The Announcement of the Fall of Babylon

Synopsis:  Two more angels appear to announce the judicial sentence of God on “Babylon” and the “inhabitants of the earth” that give homage to the Beast - Revelation 14:8-11.

The angel “flying in mid-heaven with the everlasting gospel” is followed by “another angel, a second one” who announces the fall of Babylon. In turn, “another angel, a third one” appears to pronounce a judicial sentence on all men and women who give allegiance to the Beast.

The vision in this next section incorporates language from key Old Testament passages about ancient enemies of Israel that were judged by Yahweh. This includes the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the forces of Gog and Magog after invading Israel.

The "Everlasting Gospel" and the Coming Harvest

Synopsis:  Having contrasted the followers of the Lamb with the men that pay homage to Beast, the book presents the reader with a definitive choice with two very different everlasting consequences - Revelation 14:6-7.

OBV _design on Unsplash

The two preceding paragraphs presented two different groups. First, the “inhabitants of the earth” that render homage to the Beast. Second, the 144,000 saints purchased from the earth who “follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” There is no third category or middle ground between the two (Revelation 13:11-18, 14:1-5).

The 144,000 Followers of the Lamb - (Revelation 14:1-5)

Synopsis:  The 144,000 men on Zion “follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” Above all else, this refers to their perseverance in suffering and persecution.

By Marc Thunis on Unsplash

The 144,000 reappear in Revelation 14:1-5, this time standing on “Mount Zion” with the Lamb. They have the Father’s name written on their foreheads, in contrast to them that take the mark of the Beast. Its mark is placed on the right hand or the forehead of its victims, and “branded,” not “written.”

The Victims of the Beast

Synopsis: The Dragon and its earthly agents persecute and “wage war” on the saints of the Lamb, the Church, not against any nation or ethnic group.

Colosseum by Ben Lee - Unsplash

The book of Revelation portrays a cosmic war waged between Satan and Jesus, a conflict that plays out in the daily struggles of the Church. Though Satan is the driving force behind assaults on God’s people, his earthly minions execute the attacks, especially the “Beast” from the sea. Consistently, the victims of the actions of the Dragon and its earthly agents are the “saints,” the men and women who follow the Lamb wherever he goes (Revelation 11:7, 13:1-10, 14:1-4).

The Beast Wars Against the Saints - (Revelation 13:6-10)

SYNOPSIS:   The Beast from the sea now wages war on the followers of the Lamb in obedience to the Dragon – Revelation 13:6-10.

By Stephen Leonardi - Unsplash

The Beast from the sea is the Dragon’s agent assigned by him to annihilate the saints. For a time, the Beast is given authority over all nations and peoples with which to execute this task. Humanity is divided into two groups:  Men and women who render homage to the Beast and Dragon, the “inhabitants of the earth,” and the men and women who follow the Lamb regardless of where he leads, the “saints,” “them who tabernacle in heaven.” The latter, consequently, suffer persecution and martyrdom.