The 144
thousand and the Beast of the Apocalypse
Based on Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the
New Testament
Odilon Massolar Chaves
Copyright
© 2024, Odilon Massolar Chaves
All
rights reserved to the author.
It
is allowed to read, copy and share for free
Article
184 of the Penal Code and Law 96710 of February 19, 1998.
Author
of the text: João Wesley
Editor
of this text: Odilon Massolar Chaves
Books
published in the Wesleyan Digital Library: 292
Books
published by the author: 403
Booklets:
3
Address:
https://www.blogger.com/blog/stats/week/2777667065980939692
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All glory to God!
Odilon Massolar Chaves is a
retired Methodist pastor, with a doctorate in Theology and History from the
Methodist University of São Paulo.
His thesis dealt with the
Methodist revival in England in the eighteenth century and its contribution as
a paradigm for our days.
He was editor of the
official Methodist newspaper and coordinator of the Theology Course.
Copyright Statement: These files are in the public domain and are derived from an electronic edition that is available on the Ethereal Library of Christian Classics website.[1]
Table of Contents
· Introduction
·
Wesley's research that points to the pope as
the beast of the Apocalypse
·
Who are
and what are the marks of the character of those who belong to the 144 thousand
·
The
time has come for judgment and the fall of Babylon
Introduction
"is a 36-page book based on Wesley's
Explanatory Notes on the New Testament.
Wesley's
long historical research and grounded in the Bible states, "This beast is
the Roman papacy, as it came to a point six hundred years ago, is now, and will
continue for some time longer." .
In his biblical and historical analysis,
Wesley says, "This beast is a spiritually secular power, opposed to the
kingdom of Christ."
Within his research, Wesley says: "The
beast is the Roman papacy, which has already reigned for some ages.
Of
the 144,000 referents in Revelation, Wesley said, "One hundred and
forty-four thousand—either those of all mankind who had been the most eminently
holy, or the holiest of the twelve tribes of Israel."
And
Wesley comments on the marks of the character of those who belong to the 144
thousand:
When
the Apocalypse says, "These are they that were not defiled with
women," Wesley says, "It seems that the deepest defilement, and the
most seductive temptation, is laid out for all the rest."
They are "undefiled
souls; as they have preserved universal purity," Wesley said.
And
when the Bible says, "They are blameless," Wesley explains,
"Having preserved inviolate a virgin purity both of soul and body."
About the judgment and fall
of Babylon, one of them said in a loud voice: "Fear God, and give him
glory; for the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven
and earth and sea and fountains of waters."
Wesley
says that the hour of judgment has come: "Fear God, and give him glory:
for the hour of his judgment is come—The joyful message is just this, that the
hour of God's judgment has come. And therefore this admonition is taken: Fear
God, and give him glory. Those who do this will not worship the beast, nor any
image or idol."
An
angel announces the fall of Babylon: "And another angel followed, saying,
Babylon is fallen" – Wesley explains: "With the overthrow of Babylon,
that of all the enemies of Christ, and consequently happier times, are
connected."
A book with very strong comments especially
for our days, but very serious and profound for the research and because it is
about Wesley.
The Author
Revelation
13
Wesley's
research that points to the pope as the beast of the Apocalypse
Wesley's
long historical research and grounded in the Bible states, "This beast is
the Roman papacy, as it came to a point six hundred years ago, is now, and will
continue for a while longer. To this, and no other power on earth, agrees the
whole text, and every part of it in all points; as we may see, with the
greatest evidence, from the following propositions" .
In his biblical and historical analysis,
Wesley says, "This beast is a spiritually secular power, opposed to the
kingdom of Christ. A power not merely spiritual or ecclesiastical, nor merely
secular or political, but a mixture of both. He is a secular prince; for a
crown, yes, and a kingdom are ascribed to him. And yet he is not merely
secular; for he is also a false prophet."
Within
his historical research, Wesley says, "The beast is the Roman papacy,
which has reigned for some ages. OBS2. The beast has seven heads and ten
horns."
And
he adds: "The seven heads are seven hills and also seven kings. One of the
heads could not have been, 'so to speak, mortally wounded', if it had been just
a hill."
Wesley further said, "Antichrist will rule the Roman empire, but without the name of the Roman emperor. His spiritual title prevented him from taking the name, while he wielded all power."
And I was standing on the sand of the sea, and I saw a beast rise out of
the sea
And
I was standing on the sand of the sea, and I saw a beast coming up out of the
sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten diadems, and on his
heads the name of blasphemy.
And
I was on the sand of the sea - That was also in the
vision.
And
I saw - Soon after the woman flew away.
It comes twice; first from the sea, then from
the abyss
A
wild beast rising - It comes twice; first
from the sea, then from the deep. It comes from the sea before the seven vials;
"The Great Whore" comes after them. O reader, this is a subject in
which we are also deeply concerned, and that it should be treated, not as a
point of curiosity, but as a solemn warning from God! Danger is at hand. Be
armed against force and fraud, even with the whole armor of God.
