Revelation (Written)

Thursday, 8 April 2021

he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. Revelation 14:10

In the previous verse, the third angel began to issue forth the warning concerning worshiping the beast and his image, and of receiving the beast’s identifying mark. The verse now provides details if the warning is not heeded, saying, “he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God.”

The words are reminiscent of those of Isaiah 51 –

“Awake, awake!
Stand up, O Jerusalem,
You who have drunk at the hand of the Lord
The cup of His fury;
You have drunk the dregs of the cup of trembling,
And drained it out.” Isaiah 51:17

The idea is that God is angry at the disobedience of man. The cup symbolizes that state, and the contents are the resulting actions of that wrath. It is a metaphor used by Jeremiah concerning the judgment of the nations –

“Therefore you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Drink, be drunk, and vomit! Fall and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.”’ ²⁸ And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup from your hand to drink, then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “You shall certainly drink! ²⁹ For behold, I begin to bring calamity on the city which is called by My name, and should you be utterly unpunished? You shall not be unpunished, for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth,” says the Lord of hosts.’” Jeremiah 25:27-29

It is this idea that is being conveyed now in Revelation. To take the mark of the beast is to openly stand in opposition to the Lord and to the gospel of salvation. There can only be one result because of doing so. That person will drink the cup of God’s wrath. This is something that would have been understood by those at John’s time.

In the Greek culture, a condemned person would be handed a mixture of poison and would have to drink it. It was the manner in which Socrates was executed. For those being referred to by the angel, John next says of this cup, “which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.”

This is not unlike the words of Isaiah –

“For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup,
And the wine is red;
It is fully mixed, and He pours it out;
Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth
Drain and drink down.” Psalm 75:8

The Greek words, translated as “full strength,” are literally “mingled unmingled.” In other words, no water would be added to dilute the mixture when it was poured out. It would be full strength, signifying unmitigated punishment. There would be a full measure of the indignation of God (no possibility of leniency) until that person had received his full punishment. With that in mind, the angel’s terrifying words of warning continue, saying, “He shall be tormented.”

The word “torment” refers to torture. This person has made a stand against God, and God will punish him in a manner fitting of his crime, which is “with fire and brimstone.” Brimstone means sulfur. The Greek word is theion, coming from theios, meaning “divine.” Thus, it looks to the fire of heaven coming down in divine judgment with an unstoppable power. Just as sulfur burns without ceasing, so will the fire and brimstone of God be unquenchable.

The thought goes all the way back to Genesis and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah –

“Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. ²⁵ So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.” Genesis 19:24, 25

For those who take the mark, the punishment will be without mercy, and God will bring total destruction upon them. Of this punishment, the angel says it will be “in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”

The magnitude and force of these words cannot be diminished. People might say, “Oh, Jesus would never allow this.” But He is the same Lord who brought the destruction upon Sodom and Gomorrah, consigning it to its fate. The angels of destruction were not restrained. Instead, they were given their orders, and the fire and brimstone came.

The same thought permeates Scripture. Those who see Jesus as a cosmic pushover who will never punish sin have failed to understand what the cross signifies: “God’s wrath for your sin will be poured out on Me, or it will be poured out on you. The choice is yours.”

Life application: This verse sees the fulfillment of what is deserved for all people of the earth. God is the Creator – perfect and holy, and also infinite. We are finite and, therefore, one sin infinitely separates us from God. It is worthy of eternal punishment.

Although the subject of the cup of God’s wrath is reflected throughout the Bible, the example on which all commentaries must hinge is the cup which Jesus accepted –

“And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ ⁴³ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. ⁴⁴ And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:41-44

In the greatest act of love and tenderness toward His creatures, God united with human flesh and dwelt among us – fully God and fully Man. He never sinned and yet He offered His life in exchange for ours. He offered His perfection for our imperfection; His righteousness for our unrighteousness; His sinless state for our sins.

