The Conquering Lamb
What in the World is Going on? • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Revelation 14 sums everything remaining in this book. It serves as a “table of contents” for the rest of this book. In this chapter we see the end of the apostate church, the destruction of Babylon, the doom of the beast worshipers, and the return of our Lord.
But what is most striking about this chapter is how it begins. Look with me at Revelation 14:1
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.
Church let me remind you that for two weeks straight we looked at Satan, and the Antichrist, and the false prophet. Their rise to power, their elevation to god-status, their persecution, the destruction that follows. That was doom and gloom if I’ve ever seen it, but, right here at the beginning of chapter 14 we are reminded that God wins!
My friends, do not ever forget that! If you are in Christ, you are on the winning side.
28 times in 27 verses, Jesus is referred to as “a lamb” or “the Lamb”. In Revelation 14 this designation of Jesus, the Lamb, is used four times. What a precious thought of Jesus being the Lamb of God. John the Baptist put it this way: John 1:29
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Let us took together today at the Conquering Lamb. We notice first...
The Centrality of the Lamb v. 1a
The Centrality of the Lamb v. 1a
If you began reading the book of Revelation at about chapter 12 or 13, you might think the primary focus or subject of this book was the dragon, or the beasts from the sea and the earth, but you would be wrong! No sir! Right here, immediately following the chapter dealing with the two beasts we are reminded right in the very first verse just WHO this book is all about: Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God!
Church let me remind you of the very first verse of this book, Revelation 1:1
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
This is not the “Revelation of the church” or the “Revelation of Satan, the Antichrist” or the Revelatin of anything or anyone else, it is the revelation of Jesus Christ! This is His book, His story, and, praise God, it tells of His victory!
I don’t lay down and night wondering how everything is going to work out, because I know that the same God who started it all, is going to finish it all! I don’t worry myself to sleep whether or not Jesus is going to win because I know how it is going to turn out!
I am thankful for the centrality of the Lamb, and for...
The Certainty From the Lamb v. 1b-5
The Certainty From the Lamb v. 1b-5
“Pastor, how do you know Jesus is going to win?” For the following reasons:
Where He is standing
We are told John sees the Lamb standing on “mount Sion”
This is good news!
Mount Sion is referring to the earthly Jerusalem, and this is exactly where John sees the Lamb standing!
This is a vision of the future!
The events in verses 1-5 occur AFTER the tribulation!
This is a scene of victory!
There is NO question regarding the outcome of these events!
Church, one day Jesus is going to come down from heaven, destroy the armies of Satan, cast him into the bottomless pit, and He will stand on Mount Sion in Jerusalem. You can be certain of it!
Not only is where He is standing important, but we see also...
Whom He has sealed
The identity of the 144,000 in Revelation 14 is identical to the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7.
These are the Jewish evangelists, saved under the ministry of the two witnesses, and responsible for the greatest revival ever recorded!
These are made up of 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel - how wonderful is that, God not, God will forsake His people!
They are consecrated to the Lamb
Revelation 7 tells us these evangelists will be sealed
Revelation 14 tells us what the seal will be
The name of God, written in their foreheads
This will be a stark contrast to the “mark of the beast”
Everything God does, Satan counterfeits
Everything Satan does will not last, but God is eternal.
Their position with the Lamb on Mt. Sion will get the attention of heaven
There will be loud praises and a new song
No one can learn that song but these men, but it will be sung before the throne and the occupants of heaven.
Their character is exemplary
Revelation 14:4–5 “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.”
Let me point out some practical truth for us today:
When we read they “…were not defiled with women; for they are virgins” there is a literal meaning to this phrase
They are so devoted to the gospel ministry, and so aware of the dangers of their time that they do not marry
This allows them to moved unattached from town to town preaching the gospel
There is also a spiritual meaning here - the emphasis on the word “defiled”, meaning that they live in contrast to the world around them
unlike the false church, which is devoted to debauchery, they are dedicated to the Lamb, unquestionably devoted to Him, they were set apart for this purpose, and faithfully fulfilled their mission!
I want to point out that at the end of the tribulation, of the 144,000 that were sealed in chapter 7, all 144,000 make it to the end!
These preachers endured the entire seven year tribulation period.
They will be the most despised, hated, and hunted men in that time.
Yet they make it to the end!
My point? Whatever you are facing today, God will see you through.
Christian, you can count on Jesus! He has never let you down, and no matter how often you let Him down, He’ll never walk away from you. That is the certainty that comes from the Conquering Lamb. We’ve seen the centrality of the Lamb, the certainty of the Lamb, lastly notice...
The Coming of the Lamb v. 6-7
The Coming of the Lamb v. 6-7
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,
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.
What is the “everlasting gospel”? It is the eternal good news that God loves mankind and wants them to be saved. However, let it be seen that this message is delivered, not by man, but by an angel. This angel flies through the atmosphere proclaiming to all the world this good news, that God loves them, and that Jesus died for them. This is the last attempt of God to bring as many to Him as possible. But what happens if they reject His appeal? They are reminded that when Jesus comes, He will bring judgment with Him.
Friends, this is our appeal today: Jesus has come once already, humbly, meekly, born in a barn, lived an exemplary life, died a death He did not deserve, paid for sins He did not commit, and rose again so that we can be with Him forever.
Friends, when He comes again, He will be coming as the righteous judge and no one will be spared. Your only hope is to know Him today as your Savior, if not, you will one day bow before Him as you judge.
Conclusion:
Do you know Him as Savior today?
With every head bowed, and every eye closed, as Gwen and Todd make their way, we’re going to pray.
As Gwen begins to play, no one looking, all eyes closed…do you know Jesus today? Can you say “Pastor, I know Him as MY Savior.” will you raise your hand.
Some of you could not say that today. I want you to know that before you go home today, you can. “How can I know Jesus?” Simple: acknowledge you are a sinner that Jesus died for, believe, trust, accept the fact that He died for you and was raised again, then call on Him to save you and He will.
Is that you today? As we stand to sing one verse, I invite you to come forwar.