Revelation 14

The apostle seeth a vision the man standing on the mount Zion with his 144000marked ones 2 a new song is sung in heaven which none could learn but they these are the virgins and follow the lambs which are whithersoever he goeth 6 whereupon an angel flyeth through the midst of heaven and preacheth the everlasting gospel 8 whom another angel followeth who foretelleth the fall of the great Babylon 9 and a third who threateneth eternal punishment to them that worship the beast or bear his mark 12 the saints are exhorteth unto patience and they that die in the Lord are assured of salvation 14 after that they appeareth one upon a white cloud with a crown upon his head and with a sickle on his hand which is charged to put the sickle into the harvest that is ripe at lasts there cometh an angel out of the temple of heaven with another sickle who is charged to cut of the grapes of the earth 19 which he casteth into the wine press fat of gods wrath which is trodden and floweth even unto the bridles of the horses a thousand six hundred furlongs.

1. And I looked and lo the lamb [why Christ is called the lamb was shewed in chapter 5.6] stood upon mount Zion [Christ is here sought in as it were here standing upon mount Zion whereby the church is represented as Isaiah 2.23 1Peter 2.6 and elsewhere and because in the midst of the antichrist persecutions he hath always a watchful eye over his church and always gathereth and persecuteth the same for which cause he is also said Acts 6.56 to stand at the right hand of God and above chapter 2.1 to walk among the candlestick as being always ready and prepared to assist them and to furnish them with all things necessary] and with them an hundred and forty four thousand [these are those that there marked of all the tribes of all the Israel of chapter 7.37c during the time of the antichrist reign and of the flight of the woman into the wilderness and which is general apostasy always cleave close unto Christ their head and are here opposed to the great multitude of those that received the mark of the beasts whereof was spoken before and shall be spoken hereafter] having his fathers name written on their foreheads [of which writing of these name on their foreheads see below on chapter 7 verse 3 and 9.4.]

2. And I heard a voice from heaven [some understand by this voice the voice of the marked ones themselves which the apostle heard at first afar off and afterwards nigh at hand approaching and coming nearer by degree but sith it is said in the third verse that none was able to learn this song besides these marked ones therefore this is fitly understood of the voice of an innumerable multitude of those that those that stood already before in heaven about the throne of God and praised God day and night spoken of above chapter 7.9 to whom these 144000 also joined themselves after that they in the antichrist wee also brought by Christ their head from the militant church here on earth to the triumphant church in heaven as appeareth hereafter chapter 19.1 &c] as a voice of many water and a voice of a great thunderclap [not in respect of the terribleness thereof as its sometimes taken but in respect of the greatness thereof and the zeal from whence it arose otherwise it was pleasant to hear as it shewed hereafter chapter 19.6] and I heard a voice of harpers playing of their harps [this comparison is taken from the practice that was used in Solomon’s temple where together with the singing they wee also used by priest and Levites instruments of music see also before chapter 5 verse 8.]

3. And they sung as it were a new song [which is likewise so called chapter 5.9 and its called new here by reason of new occasion that was given for this song of praise by the redemption of these marked ones and the new preaching of the everlasting gospel see like phrase Psalms 40:4 Isaiah 42:10] before the throne and before the four beasts and the elders and the man could learn that song but the hundred forty four thousand [namely with an upright mind and full of assurance that they had part in it for though hypocrites do sometimes also phrase God for the redemption of wrought by God yet none can do it cordially but such as by true faith and the assurance of the holy ghost have learnt it see Romans 8:15,16 1Corinthians 12.3] which were brought from the earth [namely by the blood of the lamb as is expressed chapter 5.9 see also 1Peter 1 verse 19.]

