FEAR GOD AND GIVE HIM GLORY
Revelation 14:1-20
Key Verse: 14:7
“He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.’”
What is something that you fear? 4 years ago, COVID-19 attacked people with such fear of death. We can easily become anxious or fearful when we imagine losing our loved ones or even our own lives. Fear is a natural human response to danger, uncertainty, or the unknown. Today, fear seems to be everywhere—from day-to-day relationship issues to health concerns to financial stability, and even to the current events of the world. Fear paralyzes our minds and hearts and affects our lifestyle. Yet, as Christians, we are called to fear God and God alone! This fear is not one of terror but of reverence, awe, and deep respect for who God is.
From last week’s passage, we saw the ongoing spiritual battle between God and Satan, with Satan seeking to deceive and destroy God’s people. Though the battle against Satan is fierce, we have the assurance of victory through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Today’s passage, chapter 14, portrays the glorious victory of the Lamb and his people (1-5), God’s last call for unbelieving people (6-13), and the final harvest at the end of the age (14-20). Today, we find a powerful message calling us to fear God and give Him glory. May God give us ears to hear and lead us to decide to fear God and give Him glory. Amen.
First, the Lamb and the redeemed (1-5).
Let us read verse 1. “Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.” Today’s passage opens with John’s vision of the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, surrounded by the redeemed 144,000, who bear his name and the Father’s name on their foreheads. They are described as blameless and pure people who have experienced the transforming power of the Gospel in their lives. This vision tells us about the ultimate victory of Christ and His redeemed people.
The Lamb, representing Jesus Christ, is standing tall amidst His redeemed followers. ‘The Lamb’ repeatedly appears throughout this book as one of the thematic symbols. The Book of Revelation mentions the Lamb more than 28 times as it is described as “slain but standing”, is lion-like, and delivers victory in a similar way to the resurrected Christ. Even the key verse from last week’s passage concerned the triumph by the blood of the Lamb! And now, Jesus the Lamb is the King of kings standing on Mount Zion to fulfill God’s prophecy (Ps 2:6; Ac 13:33). “Mount Zion” refers to the city of the living God, from which he rules over all things (Heb 12:22-23). Accompanying the Lamb were 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads (1b). They are God’s people who stayed faithful and overcame through spiritual battles. Bearing the Lamb’s name on their heads means that they belong to Jesus because he purchased them by his blood. They also bear the Father’s name because the Father God has accepted them as His children. On the other hand, those who receive the mark of the beast become slaves of the devil and are destined for eternal condemnation.
Verse 2 tells us what John heard. A sound came from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and a loud peal of thunder. Usually, the sound of mighty rushing waters and loud peals of thunder are frightening and threatening. But this sound was like that of harpists playing their harps. It was sweet, harmonious, and beautiful. It was like a grand, full-sized symphonic orchestra that not even the New York Philharmonic Orchestra could imitate. Then the heavenly choir burst into a new song. Even though so many people sang at once, it was flawless–no one was out of tune; no one was out of rhythm. Each person’s performance was greater than that of New Jersey’s best M. Peter Lim. They were filled with spirit, joy, power, and beauty. Let me show you a glimpse of what this heavenly choir John saw was like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s–j4x-nvrE (2:42-3:54)
This was a united choir of 10,000 Christian singers in Korea praising God. What a magnificent choir it is! But it is not even comparable to the heavenly choir of the redeemed in heaven, which we will join! Verse 3 tells us that they sang a new song before the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders. This new song celebrates God’s triumph over sin and death through the Lamb, just as Psalms 98:1 declares, “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.” Because we will be joining this great choir in heaven, we must sing praises for the glory of God. When we sing hymns or praise songs, let us sing to the Lord a new song with new heart and new spirit. Amen!
