Revelation 4th Division

Revelation 4^th Division

Contents
IV. The Salvation of the Church (11:19-15:4)
A. Setting: The Ark of the Covenant (11:19)
B. The Showing of the 7 Pageants (12:1-15:4)

Scene 1: The woman and the dragon (Chapter 12)
Scene 2: The beast arising from the sea (13:1-10)
Scene 3: The beast arising from the lake (13:11-18)
Scene 4: The Lamb with the 144,000 martyrs (14:1-5)
Scene 5: Announcement of doom to Babylon (14:6-13)
Scene 6: The Son of Man on a white cloud & the winepress of God's wrath (14:14-20)
Scene 7: Hymn of the Lamb chanted by the saved (15:1-4)

Conclusions of 4th Division

Revelation Chapter 11 (continued)

11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. IV: The Salvation of the Church - (11:19 - 15:14) or "Judgement Day as seen by Christians" Introduction
A. The Setting

Revelation Chapter 12

12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: B. The seven "pageants" (12:1 - 15:4)
In Rev. 11:8 the redeemed praise God for having "destroyed the destroyers". In these 7 visions the Church sees how God destroyed these destroyers and brought salvation to His people.
Scene 1: The Woman and the Dragon (12:1-17)
Vs. 12:1: "A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars.
This woman would have made John's first readers think of 3 things at once:
a) Mary
b) The True Israel (the crown - symbolizing victory, the 12 stars - symbolizing the 12 tribes)
c) The pagan myth of the birth of the sun god - claimed by Domition to be himself.
Obviously, "C" is not what John's readers would have understood as the meaning of the woman. But is she Mary or the True Israel, Christian messianic community? Let's read on and see if we can't discover.
Vs. 12:1: The woman = God's chosen people (Israel and the Church)
the crown = a symbol of the fact that the victory of God's people has always been assured
the 12 stars = the 12 tribes (both of the Old Israel and of the New Israel, as found in Rev. 5:5-8)

12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. Vs. 12:2: Note: the woman is crying out to be delivered from her suffering
Vs. 12:2: the agony of her labor = the suffering endured by the people of God as they waited for the Messiah

12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. Vs. 12:3: Before the child is born, a great red dragon appears on the scene waiting to devour the child. What is this? Lets skip ahead and then work backwards.
Vs. l2:3: a great red dragon = Satan, the deceiver
7 heads, l0 horns, 7 diadems = characteristics of Satan which link him together with his earthly representatives, for John's readers.
7 heads - (see Ps 74:14) - a symbol of Leviathan/Loton; the Chaos Monster of ancient creation stories.
10 horns - symbols of unchallenged political power in this world and are the horns of Daniel's 4th beast. For Daniel, this 4th beast symbolized the last of the empires before the Day of the Lord (Greeks). For John, the 10 horns show that this dragon (Satan) is represented by the last of the empires before the Day of the lord. (Romans)
Note: This Dragon is Satan. The Beast from the sea is the Roman Empire, which represents Satan.
These 10 horns are used by John to show that the characteristics of Satan are seen in his earthly representatives. John is not the first scriptural witness to make this point:
Jer 51:34 Nebuchadnexzar = a dragon
Ezek 29:3 Pharoah = a dragon
etc.
7 diadems - his power is that of Kings
These characteristics are intended to impress on the reader the awesome horror of this Dragon who is so bitterly hostile to God.

12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. Vs. 4a: "tail swept down 1/3 of the stars" - this dragon is so huge he can knock "a part" of the stars from the sky with his tail.
Vs. 4b: dragons attempt "to devour" the Child at its birth -- At first it seems as though there might be 3 ways to understand this attempt to "devour":
1. The dragon wanted to eat Jesus on Christmas morning.
2. The dragon tried to devour Jesus in the temptations and dangers of his earthly life.
3. The dragon tried to devour Jesus through the crucifixion.
The next verse lets us know that this attempt to devour the Child is the CRUCIFICION:

12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. Vs. 12:5: "one who is to rule all nations" - This quote of Ps 2 is a clear indication that the male child is Jesus Christ.
Note: As soon as Christ is born, he is enthroned and snatched up to the throne of God. What about his life and ministry on earth? Read on.
Vs. 5a: "A male Child, one who is to rule... of iron" -- this is quoting an enthronement Psalm (Ps 2). Christ's Enthronement came at the crucifixion and Resurrection.
V 5b: "her child was caught up to God" - only through the crucifixion and resurrection was Jesus Christ taken beyond Satan's power to tempt and torture (see Col 2:20).
Therefore, Satan tried to devour Jesus through the Crucifixion. (Satan's agent of crucifixion was the Roman government.) But by the crucifixion Satan was outwitted and Jesus was enthroned as the Christ.

12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. Vs. 12:6: The "wilderness" - The wilderness is a place of purification according to the Exodus story which is so important to John So the woman has gone to a place of purification prepared for her by God in which she is to be nourished for 1260 days. (31/2 years - an indeterminate, not completed time.)
Vs. 6: "the woman fled to the wilderness"
In scripture "the wilderness" can have 2 meanings:
a) a place of danger, chaos, and sin
(Isa 13:20-22, Isa 34:13-15; Luke 11:24; Mk 1:13; Lev 16:7ff)
b) a place of purification and safety (The Exodus)
Here "the wilderness" means a place of purification and safety because it was prepared by God and God led her there.
1260 days = 3 1/3 years (again)
This verse means that following Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, the church was kept for an indeterminate time in a state of safety, being nourished by God. (In other words, after the Resurrection, the Church enjoyed a period of simply being purified by God).

12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, Vs. 7-12 The War in Heaven
Vs. 12:7-9: In case there was ever a doubt, we now know that the dragon is evil and is, in fact, Satan.

12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. *

12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. *

12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Vs. 10: "The Kingdom has come" - the Judgement began with the crucifixion/resurrection and the casting out of Satan.

12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Vs. 11-12: These verses are essentially a warning and a bewailing of what will happen on earth now that the judgement has begun and Satan's time is short.

