Chapter 14 Book of Revelation

Bible Verses

[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.

Commentary

V.1 The Lamb symbolically represents Jesus and the Bab.
The 144,000 represent all the peoples of the earth. The number comes 12x12,000 which was calculated as the Twelve Tribes of Israel times thousands based again upon the number 12. It is not a literal number. Some have imagined that it means only 144,000 will go to heaven, but it is a poetic symbolic representation of all the peoples of the earth, being receptive (having written in their foreheads, that is to say in their hearts and minds) the awareness of the Heaveny Father, represented in this Day by Baha'u'llah, the return of Christ, which is the central theme of the Book of Revelation.

[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:

V.2 The 'Voice from Heaven' is Baha'u'llah, the One proclaimed by the Bab. The waters are the symbol of His teachings which like thunder give new meaning to life and come with a strong system of justice and peace for the world. Happiness and joy come to the hearts that listen.

What mankind needeth in this day is obedience unto them that are in authority, and a faithful adherence to the cord of wisdom. The instruments which are essential to the immediate protection, the security and assurance of the human race have been entrusted to the hands, and lie in the grasp, of the governors of human society. This is the wish of God and His decree.... We cherish the hope that one of the kings of the earth will, for the sake of God, arise for the triumph of this wronged, this oppressed people. Such a king will be eternally extolled and glorified. God hath prescribed unto this people the duty of aiding whosoever will aid them, of serving his best interests, and of demonstrating to him their abiding loyalty. They who follow Me must strive, under all circumstances, to promote the welfare of whosoever will arise for the triumph of My Cause, and must at all times prove their devotion and fidelity unto him. Happy is the man that hearkeneth and observeth My counsel. Woe unto him that faileth to fulfil My wish.

CII Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah

[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.

V.3 The New Song, a song of thanksgiving, love and peace; the words coming from the writings of Baha'u'llah and the Bab. They sang along with the four beasts (see Chapter 4:7) and their elders, which are the four races of men. None can hear the song, except those of mankind (symbolized by the 144,000) who are redeemed from the whole earth and not just from special religion or sect. The New Song is the New Message for renewal to the world that brings new knowledge and wisdom, the 144,000 being a symbol of those who first responded to the New Message. This great gift is one that everyone should seek and hold onto with all their might. The new laws are for this day and age, devoid of old man-made superstitions, traditions and vain imaginations.

'Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.' Whatsoever hath led the children of men to shun one another, and hath caused dissensions and divisions amongst them, hath, through the revelation of these words, been nullified and abolished. From the heaven of God's Will, and for the purpose of ennobling the world of being and of elevating the minds and souls of men, hath been sent down that which is the most effective instrument for the education of the whole human race.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 87

We have abolished the law to wage holy war against each other. God's mercy hath, verily, encompassed all created things, if ye do but understand.

Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 25

The Cause of Baha'u'llah is the same as the Cause of Christ. It is the same temple and the same foundation. Both of these are spiritual springtimes and seasons of the soul-refreshing awakening and the cause of the renovation of the life of mankind. The spring of this year is the same as the spring of last year. The origins and the ends are the same. The sun of today is the sun of yesterday. In the coming of Christ, the divine teachings were given in accordance with the infancy of the human race. The teachings of Baha'u'llah have the same basic principles, but are according to the stage of the maturity of the world and the requirements of this illumined age.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 461

[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.

V.4

'We were the first who followed the commandments of God: we are the source of command and its origin, and the firstfruits of all good and its consummation: we are the sign of the Eternal, and His commemoration amongst the nations.

No, by God, we are servants who have believed in God and in His signs, and through us the teeth of faith are disclosed in a smile, and the sign of the Merciful One shineth forth; through our mention spreadeth Al-Batha,* and the darkness which intervened between earth and heaven is dispelled.'

Abdu'l-Baha, A Traveller's Narrative, p. 76

[5] And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

V.5 No fault could be found in the new believers, as they spoke no guile. They gave up their hereditary dogmas, creeds and hatred after receiving the New Teachings of love and unity.

At all times and in all ages of the world, religion has been a factor in cementing together the hearts of men and in uniting various and divergent creeds. It is the peace element in religion that blends mankind and makes for unity. Warfare has ever been the cause of separation, disunion and discord.

'Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 97

[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,

V.6 This being the first Angel, being mentioned in this fourth series or thread about the Seven Angels or the Seven Religions, it relates to the Sabean Faith which is the Ancient Faith that has touched the hearts of native mankind in every nation, every kindred, and tongue, and the people throughout the world, from the First Nations and Inuit of Canada, and the early peoples of South America and Africa, to all throughout the islands of the seas.

