December 27, 2025
War, Beasts, and the Final Harvest in Revelation
Revelation 12-14
AC Bradley
Big Book Idea
In the end, Jesus wins!
Key Verse | Revelation 12:13-14
And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.
Revelation 12-14
Chapter 12
The Woman and the Dragon
1 And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. 5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule 1 12:5 Greek shepherd all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.
Satan Thrown Down to Earth
7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers 2 12:10 Or brothers and sisters has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”
13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. 15 The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. 16 But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood 3 12:17 Some manuscripts And I stood, connecting the sentence with 13:1 on the sand of the sea.
Chapter 13
The First Beast
1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”
5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, 4 13:6 Or tabernacle that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. 5 13:7 Some manuscripts omit this sentence And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear:
10
If anyone is to be taken captive,
to captivity he goes;
if anyone is to be slain with the sword,
with the sword must he be slain.
Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
The Second Beast
11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, 6 13:12 Or on its behalf and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, 14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of 7 13:14 Or on behalf of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, 8 13:16 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. 9 13:18 Some manuscripts 616
Chapter 14
The Lamb and the 144,000
1 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.
The Messages of the Three Angels
6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
8 Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion 10 14:8 Or wrath of her sexual immorality.”
9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”
12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 11 14:12 Greek and the faith of Jesus
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: 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!”
The Harvest of the Earth
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped.
17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle, for 1,600 stadia. 12 14:20 About 184 miles; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
Footnotes
[1] 12:5 Greek shepherd[2] 12:10 Or brothers and sisters
[3] 12:17 Some manuscripts And I stood, connecting the sentence with 13:1
[4] 13:6 Or tabernacle
[5] 13:7 Some manuscripts omit this sentence
[6] 13:12 Or on its behalf
[7] 13:14 Or on behalf of
[8] 13:16 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
[9] 13:18 Some manuscripts 616
[10] 14:8 Or wrath
[11] 14:12 Greek and the faith of Jesus
[12] 14:20 About 184 miles; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
Table of Contents
Introduction to Revelation
Timeline
Author and Date
Jesus Christ is the divine author of this “revelation” (1:1). He describes coming events to his servant John. John, son of Zebedee, was the “beloved disciple” who also wrote the Fourth Gospel and 1, 2 and 3 John. Most scholars believe John recorded these visions while imprisoned on the island of Patmos in the mid-90s A.D. Revelation is addressed specifically to seven first-century churches in the Roman province of Asia (now western Turkey), but the message is for all churches everywhere.
Theme
The word “Revelation” translates the Greek word apokalypsis, which means “disclosure” or “unveiling.” Revelation unveils the unseen spiritual war in which the church is engaged: the cosmic conflict between God and his Christ on the one hand, and Satan and his evil allies (both demonic and human) on the other. In this conflict, Jesus the Lamb has already won the decisive victory through his sacrificial death, but his church continues to be assaulted by the dragon, in its death-throes, through persecution (the beast), deceptive heresy (the false prophet), and the allure of material affluence and cultural approval (the prostitute). By revealing the spiritual realities behind the church’s trials and temptations, and by affirming the certainty of Christ’s triumph in the new heaven and earth, the visions of Revelation fortify believers to endure suffering. The reader of Revelation is encouraged to stay pure from the defiling enticements of the present world order.
Key Themes
- Through his sacrificial death, Jesus Christ has conquered Satan, the accuser. Jesus has redeemed people from every nation to become a kingdom of priests, gladly serving in God’s presence (1:5, 18; 5:5–10; 12:1–11).
- Jesus Christ is present among his churches through his Holy Spirit. He knows their trials, triumphs, and failures (1:12–3:22).
- World history, including its disasters, is under the control of Jesus, the victorious Lamb (5:1–8:1).
- God is presently holding back his wrath and preventing his enemies’ efforts to destroy the church. He patiently gathers his redeemed people through their witness for Jesus (6:5–11; 7:1–3; 8:6–12; 9:4–6, 18; 11:3–7; 12:6, 13–17).
- Present disasters are warnings of increasing judgments to come (6:3–17; 8:6–13; 11:13; 16:1–21; 20:11–15).