12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. *

12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. Vs. 13-17: The Dragon Loose on Earth/"The River of Lies"
Vs. 13: pursuit of the woman: Satan goes after the Church

12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. Vs. 14: a restatement of verse 6, assuring us beyond doubt that vs 5 refers to the Crucifixion.
"eagle wings" = divine help (see Ex 19:4; Deut 32:11)
"a time, two times and a half a time = 3 1/3 years (a time before Satan's attacks begin)

12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. Vs. 15: the flood from Satan's mouth = a river of lies
Remember: Pharoah had given orders to drown the Israelite children in the Nile, prior to the Exodus. The dragon now tries it.
This flood is not the martyrdom because in Vs. 16 we find Satan's flood is defeated, but we know martyrdoms are still happening; and the Beast was responsible (not the dragon).
This flood is also not the destruction of Jerusalem under Titus: the Beast does that.
Remember the troubles the Church was facing which John referred to in the 7 letters? (False Jews, False Teachings, etc.). This is the flood that attacked the Church.

12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Vs.16: "The earth swallowed the river" = divine protection. Remember: The earth opened in the wilderness of the Exodus to swallow the rebels and to protect the purity of God's people. The earth does it again.

12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Vs. 12:17: At last we know who the woman is. If Satan is making war on her other children, "those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus" these other children are Christians. This means the woman is The People of God, the messianic community.
Now lets start at the beginning of 12 and work through this Chapter.
Vs. 17: Having discovered he cannot destroy the whole Church at once, the Dragon becomes angry and decides to go after the Christians ("her offspring")
"he stood on the sand of the sea" = he goes for reinforcements

Revelation Chapter 13

13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. Scene 2: The Beast Arising from the Sea (13:1-10)
Vs. 1: "The beast from the sea" = the Roman Empire itself
"10 horns" = unchallenged political power
"7 heads" = Roman Emperors (see Rev 17:10)
"10 diadems" = another sign of power
"a blasphemous Name" = The name is "Divine" or "Lord and God" which the 7 of the emperors (especially Domitian) claimed for themselves.
Meaning: Rome comes to the aid of Satan. Rome came "from the sea" when the Roman Armies arrived from the sea and set up their authority over Asia Minor at Ephesus.

13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Vs. 2: the description = a combination of Daniel's 4 beasts into one Beast. Each of Daniel's beasts signified a specific political tyranny. When the 4 beasts are combined here, John's beast is shown to be the epitomy of worldly and tyrannical Empire.
"the dragon gave it pwer" = it became Satan's representative (Satan has lost his rights in heaven but not his power on earth).

13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. Vs. 3: "the mortal wound" That one of the heads bears this wound = a clue to the fact that John is talking about one of the emperors.
This emperor typified the monsters character more than any other (as seen by the fact that John goes on to talk about the beast itself as if it had died and come to life again (13:12; 17:11).
The Beast from the Sea's main trait is that it wages war on God's people.
Put this all together, and this "slaughtered" head signifies Nero.
1. Nero killed himself in 68 AD (mortal wound)
2. His death was followed by a year of civil war which jeopardized the whole future of the empire (therefore, it would be a deadly wound to the Beast from the Sea itself).
3. Jews and Christians believed Nero to be demonic because of his murder of his mother, his claim to be divine and his attacks on both Christians and Jews. They even said he was a serpent at birth. (Sib. Or. 4:ll9ff; 137f; 5:28ff; 137ff; 215ff; 386).
4. Belief was rampant that Nero hadn't really killed himself (who could be so lucky) but had gone into hiding in Parthia (the notorious East), would return at the head of a great Parthian army and take revenge on all who lived in Rome. This belief was so widespread that 3 impostors came forward claiming to be Nero and two of them were well received in Parthia. (Tac. Hist 1:2; 2:8; Suet. Nero 57)
John doesn't believe this, but he says: Nero will indeed return, "reincarnated" in a new persecuting emperor; an eighth who is one of the seven (Rev 17:11).
"the mortal wound was healed" = a reference to the fact that the civil war ended with Rome still an empire.

13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? Vs. 4: In this verse we see that it is not government authority which is bad. Government is set up by God to keep evil in bounds. But when people worship the state, the state becomes an agent of Satan.
The Roman Emperors had never had to force emperor worship on the populace because the people were only to glad to do so. The emperors had brought the peace which the old gods had been unable to bring. Ought the emperors not receive the worship which the old gods never earned?
But to worship the state is to worship Satan.

13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. Vs. 5: "haughty and blasphemous words = claims to be divine by emperors.
"42 months" - 31/2 years = an indeterminate period

13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. Vs. 6: "blasphemies against God" = claims to be divine
"b1aspheming his dwelling, that is those who dwell in heaven" = attacking the Church
This does not refer to the angels (how does one blaspheme an angel?)
"those who dwell in heaven" = those who are citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20)
"his dwelling" = the Church (The divine presence is to be found wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in the name of Christ)

13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. Vs. 7: "make war on the saints and conquer them" = a reference to martyring Christians
"it was allowed" = a reminder that the Beast from the Sea acts only with divine permission (God is still in charge)
"authority was given it over" all the earth = it was permitted to do what it wants (Remember: it is providing an army of martyrs, unbeknownst to it)
"all who dwell on earth will worship it" = whose who are citizens of earth, as opposed those in Vs. 6 who are citizens of heaven.

13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Vs. 8: "everyone whose name.. the book of life of the Lamb who was slain".
BE CAREFUL HERE. DON 'T READ MORE INTO THIS VERSE THAN IS THERE
John is not saying that those who worship the Beast from the Sea never had the chance to do otherwise.
In Revelation John takes 2 things very seriously:
1. God's plan of salvation (predestination)
2. Human choice (free will)
John never clarifies how these two fit together, he simply holds them up to the reader as important.
The two do fit together for us if we remember that men and women can choose to reject God's free gift of salvation. God's plan has to do with redeeming the world through Christ.

13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. *

13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Vs. 10: For 4 reasons this means "do not resist martyrdom"
a) "if anyone has an ear let him hear" is directed to the Churches in each of the 7 letters.
b) The treat of prison and death is one that Christians face, not Beast worshippers.
c) Jesus told the Church NOT to use the sword to rebel; Rev 2:12 says use of the sword is the right of the Roman government.
d) This quote is a call for endurance and faith of the saints.
Aside: Such calls for endurance have been taken to mean that Christians should permit social injustice within their own lands. This is not John's point. John's point is "Christians, permit yourselves to be martyred for the faith and do not resist". John is not speaking how Christians are to act as proclaimers of God's will in the face of social injustice (such as the rich oppressing the poor) because he has another issue in mind: Christians are being killed, and he is to speak God's word of comfort and hope to them. Period.

