---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Revelation 14:1. A Lamb stood on the mount Sion — This represents Jesus Christ in his sacrificial office; mount Sion was a type of the Christian Chu"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/revelation/14"
---

Verse [Revelation 14:1](../../../kjv/revelation/14/1). ***A Lamb stood on the mount Sion*** — This represents Jesus Christ in his *sacrificial office; mount Sion* was a type of the Christian Church.
***And with him a hundred forty*** and *four thousand*] Representing those who were converted to Christianity from among the *Jews*. See [Revelation 7:4](../../../kjv/revelation/7/4).
***His Father's name written in their foreheads.*** — They were professedly, openly, and practically, the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus. Different *sects* of idolaters have the *peculiar mark* of their god on their foreheads. This is practised in the east to the present day, and the mark is called the *sectarial mark*. Between eighty and ninety different figures are found on the foreheads of different Hindoo deities and their followers.
Almost every MS. of importance, as well as most of the *versions* and many of the *fathers*, read this clause thus: *Having HIS NAME* *and his Father's name written upon their foreheads*. This is undoubtedly the true reading, and is properly received by *Griesbach* into the text.

Verse [Revelation 14:2](../../../kjv/revelation/14/2). ***The voice of many waters*** — That is, of multitudes of various nations.
***The voice of harpers*** — Though the sounds were many and apparently confused, yet both *harmony* and *melody* were preserved.

Verse [Revelation 14:3](../../../kjv/revelation/14/3). ***They sung-a new song*** — [Revelation 5:9](../../../kjv/revelation/5/9); [Revelation 5:9](../../../kjv/revelation/5/9).
***No man could learn that song*** — As none but genuine Christians can worship God acceptably, because they approach him through the only Mediator, so none can understand the deep things of God but such; nor can others know the cause why true believers exult so much in God through Christ, because they know not the communion which such hold with the Father and the Son through the Holy Ghost.

Verse [Revelation 14:4](../../../kjv/revelation/14/4). ***These are they which were not defiled with women*** — They are pure from idolatry, and are presented as unspotted *virgins* to their Lord and Saviour Christ. See [2 Corinthians 11:2](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/2). There may be an allusion here to the Israelites committing idolatry, through the means of their criminal connection with the Midianitish women. See [Numbers 25:1-4](../../../kjv/numbers/25/1-4); [Numbers 31:16](../../../kjv/numbers/31/16).
***Follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth*** — They go through good and through evil report, bear his reproach, and love not their lives even to the death.
***The first fruits unto God*** — The reference appears to be to those *Jews* who were the *first converts to* Christianity.

Verse [Revelation 14:5](../../../kjv/revelation/14/5). ***In their mouth was found no guile*** — When brought before kings and rulers they did not dissemble, but boldly confessed the Lord Jesus.

Verse [Revelation 14:6](../../../kjv/revelation/14/6). ***Another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the**********everlasting Gospel*** — Whether this angel mean any more than a particular dispensation of providence and grace, by which the Gospel shall be rapidly sent throughout the whole world; or whether it mean any especial messenger, order of preachers, people, or society of Christians, whose professed object it is to send the Gospel of the kingdom throughout the earth, we know not. But the vision seems truly descriptive of a late institution, entitled THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY, whose object it is to print and circulate the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, through all the habitable world, and in all the languages spoken on the face of the earth. Already they have been the instruments, by actually printing (or by affording the means to different nations to print for themselves) the Bible in a vast number of languages and dialects, so that it has been sent in hundreds of thousands of copies, in whole or in part, to almost every part of the globe: viz., in their native language to the *Welsh*; in *Erse* to the *Irish*; in *Gaelic* to the *Highlands* of Scotland; in *Manks* to the *Isle of Man*; in *French, Italian,* *Portuguese*, and *Spanish*, to those countries and *Switzerland*; in *Low Dutch* to *Holland*, c. in *High Dutch* to *Germany, Prussia*, c. Through them a similar society has been established at St. Petersburgh, by which the Bible has been sent in *Slavonic* to the Russians and in different dialects to the people of that vast empire; besides the *Turkish, Tartaric*, and *Calmuck*. They have also sent the Holy Scriptures in *ancient* and *modern Greek* to *Asia Minor* and the different *isles* of the *Mediterranean Sea*; in *Arabic* and *AEthiopic* to *Egypt* and *Abyssinia*; in *Syriac* to the *Holy* *Land*, and to the *Christians* at *Travancore*. They have also greatly and effectually assisted a very worthy society in the East Indies, whose indefatigable and incomparable missionaries, the Rev. Messrs. Carey, Marshman, and Ward, have translated the Scriptures into the principal languages of India; and they have furnished the means of printing a complete translation of the New Testament in the Chinese language at Canton, by the Rev. Mr. Morrison. In short, almost every nation in the universe has, through this society, *directly* or *indirectly* received, or is receiving, the words of eternal life; so that it appears to answer the description of the Apocalyptic "angel, flying 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."