- Believers will continue their faithful testimony to the death. They will conquer both the dragon and the beast. The martyrs’ victory is now hidden, but it will be obvious when Christ returns (2:10–11, 26–29; 3:11–13; 6:9–11; 7:9–17; 11:7–12, 17–18; 12:10–11; 14:1–5; 15:2–4; 20:4–6).
- Satan attacks the church’s perseverance and purity through persecution, deceptive teaching, and the temptations of wealth and sensual pleasure (2:1–3:22; 13:1–18; 17:1–18:24).
- At the end of the age, the church’s opponents will increase their persecution. Jesus, the triumphant Word of God, will defeat and destroy all his enemies. The old heaven and earth, marked by sin and suffering, will be replaced by the new heaven and earth. The church will be presented as a pure bride to her husband, the Lamb (16:12–16; 19:11–21; 20:7–22:5).
Outline
Revelation contains four series of seven messages or visions. These include letters to churches (chs. 2–3), seals on a scroll (4:1–8:1), trumpets (8:2–11:19), and bowls of wrath (chs. 15–16). There is a general movement from “the things that are” to “the things that are to take place after this.” Yet the visions sometimes return to subjects from the previous sections. The order in which John received the visions does not necessarily indicate the order of the events they symbolize.
The Setting of Revelation
c. A.D. 95
John addressed the book of Revelation “to the seven churches that are in Asia,” namely Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, although there were undoubtedly other churches elsewhere in the province of Asia (e.g., Miletus and Colossae, see Acts 20:17; Col. 1:2). John had apparently been exiled from Ephesus to the island of Patmos, southwest of Ephesus, and it was probably there that he recorded his visions.
Fact: Megiddo
Megiddo was the site of many important OT battles. It was a walled city that guarded the main road that linked Egypt and Syria. Its setting made Megiddo a strategic military stronghold. In John’s visions in Revelation, Megiddo represents the global combat zone where the final battle between Christ and Satan will be fought. The word Armageddon means “Mount Megiddo” (Zech. 12:11; Rev. 16:16).
Fact: The OT in Revelation
The OT in Revelation. Roughly one-seventh of the book of Revelation consists of quotations from the OT. It is a reminder of just how important it is to read and understand the OT as foundational for the New.
Fact: Gabriel
Gabriel is the first angel mentioned by name in the Bible (8:16; 9:21). Michael, the only other angel named in Scripture, also appears in Daniel (10:13, 21; 12:1). In the NT, Gabriel was the angel who announced the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:19, 26). Michael appears again in Rev. 12:7.
Fact: Michael
Michael (v. 9) is the only archangel identified by name in Scripture. In the book of Daniel, he is the guardian of God’s people (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1). He also leads the heavenly army in the fight against the dragon in Rev. 12:7.
Fact: A call for endurance
A call for endurance. The churches were facing many threats, including persecution, false teaching, and idolatry, as is true today around the world. Revelation urges believers to continue (or persevere) in the faith despite difficulties. Christ’s victory is secure, and God will richly reward those who suffer for his sake.
The Setting of Revelation
c. A.D. 95
John addressed the book of Revelation “to the seven churches that are in Asia,” namely Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, although there were undoubtedly other churches elsewhere in the province of Asia (e.g., Miletus and Colossae, see Acts 20:17; Col. 1:2). John had apparently been exiled from Ephesus to the island of Patmos, southwest of Ephesus, and it was probably there that he recorded his visions.
The Seven Benedictions
| Blessed is the one who reads aloud, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy | 1:3 |
| Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord | 14:13 |
| Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on | 16:15 |
| Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb | 19:9 |
| Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection | 20:6 |
| Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book | 22:7 |
| Blessed are those who wash their robes | 22:14 |
Rev. 12:1–2 The woman is a great sign in heaven. Her clothing is the sun, moon, and twelve stars. She symbolizes Israel (compare Joseph’s dream, Gen. 37:9).
Rev. 12:3 The great red dragon is “that ancient serpent, the devil and Satan” (v. 9; compare 20:2; Gen. 3:1–15). Its seven heads with seven diadems and ten horns symbolize great power (compare Dan. 7:6–7; Rev. 13:1).
Rev. 12:4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven. Evil spirits (demons) who are Satan’s allies share his defeat by God’s forces (vv. 7–9). Some interpreters think this refers to the original fall of Satan. They think one-third of the angels rebelled with him (see 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6). The dragon’s desire to devour the woman’s child at birth recalls Gen. 3:15.
