The book of Revelation is the pulling back of the curtain so that we can see what the future of God's people will be. This revelation is our glorious hope as we look to Jesus in these days of tribulation and know for sure he is coming back to take us home.

Revelation says gives us the same message on repeat, but presents it to us from different perspectives. As we turn to chapter 14 we see again the 144,000 in heaven. This number represents all those who are Christ's and have been faithful to him. We hear that they sing praise of his name and although we don't know the words they sing, Revelation 7 tells us it is of praise of who God is and what he has done for his people. Verses 1 to 5 give us a wonderful image of what it means to be people who are faithful to God and the firstfruits of his plan of redemption.

However, there is a different image presented to us in verses 6 to 11 as three angels bring three messages. The first two communicate a message of encouragement. The first says there is still time to turn to the Lord as it proclaims the Geternal gospel. The second angel announces the fall of Babylon, the representation of everything that is defiled by sin. And the third angel brings a message of stark warning of the judgement of God who continue to worship the beast and its image.

The truth of Revelation 14 v 1-13 is one of great encouragement and great warning to ensure that we are marked with the name of God and the Lamb on our foreheads. This will lead to eternal glory.

Glorious Hope is a podcast teaching series from Annalong Presbyterian Church. You can find out more at http://www.annalongpc.org/sermons.

Get your copy of the ESV Scripture Journal (Revelation) wherever you get your Christian books to help your own study in this series.

A video of this podcast is available at https://youtu.be/REcbBTRhBZQ.