Revelation 14

Revelation 14:1

I Looked] See Chap. 8. 13.

and lo] Or, behold. A note of some great matter ensuing, Matthew 1:23. Isaiah 7:14.

a Lamb] Christ, the true Lamb, chap. 13. 8. John 1:29. 1 Peter 1:19. the Son of God the Father, appeareth in this verse; opposeth the counterfeit lamb, chap. 13. 11. See chap. 5. 6.

stood] He himself appeareth to John now in a vision, on a mountain like mount Sion. But the thing intended is, that he appeared in his ministers publikely serving God.

on mount Zion] A type of the Church, Psal 48. 2. Isaiah 33:20. wherein Christ in his ordinances appeared as in a citie on an hill, Matthew 5:14. more conspicuously then before, after the long hidden estate of his Church persecuted by the pope.

an hundred fourty and four thousand] See chap. 7 4.

having his Fathers name written in their foreheads] The mark on their foreheads, the name of God, not mentioned chap. 7. is here expressed: implying, that they did now in a more open and publike manner professe themselves his true servants, and were as manifestly known so to be, as if it had been written on their foreheads; alluding withall to such marks as servants used to have. See chap. 13. 16, 17. It is called, The name of his God. See chap. 3. 12.

Revelation 14:2

a voice from heaven] Out of the now-visible Church of God. chap. 4. 2, &c.

as the voice of many waters] Of many people now acknowledging the true religion, chap. 1. 15. & 17. 15. & 19. 6.

of a great thunder] Chap. 6. 1. A loud and open profession of the truth, that the world might take notice of it.

of harpers] A sweet and pleasant thanksgiving, delightfull to God and good men. An allusion to the sweet melodie in the temple at Hierusalem, 1 Chronicles 25:1. Psal. 43. 3, 4.

Revelation 14:3

as it were, &c.] Such an one as John had not heard before, among all the heavenly voices in this revelation.

a new song] They gave praise to God for their new deliverance from popish persecution, and the freedom they had by the favour of Christian magistrates, to professe the Christian religion openly. This sheweth that this must not be understood of the persecuted Church in the wildernesse, as some would have it; for the state thereof affordeth not matter for this new song, Psal. 137. 3, 4. neither is the Church in that state called heaven, but when it is visible, chap. 12. 7. It is meant then of the Churches breaking out again, when the witnesses were taken up into heaven, that is, into a free visible Church, chap. 11. 12. This then is another new song, different from that, chap. 5. 9. for that was in praise of Christ, for opening the seals. See notes there.

before the throne, &c.] Before God, his ministers and people in the congregation, chap. 4. 2, 4, 6. Psalms 107:32.

no man could learn that song] Not that any else went about to learn it; but none of the idolatrous papists had that cause, or could tell how to praise God for this favour: for they were left in darknesse.

redeemed from the earth] Bought by the Blood of Christ, and brought out of popery, 1 Corinthians 6:20. & 1 Corinthians 7:23. 1 Peter 1:18. from antichrists earthly church, chap. 12. 12.

Revelation 14:4

not defiled with women] Not polluted with popish false doctrine and idolatry, which is spirituall fornication, 2 Corinthians 12:2. Ephesians 5:27. Ezekiel 15:16. Chap. 18. 3. An allusion to the Israelites, of whom many were entised to idolatry by the Midianitish women, but many were kept from it, Numb. 25. Others understand all this of the Waldenses, and such as served God purely in all the time of popery; because it is said, They were not defiled. Their remainders are now found in the visible Church.

follow the Lamb, whithersoever he goeth] Seek Christ in his ordinances, though with perill and losse, having forsaken communion with the popish Church. And not following antichrist for their head and guide, as others still, but Christ onely.

redeemed] Gr. bought. See v. 3.

from among men] 1 Corinthians 3:3. This expoundeth the former verse. The earth then signifieth, there are men of an earthly state, out of whom Christ took his, and from whose society he yet calleth them, chap. 18. 4.

the first fruits] First converted, or openly making the first profession of the reformed religion, chap. 5. 9. & 20. 5. An allusion to the first fruits in the law, Deuteronomy 18:4. Proverbs 3:9. James 1:18. They were paid to the priests, as Gods due. All the world is the heap; the elect are God’s and Christ’s, in a peculiar manner.

unto the Lamb] This is more then to follow the Lamb; for it sheweth a peculiar right he hath in them.

