Revelation 14 - 144,000, 3 Angels, And God's Wrath -

“Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.” – Revelation 14:1

We first saw the 144,000 in Revelation 7.

“Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel…” Revelation 7:2-4

The 144,000 are Jewish witnesses from the 12 tribes of Israel. They will be given the task of taking the Gospel to other Jews in Israel, and around the world during the tribulation.

In Revelation 7 we saw the results of their faithful witness during the tribulation. A great multitude with too many to count, from all over the world, appear in heaven around the throne of God. They are believers dressed in white, that will be killed in the tribulation. They are believers and in heaven because of the faithful witness of the 144,000 Jewish witnesses.

Jesus & The 144,000 On Mount Zion

Mount Zion is mentioned various times in the Bible.

“David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.” – 2 Samuel 5:7

“Look on Zion, the city of our festivals; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved; its stakes will never be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken.” – Isaiah 33:20

“May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem.” – Psalm 51:18

Zion refers to the city of Jerusalem. And Mount Zion refers to where the modern day Temple Mount is located. Which is the highest point in the city of Jerusalem.

At the beginning of Revelation 14 John sees the Lamb Jesus and the 144,000 Jewish witnesses in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount or Mount Zion.

Revelation 14 is a continuation of the interval or break between the blowing of the 7th trumpet in Revelation 11 and the description and details of the final 7th trumpet judgement and the subsequent 7 bowl judgements starting in Revelation 15.

In Revelation 12 and 13 John introduces and describes the main characters or players in the tribulation and day of the Lord. We saw the dragon Satan, the woman Israel, the baby Jesus in Revelation 12. And the beast of the sea, the antichrist, and the beast from the earth, the false prophet.

Now in Revelation 14 we see Jesus standing on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. John is showing a scene that will take place immediately after the end of the Great Tribulation, after the final 7th trumpet judgement and 7 bowl judgements.

This is Jesus’ triumphant return to earth. Jesus is God’s rightful and worthy Heir to take the reign of the earth and universe. He is shown in Revelation 14:1 returning to start His 1000 year kingdom on earth.

And standing with Jesus are the 144,000 faithful Jewish witnesses. Despite Satan’s and the antichrist’s attempts to kill all believers, and all of the terrible judgements and wrath being poured out on the earth in the tribulation, these 144,000 will survive.

They will enter into Jesus’ 1000 year kingdom on earth alive. Remember in Revelation 7 John saw the 144,000 sealed with God’s seal. God will protect these 144,000 faithful witnesses during the tribulation.

“Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel…” – Revelation 7:2-4

Jesus The Lamb, Jesus The King

We see Jesus the Lamb standing on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. In John’s vision He is coming back to earth to reign as King in His 1000 year kingdom on earth. And then to reign forever in His eternal kingdom in the new heaven and the new earth that comes in Revelation 21.

King David prophesied about this in Psalm 2.

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” – Psalm 2:1-6

In Revelation 14 John sees God’s appointed Heir and King standing on Mount Zion. Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb the first time He came to earth. At the end of the Great Tribulation Jesus will come back as the King, to reign in His kingdom.

“And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.” – Revelation 14:2-3

After John sees King Jesus standing on Mount Zion in Jerusalem with the 144,000, he hears a loud voice or sound from heaven. John heard the loud sound of harpists playing, and many voices singing a new song.

John has seen several times before in Revelation 1, 4, 5, and 7 scenes from heaven. And almost every time he sees and hears the angels and 4 living creatures and 24 elders worshipping God with harps and songs and words of praise. And in Revelation 7 John saw a great multitude of believers martyred in the tribulation joining in.

Now in Revelation 14 John hears them singing a new song at the time of Jesus’ triumphant return to earth. And the 144,000 faithful Jewish witnesses are the only ones on earth allowed to learn the new song.

We know from Revelation 7 that the 144,000 are Jewish witnesses or evangelists from the 12 tribes of Israel during the tribulation. And we know that they have been sealed by God and will be protected from Satan and the antichrist.

Even though a great multitude of people that come to faith in Christ during the tribulation will be martyred, the 144,000 are sealed and will make it through the tribulation alive. And they will enter into Jesus’ 1000 year kingdom on earth alive.

“Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel…” Revelation 7:2-4

Now in Revelation 14 John gives us more details about the 144,000 Jewish witnesses.

“It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.” – Revelation 14:4-5

The 144,000 will be completely devoted and dedicated to the Lord Jesus. They will follow Jesus no matter how and where Jesus leads them. Even though during the tribulation it will be very difficult to follow Jesus. And it will be especially difficult and costly to be witnesses for Jesus and take the Gospel to the world. But these 144,000 will be very special and dedicated followers of Jesus.

And they will be so dedicated and holy, or set apart for Jesus, that they will be virgins. And totally uncompromising in their walk with Jesus. And they speak no lies, and their character will be totally blameless.

Very occasionally do we see such dedicated people in the Bible. Joseph is a good example. And Daniel. And Paul was another passionate and dedicated servant of the Lord.

And today in the world there is a great lack of such passionate and dedicated followers of Jesus. But in the midst of the terrible judgements from God, and the horrible Satanic and demonic activity going on during the tribulation, there will be 144,000 passionate and dedicated followers and witnesses for Jesus.

“Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” – Revelation 14:6-7

After John sees Jesus and the 144,000 standing on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, John then sees something different. He sees 3 angels.

The First Angel

John sees an angel flying overhead. In his vision John is still in Jerusalem, where he saw Jesus the Lamb and the 144,000 standing on Mount Zion.

The Greek word for “flying overhead” means that the angel is flying in “Midheaven”. Midheaven is defined as being the highest point in the sky above earth, where the sun is at it’s apex, or highest point in the sky at noon.

This is very near the end of the Great Tribulation, or the 2nd half of the tribulation. A short time before Jesus begins to reign in His 1000 year kingdom on earth. We know this because the angel is doing something and speaking to the people that are still alive on earth.

The angel is proclaiming the Gospel. And he is preaching the Gospel to every nation and tribe and language and people on earth.

“Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.” – Revelation 14:6

God Continually Tries To Save People

Even though this is the tribulation, when God will pour out His wrath and judgments on His enemies, He is still giving people the chance to repent and turn to Jesus.

“But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9

“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:3-4

Up until this point during the 7 year tribulation period, God has sent the dedicated 144,000 Jewish witnesses to share the Gospel. And the 2 great witnesses we saw in Revelation 11 (most likely Moses and Elijah).

And now, right near the end of the world, God will even send an angel flying above everyone in the world to preach the Gospel. God is constantly trying to reach out to sinful people to save them.

In Matthew 24 Jesus is asked by His followers about the end times. He talks about all of the events that will take place in the tribulation. False christs, then war, famines, earthquakes. And how these will be early signs in the tribulation.

Then Jesus mentions that the Gospel will be preached throughout the whole world. And then the end will come.

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” – Matthew 24:14

That is exactly where we are in John’s vision of the end times, near the end of the Great Tribulation. The Gospel is being preached to the whole world. By the 2 great witnesses. And the 144,000 dedicated Jewish witnesses. And now even by an angel flying above.

The final part of the angel’s message to the world is this:

“And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” – Revelation 14:7

Fear God. This is another way of saying reverantly worship God. Do not worship Satan and the antichrist. Fear God and reverantly worship God. And only give glory to God. Because of only God is worthy.

And finally the angel announces that the hour of judgment has come. The 7th and final trumpet judgement and the subsequent rapidly occurring bowl judgements are about to begin.

“Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.” – Revelation 14:8

After the first angel that preaches the Gospel to the whole world from high in the sky, John sees a second angel. And this angel has a very different message.

This second angel will also be seen by the whole world. And he is talking about Babylon.

Babylon is a symbolic name the angel uses for the antichrist’s world kingdom and global government, religion, and economic system. There will be more details about the symbolic Babylon and the antichrist’s world kingdom in Revelation 17 and 18.

In ancient days Babylon was a godless kingdom started by Noah’s great grandson Nimrod.

In Genesis 10 and 11 you can read about Nimrod and his kingdom. It started in Babel and spread from there.

“The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan. 7 The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. 8 Cush fathered Nimrod; he was the first on earth to be a mighty man. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord. Therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 From that land he went into Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and 12 Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city.” – Genesis 10:6-12

“Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.” – Genesis 11:4-9

Idolatry And Worship Of False Gods

Babel was the beginning of idolatry and the worship of idols and false gods. Rather than living to glorify God and worship Him, they set out to glorify themselves and worship their own idols and gods.

