The Harvest of the Earth

Chapter 14 answers the beast of chapter 13 with the Lamb. John looks, and behold, the Lamb is standing on Mount Zion, and with him are 144,000 with his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. Where the beast’s followers wore its mark, the Lamb’s people wear God’s name. They sing a new song before the throne that no one else can learn. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were redeemed from among people as firstfruits to God, and in their mouth was found no lie.

Three angels then speak to the whole world. The first flies in mid heaven with an eternal Good News for every nation, tribe, language, and people. He says with a loud voice, 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. Even at this late point, the call to worship the Creator goes out to all. The second angel announces, Babylon the great has fallen, using the name of an ancient enemy city as a symbol of a proud world opposed to God. The third angel warns that anyone who worships the beast and receives its mark will drink the wine of God’s wrath.

John then encourages believers: Here is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. A voice from heaven says, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them. The chapter closes with two harvests. One like a son of man, seated on a white cloud with a golden crown, swings his sharp sickle, and the earth is reaped. Many readers see this as the gathering of God’s people. Then an angel gathers the grapes of the earth into the great winepress of God’s wrath, a picture of final judgment on evil.