After this eternal act of love, all He has asked for is that we simply, by faith, accept His work and trust in it for our cleansing and restoration. The full cup of God’s wrath was poured out upon Him. It was drained by Jesus on our behalf. But for those who don’t accept Jesus, the only option left is to drink the same cup that He drank. The difference is great though. Because Jesus is sinless, after His suffering He was resurrected to eternal life.

For those who reject this, they must face God’s wrath full strength – an infinite punishment against an infinite God. The wrath has no end because God is endless. What a tragic and horrible thought – that we would stand bare and exposed without the covering of the righteousness of Christ… such is the wrath awaiting all who reject His offer.

Surely, we need to look to God’s offering now. And we must be sure to tell others about this Gift of love as well. The offer stands as the greatest testament to the love of God – an exchange that brings about eternal joy and peace with the Creator. The offering is JESUS.

Heavenly Father, I stand in awe of the love You have displayed in the Gift of the giving of Your Son and the splendor of His cross. I have nothing to offer that is worthy of this great deed, and so I come before You with empty hands and an open heart, receiving the grace and mercy of His work on my behalf. Thank You, O God, for the cross of Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, 7 April 2021

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, Revelation 14:9

This is now the third angel flying in the midst of the heavens, following the first two. The first called out, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” The second angel brought words of destruction concerning the great city of harlotry and enmity with God – “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

Now this third angel will give a strong warning. John begins with, “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice.” This is the same thing that was said of the first angel. It called out in a loud voice that God is to be worshiped. This one now calls out in a loud voice, a notion that complements the cry of the first angel, saying, “If anyone worships the beast and his image.”

God is to be worshiped. In worshiping any other, there will be consequences. The warning has been called out in a loud voice. Allegiance to the beasts and its image is considered idolatry. The thought continues with, “and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand.”

The word translated as “receives” is lambanó. It signifies to take, or lay hold of. HELPS Word Studies notes that it “emphasizes the volition (assertiveness) of the receiver.” Thus, it is a voluntary allegiance to the authority and rule of the beast. The mark can be either on the right hand or on the forehead. This is repeated from verse 13:16. Whether the mark is actually visible or not, it signifies either an oath of allegiance (right hand) or a mental assertion (forehead) of the authority of the beast.

The warning has been given. The consequences for ignoring the warning are forthcoming.

Life application: We can see the progression of thought concerning the pronouncement of the three angels –

1) A note to follow the true God.
2) A proclamation that the enemies of the true God are defeated. And finally,
3) A warning to anyone who would follow the enemies of the true God.

What do you think the warning will include? Certainly not rewards of candy and pleasantries! Instead, there will be the just reward of the Creator who has given every possible chance for the people of the world to acknowledge Him and His greatness and to, by faith, call out to Him, trusting in His eternal promises which were validated in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Worshiping the beast and his image means worshiping that which is less than God. Receiving the mark on the forehead means making a mental assertion that following the beast is worth the price of the bread one eats. Receiving the mark on one’s hand is the sworn allegiance to the beast and his image, and it means that allegiance to God has been rejected.

What will be gained by temporary relief will be regretted in everlasting destruction. What can man do to us but harm our temporary, physical life? But what great blessings God can bestow upon us when we place our eternal souls in His mighty hands. Be sure to make the right choice. Call out to God today. Call out to JESUS!

Here we are Lord, all people of the earth are facing eternal decisions. Shall we walk with You, hold to Your word, and call on the name of Jesus? Or shall we walk according to the dictates of our own minds, reject the truth You have given us, and turn away from the only sacrifice which can reconcile us to You? May we be wise and choose life. May we choose Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, 6 April 2021

And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Revelation 14:8

The previous two verses mentioned the angel flying in the midst of heaven imploring the people of the world to fear God and give glory to Him. Now, a second angel follows after the first. Indeed, some manuscripts include the word “second,” saying, “Another angel, a second, followed, saying…” (ESV). Either way, a second is understood. This second angel has its own proclamation, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.”