13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. Scene 3: The Beast Arising from the Land (13:11-18)
Vs.1l: This beast is not something that came from "across the sea" like the Roman Empire. This beast arose "out of the Land".
"out of the land" - this beast isn't a foreign import (like the Roman Empire), this beast is a native product (from Asia Minor)
"two horns like a Lamb but spoke like a dragon" = this beast is a parody of Christ who speaks Satan's words
Note: Although Revelation never uses the word "Anti-Christ", this description lets us know that the Beast from the Land is the Anti-Christ.

13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. Vs. 12: John's readers would have known instantly from this verse what the "Beast from the Land" symbolized: The local "county government" (commune Asia) which included the local priests of the imperial cult.
It was these local governing bodies which carried out Rome's orders. These governing bodies ordered statues be built to the emperors and encouraged (and enforced) emperor worship. These were competed with each other to determine which community would get to erect a temple to the emperor.

13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, Vs. l3-14: "Great signs"-miracles
These miracles could be either fraudulent tricks performed by magicians and ventriloquists in the service of the imperial cult or they could be genuine acts of demonic power. "deceives those who dwell on earth" - those who are "citizens of earth" are seduced into worship of the empire (and therefore of Satan).
an image of the beast" - statues to the emperors.

13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. Vs. 15: A reference to martyrdom: Naturally it would be this second Beast (the local council) which would be responsible for rounding up Christians in Asia Minor and which would have the right to have them killed. (Compare with Daniel 3).
Please Note: John is talking about the Christian's legal status, not their actual fate. It would be the legal right of the local authorities to condemn anyone to death who did not worship the emperor (because of the empire's requirement for total obedience to this command. But how thoroughly the local authorities would go about this is another matter and so doesn't imply total martyrdom.

13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: Vs.16: "The mark on the right hand or forehead"
The Greek word used here for "mark" is charagma.
Charagma was a technical term for a specific mark back then: the stamp of the emperor on commercial documents; (such as receipts and purchase orders) the image of the head of the emperor on coins.
So the mark of the beast would have been understood to be the Emperor's seal or picture used throughout the Roman Empire's business community.
To see the amount of trouble use of this coinage caused the Jews and Christians, look again at the Gospels (particularly Matthew), and remember the command against making any graven images. A graven image was any statue or picture of any person or animal -- whether worshipped as an idol or not.
Once the local government made use of any money but Roman money illegal, God's faithful people are in trouble. To use it is unfaithful, not to use it is to starve.
It is now easy to see how using this Roman money, Roman purchase orders and Roman receipts would be the mark on the hand; it is also easy to see how this "mark" would affect all.
What about the mark on the forehead?
Just as the "2 horns like a lamb" show the "Beast from the Land" to be a parody of Christ, so this reference to a mark on the forehead is intended to show that this mark is a cheap parody of God's seal on the foreheads of the faithful in 7:3. With neither the mark of God nor the mark of the Beast are we dealing with a visible mark.

13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Vs. 17: "The name of the Beast or the number of its name"
The Jews loved number games, called "gematria" (no pun intended). Not only did they use numbers symbolically, they had given each letter in Hebrew or Greek a numerical significance. This is almost exactly like the code games most of us played when we were children.
For example, if we numbered the letters of our alphabet in order (like they did) the number sentence:
20-8-5 17-21-9-3-11 18-5-4 6-15-24 10-21-13-16-19 15-22-5-18 20-8-5 12-1-26-25 2-18-15-23-14 4-15-7
would translate:
THE QUICK RED FOX JUMPS OVER THE LAZY BROWN DOG
When you number the letters of the alphabet in order, and when everyone knows you' re numbering them in order, if you want to keep a name given in numbers secret, you don 't write out each number, you give the total the numbers make when added:
EVE = 5 + 22 + 5 = 32
This is what they did back in those days, too. An archaeologist found this ancient scribble on a wall in Pomeii: "I love thee, whose number is 545". Nobody except 545 would know whose number- name this was because of all the different combinations of alphabet-numbers which could make this number-name.
So back in those days, people had names - and each name could be made into a number name.

13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. Vs. 18: "A human number" - this means a literal, mathematical number, as opposed to all the symbolic numbers John has been using in Revelation.
"666" Who is 666? Nobody knows for sure. Here's why:

Revelation Chapter 14

14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. Scene 4: The Lamb with the 144,000 martyrs (14:1-5)
Vs. 14:1: "Mt Zion" - this recalls to the reader's attention (in case they have forgotten) that the anchor for this division is the heavenly temple (which is becoming unnecessary) and that the Victorious Lamb has been enthroned since the crucifixion.
"144,000" - in case the reader has forgotten that this division shows the judgement from the standpoint of Christians in heaven, here are the "144,000" (complete number of Christians on earth at the beginning of the end - see 7:4ff} now in heaven.
"The Lamb's name and the Father's name written on their foreheads" = the fulfillment of the promise given in 1:17 and 3:2 to the Church on earth.

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: Vs. 14:2-3: This voice is the voice of God teaching the Resurrected Christians their new eternal song. The voice has to be God's because if none of the angelic host could learn the song how could any of them be the teacher of it?

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.

14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whither so ever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. Vs. 4-5: What this verse means if it is taken at face value is that "only virgin male Christians will be raised from the Dead". ("Chaste"- Greek word for this actually translates "virgin".)
I can hardly think that John is asking us to take this at face value. Like everything else in Revelation this too is a symbol.
I can't fully explain this to you. The usual explanation given is that the Resurrected Christians (the "first fruits") are different from the other dead because they were spiritually chaste in that they worshipped God instead of committing spiritual adultery by worshipping the Beast. Idolatry is see throughout scripture as adultery against God. I agree with this.
But this explanation doesn't say anything to the question of "where are the resurrected Christian women?" Answers to this question are given by commentators, but I think I won't go into that issue here.