When God sent them into confusion by making them speak many languages, so they could not understand each other, He dispersed them all around the earth. Their idolatry and worship of false gods speak around the world also.

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.” – Revelation 14:8

The second angel John sees in the sky is proclaiming that it is almost time for Satan’s and the antichrist’s world kingdom of idolatry and immorality and evil to end. He is proclaiming that it is almost time for the final part of God’s wrath and judgment to come. And for Satan and God’s enemies to be defeated for all of eternity.

“And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” – Revelation 14:9-10

John then sees a third angel proclaiming another message to the whole world. The first angel was proclaiming the Gospel message. The second angel was proclaiming a warning to anyone who worships the antichrist and Satan, that they will face judgment and damnation.

Now John sees a third angel proclaiming a message detailing the eternal fate of those that choose to reject Christ, and choose to worship the antichrist and Satan.

We saw in Revelation 13 that the antichrist will force people to worship him, and to take a mark that identifies them as belonging to him. The third angel warns people that if they take the mark of the beast, the antichrist, they will suffer the consequences.

The consequences of rejecting Christ and taking the mark of the beast and worshiping the antichrist are described in terms of the cup of God’s wrath. This language is used in various places in the Bible to describe God’s wrath and judgment.

“Thus the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. 16 They shall drink and stagger and be crazed because of the sword that I am sending among them.” – Jeremiah 25:15-16

The third angel uses similar language to detail what is going to happen to those who choose to reject Christ and worship the antichrist and Satan.

“If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” – Revelation 14:9-10

Eternal Torment In The Lake Of Fire

The third angel gives a terrifying description of the consequences of rejecting Christ and worshipping the antichrist and Satan.

“he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” Revelation 14:10-11

The angel describes in detail the cup of God’s wrath and punishment. Torment in fire and sulfur. Eternal smoke and torment. And no rest day and night from the eternal torment.

Weeping And Gnashing Of Teeth

There are various other verses in the Bible that describe the eternal torment and consequences of rejecting Christ and choosing to worship Satan, God’s enemy.

“and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ” – Matthew 13:42

“Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 25:30

Sheol or Hades And The Lake Of Fire

In the book of Revelation the eternal destiny and eternal torment for those who choose to reject Christ and worship the antichrist and Satan is known as the lake of fire. The place called Sheol or Hades is not the ultimate and eternal destiny for these sinful and rebellious people. Or for Satan, and his demons, and his 2 tribulation servants the antichrist and the false prophet.

The Bottomless Pit or Abyss

The bottomless pit or the abyss is shown in Revelation as the holding place for some demons. And for Satan until the end of Jesus’ 1000 year kingdom on earth and the final judgement in Revelation 20.

Back in Revelation 9 we saw Satan cast down to earth and he was given the key to open the bottomless pit or the abyss, which is hell. And he was allowed to release a great number of demons that were imprisoned there by God.

“And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. 2 He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. 3 Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth.” – Revelation 9:1-3

The Old Testament uses a Hebrew word “Sheol” when it talks about the place dead people’s soul will go to. And the New Testament uses a Greek word “Hades”. They both mean “the place of the dead”, or the “place of departed souls”.

“I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.” – Hosea 13:14

“And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. 29 If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the Lord.” – Numbers 16:28-30

“The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.” – Luke 16:22-24

Satan Will Be Imprisoned In The Bottomless Pit For 1000 Years

At the end of the Great Tribulation, when Jesus comes back to begin His 1000 year kingdom on earth, Satan will be thrown into the bottomless pit, or hell. And he will be imprisoned there until near the end of the 1000 year kingdom.

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.” – Revelation 20:1-3

The Ultimate Eternal Destiny – The Lake Of Fire

The lake of fire is not the same place as the bottomless pit, or Sheol or Hades. The lake of fire is the eternal destiny and eternal place of torment and punishment for Satan. He will be thrown into the lake of fire in Revelation 20.

Satan Will Be Thrown Into The Lake Of Fire

“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. 9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, 10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” – Revelation 20:7-10

The Antichrist And False Prophet Will Be Thrown Into The Lake Of Fire

1000 years before Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire, the antichrist and the false prophet will be thrown into it. At the very end of the tribulation in Revelation 19.