Being an aorist verb, a more literal translation would be “Fell, fell Babylon.” As Vincent’s Word Studies notes, “The prophetic aorist expressing the certainty of the fall.” The words hearken back to Isaiah 21 –

“For thus has the Lord said to me:
‘Go, set a watchman,
Let him declare what he sees.’
⁷ And he saw a chariot with a pair of horsemen,
A chariot of donkeys, and a chariot of camels,
And he listened earnestly with great care.
⁸ Then he cried, ‘A lion, my Lord!
I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime;
I have sat at my post every night.
⁹ And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen!’
Then he answered and said,
‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen!
And all the carved images of her gods
He has broken to the ground.’” Isaiah 21:6-9

This is the first mention of Babylon in Revelation, but from this point on, it will be referred to by name a total of six times, the last being in verse 18:21. The debate over what “Babylon” means in Revelation goes on and on. Some say it is a literal reference to Babylon that will be rebuilt and the headquarters of the end times beast. Some say it is America. Some see it as Jerusalem. As will be seen, it is referring to Rome.

For now, John continues with the vision saying, “that great city.” The term “city” will be used again. This is a positive description signifying that the seat and authority of the beast is centered in a particular city, here called metaphorically “Babylon.”

It will be a city that bears the characteristics of Babylon of the past. It will be the seat of authority of a larger empire. It will have innumerable influences from pagan origins connected with it. Etc. Each of these, and many other parallels, point it out as being Rome.

Rome fits the description provided by Daniel (Daniel 7 and Daniel 9). It is also an authority that, like Babylon of the past, destroyed Jerusalem and took its people into exile. Further, like Babylon, Rome will not only be the seat of the governmental authority of this end-times beast, but it is the center of authority of false religion. This is, without any question, found in the ever-apostatizing Roman Catholic Church. The importance of that is seen in the next words, “because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

This sentiment will be repeated in verse 17:2 where “Mystery Babylon” is referred to. There, she is a city called “The Mother of Harlots.” As this is so, the idea of her fornication is religious in nature. There is the sense of false religion mingling with the leadership of nations, involving itself in affairs that have nothing to do with appropriate religion. The wine of her fornication leads to the idea of being drunk on her offerings. That leads directly to the incurring of wrath for her fornication. The idea of this comes from Jeremiah 51 –

“Flee from the midst of Babylon,
And every one save his life!
Do not be cut off in her iniquity,
For this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance;
He shall recompense her.
⁷ Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord’s hand,
That made all the earth drunk.
The nations drank her wine;
Therefore the nations are deranged.
⁸ Babylon has suddenly fallen and been destroyed.
Wail for her!
Take balm for her pain;
Perhaps she may be healed.
⁹ We would have healed Babylon,
But she is not healed.
Forsake her, and let us go everyone to his own country;
For her judgment reaches to heaven and is lifted up to the skies.
¹⁰ The Lord has revealed our righteousness.
Come and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God.” Jeremiah 51:6-10

Life application: Throughout the Bible, there are two noted cities – Jerusalem and Babylon. The first represents peace, covenant with God, right religion, godly kingship, true prophecy, holy living, and a declaration of the splendor and majesty of God.

On the other hand, there is Babylon. This city represents chaos, enmity with God, false religion, humanistic-centered leadership, false prophets and false prophecy, unholy and impure living, and a rejection of the truth of the Creator.

When Cain killed Abel, it was to the area of the east that he went and established a society. After the Flood of Noah, Nimrod and the people settled again in this area and established the Tower of Babel. When the Israelites were disobedient, they were exiled to this same area.

Babylon of the New Testament is centered on Rome. Peter, writing from Rome, addresses that city as “Babylon” (1 Peter 5:13). The Roman Empire was never destroyed. It simply faded away, but the elements of its religious side have continued on. Today, the governmental side is being revived for the end times. The world will be facing “spiritual Babylon.” This is a global religious/economic power which will be centered in Rome and which will face the great and final destruction before the coming of Christ to rule from Jerusalem.

