Revelation 14

SUMMARY.--The Lamb and His Saints on Mt. Zion. The New Song. The Angel of the Everlasting Gospel. Blessed Are Those that Die in the Lord. The Son of Man in the Clouds. The Harvest of the Earth. The Elect Gathered. The Clusters of the Vine of the Earth Cut Off. Trodden Down in the Wine-Press.

      The gloomy picture of the terrible foes of the Church, given in chapter 13 , is calculated to fill the saints with fearful foreboding. A persecuted, suffering Church, beholding these mighty enemies, their terrible work, these fearful struggles of the future, these triumphs of the wicked, might almost be led to despair of the final victory of the Redeemer's cause. Hence, for the encouragement of the saints, their eyes are turned, in the fourteenth chapter, upon a brighter vision. The dark clouds are lifted off the future, and they are enabled to look beyond and to see the glorious fruition of all the tears and sorrow, the struggles and trials of the Church. The vision of this chapter cheers the saints and encourages them to press on in the hour of darkness, by leading them forward to the final triumph of righteousness at the end of time.

      1-5. And I looked, and, behold. This is the usual formula in Revelation which introduces a new vision. The Lamb stood on the mount Zion. In chapter 13 , a false lamb has been seen, one that had a voice like a dragon. Here, in contrast, is seen the Lamb of God, the same as in Revelation 5:6 Revelation 5:7 , taking the book with seven seals. On the Mount Zion. Here and in Heb. 12:22 Heb. 12:22 are the only places in the New Testament where this expression occurs. It is equivalent to the "Jerusalem above" of Gal. 4:26 and Heb. 12:22 Gal. 4:26 and Heb. 12:22 .Mount Zion, the city of the great King, the seat of the worship of God in Jerusalem, was a type, and is used as a symbol of the true Church. In Hebrews 12:22 , the saints who have entered into the covenant of Christ are said to have come, not to the mount that could not be touched, but to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. It is there used for the church of the saints, and such is its meaning in this passage. With him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his name, etc. In chapter 7:4 , the same number are spoken of as sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel. It means there, a great, indefinite number. Here, I take that the meaning is the same. It is a great multitude, a round number, who are associated with the Lamb. 2. And I heard a voice from heaven. Whose voice is not stated, but it was a mighty voice, the voice of harpers harping with their harps. Always when great triumph are achieved or about to be achieved, heaven rings with the praises of singers. Compare Revelation 5:8 Revelation 5:9 Revelation 7:10-12 Revelation 11:17 . 3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne. A song that has some new features. It was sung in the presence of the Father and the attending princes of heaven. No man could learn that song but the hundred and forty four thousand. None could understand the song but them, those who had been redeemed. 4. These are they which were not defiled with women. This thought is always a symbol of purity of life; of refusing sinful intercourse with the world. Spiritual adultery or fornication is being wedded to the world and partaking of its sins. They are virgins. This term is a symbol, and means that their lives are not defiled by the world. See 2 Cor. 11:2 . First fruits. First fruits were always dedicated to God. See Num. 18:12 . These holy ones are set apart and dedicated to God and the Lamb. 5. And in their mouth, etc. This verse states that their lives were holy and pleasing to God and the Lamb.