Revelation – Chapter 14

New Testament20 Verses

1And I beheld: and lo a Lamb stood upon mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty-four thousand, having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads.

2And I heard a voice from heaven, as the noise of many waters and as the voice of great thunder. And the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers, harping on their harps.

3And they sung as it were a new canticle, before the throne and before the four living creatures and the ancients: and no man could say the canticle, but those hundred forty-four thousand who were purchased from the earth.

4These are they who were not defiled with women: for they are virgins. These follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

5And in their mouth there was found no lie: for they are without spot before the throne of God.

6And I saw another angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the eternal gospel, to preach unto them that sit upon the earth and over every nation and tribe and tongue and people:

7Saying with a loud voice: Fear the Lord and give him honour, because the hour of his judgment is come. And adore ye him that made heaven and earth, the sea and the fountains of waters.

8And another angel followed, saying: That great Babylon is fallen, is fallen; which made all nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

9And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice: If any man shall adore the beast and his image and receive his character in his forehead or in his hand,

10He also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mingled with pure wine in the cup of his wrath: and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the sight of the holy angels and in the sight of the Lamb.

11And the smoke of their torments, shall ascend up for ever and ever: neither have they rest day nor night, who have adored the beast and his image and whoever receiveth the character of his name.

12Here is the patience of the saints, who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

13And I heard a voice from heaven, saying to me: Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. From henceforth now, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours. For their works follow them.

14And I saw: and behold a white cloud and upon the cloud one sitting like to the Son of man, having on his head a crown of gold and in his hand a sharp sickle.

15And another angel came out from the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat upon the cloud: Thrust in thy sickle and reap, because the hour is come to reap. For the harvest of the earth is ripe.

16And he that sat on the cloud thrust his sickle into the earth: and the earth was reaped.

17And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

18And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire. And he cried with a loud voice to him that had the sharp sickle, saying: Thrust in thy sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vineyard of the earth, because the grapes thereof are ripe.

19And the angel thrust in his sharp sickle into the earth and gathered the vineyard of the earth and cast it into the great press of the wrath of God:

20And the press was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the press, up to the horses' bridles, for a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Reflection for Today

Revelation Chapter 14 contributes to the biblical theme of Christ's victory and the new creation, which Catholic teaching develops throughout the Catechism. Revelation reveals the Church's ultimate destiny (CIC 1042-1050). The enduring truth that Behold, I am making all things new calls us to response.

The Second Vatican Council's Dei Verbum teaches that "Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit" (DV 9). This chapter, like all Scripture, is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

Catholic tradition encourages daily engagement with Scripture, whether through the Liturgy of the Hours, personal reading, or group study. The Catechism teaches that "prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture, so that a dialogue takes place between God and man" (CIC 2653). May your reading of this chapter be a true encounter with the living God.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Deepen your understanding with these related articles