4. These are they which are not defiled with women for they are virgins these are they that follow the lamb wither so ever he goeth [this can not be understood by the state of marriage for some would have it for that is honorable among all and the bed undefiled as Paul testifieth Hebrews 13:4 and Christ is followed wither so ever he goeth not only by the blessed saints that here led a single life and wee never married but also by a married person as patriarchs, apostles , martyrs and innumerable others as the scripture speaketh 2 Corinthians 5:6 c 1 Thessalonians 4:17 c but by these virgins are here namely those that by their faith and true profession steadfastly adhered unto Christ when the whore of Babylon made all the kings and nations of the earth drunk with the cup of her fornication that its with her idolatry whereof further will be spoken in the sequel them and in like manner doth apostle Paul speak of all kind of true believers see 2 Corinthians 11:2.] these are brought from among men to be first fruits unto God and the lamb [that is that they might be holy and dedicated unto God and to the lamb as the first fruits were to be consecrated and dedicated unto God see Leviticus 23:10 Numbers 15.20c.]

5. And in their mouth was found no guile [namely in those that bear the mark of the beast which indeed and with their heart they turn away from him to the worship of images and other helpers whom they will honor and worship besides God see the like Zach. 3.13 and Romans 11:25] for they are unblameable before the throne of God [namely because they are by true faith justified before God and serve him sincerely from the heart not to please men but to please God only see the like Luke 1:6 and Ephesians 5:27]

6. And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven and he had everlasting gospel [namely of obtaining salvation by faith and calling upon the one and only God and the only mediator Christ which gospel is called everlasting because it was ordained from eternity and was promised from the beginning of the world Titus 1:2 how be it how others are also of opinion that is here called everlasting because it could not any more be after that time so suppress but that it will always continue publicly known expressed in the world in or other] to pray unto them that dwell on the earth and every nations and kindred and language and people [here in this verse beginneth the second part of this chapter see chapter wherein the restoration of the doctrine of the gospel by certain steps or degrees in certain churches is foretold separated from antichristianism come to its height and the truth of the gospel was most observed how be it God hath also at all time gathered out of it those that believe unto him as he had in Achabs time reserved those seven thousand in Israel Romans 11:7 by the angel are meant the faithful witnesses of Christ and teachers of the gospel who when antichristianism was now at the highest began to warn the world publicly against it and to spread the gospel publicly against it abroad throughout Christdom as about the year 1170 there were in France the Waldeneses and the Ablingenses against whom antichrist set himself with great power so that according to the testimony of some historian above ten hundred thousand of them were slain and banished at sundry times in sundry places but he was not able so to root them out but they were yet in great numbers and scattered throughout all Europe and adhered still to their possession.]

7. Saying with a great voice fear God and give glory to him [that is the first part of the gospel voice whereby the worshippers of the beast are warned and exhorted to honor fear and serve God only in Christ] for the hour of his judgment is come [that is near as the scripture also speaketh of the last day and this is a strong argument to dissuade men from idolatry as this is used by Paul to those of Anthens Acts 17 verse 29,30,31] and worship them that made the heaven and the earth and the sea and the fountain of the waters [which wonderful work of God scripture also elsewhere relateth after the same manner Psalms 104:10 and 114.8.]

8. And there followed another angel [namely with a new zeal and earnestness should set upon the antichrist kingdom and forewarn the world against it after that it had now in a great measure suppressed the progress of the former angels preaching some are of opinion that under this angel arose John Wyclef with his adherents in England and john Hus and Jerome of Prague in Germany and Bohemia who about the year 1380 and 1400by writing and teaching made a great breach upon this new Babylon and though they were at last in great measure suppressed by the council of Constance and by the power of Sigsmund the empire yet many of their disciples and churches always still remained especially in the parts of Bohemia and Moravia Poland Hungaria and elsewhere] saying she is fallen she is fallen Babylon that great city [that is her fall is decreed by God and is already begun in the heart of many and shall from henceforth be more and more advanced till it be at last utterly destroyed shall be further shewed hereafter c. 18 these words are taken out of Isaiah 21:9 and Jeremiah 50:8 where the like threatening is denounced against old Babel of Assyria or Chaldea which had for a long time oppressed the Israelites and which had been a nourisher of all manner of pride and idolatry in the world] because she hath made of all nations to drink all the wine of the wrath of her fornication [that is her idolatry whereby the wrath of God is provoked against them otherwise it may also be rendered the wine of the poison of her fornication as this Greek word in old Greek translation of the old testament is also taken Deuteronomy is also taken Deuteronomy 32:32 Psalms 58:5 a comparison taken from a dishonest woman which by sweet poison wine poisoned wine is wont to bereave men of their sense and to draw them to her unchaste love which signification agreeth very well with the outward manner of the worship of idolaters .]