Verse [Revelation 14:7](../../../kjv/revelation/14/7). ***Fear God, and give glory to him*** — This is the general language of the sacred writings. Worship the true God, the creator and governor of all things; and give *him* glory, for to him alone, not to idols or men, all glory and honour belong.

Verse [Revelation 14:8](../../../kjv/revelation/14/8). ***Babylon is fallen, is fallen*** — This is generally understood to be a prediction concerning *Rome*; and it is certain that *Rome*, in the rabbinical writings, is termed *Babylon*.
***That great city*** — Among the same writers this city is styled קרתא רבתא karta rabbetha, *the great city*; and רומי רבתא Romi rabbetha, *the great Rome*. But *which* Rome is meant? *Pagan* or *Papal* Rome? Some parts of the description apply best to the former.
***The wine of the wrath of her fornication.*** — There is an allusion here to a custom of impure women, who give *philtres* or *love* *potions* to those whom they wish to seduce and bind to their will; and these potions are generally of an *intoxicating* nature, greatly inflaming the blood, and disturbing the intellect.
*Fornication* and *adultery* are frequently used in Scripture as emblems of idolatry and false worship.
*The wine of the wrath* is another expression for the *envenomed* or *poisoned cup* given by such women.
No nation of the earth spread their *idolatries* so far as the *ancient Romans*; they were as extensive as their conquests. And *papal Rome* has been not less active in disseminating her superstitions. She has given her *rituals*, but not the *everlasting* *Gospel*, to most nations of the earth.

Verse [Revelation 14:9](../../../kjv/revelation/14/9). ***And the third angel followed*** — Bishop Bale considers these three angels as three descriptions of preachers, who should bear their testimony against the corruptions of the *papal Church*.
***The beast and his image*** — See the notes on [Revelation 13:1-18](../../../kjv/revelation/13/1-18).
***Mark in his forehead*** — Such as the *sectarial marks* of the idolatrous Hindoos, as has been observed before.

Verse [Revelation 14:10](../../../kjv/revelation/14/10). ***The wine of the wrath of God*** — As they have drunk the intoxicating wine of idolatry or spiritual fornication, they shall now drink the wine of God's wrath, which is poured out into the cup of his indignation. This is an allusion to the *poisoned cup*, which certain criminals were obliged to drink, on which ensued speedy death. [Hebrews 2:9](../../../kjv/hebrews/2/9); [Hebrews 2:9](../../../kjv/hebrews/2/9).
***Shall be tormented with fire and brimstone*** — An allusion to the punishment of *Sodom* and *Gomorrha* for their unnatural crimes.
***Presence of the holy angels, and-of the Lamb*** — These being the *instruments* employed in their destruction; the *Lamb*-the Lord Jesus Christ, acting as judge.

Verse [Revelation 14:11](../../../kjv/revelation/14/11). ***The smoke of their torment*** — Still an allusion to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha.

Verse [Revelation 14:12](../../../kjv/revelation/14/12). ***Here is the patience of the saints*** — Here the faith of the true Christians shall be proved; they *will* follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, they keep the commandments of God, and are steadfast in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sometimes ηυπομονη, *patience* or *perseverance*, is taken for the *reward* of these virtues; the text therefore may be thus understood: Here is the reward of the perseverance of the true Christians; for although they die for the testimony of Jesus, yet they shall be unutterably blessed. See the next verse.