Revelation 14:5

no guile] Psalms 32:2. John 1:47. They were true in all their sayings. Or, in word they professed the true religion, which they believed in their hearts.

without fault] Because Christ hath redeemed, and paid the price of their sins, with his Blood, Ephesians 5:26-27. Or, free from Romish idolatry (to which they could not be drawn by all the popes power and threatnings) and worshipping God aright, and obeying all his commandments, to the uttermost of their strength, Luke 1:6.

before the throne of God] Men may condemn them; but God, who knoweth their hearts, and accepteth of them in Christ, will acquit them. Or, they are blamelesse, not onely before men, whose judgement is subject to errour; but even before God himself, as sincere, that is, true and faithfull subjects to God, Genesis 17:1. Isaiah 38:3.

Revelation 14:6

another angel] Different from them that blew the trumpets, or from him who shewed him these things, chap. 1. 1. or from him, chap. 8. 13. who threatned wo’s to the earth.

flie] Making haste to publish his message thorow the world. A type of the ministery of those times. And indeed, it passed from place to place very swiftly at first. So that this intimateth the free and speedy passage of the Gospel from place to place, by their ministery.

in the midst of heaven] So that he could not be hindered from preaching, by any humane opposition. Or, from whence he might be more conspicuously seen, and his voice most clearly heard on either side; as the light of the sun doeth most brightly diffuse it self into all parts of the hemisphere, when it is about the meridian. See chap. 8. 13. This angel some take to be Wickliff and his fellows: others, to be Luther and his assistants. Such are called Angels, chap. 1. 20. & 2. 1.

having the everlasting Gospel] For to the ministers is this word of reconciliation committed, 2 Corinthians 5:19. as to the faithfull stewards, to dispense to others, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. And it is called eternall, first, Because it teacheth men not to fear antichrists spoiling of goods or life, seeing it holdeth out eternall happinesse unto them, Hebrews 10:34. Secondly, Because the sum of it was from the beginning (and therefore it is not a new doctrine, as the papists call it) and it shall be preached openly to the end of the world, in despight of all opposition, chap. 11. 15. for the witnesses shall be no more slain. Thirdly, Because it shall not be disannulled, as the legall covenant was.

unto them that dwell on the earth] To earthly-minded men, to call them off from earthly, to seek heavenly things, Colossians 3:1. Such secure ones are thus described, Luke 21:34-35. Or, to all the inhabitants of the earth, so that every nation shall hear of it; as followeth in this verse. So this phrase is used, chap. 5. 9. & 7. 9.

Revelation 14:7

with a loud voice] To shew the weight of the message, and that all might hear, chap. 8. 13.

Fear God] Worship the true God, and do not worship images any more, as ye have done. Or, fear not antichrist any more, who can but kill your bodies; but fear God, who can destroy your souls else, Luke 12:4-5. He exhorteth them to that which hath been neglected, and the contrary done: For men had not feared God, but men; not honoured his grace, but mens merits; not worshipped him, but stocks, stones, &c. chap. 9. 20. At first, the ministers spake not so plainly and fully against Babylon, as after, v. 8. but did undermine antichrists kingdom, by preaching the true knowledge and worship of God, too much before neglected and corrupted.

the hour of his judgement] He will not bear with your idolatry now, as he did in the times of ignorance, Acts 17:30.

and worship him] Psal. 146. 5, 6. Acts 14:15.

heaven and earth, &c.] Which none else could make; much lesse your images. He nameth four principall works of God, to draw men to know and worship him aright. First, the heaven; famous for breadth, light, motion, influence. Secondly, the earth; unmoveable since the beginning, and very profitable to men. Thirdly, the sea; of huge compasse, and great use for fishing and navigation. Fourthly, the fountains; which run always for the use of the living creatures, as types of Gods eternity and bounty.

Revelation 14:8

another angel] Other ministers. Some take it for the Bohemians: others, for such after Luther as more clearly spake of Romes destruction.