Out of the sea - That is, Europe
Out
of the sea - That is, Europe. Thus the three woes (the
first in Persia, the second in the Euphrates) move in line from east to west.
This beast is the Roman papacy, as it came to
a point six hundred years ago, is now and will continue for a while longer
This
beast is the Roman papacy, as it came to a point six hundred years ago, is now,
and will continue for a while longer. To this, and no other power on earth,
agrees the whole text, and every part of it in all points; as we may see, with
the greatest evidence, from the following propositions:
It is one and the same beast, with seven
heads and ten horns
-
PROP1. It is one and the same beast, with seven heads and ten horns, which is
described in this and the seventeenth chapter. Consequently, their heads are
the same, and their horns are the same. PROP2.
This beast is a spiritually secular power
This
beast is a spiritually secular power, opposed to the kingdom of Christ. A power
not merely spiritual or ecclesiastical, nor merely secular or political, but a
mixture of both. He is a secular prince; for a crown, yes, and a kingdom are
ascribed to him. And yet he is not merely secular; for he is also a false
prophet. PROP3.
The beast has a strict connection to the city
of Rome
The
beast has a strict connection with the city of Rome. This appears clearly in
chapter seventeen.
The beast now exists. He is not past. for Rome exists now
PROP4.
The beast now exists. He is not past. for Rome now exists; and it is not till
after the destruction of Rome that the beast is cast into the lake. He is not
wholly to come: for the second woe is long past, after which the third came
quickly; and soon after it began, the beast came out of the sea. Therefore,
whatever he is, he now exists.
The beast is the Roman papacy
PROP5.
The beast is the Roman papacy. This follows manifestly from the third and
fourth propositions; the beast has a strict connection with the city of Rome;
and the beast exists now: therefore, either there is some other power more
closely connected with that city, or the Pope is the beast.
The papacy, or papal kingdom, began a long
time ago
PROP6.
The papacy, or papal kingdom, began long ago. The most remarkable details
relating to it are here attached; taken as high as abundantly to show the rise
of the beast, and brought as low as our own time, in order to throw a light on
the following part of the prophecy:
Benedict IX, an eleven-year-old child, was
bishop of Rome and caused serious disorders for more than twenty years
-
1033 A.D. Benedict IX, a child of eleven, is bishop of Rome and causes serious
disorders for more than twenty years. 1048 A.D. Damasus II. introduces the use
of the triple crown. 1058 A.D. The church of Milan is, after long opposition,
subject to the Roman church. 1073 A.D. Hildebrand, or Gregory VII., ascends the
throne. 1076 A.D. He deposes
He
deposes and excommunicates the emperor. 1077 A.D. He uses him shamefully and
acquits him. 1080 A.D. He excommunicates him again and sends a crown to
Rodulph, his competitor
and
excommunicates the emperor. 1077 A.D. He uses him shamefully and acquits him.
1080 A.D. He excommunicates him again and sends a crown to Rodulph, his
competitor. 1083 A.D. Rome is taken. Gregory flees.
Clement is made pope and crowns the emperor
Clement
is made pope and crowns the emperor. 1085 A.D. Gregory VII. dies at Salerno.
1095 A.D. Urban II. holds the first popish council at Clermont and gives rise
to the crusades. 1111 A.D. Paschal II. quarrels furiously with the emperor.
1123 A.D. The first Western general council in the Lateran.
The marriage of priests is forbidden
The
marriage of priests is forbidden. 1132 A.D. Innocent II declares that the
emperor is the vassal or vassal of the Pope. 1143 A.D. The Romans established a
governor of their own, independent of Innocent II.
The right to choose the Pope is taken away
from the people and later from the clergy, and housed only in the cardinals
Celestine II. is, by an important innovation,
chosen for the papacy without the suffrage of the people; the right to choose
the Pope is taken from the people, and later from the clergy, and housed only
in the cardinals. 1152 A.D.
Eugene II. assumes the power to canonize
saints
Eugene
II. assumes the power of canonizing saints. 1155 A.D. Hadrian IV. condemns
Arnold of Brixia to death for speaking against the secular power of the papacy.
1159 A.D. Victor IV. is elected and crowned. But Alexander III. conquers him
and his successor. 1168 A.D. Alexander III. excommunicates the emperor and
brings him so low that in 1177 A.D. he submits to the Pope putting his foot on
his neck. 1204 A.D. Innocent III. establishes the Inquisition against the
Waldenses. 1208 A.D. He proclaims a crusade against them. 1300 A.D. Boniface
VIII. Introduces the Year of Jubilee. 1305 A.D.
The fifty-year schism begins
The
Pope's residence is moved to Avignon. 1377 A.D. Removed back to Rome. 1378 A.D.
The fifty-year schism begins. 1449 A.D. Felix V., the last antipope, submits to
Nicholas V A.D. 1517. The Reformation begins. 1527 A.D. Rome is taken and
sacked. 1557 A.D. Charles V. renounces the empire; Ferdinand I finds it
superfluous to be crowned by the Pope. 1564 A.D. Pius IV. confirms the Council
of Trent. 1682 A.D.
