins” is best understood symbolically, meaning that they are free from involvement with the pagan world system. To remain spiritually pure means resisting the seductions and idolatries of the present world—power, wealth, and sexual immorality. To do so requires daily application of God’s Word, for it has a purifying effect on the mind and heart. It requires great resolution not to give in to these temptations.
Following Christ, the Lamb, “whithersoever he goeth” requires heroic effort to carry out Christ’s commission to face oppression and even death if required. Too many shrink back when the work is difficult or the future looks bleak. Join those who take their stand with Christ and against sin.
“Firstfruits” refers to the act of dedicating the first part of the harvest as holy to God (Exodus 23:19; see also James 1:18).
14:6, 7 Some believe that this is a final, worldwide appeal to all people to recognize the one true God. No one will have the excuse of never hearing God’s truth. Others, however, see this as an announcement of judgment rather than as an appeal. The people of the world have had their chance to proclaim their allegiance to God, and now God’s great judgment is about to begin. If you are reading this, you have already heard God’s truth. You know that God’s final judgment will not be put off forever. Have you joyfully received the everlasting gospel? Have you confessed your sins and trusted in Christ to save you? If so, you have nothing to fear from God’s judgment. The Judge of all the earth is your Savior!
14:8 Babylon was the name of both an evil city and an immoral empire, a world center for idol worship. Babylon ransacked Jerusalem and carried the people of Judah into captivity (see 2 Kings 25 and 2 Chronicles 36). Just as Babylon was the Jews’ worst enemy, the Roman Empire was the worst enemy of the early Christians. John, who probably did not dare speak against Rome openly, applied the name Babylon to this enemy of God’s people (Rome)—and, by extension, to all God’s enemies of all times.
14:9-11 Those who worship the beast, accept his mark, and operate according to his world economic system will ultimately face God’s judgment. Our world values money, power, and pleasure over God’s leadership. To get what the world values, many people deny God and violate Christian principles. Thus, they must drink of the wine of God’s wrath (see Psalm 75; Isaiah 51:17).
14:11 The ultimate result of sin is unending separation from God. Because human beings are created in God’s image with an inborn thirst for fellowship with him, separation from God will be the ultimate torment and misery. Sin always brings misery, but in this life we can choose to repent and restore our relationship with God. In eternity there will no longer be opportunity for repentance. If in this life we choose to be independent of God, in the next life we will be separated from him forever. Nobody is forced to choose eternal separation from God, and nobody suffers this fate by accident. Jesus invites all of us to open the door of our heart to him (3:20). If we do this, we will enjoy everlasting fellowship with him.
14:12 This news about God’s ultimate triumph should encourage God’s people to remain faithful through every trial and persecution. They can do this, God promises, by trusting in Jesus and obeying the commands found in his Word. The secret to enduring, therefore, is trust and obedience. Trust God to give you patience to endure even the small trials you face daily; obey him even when obedience is unattractive or dangerous.
14:13 While it is true that money, fame, and belongings can’t be taken with us from this life, God’s people can produce fruit that survives even death. God will remember our love, kindness, and faithfulness, and those who accept Christ through our witness will join us in the new earth. Be sure that your values are in line with God’s values, and decide today to produce fruit that lasts forever.
14:14-16 This is an image of judgment: Christ is separating the faithful from the unfaithful like a farmer harvesting his crops. This is a time of joy for the Christians who have been persecuted and martyred—they will receive their long-awaited reward. Christians should not fear the Last Judgment. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).
14:19 A winepress was a large vat or trough where grapes were collected and then crushed. The juice flowed out of a duct that led into a large holding vat. The winepress is often used in the Bible as a symbol of God’s wrath and judgment against sin (Isaiah 63:3-6; Lamentations 1:15; Joel 3:12, 13). The distance of 1,600 furlongs equals about 180 miles, which is approximately the north-south length of Palestine.
To those unaccustomed to vivid descriptions of God’s anger in judgment, these are disturbing images. People dislike the idea of other people, even evil ones, being trampled like grapes. The depth and length of the blood flow provides a sickening scene of the immensity of God’s judgment. But unless we face the necessity of God’s judgment, we will never see our desperate need for his mercy. A god with only a grandfatherly kindness would not inspire our repentance, obedience, or worship. God has promised a harsh harvest for those who reject him. Those who know God well enough to fear his wrath know God well enough to desire his grace. The crushing wrath of God is coming. Blessed are those who have had their sins forgiven, and blessed are those who lead others to God’s mercy.