Chapter 14

Revelations’ “Diamond Word” for chapter 14:

Chapter 14 --Jesus continues: “ JP, this chapter tells you more about women and men of faith than any other chapter so far. They are the “144,000.” God wrote his name on their foreheads when they were born. He wrote it again when I redeemed them on the Cross—"people from every nation and tribe and language” (Rev. 14:6). The whole world has been “washed in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev.7:14).

They are “virgins.” The reference is not sexual; it’s faith-based, meaning they wake up every morning like the five wise virgins in Matthew’s Gospel, watching for how I will come into their lives every day (Matthew 25:1-10).

For them my “Second Coming” is not at the end of time; it’s every day -- “ I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in. . . . “Whenever you did this to one of these least of my brethren, you did it unto me” (Matthew 25:31-46).

If you did not feed me when I was hungry. or quench my thirst when I was thirsty, or take me in when I was homeless, then you will feel the fire of God’s wrath burn in your hearts. It will burn just long enough to turn your heart from stone back into flesh and blood, as you were created to be (Ezekiel 36:26).

The blood that flows “as high as a horse’s bridle for about two hundred miles” (Rev.14:20) is my blood poured out on the Cross. It flows in forgiveness and healing over all humankind and re-creates the face of the earth. All the world has been “washed in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. ) when I shed my blood on the Cross.

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Chapter 14 has been my most difficult challenge so afar. I had to step back from the powerful images and ask God: “What is Your Gospel Word in here for me?” His Word finally spoke to me in the vigilant virgins and the “least of My brethren” in Matthew 25. That same Word led me to John 19:34: “One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear and at once blood and water came out.”

Jesus’ forgiving blood runs into my life every day. Every day He guides me to His “springs of living water”(Rev. 7:17).