Doctrines
highly derogatory to papal authority are openly taught in France
Doctrines
highly derogatory to papal authority are openly taught in France. 1713 A.D. The
constitution Unigenitus. 1721 A.D. Pope Gregory VII. canonized again. He who
compares this little table with what will be observed, verse 3, Revelation
13:3, and Revelation 17:10, will see that the rise of the beast out of the sea
is to be fixed at the beginning of it; and not higher than Gregory VII., nor
lower than Alexander III.
The secular princes now favored the kingdom
of Christ; but the bishops of Rome vehemently opposed it
The secular princes now favored Christ's
kingdom; but the bishops of Rome were vehemently opposed.
They were simply ministers or pastors of the
Christian congregation in Rome
These,
at first, were simple ministers or pastors of the Christian congregation at
Rome, but gradually they rose to an eminence of honour and power over all their
brethren until, about the time of Gregory VII. (and so ever since) they assumed
all the insignia of the royal majesty; yea, of a majesty and power far superior
to those of all the other potentates of the earth.
But the first beast then rose appropriately
We
are not here considering his false doctrines, but his unlimited power. When we
think of this, we must look to the false prophet, who is also called a wild
beast in his ascent out of the earth. But the first beast then rose
appropriately, when, after several preludes, the Pope rose above the emperor.
Gregory VII, is the proper founder of the
papal kingdom
PROP7.
Hildebrand, or Gregory VII, is the proper founder of the papal kingdom. All the
patrons of the papacy allow him to have made many considerable additions to it;
and this very thing constituted the beast, completing the spiritual kingdom:
Gregory's new maxims and new actions proclaim this.
That the name of the Pope is the only name
under heaven; and that only his name should be recited in churches
Some
of his maxims are: 1. That the bishop of Rome alone is a universal bishop - 2.
That he alone can depose bishops or receive them again - 3. That he alone has
power to make new laws in the church - 4. That he alone should wear the
insignia of royalty - 5. That all princes should kiss his foot - 6. That the
name of the Pope is the only name under heaven; and that only his name should
be recited in the churches -
That he is not subject to any human judgment
7. That he has the power to depose emperors -
8. That no general synod can be convoked except by him - 9. That no book is
canonical without his authority - 10. That no one on earth can revoke his
sentence, but only he can revoke any sentence - 11. That he is not subject to
any human judgment - 12. That no power dares to sentence him who appeals to the
Pope - 13. That all weighty causes everywhere must be referred to him - 14.
That the Roman church has never erred, nor can ever err -
That the Roman bishop, canonically ordained,
is immediately sanctified, by the merits of St. Peter
15.
That the Roman bishop, canonically ordained, is immediately sanctified, by the
merits of St. Peter - 16. That he can absolve his subjects from their
allegiance. These are the most eminent Roman writers themselves are their
genuine sayings. And their actions agree with their words.
The Pope began, under a spiritual pretext, to
act as emperor of the entire Christian world
Hitherto
popes had been subject to emperors, though often unwillingly; but now the Pope
began, under a spiritual pretext, to act as emperor of the whole Christian
world: the immediate dispute was over the investiture of bishops, whose right
each claimed for himself. And now was the time for the Pope to give up or
establish his empire for ever: to decide which, Gregory excommunicated Emperor
Henry IV; "having first," says Platina, "deprived him of all his
dignities." The phrase read in these terms: "Blessed Peter, prince of
the apostles, bow down, I pray thee, thy ears, and hear me, thy servant. In the
name of almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
I overthrew the Emperor Henry of all imperial
and royal authority, and absolved all the Christians, who were his subjects
I
have cast down the Emperor Henry of all imperial and royal authority, and
absolve all Christians, who were his subjects, from the oath by which they used
to swear allegiance to true kings. And besides, because he has despised my,
yes, thy admonitions, I bind him with the bond of an anathema.
Blessed Peter, prince of the apostles, and
you, Paul, teacher of the Gentiles
The
same sentence he repeated at Rome in these terms: "Blessed Peter, prince
of the apostles, and thou Paul, teacher of the Gentiles, bow down, I pray thee,
thine ears unto me, and graciously hear me. Henry, whom they call emperor,
proudly lifted up his horns and his head against the church of God,—who came to
me, humbly begging to be absolved from his excommunication,—I restored him to
communion, but not to his kingdom,—nor did I allow his subjects to return to
their allegiance.
Therefore I bind Henry and all his favours
with the bond of an anathema, and again take from him all royal power
Several
bishops and princes of Germany, taking this opportunity, in the room of Henry,
justly deposed, chose Rodulph emperor, who immediately sent me ambassadors,
informing me that he would rather obey me than accept a kingdom, and that it
should always remain at the disposal of God and us. Henry then began to be
angry, and at first begged us to prevent Rodulph from taking his kingdom. I
said that I would see to whom the right belonged, and would give the sentence
that should be preferred. Henry forbade this. Therefore I bind Henry and all
his favors with the bond of an anathema, and again take from him all royal
power. I absolve all Christians from their oath of allegiance, forbid them to
obey Henry in anything, and command them to receive Rodulph as their king.