Babylon is fallen] Isaiah 21:9. Jeremiah 51:8. Chap. 18. 2. These saw the popes kingdom shaken, by the ministery of such as went before them, and now declare boldly, that God hath laid the foundation of the destruction of it, and will as surely destroy it shortly, as if it were now down.

wine of the wrath of her fornication] Or, of the poisoned wine of her fornication, chap. 17. 2. For the Hebrew word to the which the Greek here answereth, signifieth poison, as well as wrath. As whores give spiced or enchanted cups to their lovers, to make them commit fornication with them; so did Rome, by subtill enticements, draw a great part of the world to her idolatry, which is often in Scripture compared to fornication; as Jeremiah 3. Ezekiel 16. divers times. Or, she made God angry with them, as well as with her self, by drawing them to the same idolatry. Or, because when God is angry, and goeth to punish wicked men, he is said to have a cup in his hand, of poisoned wine, to give every one his part according to his merit, that men might know these judgements came from him, and not by chance, Job 21 20.

Psal, 75. 8. Isaiah 51:17. Jeremiah 25:15. & 49. 12, 13. & 51. 7, 8. So Babylon and her followers shall also drink their share, according to their deserts. See v. 10. An allusion to such nations as used to kill malefactours with poisoned cups.

Revelation 14:9

third angel] Other ministers after them. Martin Luther and his fellow-labourers, as some think; or later preachers, as others.

worship the beast] The pope, who is antichrist. See chap. 13. 11.

and his image] And follow the Germane emperours, or other princes, whom he made, as an image of the heathen empire of Rome, (chap. 13. 15.) to uphold his idolatries and superstitions.

receive his mark, &c.] See notes on chap. 13. 16. The first angel did preach the true worship of God, welnigh lost: the second foretelleth the fall of Babylon: the third warneth men to come out of her, before it come; seeking to draw men out of the fire, Jude v. 23.

Revelation 14:10

the same] Not onely the pope himself, but all his obstinate followers also, and sworn servants. Or, as he hath taken the beasts mark, so he shall perish with him for company.

of the wine of the wrath of God] Of Gods severe judgement in the destruction of Babylon. See v. 8. Psalms 75:8. Jeremiah 25:15. Or, of Gods poisoned wine; that is, of the wine that God giveth them to make them mad; as Psalms 60:3. which is poured by God into the cup of his wrath, for them to drink, whom God will be avenged on; as v. 8.

without mixture] Not allayed with the water of mercy at all, James 2:13.

with fire and brimstone] In hell-fire for ever, besides the heavie judgements he may endure at the fall of Rome, chap. 9. 18. & 19. 20. An allusion to the destruction of Sodom, Genesis 19:24.

in the presence of the angels, &c.] Publikely, before Christ and his angels. An allusion to Sodoms destruction again, wherein Christ and his angels were employed. They that bear antichrists mark before men, shall be forsaken of, and tormented before Christ and his angels, that their torment may be the greater, Mark 8:38. Luke 9:26.

Revelation 14:11

the smoke of their torment] Of the fire tormenting them. Their torment shall have no end; as we know the fire goeth not out while we see the smoke, Isaiah 34:10.

no rest] No intermission, because of the greatnesse of their everlasting pains. Here are some intermissions in the sufferings of Gods people, though they be heavie for the time; but there shall be none, in these pains of the idolaters.

day nor night] Though they have a perpetuall night in hell, as a perpetuall day in heaven; yet he speaketh after the manner of men here on earth, meaning, They never have one minute of rest. See chap. 7. 15. Here, the light of the day, and society of friends, may somewhat allay those pains that are terrible in the night; and sleep in the night, may make us forget the labours of the day: but those torments nothing can asswage.

who worship the beast, &c.] See v. 9.

Revelation 14:12

Here is the patience] See chap. 13. 10. Or, here is the vengeance that shall be executed on their enemies who patiently endured death for obedience to God, and holding fast the true religion, against the papists. Or, now shall the patience and obedience of Gods servants be made known to the world. It shall appear who are true, and who are counterfeit Christians. By antichrists fierce persecution, the chast shall be separated from the wheat, and the drosse from the gold. Or, after the Gospel preached, and the pope declared to be antichrist, there shall be greater persecutions then before, and the patience of Gods servants more tried; as appeareth in the persecutions and wars since the Waldenses and Luthers time. The pope, like the devil, rageth, because his time is short, chap. 12. 12.