Look at verses 4-5. They describe the characteristics of the redeemed. First of all, they were pure. They had not defiled themselves with women, for they had remained virgins (4a). The believers’ faith and devotion to Christ were pure. They had not compromised with idol worship or sexual immorality. Secondly, they were loyal and sacrificial. They followed the Lamb wherever he went (4b). As Jesus gave his life as a ransom for them, they denied themselves, took up their crosses, and followed Jesus. They offered their lives as a living sacrifice to God (Ro 12:1). They represent the firstfruits offered to God and the Lamb as the foreshadowing of a great harvest at the end. Thirdly, they were truthful. No lie was found in their mouths; they were blameless (5). They always spoke the truth. These days, lies are so widespread that it is almost impossible to know what is true or false. This is the work of Satan. But God’s redeemed people are different. They trust each other, respect each other, and communicate with understanding and love. What a wonderful and heavenly place to be!
Second, the angel proclaims the eternal gospel (6-13).
In this part, the scene takes place on the earth. Three angels appear, proclaiming the message of God’s last call to unbelieving people before his final judgment.
The first angel proclaimed the eternal gospel (6-7). Why was the gospel referred to as “the eternal gospel?” Because the gospel is unchanging and valid forever. Romans 1:16 say, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” The gospel offers God’s unconditional grace: forgiveness of sins, acceptance as his children, and an eternal inheritance in his kingdom. At the same time, it pronounces God’s righteous judgment against sin and all wicked people.
Verse 7 tells us what our response to the gospel should be. Let us read the verse together in a loud voice “He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” This verse tells us to “fear God,” “give him glory,” and “worship him.” Fearing God is the basis for glorifying and worshiping him. Why must we glorify and worship God? It is because He is the Creator. In chapter 13, we learned that those who don’t worship God will worship Satan, and there is no middle ground. God, the creator of all things, alone is worthy of our worship.
King Solomon said in the book of Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Did you hear that? To fear God is the duty of all mankind. What does it mean to “Fear God”? Usually “fear” is associated with danger or being punished. The word “fear” is defined as “a state of severe distress, aroused by intense concern for impending pain, danger, evil, etc.” There are many expressions of this fear: fear of pain, failure, rejection, uncertainty, and more. Ultimately, all these fears stem from fear of death, which Satan uses to make people suffer.
However, when we say, “Fear God,” it has a somewhat different meaning. This fear of God is defined as “to have profound awe, reverence, and respect for God”. We fear God because we revere and worship Him. In fact, this holy fear of God sets us free from all kinds of other fear. Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) said, “The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” When we fear God, we have the peace and courage to do anything for God, even to testify about Jesus.
Verse 7b tells us that we should fear God and give him glory because the hour of his judgment has come. In Noah’s time, the whole world was corrupt with sin. and violence was prevalent. Gen 6:5 says, “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” God regretted that he created the human beings on earth; his heart was deeply troubled. Then He decided to wipe them out from the face of the earth. But he did not judge immediately. God was patient for 120 years in the hope that people would repent and make their way back to Him. But when they heard God’s message, they considered it a joke. However, one man, Noah, responded to God with holy fear. He built an ark as the Lord commanded him. Although the whole world was against him and ridiculing him for his faith, Noah feared God and nothing else. Then God blessed him and his family to be a blessing to the whole new world.
What prevents us from fearing God? Mainly because we do not want to submit our lives to God. We want to live as we please, thinking that if we reject God, we can be free. Then with that false freedom, we plan and do all kinds of evil things. Psalm 64:5 says, “They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see it?” “Who will see it? God will see everything. God judges according to what we have done. God is the One whom we should fear. When we fear God, we can shun evil and overcome temptations, as Joseph did in Genesis. It is true that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” (Pr 9:10).