O most holy princes of the apostles
Confirm
this, therefore, by your authority, O most holy princes of the apostles, that
all may now know at last, as ye have power to bind and loose in heaven, so we
have power to give and take away on earth, empires, kingdoms, principalities,
and all that men may have. When Henry submitted, Gregory began to reign
unchecked. In the same year, 1077, on September 1, he fixed a new era of time,
called the Indiction, which is used in Rome to this day. Thus the Pope claimed
for himself all authority over all Christian princes. Thus he took away or
conferred kingdoms and empires, as a king of kings. His successors also did not
fail to follow in his footsteps. It is well known that the succeeding Popes
have not been willing to exercise the same power, either over kings or
emperors. And this the later popes were so far from denying, that three of them
sanctioned this same Gregory, namely, Clement VIII, Paul V, and Benedict XIII.
Here is then the beast
Here
then is the beast, that is, the king: indeed, such, though not in name:
according to that remarkable remark of Cardinal Bellarmine,
The Antichrist will rule the Roman
empire, but without the name of the Roman emperor
"The
Antichrist will rule the Roman empire, but without the name of the Roman
emperor. His spiritual title prevented him from taking the name, while he
wielded all power. Now Gregory was at the head of this novelty. So the Aventine
himself, "Gregory VII was the first founder of the pontifical
empire." Thus the time of the rise of the beast is clear.
The apostasy and the mystery of iniquity
gradually increased until he rose up
The
apostasy and the mystery of iniquity gradually increased until he arose,
"who opposes and exalts himself above all." 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
Before
the seventh trumpet, the adversary worked more secretly; but soon after the
beginning of this, the beast openly opposes his kingdom to the kingdom of
Christ.
On leaving the emperor's Italy, Gregory
exercised his power to the fullest
PROP8. Hildebrand's empire began in the year -
1077. It was then that, on leaving the emperor's Italy, Gregory exercised his
power to the utmost. And on the first of September, in this year, he began his
famous epoch. This may be best established and explained by the following
observations:
The beast is the Roman papacy, which has
reigned for some ages
-
OBS1. The beast is the Roman papacy, which has reigned for some ages. OBS2. The
beast has seven heads and ten horns.
The seven heads are seven hills and also
seven
OBS3.
The seven heads are seven hills and also seven kings. One of the heads could
not have been, "as it were, mortally wounded", if it had been only
one hill.
The Rise of the Beast Out of the Sea Is
Different from His Rise Out of the Abyss
OBS4.
The rise of the beast out of the sea is different from his rise out of the
abyss; Revelation often mentions the sea and the abyss, but never uses the
terms promiscuously.
The heads of the beast do not begin before he
comes out of the sea, but with him
OBS5.
The heads of the beast do not begin before he comes out of the sea, but with
him. OBS6. These heads, like kings, succeed each other. OBS7. The time they
occupy in this succession is divided into three parts. "Five" of the
kings thus signified "have fallen: one is, the other not yet come."
OBS8. "One is:" i.e. while the angel was speaking this. He places
himself and St. John in the intermediate time, that he may more conveniently
point out the first time as past, the second as present, the third as future.
The beast "was, is not, will ascend out
of the abyss"
OBS9.
The continuation of the beast is divided in the same way. The beast "was,
is not, shall come up out of the bottomless pit," Revelation 17:8;
Revelation 17:11. Between these two verses, which interposes as parallel to
them: "Five are fallen, one is, the other is not yet."
Babylon is Rome
OBS10.
Babylon is Rome. All the things that the Apocalypse says of Babylon, agree with
Rome, and Rome alone. "Babylon" began, when "the great"
began. When Babylon sank in the east, it rose in the west; and it existed in
the time of the apostles, whose judgment is said to be "avenged on
her."
The beast reigns before and after the reign
of Babylon
OBS11.
The beast reigns before and after the reign of Babylon. First, the beast
reigns, Revelation 13:1, etc; then Babylon, Revelation 17:1, etc.; and then the
beast again, Revelation 17:8, etc.
"The Horns and the Beast"
OBS12.
The heads are of the substance of the beast; the horns are not. The wound of
one of the heads is called "the wound of the beast" itself, verse 3;
Revelation 13:3 but the horns, or kings, receive the kingdom "with the
beast," Revelation 17:12. This word alone, "the horns and the
beast," Revelation 17:16, sufficiently shows that they are something added
to it.
The beast came out of the sea in the year -
1077
OBS13.
The forty-two months of the beast fall on the first of the three periods. The
beast arose from the sea in the year - 1077. A little later, the power was
given to him for forty-two months. This power still exists.
The time when the beast "is not"
and the reign of "Babylon" are together
OBS14.
