1UndG2532 ich sahG1492: undG2532 sieheG2400, das LammG721 standG2476 aufG1909 dem BergeG3735 ZionG4622 undG2532 mitG3326 ihmG846 144000G1540 G5062 G5064 G5505, welche seinen Namen und den NamenG3686 seinesG846 VatersG3962 anG1909 ihrenG846 StirnenG3359 geschriebenG1125 trugenG2192. 2UndG2532 ich hörteG191 eine StimmeG5456 ausG1537 dem HimmelG3772 wieG5613 das RauschenG5456 vielerG4183 WasserG5204 undG2532 wieG5613 das RollenG5456 eines lautenG3173 DonnersG1027; undG2532 die StimmeG5456, welche ich hörteG191, war wie von HarfensängernG2790, die aufG1722 ihrenG846 HarfenG2788 spielenG2789. 3UndG2532 sie singenG103 ein neuesG2537 LiedG5603 vorG1799 dem ThroneG2362 undG2532 vorG1799 den vierG5064 lebendigen WesenG2226 undG2532 den ÄltestenG4245; undG2532 niemandG3762 konnteG1410 das LiedG5603 lernenG3129, als nurG1508 die 144000G1540 G5062 G5064 G5505, dieG3588 vonG575 der ErdeG1093 erkauftG59 waren. 4DieseG3778 sindG1526 es, dieG3739 sichG3435 mitG3326 WeibernG1135 nichtG3756 beflecktG3435 haben, dennG1063 sie sindG1526 JungfrauenG3933; dieseG3778 sindG1526 es, dieG3588 dem LammeG721 folgenG190, wohinG3699 irgendG302 es gehtG5217. DieseG3778 sindG59 ausG575 den MenschenG444 erkauftG59 worden als ErstlingeG536 GottG2316 undG2532 dem LammeG721. 5UndG2532 inG1722 ihremG846 MundeG4750 wurdeG2147 keinG3756 FalschG1388 gefundenG2147; [denn]G1063 sie sindG1526 tadellosG299. 6UndG2532 ich sahG1492 einen anderenG243 EngelG32 inmittenG1722 des HimmelsG3321 fliegenG4072, der das ewigeG166 EvangeliumG2098 hatteG2192, um es denen zu verkündigenG2097, die aufG1909 der ErdeG1093 ansässigG2730 sind, undG2532 jederG3956 NationG1484 undG2532 StammG5443 undG2532 SpracheG1100 undG2532 VolkG2992, 7indem er mitG1722 lauterG3173 StimmeG5456 sprachG3004: FürchtetG5399 GottG2316 undG2532 gebetG1325 ihmG846 EhreG1391, dennG3754 die StundeG5610 seinesG846 GerichtsG2920 ist gekommenG2064; undG2532 betet den anG4352, der den HimmelG3772 undG2532 die ErdeG1093 gemachtG4160 hat undG2532 das MeerG2281 undG2532 die WasserquellenG5204 G4077. 8UndG2532 ein andererG243, zweiter EngelG32 folgteG190 und sprachG3004: GefallenG4098, gefallenG4098 ist BabylonG897, die großeG3173, die mitG1537 dem WeineG3631 der WutG2372 ihrerG846 HurereiG4202 alleG3956 NationenG1484 getränktG4222 hat. 9UndG2532 ein anderer, dritterG5154 EngelG32 folgteG190 ihnenG846 und sprachG3004 mitG1722 lauterG3173 StimmeG5456: Wenn jemandG1536 das TierG2342 undG2532 seinG846 BildG1504 anbetetG4352 undG2532 ein MalzeichenG5480 annimmtG2983 anG1909 seineG846 StirnG3359 oderG2228 anG1909 seineG846 HandG5495, 10so wirdG4095 auchG2532 erG846 trinkenG4095 vonG1537 dem WeineG3631 des GrimmesG2372 GottesG2316, derG3588 unvermischtG194 inG1722 dem KelcheG4221 seinesG846 ZornesG3709 bereitetG2767 ist; undG2532 er wirdG2928 mitG1722 FeuerG4442 undG2532 SchwefelG2303 gequältG928 werden vorG1799 den heiligenG40 EngelnG32 undG2532 vorG1799 dem LammeG721. 11UndG2532 der RauchG2586 ihrerG846 QualG929 steigt aufG305 inG1519 die ZeitalterG165 der ZeitalterG165; undG2532 sie habenG2192 keineG3756 RuheG372 TagG2250 undG2532 NachtG3571, dieG3588 das TierG2342 undG2532 seinG846 BildG1504 anbetenG4352, undG2532 wenn jemandG1536 das MalzeichenG5480 seinesG846 NamensG3686 annimmtG2983. 12HierG5602 istG2076 das AusharrenG5281 der HeiligenG40, welcheG5602 die GeboteG1785 GottesG2316 haltenG5083 undG2532 den GlaubenG4102 JesuG2424. 