The wine of her fornication speaks of the spiritual harlotry which will come about by false worship. Too much wine makes one drunk. The nations will be completely drunk with the spiritual apostasy which proceeds from Babylon, and they will be judged for it.

In drinking the wine of this harlot, people will become deluded with her delights and numbed to the truth of God. This is how the world will be seduced away from salvation. What will be presented will seem spiritually right, but it will be of the devil. Rather than being seduced by this false religion, be sure to read the Bible, learn of what is true and good religion before God, and look to the One who epitomizes what He expects from His creatures. Look to JESUS.

Lord, a great day is coming when the world will be ruled in righteousness, and all false religion will be gone. That great day will see Jesus, our Christ and King, reigning from Jerusalem and judging in righteousness. How we long for that glorious moment. Even so, come Lord Jesus! Amen.

Monday, 5 April 2021

saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” Revelation 14:7

In the previous commentary, it was seen that there was no article before “everlasting gospel.” Thus, it more rightly reads something like “an eternal gospel,” or “an eternal message of good news.” The words of this verse will reveal what that gospel is. The angel flying in the heavens proclaims it to those who dwell on the earth. John now says of this angel’s proclamation, “saying with a loud voice.”

It is an indication that all are to hear. What will be conveyed is clearly conveyed to (as the previous verse said) “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” In other words, the message is in a universally understood language. And that message begins with, “Fear God and give glory to Him.”

The rapture has occurred, the world will be judged for rejecting God’s offer in Christ. Those who are on the earth have failed to give God the glory He is due. Those who claim they do are only paying lip service to Him. The call by the angel is being set in complete contrast to the beast out of the earth who told those who dwell on the earth “to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.”

This is then verified by the next words, “for the hour of His judgment has come.” The world has set itself in opposition to God. There is the giving of allegiance to the beast by taking the mark. In doing so, it is a stamp of identification that they have rejected any allegiance to the true God. And yet, the call of the angel of an eternal gospel has gone out in a universally understood way. It is a warning that this should not happen and only God is to be worshiped. As the angel next says, “and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

The translation leaves off articles in the Greek, and also includes articles not in the Greek. It properly reads, “and worship Him who made the heaven and the earth, and sea and springs of waters.”

This is the eternal gospel. It is based on God’s natural revelation of Himself through the creation. God has made both the heaven and the earth. They did not create themselves and there was no evolutionary development of them. They were not, and then they were. The sea and springs of waters are also a part of His design. This is a universally understood message that is being called out.

While the beast is being hailed as “god,” the physical creation, God’s general revelation, is shouting out to the people of the world that the beast is no god at all. It is the message found in the 19^th Psalm –

“The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
² Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
⁴ Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4

It is the message then confirmed by Paul in Romans –

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:18-20

The general revelation of God clearly shows that He exists, and that by His wisdom He has created. From there, Paul explains that His power and Godhead are understood by these things. Therefore, those who reject this and take the mark of the beast are “without excuse.” They have rejected the truth of God in Christ and judgment will fall upon them. This is that “eternal gospel” that is spoken forth in a manner that is universally understood.

Life application: The word of the Lord has been preached since the very beginning, and the knowledge of God is evident even from the creation itself. God asks us to simply think things through – He created; we are the created. As a part of the creation, we are to give Him the reverent fear He is due. In connection with this fear is the command to give Him glory.

This certainly means that we are to return to Him thanks, praise, honor, and a sense of awe for the marvels of what He has done. When an astronomer looks through a telescope and sees innumerable galaxies, God asks him to simply exclaim, “My God, how great You are.” Instead, what we hear in the world are exclamations of how amazing it is that all of this came about by “random chance” and “evolutionary processes.”

Because we fail to honor Him, His judgment will come. There is a point where God no longer tolerates His creatures rejecting Him. He asks us to simply look to Him and praise Him. In essence, the angel is asking the people of the tribulation world to repent. It is as if he is crying out, “Pull your heads out of the sands of humanism, false religion, secularism, and doubt! Acknowledge God and that He is worthy of all honor and glory.”