All the religions of the world have been waiting for this glorious day. All the world knows of it's coming and are eagerly waiting, expecting their own Revealer to appear. God works in ways that we are not expecting. A beautiful example of this idea is found in the Book of Mormon.

NE2 29:8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

NE2 29:9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.

NE2 29:10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.

NE2 29:11 For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.

[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.

V.7 The Angel reminds us that God is all-powerful, that He created the earth, the waters and the fountains of waters (a symbol for All Knowledge).

Similarly in the world of being there exist forces unseen of the eye, such as the force of ether previously mentioned, that cannot be sensed, that cannot be seen. However from the effects it produceth, that is from its waves and vibrations, light, heat, electricity appear and are made evident. In like manner is the power of growth, of feeling, of understanding, of thought, of memory, of imagination and of discernment; all these inner faculties are unseen of the eye and cannot be sensed, yet all are evident by the effects they produce.

Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith p. 344

It is evident then that each elemental atom of the universe is possessed of a capacity to express all the virtues of the universe. This is a subtle and abstract realization. Meditate upon it, for within it lies the 'true' explanation of pantheism. From this point of view and perception, pantheism is a truth, for every atom in the universe possesses or reflects all the virtues of life, the manifestation of which is effected through change and transformation. Therefore the origin and outcome of phenomena is verily the omnipresent God for the reality of all phenomenal existence is through Him.

Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p.58

Verily I say whatsoever ye have concealed within your hearts is to Us open and manifest as the day.

Baha'u'llah, Persian Hidden Words no. 60

[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.

V.8 Another angel, being the second and therefore identified here with the Jewish religion, comes to tell us that Babylon, the greatest city of the world in its time (which many see as a symbol or archetype of New York, the greatest city of our time), has fallen. It is a system that is corrupt because of materialism, and the people are drawn into it. A city that symbolizes the center of greed, materialism, and immorality in the world. It has been the center of great Jewish controlled financial institutions. So much so that it has been called "Jew Town" and reportedly has more of a Jewish population than any city in Israel.

Both here and in (Rev.18:2) the fall of Babylon is announced by the Angel that we identify with the Jewish Religion. One can never know such meanings until after they have occurred. In any case it is not the events of the physical world that are the most significant but rather those of the spiritual.

Busy not thyself with this world, for We test the gold with fire, and with gold We test Our servants.

Baha'u'llah, Arabic Hidden Words No.55

[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,

V.9 The third angel is identified with the Hindu religion. The prophecies and descriptions about each of the religions is so amazing when one reads about each of them in order. Without this key to understanding the scriptures there have been all sorts of strange speculations about the nature of the "mark of the beast".

If you look about all the religions with an open eye you will see that there is only one, and it is this one in the order of the religions, that predominately places a mark on its forehead, and while the mark itself is not the "mark of the beast", but rather a symbol of "the inner eye" actually located above the pineal gland, we can see here, and in all the religions of the world, that conformance to worldly systems often becomes predominant, and that is the mark of the beast.

In these days the people have debarred themselves from the effusions of divine grace by following in the footsteps of every ignorant one that hath gone astray. They have cast the Ocean of divine knowledge behind their backs and fixed their eyes upon such foolish men as claim to be well versed in learning without being supported by any evidence from God, the Lord of mankind.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah p. 252

Many people misunderstand about "the mark".

Just as people misunderstand they say that "money is the root of all evil", because of the verse -

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

It is NOT money that is the root of all evil. It is the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil. In reading the verse they somehow miss the word "love". One needs to use money to live, but they should not "love" money.

In reading this verse in the Book of Revelation, some people also miss it, but the operative word here is "AND". In a modern society one has to use money to live. But if instead of just using money for its proper purpose they use money AND worship (love) money, the Beast, material things, and they focus on that so that it consumes their mind and activity - that it becomes the purpose of their life, rather than God, well then, as in the next verse -

[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:

V.10 The third angel states that fire and brimstone will be rained upon these who have turned from God and one might observe that much/most of humanity may be deserving of fire and brimstone. Then one might wonder why this people have been singled out for mention in regards to that threat.

As with all prophecy, one cannot know its meaning, other than in general terms, until after it occurs, however, one might make the following.

The destiny of the Hindus and the Muslims seem to be intertwined in this case, as were (what has now become) the separate countries of Pakistan and India. Together they were not able to find unity, nor apart have they been able to find amity and security.