13UndG2532 ich hörteG191 eine StimmeG5456 ausG1537 dem HimmelG3772 sagenG3004: SchreibeG1125: GlückseligG3107 die TotenG3498, dieG3588 imG1722 HerrnG2962 sterbenG599, von nun anG534! JaG3483, sprichtG3004 der GeistG4151, auf daßG2443 sie ruhenG373 vonG1537 ihrenG846 ArbeitenG2873, dennG1161 ihreG846 WerkeG2041 folgenG190 ihnenG846 nachG3326. 14UndG2532 ich sahG1492: undG2532 sieheG2400, eine weißeG3022 WolkeG3507, undG2532 aufG1909 der WolkeG3507 saßG2521 einer gleichG3664 dem SohneG5207 des MenschenG444, welcher aufG1909 seinemG846 HaupteG2776 eine goldeneG5552 KroneG4735 undG2532 inG1722 seinerG846 HandG5495 eine scharfeG3691 SichelG1407 hatteG2192. 15UndG2532 ein andererG243 EngelG32 kamG1831 ausG1537 dem TempelG3485 hervorG1831 und riefG2896 dem, der aufG1909 der WolkeG3507 saßG2521, mitG1722 lauterG3173 StimmeG5456 zuG2896: SchickeG3992 deineG4675 SichelG1407 undG2532 ernteG2325; dennG3754 die StundeG5610 des ErntensG2325 ist gekommenG2064, dennG3754 die ErnteG2326 der ErdeG1093 ist überreifG3583 geworden. 16UndG2532 der aufG1909 der WolkeG3507 saßG2521, legteG906 seineG846 SichelG1407 anG1909 die ErdeG1093, undG2532 die ErdeG1093 wurde geerntetG2325. 17UndG2532 ein andererG243 EngelG32 kamG1831 ausG1537 dem TempelG3485 hervorG1831, derG3588 inG1722 dem HimmelG3772 ist, und auchG2532 erG846 hatteG2192 eine scharfeG3691 SichelG1407. 18UndG2532 ein andererG243 EngelG32, der GewaltG1849 überG1909 das FeuerG4442 hatteG2192, kamG1831 ausG1537 dem AltarG2379 hervorG1831, undG2532 er riefG5455 dem, der die scharfeG3691 SichelG1407 hatteG2192, mit lautemG3173 SchreiG5456 zuG5455 und sprachG3004: SchickeG3992 deineG4675 scharfeG3691 SichelG1407 undG2532 liesG5166 die TraubenG1009 des Weinstocks der ErdeG1093, dennG3754 seineG846 BeerenG4718 sind reifG187 geworden. 19UndG2532 der EngelG32 legteG906 seineG846 SichelG1407 anG1519 die ErdeG1093 undG2532 lasG5166 die Trauben des WeinstocksG288 der ErdeG1093 undG2532 warfG906 sie inG1519 die großeG3173 KelterG3025 des GrimmesG2372 GottesG2316. 20UndG2532 die KelterG3025 wurdeG3961 außerhalbG1854 der StadtG4172 getretenG3961, undG2532 BlutG129 gingG1831 ausG1537 der KelterG3025 hervorG1831 bis anG891 die GebisseG5469 der PferdeG2462, 1600G5507 G1812 StadienG4712 weitG575.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 Here we have one of the most pleasing sights that can be viewed in this world - the Lord Jesus Christ at the head of his faithful adherents and attendants. Here observe, 1. How Christ appears: as a Lamb standing upon
mount Zion. Mount Zion is the gospel church. Christ is with his church and in the midst of her in all her troubles, and therefore she is not consumed. It is his presence that secures her perseverance; he appears as
a Lamb, a true Lamb, the Lamb of God. A counterfeit lamb is mentioned as rising out of the earth in the last chapter, which was really a dragon; here Christ appears as the true paschal Lamb, to show that his mediatorial government is the fruit of his sufferings, and the cause of his people's safety and fidelity. 2. How his people appear: very honourably. (1.) As to the numbers, they are many, even all who are sealed; not one of them lost in all the tribulations through which they have gone. (2.) Their distinguishing badge: they had
the name of God written in their foreheads; they made a bold and open profession of their faith in God and Christ, and, this being followed by suitable actings, they are known and approved. (3.) Their congratulations and songs of praise, which were peculiar to the redeemed (
Revel 14:3); their praises were loud as thunder, or
as the voice of many waters; they were melodious, as
of harpers; they were heavenly,
before the throne of God.