9. And a third angel followed them saying with a great voice if any man worship the beast and his image and receive the mark in his forehead and in his hand.

10. The same shall also drink of the wrath of God [that is because he had suffered himself to be assured by the cup of idolatry of the whore of Babylon the Lord will cause him to drink of the wine of his wrath and his judgment and a phrase frequently used by the prophets when the heavy judgments of God are threatened against a nation see Psalms 75:9 Jeremiah 25:15] which unmingled is poured into the cup of his wrath [or intermixed etc. for pure wine poured in or divers sort of wine mingled together do soon procure drunkenness giddiness and other distempers to a man which are here compared to God’s just judgment wherewith he doth not intermingle his mercy] and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone before the holy angels and before the lamb [this third angel comes further and warns yet with greater earnest all those that worship the beast or bear his mark to beware of eternal punishment that is unto them unless they repent under which angel is appointed the time of fuller reformation in Christendom which was begun by Luther Zuingilius and their associates in the year 1517 and hath hither to carried on by many eminent teachers yea even kings princes and common wealth wherein man there wee under antichristianism are yet more plainly instructed and are yet more earnestly warned to beware of the false doctrine and idolatry thereof .]

11. And the smoke of their torment [that is the smoke of the fire whereby they are tormented Luke 16:24] ascended up forever more they had no rest day nor night which worship the beast and the image and if any man receive the mark of his name.

12. Here is the patience of the saints here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus [these are two marks of true reformed Christians opposed to the worshippers of his beasts and the image as the same are also set down before chapter 12.11,17 see the exposition there this verse and the next following serve for the comfort of believers who in the time of these reformation should a new persecutors and afflicted by antichrist whereunto us opposed their patience in the expectation of just vengeance of God upon the minister of antichrist and the assurance of salvation prepared from them as also the martyrs which is the primitive persecution under heathen empire died for Christ his sake chapter 6.10 say etc.]

13. A I heard a voice from heaven which saith unto me write blessed are the dead which die in the Lord [that is for the Lord’s sake as Ephesians 4:1 or in the Lord that is in the faith and in the fear of the Lord as this phrase is also used 1Corinthians 15.18 1Thessalonians 4 verse 6c] from hence forth [some join these words to the former word write and expound them thus write from henceforth so as that here is testifieth by the angel that is the time of the renewing of the preaching of this everlasting gospel shewed by these three angels and the true witness of Christ should not preach nor write as is done in the darkness of the antichristianism in such a manner as that the children of God when they die should have caused to be troubled with the fear of purgatory and of hell torments which they should be fain to suffer after that they are dead unless there be a provision made against it by funeral solemnities masses for the soul indulgences etc. but that they are blessed as soon as they die that they are purged by the blood of Christ alone from their sins others join these words from henceforth to the word blessed and expound it thus that those that die in Christ are blessed from henceforth that is as soon as they die etc. notwithstanding that the antichrist with his adherents condemneth them as Heretics and damned men as Christ also setteth such comfort before his disciples Matthew 5 verse 10,11,12 and the opinion do agree well with the thing itself] yea saith the spirit that they may rest from their labor and their works follow with them [or after them that is the gracious reward of their hardship patience etc undergone from Christ sake doth accompany them or doth follow them a comparison taken from them that are come to the end of the race or of the combat then take rest are refreshed and crowned 2 Timothy 4 verse 7,8.]