Verse [Revelation 14:13](../../../kjv/revelation/14/13). ***I heard a voice from heaven*** — As the information now to be given was of the utmost importance, it is solemnly communicated by a voice from heaven; and the apostle is commanded to write or record what is said.
***Blessed are the dead*** — Happy are they. They are *happy* in *two* respects: 1. They do not see the evil that shall come upon the world, and are exempted from any farther sufferings. 2. They actually and conscientiously enjoy happiness in a state of blessedness.
In the first sense, *Happy are the dead*! is a proverb frequently to be met in the Greek and Roman poets. *Ex. gr.*
***From henceforth*** — απαρτι *From this time; now; immediately*. This word is joined to the following by many MSS. and some *versions*. It was a maxim among the Jews, that as soon as the souls of the just departed from this life they ascended *immediately* to heaven.
***Yea, saith the Spirit*** — The Holy Spirit confirms the declaration from heaven, and assigns the reasons of it.
***That they may rest from their labours*** — Have no more tribulation and distress.
***And their works do follow there.*** — εργααυτωνακολουθειμετ αυτων *And their works follow WITH them*. They are in *company*. Here is an elegant prosopopoeia or personification; their good works, sufferings, c., are represented as so many *companions* escorting them on their way to the kingdom of God.
There are some good and pertinent things in the Jewish writers on this subject. "*Rabbi Jonathan* taught, If a man perform one righteous action in this life, *it goes before him* into the world to come. But if a man commit one crime, it *cleaves* to him, and *drags him to the day of judgment*." *Sota*, fol. 3, 2. *Avoda Sara*, fol. 5, 1.
"Come and see, If any man observe a precept, that work ascends to God, and says, *Such a one performed me*. But if a man transgress the law, that sin ascends to the holy blessed God, and says, *I* *came from* such a one, *who has performed me*." *Sohar Levit*., fol. 34, col. 136. Here the same personification is observed as that in the text.
"In that hour in which a man passes from this life into eternity, *all his works precede him* and there they say unto him, 'This and that thou hast done in such a place on such a day.' This he shall acknowledge. They shall require that he shall subscribe this with his own hand, as it is written, [Job 37:7](../../../kjv/job/37/7); each man shall subscribe with his own hand; and not only this, but he shall acknowledge that the sentence brought against him is most just." *Taanith*, fol. 11, 1.
The following elegant similitude *Schoettgen* gives from *Sepher* *Hachayim*, Part II., fol. 47, 1, 2. "A certain man had three friends, *two* of whom he loved; but the *third* he did not highly esteem. On a time the king commanded him to be called before him; and being alarmed, he sought to find an advocate. He went to that *friend* whom he loved most, but he utterly refused to go with him. The *second* offered to go with him as far as the door of the king's palace, but refused to speak a word in his behalf. The *third*, whom he loved least, not only went with him, but pleaded his cause so well before the king that he was cleared from all blame. In like manner, every man has three friends, when he is cited by death to appear before God. The *first* friend, whom he loved most, viz., his *money*, cannot accompany him at all. His *second*, viz., his *relations* and *neighbours*, accompanied him only to the *grave*, and then returned; but could not deliver him from the Judge. The *third* friend, whom he held but in little esteem, viz., the law and his good works, *went with him* to the king, and delivered him from judgment." The meaning of this most plainly is, that nothing except the *deeds* of good and evil men shall accompany them to the judgment-seat of God, and that a man's lot will be in the other world as his conduct has been in this; *Their works* *follow with them*.

Verse [Revelation 14:14](../../../kjv/revelation/14/14). ***A white cloud*** — It is supposed that, from this verse to the end of the chapter, the *destruction* of Rome is represented under the symbols of *harvest* and *vintage*; images very frequent among the ancient prophets, by which they represented the destruction and excision of nations. See [Joel 3:12-14](../../../kjv/joel/3/12-14); [Isaiah 17:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/17/5); [Isaiah 63:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/63/1); and [Matthew 13:37](../../../kjv/matthew/13/37).
***A golden crown*** — In token of victory and regal power.

Verse [Revelation 14:15](../../../kjv/revelation/14/15). ***Thrust in thy sickle*** — Execute the judgments which God has decreed.
***For the harvest of the earth is ripe.*** — The cup of the people's iniquity is full.

Verse [Revelation 14:16](../../../kjv/revelation/14/16). ***The earth was reaped.*** — The judgments were executed. But *where*, or on *whom*, who can tell?

Verse [Revelation 14:18](../../../kjv/revelation/14/18). ***Power over fire*** — Probably meaning the same angel which is mentioned, [Revelation 8:3](../../../kjv/revelation/8/3); [Revelation 9:13](../../../kjv/revelation/9/13), who stood by the *altar of burnt-offering*, having authority over its fire to offer that incense to God which represents the prayers of the saints.

Verse [Revelation 14:19](../../../kjv/revelation/14/19). ***The great winepress of the wrath of God.*** — The *place* or *kingdom* where God executes his judgments on the workers of iniquity, whether pagans or persecuting Christians; Rome *pagan*, or Rome *papal*.

Verse [Revelation 14:20](../../../kjv/revelation/14/20). ***Even unto the horse bridles*** — A hyperbolical expression, to denote a *great effusion of blood*. The Jews said, "When Hadrian besieged the city called Bitter, he slew so many that the horses waded in blood up to their mouths." The same kind of hyperbole with that above. See Wetstein on this verse.
***The space of a thousand*****and*****six hundred furlongs****.*] It is said that the *state of the Church*, or St. Peter's patrimony, extends from Rome to the Po, *two hundred Italian miles*, which make exactly *one thousand six hundred furlongs*! If this be really so, the coincidence is certainly surprising, and worthy of deep regard.
On these two last verses pious Quesnel thus speaks: "As the favourable sickle of Jesus Christ reaps his wheat when ripe for heaven, so that of the executioners of his justice cuts off from this life the tares which are only fit for the fire of hell. Then shall the blood of Christ cease to be trampled on by sinners; and that of the wicked shall be eternally trodden down in hell, which is the *winepress of the wrath of God*.
"*And the winepress was trodden without the city*, eternally without the city of the heavenly Jerusalem, and far from the presence of God; eternally crushed and trodden down by his justice; eternally tormented in body and soul, without any hope either of living or dying! This is the miserable lot and portion of those who shall have despised the law of God, and died in impenitence. My God, pierce my heart with a salutary dread of thy judgments!"
Whatever these passages may mean, this is a prudent and Christian use of them.

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