14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Vs. 5: Their sacrifice proves their loyalty and worthiness.
Conclusion to Scene 4: In this scene we are reminded that the Resurrection has happened and that John's readers are being shown how it is that Resurrected Christians view God's Judgement of the world and the end of time.

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, Scene 5: Announcement of Doom to Babylon (14:6-13)
Vs. 6-7: "eternal gospel" = the good news that God's divine plan for people is reaching its end.
"to all who dwell on earth" Even though the Resurrection has taken place, there is still a glimmer of hope for any who will worship God even at this late date.
"Fear God, worship and give glory" = a call to repent
Note: As we saw in 11:13, after the Resurrection, some of the "citizens of earth" to repent and become "citizens of heaven".
"the hour of his judgement has come" = the End is now here.

14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

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. Vs. 8: This second angel announces that "The Great Babylon" has fallen.
See Isa 21:8-9 - When Israel was awaiting an end to the exile, people waited for news that Israel had been freed because Babylon had fallen.
Babylon here is the symbol of all worldly power which "made the nations drink the wine of her impure passion". This phrase has parallel in Vs. 10: "the wine of the wrath of God". This cup of impure passions which the worldly powers forced on people refers to all spiritual adulteries (all worship of anything but God) which is so readily available on the earth.
This announcement is a consoling one to the persecuted Christian reader of John's day because the angel's message assures: however powerful its anti and un-Christian proceedings may be, in the end the defeat of worldly powers is certain and final.

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, *

14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: *

14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. *

14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Vs. 12-13: As this scene reaches its conclusion, the saints (the Christians for whom John is writing) are given another word of encouragement to endure their time of martyrdom and persecution.
The previous scenes have given a lot of encouragement: the complete number who were sealed (7:4) will arrive in heaven (14:1) and will receive the promised new name and new song. The power of the world will be broken.
Vs. 13 also gives encouragement as a word to the persecuted reader that a time of rest from labor is coming.
"what they have done goes with them" - This phrase DOES NOT MEAN:
1. GOOD DEEDS (For John, good deeds don't get you to heaven)
2. PERSONAL SATISFACTION (For John, virtue is not its own reward)
"what they have done" is to die, in order that their martyrdom will be redemptive for others (11:13)
That which "goes with them" are the people who were redeemed as a result of the martyrs death.

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.

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. Scene 6: Christ the Judge and the Winepress of God's Wrath (14:14-20)
Vs. 14-17: After this aside to the persecuted reader, John concludes this division of how the Church triumphant will view the last page of the history of this earth with two pictures of how that last page will look:
1. The harvest (14:14-16)
2. The vintage (14:17-20)
Note: It is these verses which inspired the Battle Hymn of the Republic (Mine Eyes have See the Glory...)
Throughout the Bible, the grain harvest (Harvest) and the grape harvest (Vintage) are regularly used symbols of God's judgement.
Recall Christ's use of these images to refer to the time when all Christians on earth would be gathered into the Kingdom of God while all enemies of God would be destroyed.
Vs. 14-16: The Harvest:
The "first fruits" (those who died in the lord) have been gathered (the Resurrection). It is now time to "harvest" the full crop of those Christians who remain on earth.
Vs. 14: "a white cloud" = the throne of Christ, the symbol of the presence of God (see Dan 7:13)
"a golden crown on his head" -- this is the enthroned victorious Christ seen in His royal authority.
"sharp sickle" = a sign that the Final judgement (harvest of men and women) is about to begin: this is an instrument of the Lamb's wrath (like the rod of iron and the sharp sword seen earlier.

14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. Vs. 15: "another angel" - This angel is the Father' s messenger to the Messiah that the judgement should be carried out. (see Mt 24:36)
"the temple" - remember the setting of this division (11:19).

14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. Vs. 16: This single verse describes the judgement as it affects the still living righteous and wicked, and the ingathering of Christians into Heaven.

14:17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. Vs. 17-20: The Vintage
The evil that remains outside the Kingdom of God after the judgement - harvest (Vs. 14-16) is thrown into the wine press of God's wrath and is utterly destroyed.
Vs. 17: "another angel" with a sickle - this angel serves as The Father's agent of destruction.

14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. Vs. 18: "the angel who had power over the fire" The Father's messenger to the angel with the sickle that the time of destruction has arrived.

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. Vs. 19: The symbolism of God's judgement upon the wicked as the treading of grapes in a wine press is also seen in Isa 63:1-6.

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. Vs. 20: "outside the city" is a reference to the fact those who are to be destroyed are separated from the community of the messiah. Those who are "outside the city" are there through their own choice, and now, through God's judgement they will remain separated forever.
"1600 stadia" = 200 miles (300 kilometers), if you take it literally.
If you take this number symbolically, 1600 stadia are 4 times 400 or 40 times 40, so in this figure John may mean "to the 4 corners of the earth"; a square number.
In either case, this verse indicates that the destruction of the wicked will be complete and gruesome. (The gruesome nature of this destruction is indicated by the fact that the whole earth will be covered with blood 5-7 feet deep.)
The picture given here is rather gruesome but not as gruesome as the same scene is going to look from the perspective of the world (17:1-20:3).

Revelation Chapter 15

15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. Scene 7: Hymn of the Lamb chanted by the saved (15:1-4)
Vs. 15:1 The 7 angels with the 7 plagues come out, indicating that the Church is soon to be shown the way the last days of earth appear from the perspective of those on earth.
Finally John's readers are to see the "third woe" of 11:14 as it appeared to those who had not yet died before that time.
But first, let's see what happens to those in God's Kingdom after the day of Judgement.

15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. Vs. 2: The sea of glass mingled with fire = a heavenly Red Sea which has swallowed up the persecutors of the Church (the destroyers) just as surely as the Red Sea swallowed up the Egyptians who persecuted Israel. (We shall see how this happened in detail in the vision of the Lake of Fire, later.)
"those who had conquered.... harps in their hands" = the Church which has come through martyrdom and the last days of earth. (That they are called "conquerors" shows that the members of the 7 Churches are now in heaven.)