“And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.” – Revelation 19:19-20

Anyone That Rejects Christ And Worships The Beast

Finally, anyone who chooses to reject Christ and does not worship God will be thrown into the eternal lake of fire. After Jesus’ 1000 year earthly kingdom, at the final great white throne judgement.

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” – Revelation 20:11-15

In these verses we also see death and Hades thrown into the lake of fire. The name Hades is used because Revelation was written in Greek. The lake of fire is the eternal place many call hell, and is the ultimate and eternal destiny for Satan and his demons. And anyone that rejects Christ and follows and worships Satan.

By not believing in and rejecting Jesus, a person is deciding to be an enemy of God. And is deciding to be on Satan’s side. Which ultimately will lead to eternal damnation and torment in the lake of fire.

“Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” – Revelation 14:12-13

John is writing to encourage future believers and followers of Christ that will be in the tribulation to persevere and endure until the end. A great number of believers will be martyred by the antichrist in the tribulation.

John hears a voice from heaven saying “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

The believers in Jesus that will be alive at this time late in the tribulation are encouraged, and also assured that their labor for the Lord will be eternally rewarded.

The Son Of Man With A Sickle

After seeing the 3 angels high above the earth proclaiming their messages to the whole world, John sees the next part of his vision.

“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped.” – Revelation 14:14-16

The one John sees like the son of man is Jesus. He is on a cloud, and He has a golden crown on His head. This is a future vision of King Jesus taking over the reign of the universe.

And in Jesus’ hand is a sharp sickle. This is similar language to some Old Testament prophecies about the wrath of God, and the final reaping or judgement of the Lord.

In Daniel’s prophetic vision of the 4 beasts in Daniel 7, he sees what John is talking about in Revelation 14.

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” – Daniel 7:13-14

Jesus Taught About His Return

In Matthew 24, after teaching His disciples about the end times and the tribulation, Jesus spoke about His second coming.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” – Matthew 24:29-31

Jesus also taught them about His final judgement when He returns.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world… Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. – Matthew 25:31-34, 41

Another Angel With A Sickle

“Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia.” – Revelation 14:17-20

Next John sees another angel. And the angel also has a sharp sickle, which is a symbol of God’s wrath and final judgement of all on the earth.

John also sees a large amount of blood as a result of God’s wrath and reaping and judgment. This particular part of John’s vision refers to the battle of Armageddon that will take place when Jesus returns to the earth. Right before Jesus begins His 1000 year reign on earth. John describes this in Revelation 19.

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.” – Revelation 19:11-21

Old Testament Prophecies About The Battle of Armageddon

There are various Old Testament prophecies of the Lord’s wrath and judgment that use similar language about the nations gathering for war in the land of Israel, blood, and the winepress of God’s wrath.

“Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. 4 On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. 5 And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. 6 On that day there shall be no light, cold, or frost. 7 And there shall be a unique day, which is known to the Lord, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light. 8 On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter. 9 And the Lord will be king over all the earth.” – Zachariah 14:1-9

“Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.” 2 Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress? 3 “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel. 4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come. 5 I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold;

so my own arm brought me salvation, and my wrath upheld me. 6 I trampled down the peoples in my anger; I made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.” – Isaiah 63:1-6

“Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves there. Bring down your warriors, O Lord. 12 Let the nations stir themselves up and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.” 13 Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the winepress is full. The vats overflow, for their evil is great.” – Joel 3:11-13

“And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia.” – Revelation 14:20

In the battle of Armageddon the antichrist and the false prophet and their army of millions of their followers will gather in the land of Israel. They will make one last attempt to defeat God and His followers, and Israel.

This is when Jesus and His army of angels comes back and crushes the antichrist and false prophet and God’s enemies. As John will describe in Revelation 19.

In his vision in Revelation 14 John says that the blood of God’s enemies will rise as high as a horse’s bridle. Which is around 4 feet high. And that it will be that high for 1600 stadia. Approximately 200 miles.

In other words, the blood of the defeated human army of Satan and the antichrist will rise to 4 feet high for nearly the entire length of the nation of Israel. This would indicate an army of millions and millions.