Rev. 12:5 The rod of iron (also 2:27; 19:15) is a shepherd’s club, used to shatter the nations like pottery (compare Ps. 2:9).
Rev. 12:6 The child’s mother fled into the wilderness. This symbolizes the church’s complete dependence on God. He protects them from the dragon’s rage (vv. 13–14; compare Ex. 16:13–18; 1 Kings 19:5–8). Some scholars think the time period symbolized as 1,260 days (or “a time, and times, and half a time”; see note on Rev. 11:1–2) began with Christ’s ascension. It will end when God allows the dragon to deceive the nations and gather them against the church (20:7–10). Others understand the “1,260 days” (three and a half years) to represent the second half of the great tribulation. They consider this the same period as the second half of Daniel’s seventieth week (Dan. 9:27). On this view, the woman’s fleeing indicates that during the great tribulation Jewish believers will be persecuted by the Antichrist and will flee into the wilderness (see note on Rev. 11:1–2).
Rev. 12:7 Michael is the archangel and guardian of God’s people (Dan. 10:13; 12:1; Jude 9). Some interpreters think Michael’s battle with the dragon marks the beginning of the “time of trouble” (Dan. 12:1), the great tribulation.
Fact: Gabriel
Gabriel is the first angel mentioned by name in the Bible (8:16; 9:21). Michael, the only other angel named in Scripture, also appears in Daniel (10:13, 21; 12:1). In the NT, Gabriel was the angel who announced the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:19, 26). Michael appears again in Rev. 12:7.
Fact: Michael
Michael (v. 9) is the only archangel identified by name in Scripture. In the book of Daniel, he is the guardian of God’s people (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1). He also leads the heavenly army in the fight against the dragon in Rev. 12:7.
Rev. 12:8–9 The victory of Michael and the holy angels over the dragon and his allies may symbolize Jesus’ triumph on the cross (compare Col. 2:15). It may also reflect the defeat of demonic forces because of Christ’s victory at the cross. Or it may describe the original casting out of Satan and his demons from heaven (see note on Rev. 12:4). The devil (Greek) and Satan (Hebrew) describe a legal opponent, an accuser at law (see vv. 10–11). Some think he was thrown down to the earth indicates increased demonic activity on earth during the great tribulation.
Rev. 12:12 his time is short. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension began “the kingdom of our God” (v. 10). These events guaranteed the end of Satan’s power.
Rev. 12:14 two wings of the great eagle. A metaphor of the exodus (see Ex. 19:4) becomes an image of God’s care for his church. a time, and times, and half a time. See note on Rev. 11:1–2.
Rev. 12:15 water like a river out of his mouth. The serpent tries to destroy the people of God (sweep her away) by lies and false teaching (compare Gen. 3:13).
Rev. 12:1–17 Two signs appear in heaven—a woman who gives birth, and a dragon intent on destroying her offspring. Twice John sees the dragon defeated. Both descriptions of what happens afterward describe the woman being protected in the wilderness (vv. 6, 13–17). The first vision (vv. 1–6) portrays a decisive battle at the turning point of history. Christ’s incarnation, obedience, sacrifice, and exaltation forever disqualify Satan from accusing believers (see v. 10). Some interpreters think the second vision (vv. 7–17) represents the same series of events, while others think it portrays events at the beginning of the great tribulation.
Rev. 12:17 The dragon fails to destroy the Messiah (see vv. 4–5) and his mother (that is, Israel; see note on vv. 1–2). So he makes war on the rest of her offspring. Some thinks this refers to the church throughout the ages. Others think it refers to believing Israel (or the remnant in ch. 7). These include all who hold to the testimony of Jesus, all who endure in faithfulness and obedience to the gospel. The dragon’s weapon is the “beast” that emerges from the sea to wage war on the saints (13:2, 7).
Rev. 13:1–2 The beast resembles all four beasts that Daniel saw emerge from the sea before the Son of Man appeared (Dan. 7:1–8, 21). Those beasts symbolized kingdoms (Dan. 7:17, 23). This beast represents every oppressive human empire that demands absolute allegiance and enforces its demand. This includes Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and their successors. Its 10 horns and seven heads mirror those of the dragon (Rev. 12:3), who gives the beast its great authority.