The external result between them, as indicated in this and other passages, may be fire and brimstone, however, all the verses also have interior spiritual meanings as indicated in the quoted below.

By the righteousness of Him Who is the Absolute Truth, were the veil to be lifted, thou wouldst witness on this earthly plane all men sorely afflicted with the fire of the wrath of God, a fire fiercer and greater than the fire of hell, with the exception of those who have sought shelter beneath the shade of the tree of My love. For they in very truth are the blissful...

The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 12

[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.

V.11 This is what scares people, and well it should. They just don't understand what it means. Do note the problem is worshipping the Beast. The operative word there is again "AND". Someone just properly using money, which is the mark of the Beast's name, need not fear - if they do not worship the Beast, that is to say place their love in money / the Beast rather than loving and worshipping God.

Once again, as stated in the long quote (second below) this applies to "all the peoples of the world" who have turned away from spirituality to materiality and "recognized standards" of decency, which is a meaning of taking the mark in their hand.

Still, there may be specifics for this particular people, the two factions of which have both developed nuclear weapons, "the smoke of their torment ascending up" being a very visual description of a nuclear mushroom cloud and "the torment lasting for ever and ever" an apt one about the long term effects of radiation.

"On the day when the heaven shall give out a palpable smoke, which shall enshroud mankind: this will be an afflictive torment."

1 Qur'an (Koran) 44:10.

The symbolic term "smoke" denotes grave dissensions, the abrogation and demolition of recognized standards, and the utter destruction of their narrow-minded exponents. What smoke more dense and overpowering than the one which hath now enshrouded all the peoples of the world, which hath become a torment unto them, and from which they hopelessly fail to deliver themselves, however much they strive? So fierce is this fire of self burning within them, that at every moment they seem to be afflicted with fresh torments...
Ere long, thine eyes will behold the standards of divine power unfurled throughout all regions, and the signs of His triumphant might and sovereignty manifest in every land. As most of the divines have failed to apprehend the meaning of these verses, and have not grasped the significance of the Day of Resurrection, they therefore have foolishly interpreted these verses according to their idle and faulty conception.

Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 76

[12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

V.12 Praise is given to those who keep the commandments of God in times of tests and who have faith as Jesus taught.

Thus hath the Dove of holiness proclaimed: "Do men think when they say 'We believe' they shall be let alone and not be put to proof? [Qur'an (Koran) 29:2]

Baha'u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries: Verse 32

[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.

V.13 A Voice (Jesus delivering His Message to the World Religions) came again from heaven telling John to write, saying that the labours done without thought of self, will follow them to the next life.

"The good word" and pure and holy deeds ascend to the glorious Heaven of Oneness. Strive that thy deeds may be cleansed from the dust of hypocrisy and from the turbidness of self and passion, and thus enter the glorious Presence of Acceptance.

Baha'u'llah, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 181, No. 251

[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.

V.14 This the "End Times" imagery of the Return of Christ - One like "the Son of Man" (therefore a Manifestation of God), coming on the clouds (through the mist and haze of humans' understanding)with a sickle the symbol of reaping (the 'Judgment Day' for mankind).

In the past many have given literal nonsensical children's fairytale like explanations of such verses and have questioned other's faith in God if they did not believe in such happenings.

Tear asunder the veils and curtains of these dogmas, remove these accumulated, suffocating increments, dispel these dark impenetrable clouds, that the sun of reality may shine from the horizon of eternity.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 162

ISAIAH 28:5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,

ISAIAH 28:6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.

King James Bible

Zephaniah 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger.

King James Bible

[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.

V.15 Another angel appears, being the religion of Zoroaster, to say that it is time to reap, that the harvest of the earth is ripe. This is known as the judgment day. Baha'u'llah tells the people of the world:

O YE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD! Know, verily, that an unforeseen calamity followeth you, and grievous retribution awaiteth you. Think not that which ye have committed hath been effaced in My sight. By My beauty! All your doings hath My pen graven with open characters upon tablets of chrysolite.

Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words No. 63

These events may well be identified with Zoroaster because His Religion is identified with the religion of Persia which is modern day Islamic Shiite Iran, (and which retains many of the old Zoroastrian traditions and customs). So another nuclear sickle may be thrust in.

[16] And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

V.16 This verse goes back to Verse 14 where the old order must be rolled up and a new order put in place.

Beseech ye the one true God to grant that all men may be graciously assisted to fulfil that which is acceptable in Our sight. Soon will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead. Verily, thy Lord speaketh the truth, and is the Knower of things unseen.