Revelation 14:13

And I heard, &c.] Because in the former verse he had spoken of many troubles yet to come, to try the patience of Gods people; here he bringeth in a voice from heaven, and commanded to be written, to assure them, that the greatest evil antichrist could bring on them, was but a speedy way to happinesse. And this consolation was needfull, lest they should think the primitive martyrs happie, who were put to death by heathen persecutours; but themselves unhappie, who were to be condemned by Christians, for heretikes.

in the Lord] As members of Christ, or in the faith of Christ; as Romans 16:7; Romans 16:11. 1 Corinthians 15:18. 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Hebrews 11:13. Or, for the Lord. So some interpret this phrase, Romans 16:2; Romans 16:8; Romans 16:12. And the Hebrew particle answering to the Greek one here, is often so used.

from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit] Or, from henceforth, saith the Spirit: yea. Though antichrist must down, yet it will cost so much blood ere it be done, that they are happie that died or shall die before, in the fear of God. Or, ye may think that your persecutions are all past, because the Gospel is openly preached again: but antichrist, being now revealed, is more mad then before, and ye shall finde more trouble then formerly; so that ye shall count the dead happie, Ecclesiastes 4:2-3.

may rest from their labours] From the troubles that are to come, by dying before. Or, from their labours endured here.

their works follow them] The reward of their works, 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Revelation 14:14

I looked] See Chap. 8. 13.

and behold, &c] Before, God wrought by the word, sending forth his three angels to preach, v. 6, &c. Now, he taketh the sword, and beginneth by deeds to pull down antichrists kingdom. Which action is set out by two similitudes; one, of an harvest, v. 15. the other, of a vintage, v. 18. for in these, men use to cut down all the fruits.

a white cloud] A signe of great glory.

like unto the Son of man] Or, like unto a son of man, chap. 1. 13. Some glorious angel, v. 15. like a man; for he is set on work by another angel, v. 15. and an angel gathereth the grapes, v. 19. which is all one judgement with this. See notes on chap. 10. 1.

a golden crown] For majestie. Such kings wear. It sheweth also, that he should get a glorious victory over antichrist.

a sharp sicle] To do swift execution.

in his hand] That is, in his right hand; for with it men use to reap. He was both able and ready to execute what should be committed to him, as harvest-men with their sicles in their hands, (which were the usuall instruments of cutting down the corn, Deuteronomy 16:9. & Deuteronomy 23:25. and are still) are to cut down the corn. This angel may be a type of some great and glorious prince or princes that should begin to execute Gods wrath on the pope. Many such were in Germany in Luthers time.

Revelation 14:15

another angel] Differing from the three former, and from him that sat on the cloud.

out of the temple] Out of the Church of God now opened, (chap. 11. 19.) as the other angel did, v. 17. Representing the ministers of those times, who should call on the princes to be Gods executioners, as baylies, who summon the harvest-men to work, but reap not with their own hands.

crying with a loud voice] Shewing his great desire to have the thing done, and that all men might hear, and further the work. See v. 7.

Thrust in thy sicle] Joe 3:13. Go about the work of destroying antichrist and his upholders.

for the time] Gr. the hour. The time appointed by God: and therefore the businesse will succeed well now, that would not before.

is come] As might appear by signes, or by divine incitation to the work.

for thee to reap] Wherein God calleth thee to do it, and therefore will prosper the work in thine hands.

the harvest] Antichrists followers are fit for vengeance, Jeremiah 51:33.

of the earth] Of the false church, or antichristian state, chap. 13. 12.

is ripe] Or, dried. The idolaters sins are full, and ready for judgement, Genesis 15:16. Jeremiah 51:33. Isaiah 17:5. Or, withered; as this word is used, Matthew 13:6. An allusion to hay, which, when it is withered, is good for nothing, but must be cut down; else it will be spoiled it self, and hurt the ground. So would these wicked ones grow stark naught, and hurt others, if they were not quickly destroyed. See the like, Psalms 129:6.

Revelation 14:16

thrust in his sicle] He did as he was commanded, and God prospered it accordingly.

the earth was reaped] Antichrist and his followers were destroyed.

Revelation 14:17

another angel] Now the vintage followeth after the harvest, as it useth to do.

out of the temple] Figuring some ministers of note, that shall assist the princes in destroying antichrist, and reforming religion.

a sharp sicle] For they used not then to gather grapes with the hand, as we do; but to cut them off with an hook or sicle, for expedition, Isaiah 18:5. And so did some of the heathen.

