Revelation 14

A.M. 4100. A.D. 96.

To comfort the church in her suffering condition during the reign of antichrist,

(1,) A hundred and forty-four thousand are represented as faithfully adhering to Christ and his truths in that period, and praising God for their preservation from the general corruption, Revelation 14:1-5 .

(2,) While three angels prepare the way for antichrist’s ruin, one by preaching the gospel, a second by proclaiming the downfall of Popery, and a third by denouncing terrible vengeance on its adherents, the Holy Ghost attests the happiness of all that die in the Lord, martyrs or others, Revelation 14:6-13 .

(3,) By the emblems of harvest, corn reaped, and vine clusters gathered and trodden, is represented the sudden and most terrible destruction of the antichristian kingdom and its subjects, Revelation 14:14-20 .

“The description of the melancholy state of the church and world during this period, in the foregoing chapters, might be apt somewhat to discourage the faithful worshippers of God; for though God, by a spirit of prophecy, had before revealed this suffering state to the church, and so it was represented as what the wisdom of Divine Providence thought fit to permit, and what was therefore reconcileable to the goodness and power of the great Governor of the world; yet it was a very useful design of these revelations to subjoin proper principles of consolation and encouragement to such a melancholy representation of temptation, danger, and suffering. This seems the intention of this chapter, in which the scene of the prophetical vision is changed from earth to heaven; from a view of the church under the persecution of the beast, to a view of the church in the presence of the Lamb: delivered from the state of corruption and oppression so much to be expected from this evil world, and arrived at a state of complete and perfect happiness in the heavenly world. This vision, then, represents the sure destruction of the enemies of truth and righteousness in the end, however they may prevail for a time: it shows the very great reward of the faithful, and dreadful punishment of the apostates, who shall fall from the faith and purity of the Christian worship in the day of trial. Thus this part of the prophecy unites the strongest principles of warning, caution, encouragement, and hope, than which nothing could be more proper or useful for the church in such a state of providence; or to the general design of the whole prophecy, which is to exhort and encourage the constancy and patience of the saints in all their trials. When we consider this chapter in this view, it will show a more easy, natural, and proper connection between this vision and the foregoing than is usually observed; and make the whole plan and design appear more regular and exact than it is usually thought to be.” Lowman.