RSV ~ Revelation 14 Notes

Rev 14:1 | ISB Notes

Mount Zion: The heavenly summit crowned with the heavenly Jerusalem (21:2). The earthly Zion, where the historical city of Jerusalem was first made an Israelite settlement (2 Sam 5:7), is a visible model of this celestial height (Gal 4:26; Heb 12:22).

• Zion looms large in the OT as the focal point of Israel’s brightest hopes for the future. It is the glorified city and mountain where the redeemed will be gathered to the Lord (Is 4:2-6; Joel 3:17; Obad 21; Mic 4:1-7). John’s vision of a remnant without a “lie” in their mouths (Rev 14:5) connects directly with this tradition (Zeph 3:11-13). hundred and forty-four thousand: The faithful of Israel sealed on their foreheads. See note on Rev 7:4. his name … Father’s name: In contrast to the numerical name of the beast branded on the foreheads of the wicked (13:16-17) (CCC 2159).

Rev 14:2 | ISB Notes

harps: Traditional accompaniment for liturgical song (Ps 33:2).

Rev 14:3 | ISB Notes

a new song: A song of praise that celebrates the salvation of God. See note on Rev 5:9.

Rev 14:4 | ISB Notes

they are chaste: Literally, “they are virgins.” This probably has two levels of meaning. (1) The assembly is made up of celibate men whose bodies have never been given to women. (2) The assembly is made up of holy men whose souls have not been defiled by the impurities of the harlot city (17:1-6; 18:3) (CCC 1618-19).

• “The Lamb walks the way of virginity. Follow him there, you virgins, for on this count you follow him wherever he goes. … The masses of the faithful, unable to follow the Lamb to this blessing, will rejoice with you; but they will not be able to sing that new song which is for you alone” (St. Augustine, On Holy Virginity 29).

Rev 14:6 | ISB Notes

another angel flying in midheaven: Seven angels have already been described in chaps. 8-10. The first flying in midheaven appears in 8:13 as an eagle.

eternal gospel: The invitation to fear and worship the one true God, the Creator of all (14:7). It is a call for the followers of the beast to abandon their idols before judgment falls (14:18).

Rev 14:8 | ISB Notes

Babylon: The ancient city and superpower of Mesopotamia built along the Euphrates River (modern Iraq). It was infamous for its moral decadence and is remembered in Scripture as the blasphemous power that destroyed Jerusalem in the sixth century B.C.

See essay: Who is Babylon? at Rev 18.

• Proclamation that Babylon has fallen draws from Is 21:9 and Jer 51:7-8 and anticipates the vision in Rev 18:124. As in these oracles, the angel speaks of something about to happen (prophecy) as if it were already accomplished (past history).

Rev 14:10 | ISB Notes

cup of his anger: The wicked will be forced to drink God’s wrath like bitter wine from a cup (Ps 75:8; Is 51:17; Jer 25:15).

fire and brimstone: An advance glimpse of the lake of fire and sulfur that burns eternally (20:10).

• The damnation of the godless evokes memories of the fiery destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24; Ps 11:6).

Rev 14:11 | ISB Notes

they have no rest: In contrast to the righteous, who die in Christ (14:13).

Rev 14:13 | ISB Notes

Blessed are the dead: The second of seven beatitudes in Revelation. .

Rev 14:14-20 | ISB Notes

The judgment of the righteous and the wicked is described in terms of a great harvest. The saints are gathered up like sheaves of wheat to be stored in a granary (14:16; Jn 4:35-38), while sinners are severed like grapes from the vine to be thrown into a mill press and crushed (14:19).

• Similar scenes of divine judgment appear in the prophets (Is 63:1-6; Jer 51:33; Lam 1:15; Joel 3:13).

Rev 14:14 | ISB Notes

son of man: Jesus Christ, described as the royal figure from Dan 7:13. See note on Rev 1:7 and essay: Jesus, the Son of Man at Lk 17.

Rev 14:19

| ISB Notes

wine press: A stone trough used to trample or otherwise squeeze the juice from grapes.

Rev 14:20 | ISB Notes

the city: Called “Babylon” (14:8). one thousand six hundred stadia: About 185 miles. Some take this to mean that divine judgment will extend over the land of Israel, which is roughly this distance measured north to south. Others read the number as symbolic of completeness (40 x 40 stadia) and envision a worldwide judgment. Either way, the horrific quantity of blood indicates the severity of God’s wrath on those who defy him.