What is your fear? Do you fear going to work and facing challenges? Do you fear going to school? Do you fear because of your financial situation? Do you fear because of your health issues? Do you fear rejection, failure, trust or simply not being good enough? Or do you fear of letting the pleasures of the world go? Let us remember that it is Satan who works hard to make us fear everything in life except God. But when we come to God and fear Him only, He will drive all our fear and worries away, making us into His sons and daughters. Over the years, God has blessed me so much, especially with a beautiful family that seems to get bigger every year. As children grow and more children are born, fear and doubt grew in my heart concerning how we can raise them as men and women of God in this wicked generation. I feared financial stability. I feared for the health of my mother, Timothy, and myself. I also feared letting go of the pleasures of this world including my lustful and greedy desires. But through the study of Revelation, I deeply realized that I must repent before the Lamb who was slain, shedding all his blood for all of my sins. Through today’s passage, I learned that I must not fear anything or anyone in this world but God alone so that He can make my life meaningful and purposeful. Let us fear God, glorify Him, and worship Him because He is our God! Amen!
In verse 8, the second angel pronounces the fall of Babylon, saying, “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’ which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries”. This announces God’s divine judgment on Babylon. For John’s first readers, Babylon would have been understood as Rome. Babylon symbolizes any super-powerful and idol-worshiping nations with wicked influence. At the core, they are evil and spread sin and destruction. They are overwhelmingly powerful that no one could challenge them. But “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!” God will judge them and make them fall completely. Amen!
The third angel warns against worshiping the beast. He announces that those who worship the beast will drink the wine of God’s wrath and endure constant torment with burning sulfur (9-10). The smoke of their torment will go up forever and ever. There will be no rest for them day or night (11). This shows that hell is eternal, and the wicked will suffer in agony and pain forever. This is the destiny of those who worship the beast.
Some people think God’s judgment written in Revelation is exaggerated and that it will not happen. Some people take God’s judgment with such scare that they doubt God’s love. How should we respond? Let us read verse 12 together. “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.” We must keep God’s commands and remain faithful to Jesus. When we remain faithful to Jesus, we will suffer in this world. But afterward, we will receive the reward of eternal peace and joy. John heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on” (13a). Anyone who lives by faith and dies in the Lord is eternally blessed. The Spirit himself testifies to the certainty of this blessing, saying, “‘Yes, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them” (13b). Our deeds are the evidence of our faith in Jesus. God will reward us based on their faith (Heb 11:6).
Third, the harvest of the earth (14-20).
After God’s last call to unbelieving people, the final judgment comes. God is so merciful that he is ready to accept even the stubborn and wicked people who repent even at the last moment. Nevertheless, it is the last chance. Look at verses last verses starting from 14. Here, two harvests are described: one of grain (14-16), and the other of grapes (17-20). They refer to the harvest of the righteous and the wicked. The first harvest is carried out by the Son of Man, Jesus, with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. In verse 15, another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” Then angel, God’s messenger comes out of the temple and delivers this message to Christ, who carries out his harvest according to God’s plan (16).
In verses 17-20, the second harvest involves not only cutting grape clusters from the vine but also crushing them in the winepress of God’s wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city because everything impure, deceitful, and shameful was kept outside the city. Blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia, which is about 180 miles. (Considering the distance from New Brunswick to Washington DC is about 195 miles) this imagery shows God’s final judgment will happen and the consequence of the wicked is the bloodshed by the winepress. This imagery serves as a sobering reminder of the final judgment that awaits all people. It calls us to live lives that are pleasing to God, fearing Him, and giving Him glory in all we do.
In conclusion, today’s message is a call to fear God and give Him glory. It is a call to live lives that honor and glorify God. As we face the uncertainties and challenges of life, let us remember that our ultimate obedience is to God. Let us fear Him, not in terror, but in reverence and awe, knowing that He is our Creator and Redeemer. Let us also remember that this message is a message of hope because of His patient grace and mercy. As we live out our faith in obedience to God’s Word, let us do so with confidence, knowing that our labor is not in vain. May we, like the redeemed 144,000, live lives that are blameless and pure, shining as lights in the world and bringing glory to our Heavenly Father. Amen