The time when the beast "is not" and the reign of "Babylon"
are together. The beast, when it came up out of the sea, raged violently, until
"its kingdom was darkened" by the fifth vial. But it was still a
kingdom; and the beast that had a kingdom, though darkened, was still the
beast. But afterwards it was said, "the beast was" (was the beast,
that is, reigned) "and is not;" it is not the beast; it does not
reign, having lost its kingdom. Why? Because "the woman sitteth upon the
beast," who "sitteth as queen," reigning over the kings of the
earth: till the beast, coming out of the abyss, and taking with her the ten
kings, suddenly destroys her.
The difference between Rome and the Pope
OBS15.
The difference that exists between Rome and the Pope, who has always subsisted,
will then be more apparent. Rome, as distinct from the Pope, has three
meanings; the city itself, the Roman church, and the people of Rome.
Rome with its duchy, which contained part of
Tuscany and Campania, revolted against the Greek emperor in 726 and became a
free state
In
the latter sense of the word, Rome with its duchy, which contained parts of
Tuscany and Campania, revolted against the Greek emperor in 726 and became a
free state, governed by his senate. From that moment on, the senate, and not
the pope, came to have supreme civil power.
He escaped and fled to the emperor
But
in 796, Leo III., being chosen Pope, sent Charles the Great, desiring him to
come and subdue the Senate and the people of Rome, and compel them to swear
allegiance to him. Hence arose a strong dispute between the Pope and the Roman
people, who arrested him and pushed him to a monastery. He escaped and fled to
the emperor, who quickly sent him back in great state.
The pope crowned him and honored him on his
knees, as was previously done with the Roman emperors
In
the year 800 the emperor came to Rome, and shortly afterwards the Roman people,
who had hitherto chosen their own bishops, and regarded themselves and their
senate as having the same rights as the old senate and the people of Rome,
chose Charles as their emperor, and submitted to him, in the same manner as the
ancient Romans did their emperors. The pope crowned and honored him on his
knees, as was formerly done with the Roman emperors: and the emperor swore an
oath "to defend the holy Roman church in all her emoluments." He was
also created consul, and styled himself Augustus, emperor of the Romans.
He gave the government of the city and the
duchy of Rome to the Pope
Afterwards
he gave the government of the city and the duchy of Rome to the Pope, but still
subject to himself. What the Roman church is, as distinguished from the Pope,
appears, when a council is held before the Pope's confirmation; 2. When in a
contest, the judgment is given as to which is the true Pope; 3. When the See is
vacant; 4. When the Pope himself is suspected by the Inquisition of how Rome,
being a city, differs from the Pope, there is no need to show.
The beast is a body of men; in the third, an
individual
OBS16.
In the first and second period of its duration, the beast is a body of men; in
the third, an individual. The beast with seven heads is the papacy of many
ages: the seventh head is the man of sin, the antichrist. He is a body of men,
Revelation 13:1; he is a body of men, and an individual, Revelation 17:8; he is
an individual, Revelation 17:12.
This individual is the seventh head of the
beast
OBS17. This individual is the seventh head of the beast, or, the other king after the five and one, being himself the eighth, though one of the seven. As he is a Pope, he is one of the seven heads. But he is the eighth, or not a head, but the beast himself, not, as he is a Pope, but as he bears a new and singular character as he comes out of the abyss. To illustrate this by a comparison: suppose a tree of seven branches, one of which is much larger than the rest; if these six are cut down, and the seventh remains, that is the tree.
He is the evil one, the man of sin, the son
of perdition," usually called Antichrist. OBS19. The Ten Horns
OBS18.
"He is the wicked one, the man of sin, the son of perdition" usually
termed Antichrist. OBS19. The ten horns, or kings, "receive power as kings
with the wild beast for one hour," Revelation 17:12; with the individual
beast, "which was not." But he receives his power again, and the
kings with him, who quickly give their new power to him.
All the power of the Roman monarchy, divided
into ten kingdoms, will be conferred on the beast
OBS20.
All the power of the Roman monarchy, divided into ten kingdoms, shall be
conferred upon the beast, Revelation 17:13; Revelation 17:16-17. OBS21. The ten
horns and the beast shall destroy the harlot, Revelation 17:16.
Finally, the beast, the ten horns, and the
other kings of the earth will fall into this great slaughter
OBS22.
At length the beast, the ten horns, and the other kings of the earth shall fall
in this great slaughter, Revelation 19:19. OBS23. The
fourth beast of Daniel is the Roman monarchy, from the beginning of it, till
the thrones are placed. This, therefore, comprises both the apocalyptic beast,
and the woman, and many other things. This monarchy is like a river that flows
from its source into a canal, but in its course sometimes empties into other
rivers, sometimes divides into several streams, but is still a continuous
river.
Roman power was initially indivisible; but it
was later divided into several canals
They seized various parts of Roman power
To attribute to a man what belongs to God
alone is blasphemy
And
upon their heads a name of blasphemy -
To ascribe to a man what belongs to God alone is blasphemy. Such a name the
beast has, not on his horns, nor on one head, but on all. The beast himself
bears this name, and indeed during its whole duration.
