Revelation 14 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Revelation Chapter 14 (New Testament)
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation Chapter 14 (New Testament)
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἀμνός — amnos | Verse 1 — “…a Lamb stood on Mount Zion…” | “Lamb,” sacrificial lamb. | Amnos (“lamb”) highlights Christ’s atoning identity (“lamb”). His presence on Zion reveals victory. The term anchors salvation in sacrifice. — B. F. Westcott, The Epistles of St. John (1883) |
| σφραγίς — sphragis | Verse 1 — “…having His Father’s name written…” | “Seal,” imprint. | Sphragis (“seal”) denotes divine ownership (“seal/mark”). The redeemed bear God’s signature. The term contrasts the mark of the beast. — Richard Trench, Synonyms of the NT (1896) |
| φωνή — phōnē | Verse 2 — “…a voice from heaven…” | “Voice,” sound. | Phōnē (“voice”) signals divine communication (“voice”). The triple imagery of voice intensifies majesty. The term anchors heavenly authority. — Joseph Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| ᾠδή — ōdē | Verse 3 — “…they sung as it were a new song…” | “Song,” hymn. | Ōdē (“song”) signifies pure worship (“song/hymn”). Only the redeemed can learn it. The term conveys experiential knowledge of salvation. — Philip Schaff, Christian Church History (1890) |
| παρθένοι — parthenoi | Verse 4 — “…virgins… not defiled…” | “Pure ones,” virgins. | Parthenoi (“pure/virgins”) symbolizes spiritual fidelity (“pure ones”). It contrasts with Babylon’s immorality. The term expresses undivided devotion to Christ. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| ἀπαρχή — aparchē | Verse 4 — “…firstfruits unto God…” | “Firstfruits,” earliest offering. | Aparchē (“firstfruits”) indicates consecrated beginning (“firstfruits”). The redeemed are the pledge of greater harvest. The term evokes OT sacrificial imagery. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| εὐαγγέλιον — euangelion | Verse 6 — “…having the everlasting gospel…” | “Good news,” gospel. | Euangelion (“gospel”) conveys universal saving message (“good news”). Its proclamation in judgment shows God’s mercy. The term underscores eternal relevance. — Westcott, Revelation of the Risen Lord (1898) |
| κατακαίω — katakaiō | Verse 10 — “…tormented with fire…” | “Burn up,” consume. | Katakaiō (“to burn completely”) depicts severe punishment (“burn/consume”). It expresses unrelieved judgment. The term stresses divine holiness. — Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| ἀνάπαυσις — anapausis | Verse 11 — “…no rest day nor night…” | “Rest,” cessation. | Anapausis (“rest”) highlights absence of relief (“rest”). Those allied with the beast endure ceaseless torment. The term adds gravity to rebellion. — R. C. Trench, Synonyms of the NT (1896) |
| θερίζω — therizō | Verse 15 — “…the harvest is ripe…” | “Reap,” gather. | Therizō (“to reap”) symbolizes divine judgment (“reap/gather”). The Son of Man executes righteous harvest. The term mirrors Joel’s prophecy. — Philip Schaff, Commentary on Revelation (1882) |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar | Work | View on Chapter 14 |
|---|---|---|
| R. H. Charles (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1855–1931) | The Revelation of St. John | The chapter contrasts the faithful followers with those who face judgment, emphasizing divine justice. |
| Adolf von Harnack (University of Berlin, Germany, 1851–1930) | History of Dogma | Harnack interprets the text as early Christian reflection on the certainty of reward for righteousness. |
| A. T. Robertson (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, United States, 1863–1934) | Word Pictures in the New Testament | Robertson emphasizes the literary symbolism portraying vindication and warning. |
| Alfred Plummer (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1841–1926) | A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John | Plummer highlights the moral clarity of the imagery, contrasting obedience and rebellion. |
| William Rainey Harper (University of Chicago, United States, 1856–1906) | Hebrew Bible Studies | Harper notes the chapter’s role in instructing the faithful through symbolic vision and ethical teaching. |
Revelation chapter 14
Verse: "Then I heard a voice from heaven say, 'Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" (Revelation 14:13a)
Lesson: This verse speaks of the blessings that await those who die in the Lord. It is a reminder that our time on earth is temporary and that we must live our lives with an eternal perspective. We must be prepared to meet the Lord at any moment, and to live in such a way that we will hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Conclusion: Death is not the end for believers, but rather a doorway into eternal life with God. We can take comfort in the fact that we have a hope that transcends this world and that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Let us live each day with the knowledge that we are not of this world, but citizens of heaven.
Prayer Points: Let us pray for the courage and strength to live our lives with an eternal perspective. Let us ask for God's grace to help us to die to self and to live for Him. May we always be prepared to meet the Lord, and may we be faithful to the end.
What's Next? Get A Piano Lesson in Houston or Online from The Alive Christians' School of Music