God has done all these things for the people of the world, but even more – He sent His Christ to reveal Himself to us. He is the Creator, He is the Sustainer, He is our Redeemer. He is JESUS!

Lord, how can we be held guiltless when we look at the work of Your hands and then ascribe the wisdom we see to mere chance? How can we smell a flower or look upon a distant galaxy and not see intelligence in these things? Surely, we are stiff-necked and worthy of Your wrath, but You are patient and call out to us even so. Give us wisdom to respond. Amen.

Sunday, 4 April 2021

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— Revelation 14:6

After referring to the one hundred and forty-four thousand, John’s attention is redirected. With this redirection, he next writes, “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven.”

The Greek word mesouranéma was introduced in verse 8:13. It signifies the meridian, or the highest point in the heavens (the zenith), that the sun occupies in the middle of the day. It is not speaking of the space between heaven and earth.

Like much of the symbolism of Revelation, it shouldn’t be taken that the people of the world will look up and see this angel. Instead, John is describing what is occurring in the spiritual realm. For all we know, this angel represents a satellite beaming out a message, or it is simply a spiritual reality (such as people proclaiming a message) being depicted by this angel. Whatever is being conveyed, John next says that the flying angel has “the everlasting gospel.”

In the Greek, there is no definite article in the words. Rather than “the eternal gospel,” it should read something like “an eternal gospel,” or “an eternal message of good news.” Thus, it is not specifically referring to the gospel of Christ – His death, burial, and resurrection – but of a message of good news that has been all along and that will continue to be. What that message is will be explained in the coming verse. John says that the angel has the message “to preach.”

The word “preach” is the verb form of the noun just translated as “gospel.” Both the noun and the verb were introduced in the book of Matthew, and this is the final use of both in Scripture. Because there is no article before “gospel,” this should be translated as “proclaim” or “declare” rather than “preach.” The application is wider than just preaching to a crowd. It is a proclamation that is issuing forth. With this understood, John says the message is “to those who dwell on the earth.”

This proclamation is one that is eternal in its nature, and it is all-encompassing in its scope. In other words, it is a message that is proclaimed to all people at all times without limitations. As it is a proclamation to all who dwell on the earth, it means that judgment is coming because of not paying heed to it. The proclamation is without bias. Rather, it is “to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.”

As this is so, it is in a universally understood language. This proclamation of an eternal message of good news is basic enough for a child to comprehend – even if not fully understood. It is also involved enough for the most intelligent scientist to not only grasp, but to be assured of the truth of it.

Life application: This eternal message of good news is going forth, even at this time of judgment known as the tribulation. Its purpose has been, and it will continue to be, a message calling people to repentance and turning to God. This is done because there have been, and there still will be, false gospels. Paul warned of them in the first chapter of Galatians –

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, ⁷ which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be ^[b]accursed. ⁹ As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9

Paul is referring to the gospel of Jesus Christ. But one cannot accept that gospel without first accepting the general tenor of the angel’s proclamation. God has never left the world without a testimony, but He has also allowed people to make up their own minds about who He is and the truth of His nature, character, and being. People are given free will and must exercise that free will by calling out to Him.

To state otherwise is to negate the very concept of love. If God doesn’t allow us to choose, then the choice is forced. If it is forced, then it cannot be accompanied by true love, which is a volitional act of the will. Forced love is no love at all.

The message from the Creator is always proclaimed to allow us to accept Him freely and to love Him because He first loved us. This is a truth from the beginning, and it was clearly and finally revealed in the giving of His Son. God has revealed the extent of His love for us in the giving of JESUS.

Lord, help us to get our thinking straight. You offer your gospel, and then we must respond to that offer. Once the offer is accepted, we are saved and granted eternal life. Help us to see that only by calling on You, and what You have done through Jesus, can we be saved. It is not by our own deeds, but by what You have done in the cross of Jesus – our Lord. Amen.