The song was new, suited to the new covenant, and unto that new and gracious dispensation of Providence under which they now were; and their song was a secret to others,
strangers intermeddled not with their joy; others might repeat the words of the song, but they were strangers to the true sense and spirit of it. (4.) Their character and description. [1.] They are described by their chastity and purity:
They are virgins. They had not defiled themselves either with corporal or spiritual adultery; they had kept themselves clean from the abominations of the antichristian generation. [2.] By their loyalty and stedfast adherence to Christ:
They follow the Lamb withersoever he goes; they follow the conduct of his word, Spirit, and providence, leaving it to him to lead them into what duties and difficulties he pleases. [3.] By their former designation to this honour:
These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits to God, and to the Lamb, Revel 14:4. Here is plain evidence of a special redemption:
They were redeemed from among men. Some of the children of men are, by redeeming mercy, distinguished from others:
They were the first-fruits to God, and to the Lamb, his choice ones, eminent in every grace, and the earnest of many more who should
be followers of them, as they were of Christ. [4.] By their universal integrity and conscientiousness:
There was no guile found in them, and
they were without fault before the throne of God. They were without any prevailing guile, any allowed fault; their hearts were right with God, and, as for their human infirmities, they were freely pardoned in Christ. This is the happy remnant who attend upon the Lord Jesus as their head and Lord; he is glorified in them, and they are glorified in him.
6 In this part of the chapter we have three angels or messengers sent from heaven to give notice of the fall of Babylon, and of those things that were antecedent and consequent to that great event.
I. The first angel was sent on an errand antecedent to it, and that was
to preach the everlasting gospel, Revel 14:6,
Revel 14:7. Observe, 1. The gospel is an everlasting gospel; it is so in its nature, and it will be so in its consequences. Though all flesh be grass, the word of the Lord endureth for ever. 2. It is a work fit for an angel to preach this everlasting gospel; such is the dignity, and such is the difficulty of that work! And yet we have this treasure in earthen vessels. 3. The everlasting gospel is of great concern to all the world; and, as it is the concern of all, it is very much to be desired that it should be made known to all, even
to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. 4. The gospel is the great means whereby men are brought to fear God, and to give glory to him. Natural religion is not sufficient to keep up the fear of God, nor to secure to him glory from men; it is the gospel that revives the fear of God, and retrieves his glory in the world. 5. When idolatry creeps into the churches of God, it is by the preaching of the gospel, attended by the power of the Holy Spirit, that men are
turned from idols to serve the living God, as the Creator of
the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters, Revel 14:7. To worship any God besides him who created the world is idolatry.
II. The second angel follows the other, and proclaims the actual fall of Babylon. The preaching of the everlasting gospel had shaken the foundations of antichristianism in the world, and hastened its downfall. By Babylon is generally understood Rome, which was before called
Sodom and
Egypt, for wickedness and cruelty, and is now first called
Babylon, for pride and idolatry. Observe, 1. What God has fore-ordained and foretold shall be done as certainly as if it were done already. 2. The greatness of the papal Babylon will not be able to prevent her fall, but will make it more dreadful and remarkable. 3. The wickedness of Babylon, in corrupting, debauching, and intoxicating the nations round about her, will make her fall just and will declare the righteousness of God in her utter ruin,
Revel 14:8. Her crimes are recited as the just cause of her destruction.
III. A third angel follows the other two, and gives warning to all of that divine vengeance which would overtake all those that obstinately adhered to the antichristian interest after God had thus proclaimed its downfall,
Revel 14:9,
Revel 14:10. If after this (this threatening denounced against Babylon, and in part already executed) any should persist in their idolatry, professing subjection to the beast and promoting his cause, they must expect
to drink deep of the wind of the wrath of God; they shall be for ever miserable in soul and body; Jesus Christ will inflict this punishment upon them, and the holy angels will behold it and approve of it. Idolatry, both pagan and papal, is a damning sin in its own nature, and will prove fatal to those who persist in it, after fair warning given by the word of Providence; those who refuse to come out of Babylon, when thus called, and resolve to partake of her sins, must receive of her plagues; and the guilt and ruin of such incorrigible idolaters will serve to set forth the excellency of the patience and obedience of the saints. These graces shall be rewarded with salvation and glory. When the treachery and rebellion of others shall be punished with everlasting destruction, then it will be said, to the honour of the faithful (
Revel 14:12):
Here is the patience of the saints; you have before seen their patience exercised, now you see it rewarded.