Rev. 13:3 seemed to have a mortal wound. Literally, “as slain to death.” Rome represented the beast in John’s day. It seemed to have been mortally wounded by Nero’s suicide (A.D. 68) and the civil chaos that followed. It experienced a “resurrection” in the reigns of Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian. During Domitian’s reign (A.D. 81–96), Nero’s persecution of the church also revived. Many interpreters think this verse also predicts a future remarkable recovery of the Antichrist from a deadly wound.
Rev. 13:5 was given . . . was allowed. See note on 9:1. The beast speaks haughty and blasphemous words, like the horn (king) on the fourth beast in Daniel’s vision (Dan. 7:20, 25). forty-two months. See note on Rev. 11:1–2; also 12:6, 14.
Rev. 13:6 The identification of God’s dwelling as those who dwell in heaven confirms that the sanctuary in 11:1 symbolized the worshipers in it. Likewise, the “holy city” is the Lamb’s church-bride (21:2, 9–27).
Rev. 13:8 written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. Before creation and by grace alone, God chose individuals to be redeemed by Christ’s death (see Eph. 1:4–14; and note on Eph. 1:11). God’s book of life appears in Ex. 32:32–33; Dan. 12:1; Luke 10:20; Rev. 3:5; 17:8; 20:15. The parallel expression in 17:8 shows that “before the foundation of the world” refers to “written” rather than to “slain.”
Rev. 13:1–10 As the dragon stands on the seashore (12:17), a beast emerges from the sea. This beast is sometimes identified with the Antichrist (see 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7) or the man of lawlessness (2 Thess. 2:3–12). Yet the imagery of Daniel 7 that appears in the description of the beast shows that it represents not only a future individual but also present world powers that wage Satan’s war against the Lamb and his church.
Rev. 13:9–10 endurance. Perseverance is a major theme in Revelation (12:17; 14:12; 16:15; 17:14; 21:7–8; 22:7, 10, 12, 14; see also “overcoming” in chs. 2–3).
Rev. 13:11 The second beast resembles the Lamb, but his lying words expose his real nature. He is like a dragon (see 12:15; 16:13–14; 19:20).
Rev. 13:13 making fire come down from heaven. The false prophet (the second beast) does a miracle similar to Elijah’s to make people believe the first beast is divine (see 1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:10; Rev. 8:7; 11:5).
Rev. 13:14–15 Idols “have mouths but cannot speak” (Ps. 115:5). Thus the impression that the first beast’s image has breath and might even speak is likely some kind of miracle worked by demonic power yet still subject to God’s sovereign control (it is allowed).
Rev. 13:16–17 marked on the right hand or the forehead. The Israelites wore God’s law on their hands and foreheads. They did this to show God’s authority over their thoughts and actions (Deut. 6:8). The beast’s mark and the seal of God on believers’ foreheads (see Rev. 7:3; 14:1; compare also Ex. 28:36–38; Ezek. 9:4) do not have to be physical features, though they may be that. Both symbolize spiritual control.
Rev. 13:11–18 A second beast rises out of the earth to recruit worshipers for the first beast. He gathers people using lying words and miracles. In John’s day, the imperial cult in the Roman province of Asia encouraged worship of the emperor as divine savior and lawgiver.
Rev. 13:18 The number of the beast is 666. This number of a man may contrast with divine completeness (symbolized by seven).
Rev. 14:3 The new song celebrates God’s triumph over sin through the Lamb (5:9; 15:3). God’s prior victories were also celebrated in new songs (Ps. 98:1). The song belongs only to those who have experienced the Lamb’s redemption (Ps. 107:1–3). This is another indication that 144,000 represents those who have been redeemed rather than an actual number (see notes on Rev. 7:1–17; 7:4–8; 7:9).
Rev. 14:4–5 have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. Soldiers often avoided having sex during the wars God commanded (see Deut. 23:9–11; 1 Sam. 21:5). The 144,000 (Rev. 14:3) represent believers of both sexes who die in faith and are gathered as firstfruits for God, foreshadowing a greater harvest.