A name that embraces all the pre-eminence of
the highest and most holy father on earth
This is the name of Pope or Pope; not in the
innocent sense in which it was formerly given to all bishops, but in that high
and peculiar sense in which it is now given to the bishop of Rome by himself
and his followers: a name which comprehends all the pre-eminence of the highest
and most holy father on earth. Thus, among the sayings of Gregory above quoted,
these two stand together, that his "name alone is to be recited in the
churches"; and that it is "the only name in the world."
Therefore both the church and the world should name no other father on the face
of the earth.[2]
Revelation
14
Who are
and what are the marks of the character of those who belong to the 144 thousand
In
this chapter 14, the revelation that John had was like this about the 144,000:
"And I looked, and, behold, a Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with
Him a hundred and forty-four thousand, who had the name of their Father written
on their foreheads."
And
Wesley remarks on who are those who belong to the 144,000: "One hundred
and forty-four thousand—Either those of all mankind who had been the most
eminently holy, or the holiest of the twelve tribes of Israel, the same that
were mentioned, Revelation 7:4, and perhaps also, Revelation 16:2."
And
Wesley comments on the marks of the character of those who belong to the 144
thousand:
These
are the ones who have not been defiled with women–Wesley
says, "It seems that the deepest defilement, and the most seductive
temptation, is laid out for all others."
They are virgins–Wesley
explains, "undefiled souls; as they have preserved universal purity."
The
Bible says, "And in their mouth there was found no guile, because they
are blameless before the throne of God."
They
are blameless–Wesley explains,
"having preserved inviolate a virgin purity both of soul and body."
Verse
1
And with him a hundred and forty-four
thousand
Wesley's Comments
And I saw in mount Zion - The heavenly Zion.
Or those of all mankind who had been the most eminently holy
One hundred and forty-four thousand - Either those of all
mankind who had been the most eminently holy, or the holiest of the twelve
tribes of Israel, the same as were mentioned, Revelation 7:4, and perhaps also,
Revelation 16:2.
But they were then in the world, and were
sealed in their foreheads, to preserve them from the plagues that would follow
But
they were then in the world, and were sealed in their foreheads, to preserve
them from the plagues that would follow. They are now safe, and have the name
of the Lamb and of their Father written on their foreheads, as being the
redeemed of God and of the Lamb, their now inalienable property.
It presents the inhabitants of heaven as a
kind of chorus with great propriety and elegance
This
prophecy often presents the inhabitants of heaven as a kind of chorus with
great propriety and elegance.
The church above
Wesley's
Comments
And I heard a voice from heaven
And
I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of
great thunder; and I heard the voice of harpists playing with their harps.
And
I heard a sound from heaven - Sounding clearer and
clearer: first, in the distance, like the sound of many waters or thunders; and
then, being nearer, it was like harpists playing their harps. It sounded
vocally and instrumentally at the same time.
The hundred and forty-four thousand - Sing a new song
And they sang as it were a
new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and before the elders:
and no one could learn this song, save the hundred and forty-four thousand, who
were redeemed from the earth.
Wesley's
Comments
And
they - The hundred and forty-four thousand - Sing
a new song - and no one could learn that song - To sing and play it in the same
way.
But
the hundred and forty-four thousand that were redeemed from the earth -
From the midst of men; from all sin.
These are the ones that have not been
contaminated
These
are the ones who have not been defiled with women; for they are virgins. These
are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed
from among men, being the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
The deepest contamination, and the most
seductive temptation
These
are they that have not been defiled with women -
It seems that the deepest defilement, and the most seductive temptation, is
laid to all others.
They are virgins - unsullied souls
They
are virgins—undefiled
souls; as they have preserved universal purity.
These
are they that follow the Lamb - who are nearest to him.
This is not his character, but his reward Firstfruits - Of the glorified
spirits. Who aspires to be of that number?
They are blameless before the throne of God
And
in their mouth was found no deceit, because they are blameless before the
throne of God.
Wesley's
Comments
And
in his month no guile was found -
Part for the whole. Nothing false, cruel, profane.
They are blameless
They
are blameless - Having preserved
inviolate a virgin purity both of soul and body.
The time has come for
judgment and the fall of Babylon
Beginning in verse 6, three
angels are sent to earth.
Wesley says that the hour of judgment has
come: "Fear God, and give him glory: for the hour of his judgment is
come—The joyful message is just this, that the hour of God's judgment has
come. And therefore this admonition is taken: Fear God, and give him glory.
Those who do this will not worship the beast, nor any image or idol."
An angel announces the fall of Babylon: "And
another angel followed, saying, Babylon is fallen" – Wesley explains:
"With the overthrow of Babylon, that of all the enemies of Christ, and
consequently happier times, are connected."
And
the apostle John says of yet another vision: "And another angel came
out of the altar, which had power over fire; and he cried with a loud voice to
him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Put in thy sharp sickle, and gather up
the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe."