13 Here we have the vision of the harvest and vintage, introduced with a solemn preface. Observe,
I. The preface,
Revel 14:13. Here note, 1. Whence this prophecy about the harvest came: it came down from heaven, and not from men, and therefore it is of certain truth and great authority. 2. How it was to be preserved and published - by writing; it was to be a matter of record, that the people of God might have recourse to it for their support and comfort upon all occasions. 3. What it principally intended, and that is, to show the blessedness of all the faithful saints and servants of God, both in death and after death:
Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth, etc. Here observe, (1.) The description of those that are and shall be blessed - such as die in the Lord, either die in the cause of Christ, or rather die in a state of vital union with Christ, such as are found in Christ when death comes. (2.) The demonstration of this blessedness:
They rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. [1.] They are blessed in their rest; they rest from all sin, temptation, sorrow, and persecution.
There the wicked cease from troubling, there the weary are at rest. [2.] They are blessed in their recompence:
Their works follow them; they do not go before them as their title, or price of purchase, but follow them as their evidence of having lived and died in the Lord; and the memory of them will be pleasant, and the reward glorious, far above the merit of all their services and sufferings. [3.] They are happy in the time of their dying, when they have lived to see the cause of God reviving, the peace of the church returning, and the wrath of God falling upon their idolatrous cruel enemies. Such times are good times to die in; they have Simeon's desire:
Now, Lord, let thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. And all this is ratified and confirmed by the testimony of the Spirit witnessing with their spirits and with the written word.
II. We have the vision itself, represented by a harvest and a vintage.
1. By a harvest (
Revel 14:14,
Revel 14:15), an emblem that sometimes signifies the cutting down of the wicked, when ripe for ruin, by the judgments of God, and sometimes the gathering in of the righteous, when ripe for heaven, by the mercy of God. This seems rather to represent God's judgments against the wicked: and here observe,
(1.) The Lord of the harvest - one so
like unto the Son of man that he was the same, even the Lord Jesus, who is described, [1.] By the chariot in which he sat -
a white cloud, a cloud that had a bright side turned to the church, how dark soever it might be to the wicked. [2.] By the ensign of his power:
On his head was a golden crown, authority to do all that he did and whatsoever he would do. [3.] By the instrument of his providences:
In his hand a sharp sickle. [4.] By the solicitations he had from the temple to perform this great work. What he did, he was desired to do by his people; and, though he was resolved to do it, he would for this thing be sought unto by them, and so it should be in return to their prayers.
(2.) The harvest-work, which is, to thrust the sickle into the corn, and reap the field. The sickle is the sword of God's justice; the field is the world; reaping is cutting the inhabitants of the earth down and carrying them off.
(3.) The harvest-time; and this is when the corn is ripe, when the measure of the sin of men is filled up, and they are ripe for destruction. The most inveterate enemies of Christ and his church are not destroyed till by their sin they are ripe for ruin, and then he will spare them no longer; he will thrust in his sickle, and the earth shall be reaped.
2. By a vintage,
Revel 14:17. Some think that these two are only different emblems of the same judgment; others that they refer to distinct events of providence before the end of all things. Observe, (1.) To whom this vintage-work was committed - to an angel,
another angel that came out from the altar, that is, from the holiest of all in heaven. (2.) At whose request this vintage-work was undertaken: it was, as before, at the cry of an
angel out of the temple, the ministers and churches of God on earth. (3.) The work of the vintage, which consists of two parts: - [1.] The cutting off, and
gathering, the clusters of the vine, which were now ripe and ready,
fully ripe, Revel 14:18. [2.] Casting these grapes
into the wine-press (
Revel 14:19); here we are told,
First, What was the wine-press: it was
the wrath of God, the fire of his indignation, some terrible calamity, very probably the sword, shedding the blood of the wicked.
Secondly, Where was the place of the wine-press -
without the city, where the army lay that came against Babylon.
Thirdly, The quantity of the wine, that is, of the blood that was drawn forth by this judgment: it was, for depth, up
to the horses' bridles, and, for breadth and length,
a thousand and six hundred furlongs (
Revel 14:20); that is, say some, 200 Italian miles, which is thought to be the measure of the holy land, and may be meant of the patrimony of the holy see, encompassing the city of Rome. But here we are left of doubtful conjectures. Perhaps this great event has not yet had its accomplishment, but
the vision is for an appointed time; and therefore, though it may seem to tarry, we are to wait for it.
But who shall live when the Lord does this?