14. And I looked and behold a white cloud and the cloud was one sitting like unto the son of man having on his head a golden crown [namely as king of kings and Lord of Lord chapter 19.16] and in his hand a sharp sickle [namely by reason of his power in this judgment whereby he is able to subdue things unto himself Philippians 3:21 most expositors understand this of Christ himself to whom such titles are also elsewhere given as chapter 1.13 and whose coming to judgment is likewise described after this manner chapter 1.7 see also Daniel 7 verse 13 Matthew 26:64 these following visions in this chapter area understood by some of grievous war massacres or blood-shedding which antichrist should raise against the reformed princes and nations in the world and of the taking away of the hundred thousand men which on every side followed thereupon happen yet daily and more grievous are to be expected before great Babel shall utterly fall but the greater part understand it to the last judgment as the similitude and phrase import and as almost all visions in revelations end in the last judgment.]

15. And another angel came out of the temple [namely of heaven as is exprest as in verse 17 wee the throne of God is as is testified chapter 4.2 from whence this angel as a messenger of the father cometh unto Christ according to the custom used among great kings to declare the things that follow and to shew the fulfilling of the time of the execution of God judgment as we read that this time of humiliation not only the angels but also Elias came unto him from heaven to speak of this decease at Jerusalem Matthew 17:3 Luke 9:30 for as much as he came not to do his own will but the will of the father that sent him John 4:34 and 6.38] crying with a great voice to him that sate on the cloud thrust in thy sickle and reap for the hour is come for thee to reap [that is to take away man from earth forasmuch as the number of the elect was now made up see below chapter 6.11 and 2Peter 3.9] for the harvest of the earth is become ripe [Gr dry withered.]

16. And he that sate in the cloud thrust in the earth and the earth was reaped [namely to gathered the good in the barn and to burn the tares with fire as Christ himself speaketh Matthew 13:30 which last clause is further spoken of these verses.]

17. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven himself also having a sharp sickle [some understand this also of Christ Jesus whom in divers forms and apparition is brought in as a judge both of good and evil though others understand it of some special created angels who had other angels next to him who should gather the scandals of the wicked ones from the earth to bring them from the presence of God sitting on the judgment seat and to cause them there to receive their sentence and to cast them into hell as Christ accompanied with the power of his angels shall pronounce and execute sentence unto them Matthew 13 verse 41,42 2 Thessalonians 1:7 etc.]

18. And another angel came out from altar [namely where the souls of the martyrs before chapter 6.9 were seen which cried and longed after vengeance upon enemies of God and after the redemption of Christ church on earth which prayer is here heard when their number and the time there mentioned was fulfilled this angel is a publisher and declarer as the angel declared unto Daniel , Daniel 9 verse 21,23 and the Cornelius Acts 10:4] which had power over the fire [namely where with the wicked shall be tormented off which is spoken before verse 10] and he cried with a great cry to him that had the sharp sickle saying thrust in thy sharp side and cut off the clusters of the vineyard of the earth for her grapes are ripe[that is their sin are come to the highest and God long-suffering towards them is at an end as is said to the Amorites Genesis 15:16 and of those Sodom and Gomorra Genesis 18:20 ,21.]

19. And the angel thrust in [Gr cast as also verse 16] his sickle on the earth [namely to execute as followeth Gods judgment upon it as under such a similitude the execution of Gods punishment upon the wicked is also understood Joel 3.13and hereafter chapter 19.15 and elsewhere] and cut off the grapes of the vine yard of the earth and cast them into great winepress of the wrath of God [that is into the deep bottomless pit that God will pour out his wrath upon the wicked.]

20. And the winepress was trodden without the city [namely of Jerusalem see hereafter chapter 22.15] and there came blood out of winepress unto the bridles of the horses [a similitude taken from a great slaughter where the blood followeth very high see the like expression Isaiah 63:3] by the space of a thousand and six leagues a certain number taken from an uncertain that is very great and terrible to behold.]