Rev. 14:8 Another angel announces that Babylon is fallen (echoing Isa. 21:9). Babylon was the greatest power of its day. Babylon conquered Judah. In John’s day, Rome was the nation with “dominion over the kings of the earth” (Rev. 17:18) that oppressed Christ’s people (17:6). Yet Revelation’s “Babylon” transcends Rome, since its fall comes at the end of history (15:1; 16:17–19). the passion of her sexual immorality. Babylon the prostitute represents the temptations of material wealth and pleasure. These things tempt the people into serving something other than the Lord.
Rev. 14:9–11 the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. Hell is eternal. The wicked do not cease to exist when they die.
The Seven Benedictions
| Blessed is the one who reads aloud, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy | 1:3 |
| Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord | 14:13 |
| Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on | 16:15 |
| Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb | 19:9 |
| Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection | 20:6 |
| Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book | 22:7 |
| Blessed are those who wash their robes | 22:14 |
Rev. 14:14 One like a son of man, seated on the cloud and wearing a golden crown (compare Dan. 7:13–14; Rev. 1:7, 13) is Jesus, the Lord of the harvest. He sowed the gospel (Matt. 13:37) and will return to harvest it.
Rev. 14:15–16 The harvest of the earth probably is the Son of Man gathering believers (compare Matt. 13:30).
Rev. 11:19–14:20 This vision reveals the heart of the conflict the church faces. Through his sacrificial blood, Christ (the seed of the woman) has defeated Satan (the accuser of his people). Believers’ sufferings result from Satan’s desperation because “he knows that his time is short” (12:12).
Rev. 14:14–20 Two reapers appear in heaven, sharp sickles in hand. Angels emerge from the temple with God’s order to “Put in your sickle, and reap.” First “one like a son of man” gathers the grain of the earth. Then an angel gathers grapes from the earth’s vine. These will be crushed in the “winepress of the wrath of God.”
Rev. 14:17–20 The second harvest involves cutting grape clusters from the vine and crushing them in God’s winepress. This pictures the destruction of the wicked (compare Joel 3:12–13). trodden. The Lord will trample nations that have trampled God’s holy city, just as Isaiah promised (Isa. 63:1–6). Their blood is shed outside the city (probably Jerusalem), where all unclean things belong (see Rev. 21:27).
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | Revelation 12-14
As we wrap up YOTW in Revelation during the Christmas season, it is natural to feel tension with the mix of emotions. Revelation can read as intimidating, strange, and unsettling. Yet within chapters 12–14, where the imagery is weighty and the interpretation complex, there is profound hope for believers.
Revelation 12 unveils a cosmic war tracing back to Genesis 3:15, where God promised that the "seed" would crush the serpent's head. This passage feels familiar: a woman in labor, a male child born, and an enemy seeking to destroy him. This apocalyptic retelling of Christ's birth reminds us that the nativity points forward to Christ's long-awaited return when he will defeat the enemy once and for all.
At the heart of Revelation 12 is God's immutability. His unchanging goodness moves him to protect, provide for, and unite his church with himself (Ephesians 1). In Revelation 12:13–14, God shelters and nourishes the woman in the face of Satan's intense hatred. As the enemy's time grows short, his deception becomes more aggressive, yet his defeat remains certain (Galatians 6:7). Christ, the male child, will return to fulfill every promise, making all things right. As believers, we are not at the mercy of the deceiver; we are under the care of the King who holds us tightly, as the Lion returns.
These truths give the Church confidence to persevere through persecution and fear (1 Peter 1; James 1). We do not have to live as though abandoned by the Father. If you are in Christ, you are united with him forever, and nothing, not even the ruthless deceiver, can separate us from God's hand. Our union with Christ secures us in him (Ephesians 1).
With this assurance, fear gives way to hope, endurance is strengthened, and trust deepens, reminding us that God continues to shelter his Church as he prepares the way for Christ's return and the ultimate defeat of Satan.
This month's memory verse
"And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"
– Revelation 21:5
Discussion Questions
1. Think BIG about God and do it as often as you breathe. Search "attributes of God" and read some definitions. What attributes do you see about God in the midst of this (insane) spiritual battle of Satan being cast down to earth?
2. What areas of your life are you giving to the "mercy of the Deceiver" instead of the care of the King? Is there any "conviction" you need to bring to the Lord and reconcile with him about?
3. Think about small ways you can look for the gospel in your everyday life. God's fingerprints are all around us—through his Word, through his miracles, and through your daily interactions. How can you thoughtfully bring a gospel mindset into your everyday life?