In chapter 12, we saw Satan cast down from heaven, and in chapter 13, we saw him plotting to deceive humanity to worship the beast, and those who would not were put to death. By the end of the chapter, he seemed to be succeeding in his efforts to subjugate the world. Now, if the narrative had stopped there, we would have every reason to lose hope and despair; but praise God, that is not the end of the story. In chapter 14, John gives us a preview of the end. In verses 1-5, we see Christ standing victorious with His saints in glory. In verses 6-11, John takes us to end-time events prior to Christ’s return, where we see an angel flying overhead and calling on the inhabitants of the earth to repent and to turn to God, then pronouncing judgment on corrupt nations who are in rebellion against God, and on all who continue to worship the beast and its image.
The warning is then followed by a preview of the actual judgment, as we see Christ coming down on a white cloud, seated, with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand, ready to reap the earth that is ripe for harvest. He is then followed by another angel with a sharp sickle, who gathers the clusters of grapes from the vine of the earth, which represents all who have rejected the gospel, and casts them into the great winepress of God’s wrath.
This passage gives an urgent call to unbelievers to repent and believe the gospel before it is too late. This could be the last gospel call they will hear before they slip into eternity, where they will suffer the wrath of God forever and ever (cf. Rev 14:9-11).
And for us believers, this passage calls us to endure our present trials for His sake, and to labor faithfully unto the Lord, knowing that we have a glorious future ahead of us and our labors will be fully rewarded at the end, as described in verse 13: “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!”.