Wesley
comments, "And another angel of the altar - Of burnt offering;
whence the martyrs cried for vengeance."
It further says, He that
had power over fire–As "the angel of the waters," Re 16:5, had
power over water.
Wesley's other comments on
the time of judgment: "He cried out, saying, Cut off the clusters of
the vine of the earth - All the wicked are accounted as one body."
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of
heaven
And
I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having an everlasting gospel to
preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and
tongue, and people,
Wesley's
Comments
These three denote great messengers of God
with their attendants
And
I saw another angel - A second is mentioned,
verse 8; a third, verse - 9. Revelation 14:8-9
These three denote great messengers of God with their attendants; three men who
bring messages of God to men.
Exhort, proclaim and warn
The
first exhorts to the fear and worship of God; the second proclaims the fall of
Babylon; the third gives warning about the beast. Happy are those who make the
right use of these divine messages! Flying—Proceeding quickly.
In
the middle of the sky - Widths.
Having an everlasting gospel
Having
an everlasting gospel -
Not the gospel, properly so called; but a gospel, or joyful message, which
should have an influence in all ages.
To preach
to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people -
To both Jews and Gentiles, as far as the authority of the beast had extended.
Fear
God, and give him glory
Saying with a loud voice,
Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment has come, and
worship him who made heaven and earth and sea and fountains of waters.
Wesley's
Comments
The joyful message is precisely this, that
the hour of God's judgment has come
Fear
God, and give him glory: for the hour of his judgment is come—The
joyful message is just this, that the hour of God's judgment has come. And
therefore this admonition is taken away: Fear God, and give him glory. Those
who do this will not worship the beast, nor any image or idol.
And
worship him that hath made - By which he is
absolutely distinct from idols of every kind.
And those who worship him will be set free
The
heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and springs of water -
And those who worship him will be set free when the angels pour out their vials
on the earth, sea, springs of water, on the sun, and in the air.
Babylon is fallen, it is fallen
And
there followed another angel, saying, Babylon, that great city, is fallen,
because she has given to drink to all nations the wine of the wrath of her
fornication.
Wesley's
Comments
Happier times, are connected
And
another angel followed, saying, Babylon is fallen—With
the overthrow of Babylon, that of all Christ's enemies, and consequently
happier times, are connected.
Babylon the Great–Thus the city of Rome is called in many
accounts
Babylon the Great–Thus the city of Rome is called in many accounts. Babylon was magnificent, strong, proud, mighty.
And when Rome is finally overthrown, then
God's people will be at liberty
So
is Rome. Babylon was first, Rome second, the residence of the emperors of the
world. What Babylon was to Israel of old, Rome was to the literal and spiritual
"Israel of God." Therefore, the freedom of the ancient Jews was tied
to the overthrow of the Babylonian empire. And when Rome is finally overthrown,
then God's people will be at liberty.
To teach us that Rome then began Babylon
Whenever
Babylon is mentioned in this book, the great is added, to teach us that Rome
then began Babylon, when she began the great city; when she swallowed up the
Greek monarchy and its fragments, Syria in particular; and, in consequence of
this, gained dominion over Jerusalem about sixty years before the birth of
Christ.
Then it began, but it will not cease to be
Babylon until it is finally destroyed
Then
it began, but it will not cease to be Babylon until it is finally destroyed.
Its spiritual greatness began in the fifth century and has increased from age
to age. It seems that it will reach its peak just before its final overthrow.
Hers is her idolatry; invocation of saints
and angels; worship of images; human traditions; with all that outward pomp,
yea, and that fierce and bloody zeal, with which she pretends to serve God
Hers is her idolatry; invocation of saints and
angels; worship of images; human traditions; with all that outward pomp, yea,
and that fierce and bloody zeal, with which she pretends to serve God. But,
with the spiritual, as elsewhere, also in Rome, the carnal is abundantly
accompanied. Witness the stews there, licensed by the Pope, which are not a
contemptible branch of his recipe. This is properly compared to wine because of
its intoxicating nature.
For
Rome itself, the Roman inquisitions, congregations, and Jesuits continually
propagate idolatrous doctrines and practices
Of
this wine she, indeed, made all nations drink - More especially by her later
missions. We may observe that making them drink is not ascribed to the beast,
but to Babylon. For Rome itself, the Roman inquisitions, congregations, and
Jesuits continually propagate idolatrous doctrines and practices, with or
without the consent of this or that pope, who is not safe from their censure.
And the third angel followed them, saying in
a loud voice
And
the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone
worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on
his hand,
Wesley's
Comments
And
a third angel followed - In no great distance of
time.
Persuasion
that all who are subject to Christ must be subject to the beast
Saying,
If any man worship the wild beast -
This worship consists partly in an inward submission, a persuasion that all who
are subject to Christ must be subject to the beast or cannot receive the
influences of divine grace, or, as its expression is, there is no salvation
outside his church; partly in an outward reverence suitable to the beast
himself, and consequently to his image.
