Jesus and the Tribulation: Overcomers and Announcements

John saw a vision of 144,000.

They identify openly with the Lamb.

1 Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 

They rejoice loudly with a new song.

2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 3 And they ¹sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth.

They walk in purity with the Lamb.

4a These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. 

They are redeemed.

4b These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.

They speak truthfully.

5a And no lie was found in their mouth;...

They live blamelessly.

5b ...they are blameless.

John heard angelic announcements. 6-13

There was an announcement of the everlasting gospel.

6 And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7 and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”

The message of the gospel is for all time.

And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach

The message of the gospel is for all people.

And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people;

The message of the gospel prepares all Christ followers.

7 and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”

There was an announcement of a crumbling kingdom.

8 And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “^aFallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.”

There was an announcement of defining destinies. 9-13

The worshipers of the beast have a final destiny.

9 Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone 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; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

The worshipers of God have a final destiny.

12 Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”

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