15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Vs. 3-4: A hymn of praise
"the song of Moses" = a reference to Exod 15:1-18 where Moses and Israel sing praise of God for having delivered them from the hand of the Egyptians (by swallowing up the Egyptians in the sea).
The words of the song sung by the saints echo various Psalms: 111:2; 139:14; 145:17; 119:151; 86:9-10; Jeremiah 10:7.
This song is also called the song of the Lamb because it is Christ who won the victory.
"thy judgements have been revealed" = an affirmation that the time of judgement is over and God's plan is fulfilled.

15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Conclusion to Division IV - The Salvation of the Church
Revelation 5th Division

12:1	And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:	B. The seven "pageants" (12:1 - 15:4) In Rev. 11:8 the redeemed praise God for having "destroyed the destroyers". In these 7 visions the Church sees how God destroyed these destroyers and brought salvation to His people. Scene 1: The Woman and the Dragon (12:1-17) Vs. 12:1: "A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars. This woman would have made John's first readers think of 3 things at once: a) Mary b) The True Israel (the crown - symbolizing victory, the 12 stars - symbolizing the 12 tribes) c) The pagan myth of the birth of the sun god - claimed by Domition to be himself. Obviously, "C" is not what John's readers would have understood as the meaning of the woman. But is she Mary or the True Israel, Christian messianic community? Let's read on and see if we can't discover. Vs. 12:1: The woman = God's chosen people (Israel and the Church) the crown = a symbol of the fact that the victory of God's people has always been assured the 12 stars = the 12 tribes (both of the Old Israel and of the New Israel, as found in Rev. 5:5-8)
12:2	And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.	Vs. 12:2: Note: the woman is crying out to be delivered from her suffering Vs. 12:2: the agony of her labor = the suffering endured by the people of God as they waited for the Messiah
12:3	And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.	Vs. 12:3: Before the child is born, a great red dragon appears on the scene waiting to devour the child. What is this? Lets skip ahead and then work backwards. Vs. l2:3: a great red dragon = Satan, the deceiver 7 heads, l0 horns, 7 diadems = characteristics of Satan which link him together with his earthly representatives, for John's readers. 7 heads - (see Ps 74:14) - a symbol of Leviathan/Loton; the Chaos Monster of ancient creation stories. 10 horns - symbols of unchallenged political power in this world and are the horns of Daniel's 4th beast. For Daniel, this 4th beast symbolized the last of the empires before the Day of the Lord (Greeks). For John, the 10 horns show that this dragon (Satan) is represented by the last of the empires before the Day of the lord. (Romans) Note: This Dragon is Satan. The Beast from the sea is the Roman Empire, which represents Satan. These 10 horns are used by John to show that the characteristics of Satan are seen in his earthly representatives. John is not the first scriptural witness to make this point: Jer 51:34 Nebuchadnexzar = a dragon Ezek 29:3 Pharoah = a dragon etc. 7 diadems - his power is that of Kings These characteristics are intended to impress on the reader the awesome horror of this Dragon who is so bitterly hostile to God.
12:4	And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.	Vs. 4a: "tail swept down 1/3 of the stars" - this dragon is so huge he can knock "a part" of the stars from the sky with his tail. Vs. 4b: dragons attempt "to devour" the Child at its birth -- At first it seems as though there might be 3 ways to understand this attempt to "devour": 1. The dragon wanted to eat Jesus on Christmas morning. 2. The dragon tried to devour Jesus in the temptations and dangers of his earthly life. 3. The dragon tried to devour Jesus through the crucifixion. The next verse lets us know that this attempt to devour the Child is the CRUCIFICION:
12:5	And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.	Vs. 12:5: "one who is to rule all nations" - This quote of Ps 2 is a clear indication that the male child is Jesus Christ. Note: As soon as Christ is born, he is enthroned and snatched up to the throne of God. What about his life and ministry on earth? Read on. Vs. 5a: "A male Child, one who is to rule... of iron" -- this is quoting an enthronement Psalm (Ps 2). Christ's Enthronement came at the crucifixion and Resurrection. V 5b: "her child was caught up to God" - only through the crucifixion and resurrection was Jesus Christ taken beyond Satan's power to tempt and torture (see Col 2:20). Therefore, Satan tried to devour Jesus through the Crucifixion. (Satan's agent of crucifixion was the Roman government.) But by the crucifixion Satan was outwitted and Jesus was enthroned as the Christ.
12:6	And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.	Vs. 12:6: The "wilderness" - The wilderness is a place of purification according to the Exodus story which is so important to John So the woman has gone to a place of purification prepared for her by God in which she is to be nourished for 1260 days. (31/2 years - an indeterminate, not completed time.) Vs. 6: "the woman fled to the wilderness" In scripture "the wilderness" can have 2 meanings: a) a place of danger, chaos, and sin (Isa 13:20-22, Isa 34:13-15; Luke 11:24; Mk 1:13; Lev 16:7ff) b) a place of purification and safety (The Exodus) Here "the wilderness" means a place of purification and safety because it was prepared by God and God led her there. 1260 days = 3 1/3 years (again) This verse means that following Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, the church was kept for an indeterminate time in a state of safety, being nourished by God. (In other words, after the Resurrection, the Church enjoyed a period of simply being purified by God).
12:7	And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,	Vs. 7-12 The War in Heaven Vs. 12:7-9: In case there was ever a doubt, we now know that the dragon is evil and is, in fact, Satan.
12:8	And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.	*
12:9	And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.	*
12:10	And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.	Vs. 10: "The Kingdom has come" - the Judgement began with the crucifixion/resurrection and the casting out of Satan.
12:11	And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.	Vs. 11-12: These verses are essentially a warning and a bewailing of what will happen on earth now that the judgement has begun and Satan's time is short.
12:12	Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.	*
12:13	And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.	Vs. 13-17: The Dragon Loose on Earth/"The River of Lies" Vs. 13: pursuit of the woman: Satan goes after the Church
12:14	And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.	Vs. 14: a restatement of verse 6, assuring us beyond doubt that vs 5 refers to the Crucifixion. "eagle wings" = divine help (see Ex 19:4; Deut 32:11) "a time, two times and a half a time = 3 1/3 years (a time before Satan's attacks begin)
12:15	And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.	Vs. 15: the flood from Satan's mouth = a river of lies Remember: Pharoah had given orders to drown the Israelite children in the Nile, prior to the Exodus. The dragon now tries it. This flood is not the martyrdom because in Vs. 16 we find Satan's flood is defeated, but we know martyrdoms are still happening; and the Beast was responsible (not the dragon). This flood is also not the destruction of Jerusalem under Titus: the Beast does that. Remember the troubles the Church was facing which John referred to in the 7 letters? (False Jews, False Teachings, etc.). This is the flood that attacked the Church.
12:16	And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.	Vs.16: "The earth swallowed the river" = divine protection. Remember: The earth opened in the wilderness of the Exodus to swallow the rebels and to protect the purity of God's people. The earth does it again.
12:17	And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.	Vs. 12:17: At last we know who the woman is. If Satan is making war on her other children, "those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus" these other children are Christians. This means the woman is The People of God, the messianic community. Now lets start at the beginning of 12 and work through this Chapter. Vs. 17: Having discovered he cannot destroy the whole Church at once, the Dragon becomes angry and decides to go after the Christians ("her offspring") "he stood on the sand of the sea" = he goes for reinforcements

