Revelation 14

Revelation 14:1

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their forheads.

Now, after that I had seen these fearful representations of the Two Great Enemies of God’s Church, I had a comfortable sight shewed unto me of Christ the Blessed Protector thereof: who was represented to me as a Lamb standing upon his holy mount Sion; and with him those his chosen servants, in infinite numbers, which had formerly received the mark of his gracious protection, and who had faithfully professed the truth of his religion.

Revelation 14:2

And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder; and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

And I heard the heavenly voice of God’s Church, unanimously praising and magnifying the Name of God, for his wonderful mercies to them; with such loudness and strength, as if it had been the sound of many waters, or of a mighty thunder: and I heard the joyful melody, that they made in the expressing of their thanksgivings unto God:

Revelation 14:3

And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

And these holy choristers sung, not the old song of their forefathers, which praised God for the redemption which was to come; but sung new songs of thanksgiving for their redemption already atchieved, in the presence of God and his Angels and glorified Saints: and none of the carnal and unregenerate men of the world could know what that joyful song meant; none having ever found the sweetness and comfort of those mercies of God in Christ, but only his chosen and redeemed ones whom they concern.

Revelation 14:4

These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb.

These are they, who are neither defiled with bodily fornication with women, nor with spiritual fornication with idols; but have kept themselves chaste and clean from both those pollutions: these are wholly addicted to the sincere worship and service of Christ: these are bought with a price, even that inestimable price of his blood; being specially dedicated, as the holy first-fruits of mankind to God and to Jesus Christ his Son.

Revelation 14:5

And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

These are so justified from their sins by the blood of Christ, and so sanctified from their corruptions by his Spirit, as that there is no wickedness nor falsehood in them; and that, being clothed with Christ’s Righteousness, they appear without spot or blemish, before the throne of God.

Revelation 14:6

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people;

Then I saw another mighty and glorious messenger of God, who, for the more speed of delivery and safety from all oppugnation, flew with the message of that true and sincere Gospel of Christ which had been long suppressed and opposed by men, the truth whereof is everlasting; having charge, that it should be broached and published to all nations, and kindreds, and tongues, and people, by the faithful dispensers thereof;

Revelation 14:7

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; &c.

Teaching them all the world over, that, forsaking all their superstitions and sinful willworships, they should fear God only, and give glory to him; &c.

Revelation 14:8

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Then, upon the free and sincere preaching of the Gospel, there followed another messenger from God, which cried, saying, It is fallen, it is fallen; the mystical Babylon, the great city of the world: because she hath drawn all nations, to drink of the cup of her spiritual fornications; and, thereby hath caused them to drink of that cup of God’s wrath and vengeance, which belongs to those grievous offences.

Revelation 14:9

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

Then followed a third messenger from God, with further tidings of judgments, upon those, which do wilfully maintain the pride, and tyranny, and wicked errors of the Antichristian state, saying, If any man do, after these clear publications of the Gospel, give divine worship to any created power, whether civil or spiritual, and shall make profession of his servile and idolatrous prostitution thereunto. (See chap. xiii. verse 8.)

Revelation 14:12

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

And now, upon the sight of these torments inflicted upon wicked and idolatrous men, God’s children shall well find the fruit of their patience and constant profession of the true faith of Jesus Christ, and their conscionable obedience to the commandments of God; in that they see themselves free from this grievous vengeance, and possessed of joy and happiness.

Revelation 14:13

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

And I heard a voice from heaven, bidding me to write these words following, as worthy of perpetual remembrance and consideration: Blessed are the dead, which have now laid down their life for Christ; and such as are found in Christ, when they go hence: no less blessed are they, than those holy martyrs of the primitive times: yea, saith the Holy Spirit, they are doubtless blessed, because they both are freed from those calamities which attended their life, and do likewise receive the comfort and benefit of all the good works which they did here below.

Revelation 14:14

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

And I looked, and I beheld a present representation of address unto a terrible judgment: for there appeared Christ, the Eternal Son of God, as in his glorious Humanity, sitting upon a white cloud; to shew the integrity and glory of his presence: having on his head a golden crown, representing his majesty and power; and a sharp sickle in his hand, implying his readiness to cut down the ripe sinners of the world, and to execute his just severity upon them. So also verses 15, 16, 17, 18.

Revelation 14:19

And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

Then the angel did, accordingly, by the sickle of his powerful execution, cut down the sinful generation of mankind; and did cast them down into hell, the place of torment appointed for all the wicked enemies of God.

Revelation 14:20

And the winepress was trodden without the city,

and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. And the execution was wonderfully great and fearful; insomuch as the blood of the slain was so deep, as that it reached up to the very bridles of the horses, for the space of two hundred miles in length: so great and general was the destruction of those, who did wilfully follow the enemies of Christ.