This one will drink of the wine of God's
wrath
He
shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without
mixture into the cup of his wrath; and he shall be tormented with fire and
brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb;
He
will drink– With Babylon,Rev 16:19.
And
he shall be tormented - With the beast, Revelation 20:10. In
all scripture there is no other threat so terrible as this. And God, by this
greater fear, arms his servants against the fear of the beast.
Without any mixture of mercy; without hope
The
wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture -
Without any mixture of mercy; without hope.
In
the cup of his indignation - And is there not real
anger implied in all this? Oh, what not even wise men will assert, to serve a
hypothesis!
Of the fire and brimstone in which they are
tormented
And
the smoke of his torment ascendeth up forever and ever, and they that worship
the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name, have no
rest day or night.
Wesley's
Comments
And
the smoke - Of the fire and brimstone in which they
are tormented.
Ascend
forever and ever - God grant that thou and I
may never attempt the strict and literal eternity of this torment!
Here
is the patience of the saints: here are those who keep the commandments of God
and the faith in Jesus.
Wesley's
Comments
Here is the patience of the saints
Here
is the patience of the saints - Seen, in suffering all
things, rather than receiving this mark.
Who keep the commandments of God - The character of all true saints; and particularly the great commandment to believe in Jesus.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from
now on
And
I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die
in the Lord from now on; yes,' says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their
labor; and their works follow them.'
And
I heard a voice - This is heard more
seasonally when the beast is at its greatest power and fury.
Out
of heaven - Probably from a departed saint.
Write -
He was at first commanded to write the whole book. Whenever this is repeated,
it denotes something peculiarly observable.
'Cause they escape the coming calamities
Blessed are the dead -
From henceforth particularly: 1. Because they escape the calamities that
approach: 2. Because they already enjoy so near an approach to glory.
Who
die in the Lord - In the faith of the Lord
Jesus.
'Cause they rest
For
they rest - No pain, no purgatory follows; but pure
and unmixed happiness.
Reader, which one will you choose?
Of
their labors - And the more laborious
their life was, the sweeter is their rest. How different is this state from
those who, verse 11, Revelation 14:11 who "have no rest day nor
night!" Reader, which will you choose? Their works - The peculiar works of
each.
Their works do not go before they gain
admission into the mansions of joy
Follow
them - or
accompany them; that is, the fruit of their works. Their works do not go before
they have obtained admission into the mansions of joy; but they follow them
when admitted.
One like the Son of man
And
I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat one like unto the Son
of man, having on his head a crown of gold, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
Wesley's
Comments
Under the emblem of a harvest and a vintage
In the following verses, under
the emblem of a harvest and a harvest, two general visitations are signified;
First, many good men are brought out of the land by the harvest; then many
sinners during the harvest. The latter is wholly a penal visitation; the former
seems to be wholly gracious. Here there is no reference to the day of judgment,
but to a season that cannot be far off.
And
I saw a white cloud - An emblem of mercy.
An angel in human form, sent by Christ
And
in the cloud sat one like a son of man—An
angel in human form, sent by Christ, the Lord both of the harvest and of the
harvest.
Having
a crown of gold on his head - In token of his high
dignity.
And a sharp scythe in his hand
And a sharp sickle in the hand -
The sharper the welcome to the righteous.
Because the time has come to reap
And
another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat
on the cloud, Put in thy sickle, and reap, for the time for reap is come; for
the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Wesley's
Comments
And
another angel came out of the temple—"Which
is in heaven," verse 17. Revelation 14:17 From whom came the judgments of
God at the appointed seasons.
And the earth was mowed down
And
he that sat on the cloud thrust his sickle into the earth; and the earth was
reaped.
Wesley's
Comments
Crying -
By God's command.
This implies a high degree of holiness in
those good men
Thrust
in your sickle, for the harvest is ripe -
This implies a high degree of holiness in those good men, and a sincere desire
to be with God.
And another angel came out of the altar,
which had power over the fire
Wesley's
Comments
Of burnt offering; from whence the martyrs
cried out for vengeance
And
another angel of the altar - Of burnt offering;
whence the martyrs cried for vengeance.
Who
had power over fire–As "the angel of the
waters," Re 16:5, had power over water.
Cut the bunches of the vine from the earth
He
cried out, saying, Cut off the clusters of the vine of the earth -
All the wicked are considered to be one body.
And the winepress was trodden outside the
city
And
the winepress was trodden out of the city, and blood came out of the winepress,
even the horses' bridles, for the space of sixteen hundred furlongs.
Wesley's
Comments
And
the winepress was trodden down–By
the Son of God, Re 19:15.
And the blood came out of the winepress, even
the reins of the horses
Without
the city—Jerusalem. Those to whom St. John writes,
when a man said, "The city," immediately understood this.
And
the blood came out of the winepress, even the horses' bridles -
So deep in its first flowing from the winepress! Sixteen hundred furlongs - So
far! at least two hundred miles, throughout the whole land of Palestine. [3]
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