13:1	And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.	Scene 2: The Beast Arising from the Sea (13:1-10) Vs. 1: "The beast from the sea" = the Roman Empire itself "10 horns" = unchallenged political power "7 heads" = Roman Emperors (see Rev 17:10) "10 diadems" = another sign of power "a blasphemous Name" = The name is "Divine" or "Lord and God" which the 7 of the emperors (especially Domitian) claimed for themselves. Meaning: Rome comes to the aid of Satan. Rome came "from the sea" when the Roman Armies arrived from the sea and set up their authority over Asia Minor at Ephesus.
13:2	And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.	Vs. 2: the description = a combination of Daniel's 4 beasts into one Beast. Each of Daniel's beasts signified a specific political tyranny. When the 4 beasts are combined here, John's beast is shown to be the epitomy of worldly and tyrannical Empire. "the dragon gave it pwer" = it became Satan's representative (Satan has lost his rights in heaven but not his power on earth).
13:3	And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.	Vs. 3: "the mortal wound" That one of the heads bears this wound = a clue to the fact that John is talking about one of the emperors. This emperor typified the monsters character more than any other (as seen by the fact that John goes on to talk about the beast itself as if it had died and come to life again (13:12; 17:11). The Beast from the Sea's main trait is that it wages war on God's people. Put this all together, and this "slaughtered" head signifies Nero. 1. Nero killed himself in 68 AD (mortal wound) 2. His death was followed by a year of civil war which jeopardized the whole future of the empire (therefore, it would be a deadly wound to the Beast from the Sea itself). 3. Jews and Christians believed Nero to be demonic because of his murder of his mother, his claim to be divine and his attacks on both Christians and Jews. They even said he was a serpent at birth. (Sib. Or. 4:ll9ff; 137f; 5:28ff; 137ff; 215ff; 386). 4. Belief was rampant that Nero hadn't really killed himself (who could be so lucky) but had gone into hiding in Parthia (the notorious East), would return at the head of a great Parthian army and take revenge on all who lived in Rome. This belief was so widespread that 3 impostors came forward claiming to be Nero and two of them were well received in Parthia. (Tac. Hist 1:2; 2:8; Suet. Nero 57) John doesn't believe this, but he says: Nero will indeed return, "reincarnated" in a new persecuting emperor; an eighth who is one of the seven (Rev 17:11). "the mortal wound was healed" = a reference to the fact that the civil war ended with Rome still an empire.
13:4	And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?	Vs. 4: In this verse we see that it is not government authority which is bad. Government is set up by God to keep evil in bounds. But when people worship the state, the state becomes an agent of Satan. The Roman Emperors had never had to force emperor worship on the populace because the people were only to glad to do so. The emperors had brought the peace which the old gods had been unable to bring. Ought the emperors not receive the worship which the old gods never earned? But to worship the state is to worship Satan.
13:5	And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.	Vs. 5: "haughty and blasphemous words = claims to be divine by emperors. "42 months" - 31/2 years = an indeterminate period
13:6	And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.	Vs. 6: "blasphemies against God" = claims to be divine "b1aspheming his dwelling, that is those who dwell in heaven" = attacking the Church This does not refer to the angels (how does one blaspheme an angel?) "those who dwell in heaven" = those who are citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20) "his dwelling" = the Church (The divine presence is to be found wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in the name of Christ)
13:7	And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.	Vs. 7: "make war on the saints and conquer them" = a reference to martyring Christians "it was allowed" = a reminder that the Beast from the Sea acts only with divine permission (God is still in charge) "authority was given it over" all the earth = it was permitted to do what it wants (Remember: it is providing an army of martyrs, unbeknownst to it) "all who dwell on earth will worship it" = whose who are citizens of earth, as opposed those in Vs. 6 who are citizens of heaven.
13:8	And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.	Vs. 8: "everyone whose name.. the book of life of the Lamb who was slain". BE CAREFUL HERE. DON 'T READ MORE INTO THIS VERSE THAN IS THERE John is not saying that those who worship the Beast from the Sea never had the chance to do otherwise. In Revelation John takes 2 things very seriously: 1. God's plan of salvation (predestination) 2. Human choice (free will) John never clarifies how these two fit together, he simply holds them up to the reader as important. The two do fit together for us if we remember that men and women can choose to reject God's free gift of salvation. God's plan has to do with redeeming the world through Christ.
13:9	If any man have an ear, let him hear.	*
13:10	He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.	Vs. 10: For 4 reasons this means "do not resist martyrdom" a) "if anyone has an ear let him hear" is directed to the Churches in each of the 7 letters. b) The treat of prison and death is one that Christians face, not Beast worshippers. c) Jesus told the Church NOT to use the sword to rebel; Rev 2:12 says use of the sword is the right of the Roman government. d) This quote is a call for endurance and faith of the saints. Aside: Such calls for endurance have been taken to mean that Christians should permit social injustice within their own lands. This is not John's point. John's point is "Christians, permit yourselves to be martyred for the faith and do not resist". John is not speaking how Christians are to act as proclaimers of God's will in the face of social injustice (such as the rich oppressing the poor) because he has another issue in mind: Christians are being killed, and he is to speak God's word of comfort and hope to them. Period.
13:11	And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.	Scene 3: The Beast Arising from the Land (13:11-18) Vs.1l: This beast is not something that came from "across the sea" like the Roman Empire. This beast arose "out of the Land". "out of the land" - this beast isn't a foreign import (like the Roman Empire), this beast is a native product (from Asia Minor) "two horns like a Lamb but spoke like a dragon" = this beast is a parody of Christ who speaks Satan's words Note: Although Revelation never uses the word "Anti-Christ", this description lets us know that the Beast from the Land is the Anti-Christ.
13:12	And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.	Vs. 12: John's readers would have known instantly from this verse what the "Beast from the Land" symbolized: The local "county government" (commune Asia) which included the local priests of the imperial cult. It was these local governing bodies which carried out Rome's orders. These governing bodies ordered statues be built to the emperors and encouraged (and enforced) emperor worship. These were competed with each other to determine which community would get to erect a temple to the emperor.
13:13	And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,	Vs. l3-14: "Great signs"-miracles These miracles could be either fraudulent tricks performed by magicians and ventriloquists in the service of the imperial cult or they could be genuine acts of demonic power. "deceives those who dwell on earth" - those who are "citizens of earth" are seduced into worship of the empire (and therefore of Satan). an image of the beast" - statues to the emperors.
13:14	And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
13:15	And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.	Vs. 15: A reference to martyrdom: Naturally it would be this second Beast (the local council) which would be responsible for rounding up Christians in Asia Minor and which would have the right to have them killed. (Compare with Daniel 3). Please Note: John is talking about the Christian's legal status, not their actual fate. It would be the legal right of the local authorities to condemn anyone to death who did not worship the emperor (because of the empire's requirement for total obedience to this command. But how thoroughly the local authorities would go about this is another matter and so doesn't imply total martyrdom.
13:16	And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:	Vs.16: "The mark on the right hand or forehead" The Greek word used here for "mark" is charagma. Charagma was a technical term for a specific mark back then: the stamp of the emperor on commercial documents; (such as receipts and purchase orders) the image of the head of the emperor on coins. So the mark of the beast would have been understood to be the Emperor's seal or picture used throughout the Roman Empire's business community. To see the amount of trouble use of this coinage caused the Jews and Christians, look again at the Gospels (particularly Matthew), and remember the command against making any graven images. A graven image was any statue or picture of any person or animal -- whether worshipped as an idol or not. Once the local government made use of any money but Roman money illegal, God's faithful people are in trouble. To use it is unfaithful, not to use it is to starve. It is now easy to see how using this Roman money, Roman purchase orders and Roman receipts would be the mark on the hand; it is also easy to see how this "mark" would affect all. What about the mark on the forehead? Just as the "2 horns like a lamb" show the "Beast from the Land" to be a parody of Christ, so this reference to a mark on the forehead is intended to show that this mark is a cheap parody of God's seal on the foreheads of the faithful in 7:3. With neither the mark of God nor the mark of the Beast are we dealing with a visible mark.
13:17	And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.	Vs. 17: "The name of the Beast or the number of its name" The Jews loved number games, called "gematria" (no pun intended). Not only did they use numbers symbolically, they had given each letter in Hebrew or Greek a numerical significance. This is almost exactly like the code games most of us played when we were children. For example, if we numbered the letters of our alphabet in order (like they did) the number sentence: 20-8-5 17-21-9-3-11 18-5-4 6-15-24 10-21-13-16-19 15-22-5-18 20-8-5 12-1-26-25 2-18-15-23-14 4-15-7 would translate: THE QUICK RED FOX JUMPS OVER THE LAZY BROWN DOG When you number the letters of the alphabet in order, and when everyone knows you' re numbering them in order, if you want to keep a name given in numbers secret, you don 't write out each number, you give the total the numbers make when added: EVE = 5 + 22 + 5 = 32 This is what they did back in those days, too. An archaeologist found this ancient scribble on a wall in Pomeii: "I love thee, whose number is 545". Nobody except 545 would know whose number- name this was because of all the different combinations of alphabet-numbers which could make this number-name. So back in those days, people had names - and each name could be made into a number name.
13:18	Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.	Vs. 18: "A human number" - this means a literal, mathematical number, as opposed to all the symbolic numbers John has been using in Revelation. "666" Who is 666? Nobody knows for sure. Here's why:

