ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Revelation 14

Rev. 14:1–15:8 The vision sequence leading to the seven last plagues (which will be described as “bowls” of God’s wrath, 16:1–21) opens and closes with scenes of a heavenly choir singing praise to God (14:1–5; 15:2–4). Between these anthems, John sees three angels who announce impending judgment (14:6–13) and three who order and execute harvests (14:15–20). At the center, between the three announcing angels and the three harvesting angels, John sees a seventh figure, “one like a son of man,” gathering his grain from the earth (14:14). Despite the beast’s cruel persecution (ch. 13), these visions (like those in chs. 7 and 10–11) provide reassurance that God and the Lamb rule, and that martyrs are already celebrating victory.

Rev. 14:1 Mount Zion. Fulfilling Ps. 2:6, the Lamb stands on God’s holy hill in heaven. name. A token of possession and protection by God, promised to every conqueror in the spiritual war (Rev. 3:12). 144,000. See notes on 7:1–17; 7:4–8; 7:9.

Rev. 14:3 The new song celebrates God’s triumph over sin through the Lamb (5:9; 15:3). God’s prior victories were also celebrated in new songs (Ps. 98:1). The song belongs only to those who have experienced the Lamb’s redemption (Ps. 107:1–3). This is another indication that 144,000 represents those who have been redeemed rather than an actual number (see notes on Rev. 7:1–17; 7:4–8; 7:9).

Rev. 14:4–5 have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. Soldiers often avoided having sex during the wars God commanded (see Deut. 23:9–11; 1 Sam. 21:5). The 144,000 (Rev. 14:3) represent believers of both sexes who die in faith and are gathered as firstfruits for God, foreshadowing a greater harvest.

Rev. 14:8 Another angel announces that Babylon is fallen (echoing Isa. 21:9). Babylon was the greatest power of its day. Babylon conquered Judah. In John’s day, Rome was the nation with “dominion over the kings of the earth” (Rev. 17:18) that oppressed Christ’s people (17:6). Yet Revelation’s “Babylon” transcends Rome, since its fall comes at the end of history (15:1; 16:17–19). the passion of her sexual immorality. Babylon the prostitute represents the temptations of material wealth and pleasure. These things tempt the people into serving something other than the Lord.

Rev. 14:9–11 the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. Hell is eternal. The wicked do not cease to exist when they die.

Rev. 14:14–20 Two reapers appear in heaven, sharp sickles in hand. Angels emerge from the temple with God’s order to “Put in your sickle, and reap.” First “one like a son of man” gathers the grain of the earth. Then an angel gathers grapes from the earth’s vine. These will be crushed in the “winepress of the wrath of God.”

Rev. 14:14 One like a son of man, seated on the cloud and wearing a golden crown (compare Dan. 7:13–14; Rev. 1:7, 13) is Jesus, the Lord of the harvest. He sowed the gospel (Matt. 13:37) and will return to harvest it.

Rev. 14:15–16 The harvest of the earth probably is the Son of Man gathering believers (compare Matt. 13:30).

Rev. 14:17–20 The second harvest involves cutting grape clusters from the vine and crushing them in God’s winepress. This pictures the destruction of the wicked (compare Joel 3:12–13). trodden. The Lord will trample nations that have trampled God’s holy city, just as Isaiah promised (Isa. 63:1–6). Their blood is shed outside the city (probably Jerusalem), where all unclean things belong (see Rev. 21:27).