John's vision continues. The scene is the earth: the characters are the dragon and the beast, and the people who worshipped them. We have already discovered that the dragon is Satan (Adversary or Enemy) otherwise known as the devil (slanderer or accuser), who has been thrown out of heaven and now operates on earth (Revelation 12:7-9).
The beast in this vision is a global ruler or coalition of rulers who will be inspired by Satan and his hatred of Jesus and His people. The Lord will allow the beast to express its deepest motivation (Matthew 12:34).
The opening words remind us that these visions were first recorded for the benefit of the seven churches in what is now Western Turkey (Revelation 2:1-3:22). Each of those letters concluded with similar words, "He who has an ear let him hear …" In other words, although Jesus is speaking and the divine vision has been faithfully written down, the message will do no good unless people want to receive what God has to say.
The first beast, in John's vision, came out of the sea (Revelation 13:1-4); a multi-headed horned creature arising out of the sea (the picture of chaos, disorder and confusion), to establish a new world order. This will be welcomed and praised by all who refuse to acknowledge Jesus as King. Now, John records seeing a second beast. This one came out of the earth, to build upon the anti-Christ structures and culture established by the first beast.
It seems strange that God should allow Satan authority to give power to the second beast. Satan can do nothing unless God gives permission, and He will only do so for His own ultimate glory.
This is a new vision which powerfully affected John. The scene has changed from the dreadful oppression by the beast (Revelation 13:1-18) to the glorious company of heaven before the Second Coming of Christ. John saw the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is now standing on Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the place where God lives with His people.
How much the suffering church needed, and still needs, this encouragement. After the terrible scenes in Revelation chapter 13 of the tidal wave of evil which will engulf the world in its attempt to demolish the church, Revelation 14:1-5 shows the scene in heaven - full of praise for the amazing redemption work of Jesus Christ. While the earth will be shaken, nothing can disturb the eternal purposes of God.
This scene is the third in Revelation chapter 14, encouraging the church when it seems most despised. After the angel announced that the gospel is still the good news of salvation for all (Revelation 14:6-7), another angel announced the total downfall of Babylon.
Satan's wicked influence over the earth in Revelation 13 culminated in the graphic imagery of the mark of the beast, without which nobody will be able to trade (Revelation 13:16-18). Today's verses unpack the full implication of accepting Satan's authority. It is not just a means of buying food and making a comfortable life; it is also a confession of being anti-Christ.
This is the fourth proclamation in heaven which John heard in his vision. The third called for God's people to patiently endure the backlash of God's judgement on those who reject Him (Revelation 14:9-12). This new announcement makes clear that some believers will suffer as their Lord did; and die in the process. They are described as those who 'die in the Lord'. What does that mean? Firstly, their death was real and physical. The worst the world can do to believers is to kill the body.