Baha'u'llah, The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, p. 121

[17] And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

V.17 This is the fifth angel (if you are keeping count). This is the Angel 0f the Buddhist Religion, because they always keep the same batting order, so to speak. He has the same sharp sickle and we note in current events that part of the world now also has nuclear weapons.

A process, God-impelled, endowed with measureless potentialities, mysterious in its workings, awful in the retribution meted out to every one seeking to resist its operation, infinitely rich in its promise for the regeneration and redemption of human kind, had been set in motion...

Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 402

[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.

V.18 The next Angel in the batting order is of course the sixth angel, the Angel of the Christian Religion with the power of fire, who is telling the angel that has the sharp sickle to reap, as the time has come to gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because the grapes are fully ripe in their wrath.

In Indian prophecy fire is associated with Christianity (the Religion of the Whites). Certainly, it has been the followers of the Christian Religion, that of U.S.A, Russia, which is historically a Christian country, Britain and France, that first brought this nuclear power of fire to existence. Other countries now are also obtaining this power, enough that it can ignite a worldwide conflagration.

Against the background of these afflictive disturbances -- the turmoil and tribulations of a travailing age -- we may well ponder the portentous prophecies uttered well-nigh fourscore years ago, by the Author of our Faith, as well as the dire predictions made by Him Who is the unerring Interpreter of His teachings, all foreshadowing a universal commotion, of a scope and intensity unparalleled in the annals of mankind.

Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Baha'i World - 1950-1957, p. 103

"The days are approaching their end, and yet the peoples of the earth are seen sunk in grievous heedlessness, and lost in manifest error." "Great, great is the Cause! The hour is approaching when the most great convulsion will have appeared. I swear by Him Who is the Truth! It shall cause separation to afflict everyone, even those who circle around Me." "Say: O concourse of the heedless! I swear by God! The promised day is come, the day when tormenting trials will have surged above your heads, and beneath your feet, saying: 'Taste ye what your hands have wrought!'" "The time for the destruction of the world and its people hath arrived. He Who is the Pre-Existent is come, that He may bestow everlasting life, and grant eternal preservation, and confer that which is conducive to true living." "The day is approaching when its [civilization's] flame will devour the cities, when the Tongue of Grandeur will proclaim: 'The Kingdom is God's, the Almighty, the All-Praised!”

Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 81

[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.

V.19 This could well be the Seventh Angel, the Islamic Angel doing the thrusting. It may well be that the first use of a nuclear weapon in nuclear WW3 will be by an Islamic country. If not, then this is the first time that John has not identified a seventh angel and all the seven angels in order. Which Islamic country might it be? There are possible candidates, but we can't know until it happens, although other verses - Rev. 18:21, and current events, indicate it may be Pakistan, there may be some unique association with Iran as discussed in the next verse. However future events may reveal meaning to the most significant/starting event of the "Last Great Battle" of Armageddon, this and the following verse appear to indicate that it is here we will see the explanation.

Anyway, so will begin the Day of Wrath of God, foretold for centuries and millennia, and feared for decades by those who have understood the nuclear threat.

The world is in travail, and its agitation waxeth day by day. Its face is turned towards waywardness and unbelief. Such shall be its plight, that to disclose it now would not be meet and seemly. Its perversity will long continue. And when the appointed hour is come, there shall suddenly appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake. Then, and only then, will the Divine Standard be unfurled, and the Nightingale of Paradise warble its melody.

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 118

This is the Day that God hath ordained to be a blessing unto the righteous, a retribution for the wicked, a bounty for the faithful and a fury of His wrath for the faithless and the froward.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 103

Say: There is no place of refuge for you, no asylum to which ye can flee, no one to defend or to protect you in this Day from the fury of the wrath of God and from His vehement power, unless and until ye seek the shadow of His Revelation. This, indeed, is His Revelation which hath been manifested unto you in the person of this Youth. Glorified, then, be God for so effulgent, so precious, so wondrous a vision.

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 257

[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.

V.20

ISAIAH 63:3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment...

ISAIAH 63:4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

The participation of the Seventh Angel is so important and unique that the events associated with it may be combined into verse 14:15, appearing to be out of order, but if this is the case then this is the only time that this happens in the SIX times that Seven Major Religions on the earth are recited about by John in the order of their appearance. This uniqueness stresses the importance of this event in the Book of Revelation and the history of mankind, but at the moment of this writing we await the event itself in order to understand the prophecies about it.