14:1	And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.	Scene 4: The Lamb with the 144,000 martyrs (14:1-5) Vs. 14:1: "Mt Zion" - this recalls to the reader's attention (in case they have forgotten) that the anchor for this division is the heavenly temple (which is becoming unnecessary) and that the Victorious Lamb has been enthroned since the crucifixion. "144,000" - in case the reader has forgotten that this division shows the judgement from the standpoint of Christians in heaven, here are the "144,000" (complete number of Christians on earth at the beginning of the end - see 7:4ff} now in heaven. "The Lamb's name and the Father's name written on their foreheads" = the fulfillment of the promise given in 1:17 and 3:2 to the Church on earth.
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:	Vs. 14:2-3: This voice is the voice of God teaching the Resurrected Christians their new eternal song. The voice has to be God's because if none of the angelic host could learn the song how could any of them be the teacher of it?
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.
14:4	These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whither so ever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.	Vs. 4-5: What this verse means if it is taken at face value is that "only virgin male Christians will be raised from the Dead". ("Chaste"- Greek word for this actually translates "virgin".) I can hardly think that John is asking us to take this at face value. Like everything else in Revelation this too is a symbol. I can't fully explain this to you. The usual explanation given is that the Resurrected Christians (the "first fruits") are different from the other dead because they were spiritually chaste in that they worshipped God instead of committing spiritual adultery by worshipping the Beast. Idolatry is see throughout scripture as adultery against God. I agree with this. But this explanation doesn't say anything to the question of "where are the resurrected Christian women?" Answers to this question are given by commentators, but I think I won't go into that issue here.
14:5	And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.	Vs. 5: Their sacrifice proves their loyalty and worthiness. Conclusion to Scene 4: In this scene we are reminded that the Resurrection has happened and that John's readers are being shown how it is that Resurrected Christians view God's Judgement of the world and the end of time.
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,	Scene 5: Announcement of Doom to Babylon (14:6-13) Vs. 6-7: "eternal gospel" = the good news that God's divine plan for people is reaching its end. "to all who dwell on earth" Even though the Resurrection has taken place, there is still a glimmer of hope for any who will worship God even at this late date. "Fear God, worship and give glory" = a call to repent Note: As we saw in 11:13, after the Resurrection, some of the "citizens of earth" to repent and become "citizens of heaven". "the hour of his judgement has come" = the End is now here.
14:7	Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
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.	Vs. 8: This second angel announces that "The Great Babylon" has fallen. See Isa 21:8-9 - When Israel was awaiting an end to the exile, people waited for news that Israel had been freed because Babylon had fallen. Babylon here is the symbol of all worldly power which "made the nations drink the wine of her impure passion". This phrase has parallel in Vs. 10: "the wine of the wrath of God". This cup of impure passions which the worldly powers forced on people refers to all spiritual adulteries (all worship of anything but God) which is so readily available on the earth. This announcement is a consoling one to the persecuted Christian reader of John's day because the angel's message assures: however powerful its anti and un-Christian proceedings may be, in the end the defeat of worldly powers is certain and final.
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,	*
14:10	The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:	*
14:11	And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.	*
14:12	Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.	Vs. 12-13: As this scene reaches its conclusion, the saints (the Christians for whom John is writing) are given another word of encouragement to endure their time of martyrdom and persecution. The previous scenes have given a lot of encouragement: the complete number who were sealed (7:4) will arrive in heaven (14:1) and will receive the promised new name and new song. The power of the world will be broken. Vs. 13 also gives encouragement as a word to the persecuted reader that a time of rest from labor is coming. "what they have done goes with them" - This phrase DOES NOT MEAN: 1. GOOD DEEDS (For John, good deeds don't get you to heaven) 2. PERSONAL SATISFACTION (For John, virtue is not its own reward) "what they have done" is to die, in order that their martyrdom will be redemptive for others (11:13) That which "goes with them" are the people who were redeemed as a result of the martyrs death.
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.
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.	Scene 6: Christ the Judge and the Winepress of God's Wrath (14:14-20) Vs. 14-17: After this aside to the persecuted reader, John concludes this division of how the Church triumphant will view the last page of the history of this earth with two pictures of how that last page will look: 1. The harvest (14:14-16) 2. The vintage (14:17-20) Note: It is these verses which inspired the Battle Hymn of the Republic (Mine Eyes have See the Glory...) Throughout the Bible, the grain harvest (Harvest) and the grape harvest (Vintage) are regularly used symbols of God's judgement. Recall Christ's use of these images to refer to the time when all Christians on earth would be gathered into the Kingdom of God while all enemies of God would be destroyed. Vs. 14-16: The Harvest: The "first fruits" (those who died in the lord) have been gathered (the Resurrection). It is now time to "harvest" the full crop of those Christians who remain on earth. Vs. 14: "a white cloud" = the throne of Christ, the symbol of the presence of God (see Dan 7:13) "a golden crown on his head" -- this is the enthroned victorious Christ seen in His royal authority. "sharp sickle" = a sign that the Final judgement (harvest of men and women) is about to begin: this is an instrument of the Lamb's wrath (like the rod of iron and the sharp sword seen earlier.
14:15	And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.	Vs. 15: "another angel" - This angel is the Father' s messenger to the Messiah that the judgement should be carried out. (see Mt 24:36) "the temple" - remember the setting of this division (11:19).
14:16	And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.	Vs. 16: This single verse describes the judgement as it affects the still living righteous and wicked, and the ingathering of Christians into Heaven.
14:17	And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.	Vs. 17-20: The Vintage The evil that remains outside the Kingdom of God after the judgement - harvest (Vs. 14-16) is thrown into the wine press of God's wrath and is utterly destroyed. Vs. 17: "another angel" with a sickle - this angel serves as The Father's agent of destruction.
14:18	And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.	Vs. 18: "the angel who had power over the fire" The Father's messenger to the angel with the sickle that the time of destruction has arrived.
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.	Vs. 19: The symbolism of God's judgement upon the wicked as the treading of grapes in a wine press is also seen in Isa 63:1-6.
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.	Vs. 20: "outside the city" is a reference to the fact those who are to be destroyed are separated from the community of the messiah. Those who are "outside the city" are there through their own choice, and now, through God's judgement they will remain separated forever. "1600 stadia" = 200 miles (300 kilometers), if you take it literally. If you take this number symbolically, 1600 stadia are 4 times 400 or 40 times 40, so in this figure John may mean "to the 4 corners of the earth"; a square number. In either case, this verse indicates that the destruction of the wicked will be complete and gruesome. (The gruesome nature of this destruction is indicated by the fact that the whole earth will be covered with blood 5-7 feet deep.) The picture given here is rather gruesome but not as gruesome as the same scene is going to look from the perspective of the world (17:1-20:3).

