The Eternal Good News

After the dark scenes of chapter 13, John sees the Lamb standing on Mount Zion. With him are the 144,000, who have the Lamb’s name and his Father’s name on their foreheads instead of the beast’s mark. They sing a new song before the throne. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes, and no lie is found in their mouth.

Then three angels fly through the sky with messages. The first has an eternal Good News for every nation, tribe, language, and people: Fear the Lord, and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters. The second announces, Babylon the great has fallen. The third warns that those who worship the beast will drink of the wrath of God.

John adds, Here is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. A voice from heaven says, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. The Spirit says that they may rest from their labors, for their works follow with them. The chapter ends with two harvest pictures. One like a son of man reaps the earth with a sickle, and an angel gathers the grapes of the earth. Both show that a day of final judgment is coming.