Revelation 14:18

out from the altar, which had power over fire] It may be that angel spoken of, chap. 8. 5. who stood at the altar of incense, and took fire from the altar of burnt-offering, and cast it on the earth, from whence followed the judgements there ensuing. And in that respect he might be said to have power over fire. Or at least, it may be an allusion to that story, and may represent such, as by their servent prayers could prevail with God to bring his judgements on antichrist and his followers, and as it were command ministers and rulers to go about it, stirring them up with the slaughter of those martyrs which lay under the altar, chap. 6. 9. Or, this angel is said to have power over fire; that is, to restrain the fire of contentions (Judg. 9. 20.) from among protestant princes, that they might joyntly fight against the pope.

gather the clusters] The vine, is the popish church: gathering, is taking away: the clusters of grapes, are the multitude of the members of that church. So destruction of the wicked is set out by a vintage, as well as by an harvest, chap. 19. 15. Isaiah 63:1-3.

fully ripe] See notes on v. 15.

Revelation 14:19

gathered the vine] Destroyed the popes dominions, and slew those that were guilty of the blood of Gods saints. Some understand, by the harvest, the destruction of Rome; and by the vintage, the utter ruine of popery afterwards; as the vintage followeth the harvest.

cast into] An allusion to the usuall manner of vintages, where they had always a wine-presse ready to tread their grapes in, assoon as they were gathered, before the moisture was dried or dropt out of them, Isaiah 5:2.

great wine-presse] This sheweth that this was a greater judgement then the former; as great wine-presses have more grapes troden in them, then lesser ones. This appeareth also by many former circumstances. He that cut down in the harvest, came from the clouds, v. 14. He that cutteth in the vintage, cometh out from the temple in heaven, v. 17. The encourager of the former came out of the temple, v. 15. of the later, out of the altar, v. 18. and is said to have power over fire. The former crieth with a loud voice, v. 15. the later, with a loud cry, v. 18.

The former is bid to thrust in his sicle, v. 15. the later, his sharp sicle, v. 18. The former, to reap, v. 15. the later more fully, to gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, v. 18. The former is told, The harvest is ripe, v. 15. the later, that the grapes are fully ripe, v. 18. The former reapeth the earth, v. 16. and taketh no care of threshing: the later casteth the grapes into the great wine-presse of Gods wrath, v. 19. So that the judgement here intended must needs be greater, unlesse it be the same set out by two similitudes, as the famine of Egypt was, Genesis 41:1, &c. And then the later is added here, to set out the judgement the more fully; or to shew the certainty of it; as Genesis 41:32.

Revelation 14:20

And the wine-presse was troden] The similitude is prosecuted. When grapes are gathered, they are cast into the wine-presse, and then troden, Judg. 9. 27. and the juyce of them runneth out, Nehemiah 13:15. Isa. 63. 3, 4. This setteth out the fierce execution of Gods wrath upon sinners, Lamentations 1:15. and upon antichrist and his, chap. 19. 13, 15.

without the citie] They used to tread the wine-presses out of the citie, because it was a foul and trouble som work, and the grapes might be hurt, and time lost, in carrying them from the place they grew in. See notes on v. 19. Without the Church, the citie of God, as some interpret it: so that God provideth for the safey of his Church, while her enemies are in destroying. But, as others say, the great battel shall be, not in the citie of Rome, but in the territory thereunto belonging.

and blood came out of the wine-presse] It is true, that wine is called The blood of the grapes, Genesis 49:11. Deuteronomy 31:14. But here the holy Ghost seemeth rather to passe suddenly from the type, to the thing it self thereby typified; from the wine-presse to the war, where horses are used, though not used in the other; and so giveth us light for exposition. So he doth, Amos 9:11-12. from Davids tabernacle that is fallen, to the remnant of Edom, and the heathen: and Habakkuk 1:17. from catching fish in their net, to slaying the nations.

to the horse bridles] He alludeth to those that in war pursue the enemies flight, to do execution: or to conquerours, who use to go forth, after the battel, to see the dead carcases of their enemies, Isaiah 66:24. and to take the spoil: which they do with much difficulty, when the field is covered with the blood of the slain, so that they are forced to ride, and the horses wellnigh to swim. The meaning is: the blood of slain men should be like a deep river running over the banks; so great shall the slaughter of the antichristians be, chap. 16. 14. & 19. 13, 18.

a thousand and six hundred furlongs] As the wine runneth out of the wine-presse, so the blood of the slain shall now flow a great length, and breadth, and depth. An allusion to the destruction of Hierusalem, wherein the blood is imagined to run over all the land of Canaan, supposed to be about that compasse of ground: and signifying, that blood shall be found plentifully running in all the popes territory, or patrimony of the Church, which is esteemed by some to be about that proportion of ground.