15:1	And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.	Scene 7: Hymn of the Lamb chanted by the saved (15:1-4) Vs. 15:1 The 7 angels with the 7 plagues come out, indicating that the Church is soon to be shown the way the last days of earth appear from the perspective of those on earth. Finally John's readers are to see the "third woe" of 11:14 as it appeared to those who had not yet died before that time. But first, let's see what happens to those in God's Kingdom after the day of Judgement.
15:2	And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.	Vs. 2: The sea of glass mingled with fire = a heavenly Red Sea which has swallowed up the persecutors of the Church (the destroyers) just as surely as the Red Sea swallowed up the Egyptians who persecuted Israel. (We shall see how this happened in detail in the vision of the Lake of Fire, later.) "those who had conquered.... harps in their hands" = the Church which has come through martyrdom and the last days of earth. (That they are called "conquerors" shows that the members of the 7 Churches are now in heaven.)
15:3	And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.	Vs. 3-4: A hymn of praise "the song of Moses" = a reference to Exod 15:1-18 where Moses and Israel sing praise of God for having delivered them from the hand of the Egyptians (by swallowing up the Egyptians in the sea). The words of the song sung by the saints echo various Psalms: 111:2; 139:14; 145:17; 119:151; 86:9-10; Jeremiah 10:7. This song is also called the song of the Lamb because it is Christ who won the victory. "thy judgements have been revealed" = an affirmation that the time of judgement is over and God's plan is fulfilled.
15:4	Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.