THE THREE ANGEL'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
REVELATION 14: 1-13
This chapter contains seven different subjects, with the clear object of warning of the failure of the efforts of the satanic threesome, to announce the results of the judgments of the seven bowls, and to comfort the saints on earth during this terrible period, giving them hope and encouragement.
Five of them are in this section: the three angel's announcements are preceded by mention of the glory of the 144,000 redeemed, and are followed by the blessing over those who die in the Lord from the middle of tribulation.
The glory of the 144,000 redeemed: these are converted Jews, who were sealed by God before the opening of the seventh seal (Rev.7:1-8). First, there is a vision of their glory on the heavenly Mount Zion (Heb. 12:22) after they are gathered in heaven, before the throne of God: to the accompaniment of heavenly harps they sing a song which only they can sing, for their characters, mission and experience were unique. A short description is then given of them, telling us that they will be decent single men, close followers of Christ, honest and truthful (Psa.32:2) without fault in God's judgment (Eph.5:27); they are called firstfruits which makes it clear that there will be many more conversions of Jews during the tribulation period.
The everlasting gospel: this is one of the three facets of the good news, which are:
-
The gospel of the kingdom (Mat.24:14, Luke 1:32-33): the news that God is going to establish a kingdom on earth, under the throne of David, where Christ will reign for ever. It was preached by John the Baptist, and then by the Lord Jesus and his disciples, but was interrupted by the rejection by the Jews. It will be preached again throughout the world after the Church is taken out.
-
The gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24): the news that every person, Jew and Gentile alike, may be saved from the wrath of God through faith alone in the Lord Jesus, who gave His life on the cross for those who believe in Him, after having been rejected by the people of Israel. It is also called the gospel of God or the gospel of the glory of God (Rom.1:1, 1Tim.1:11) because it is caused by the love of God, it evidences the grace of God, and reveals the power and justice of God (John 3:16, Rom.1:16-17.); the gospel of Christ or the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Cor.4:4, 10:14), because He is its Author and Finisher (Heb.2:10, 12:2); the gospel of peace (Eph.6:15) because it makes reconciliation between the sinner and God; my gospel (Rom.2:16, Acts 26:16-18), an expression of the apostle Paul, not only because he was chosen by Christ to proclaim it among the Gentiles (Acts 9:15), but also because he received revelations concerning it directly from the risen Christ.
-
The everlasting gospel: the news that the time for God's judgment has come; it is announced by an angel to all people on earth half way through the tribulation period, and is good news for the oppressed and persecuted believers on earth, and calls on all to fear and worship God the creator of all things.
The fall of Babylon: Babylon is the name given to the religious and politico-economic system of the world, which rejects God and persecutes Christians, details of which are provided in chapters 17 and 18. The system is of the type of ancient Babylon, whose empire brought calamity upon the people of God (Israel), but was destroyed in accordance with Jeremiah's prophecy (Jer.50 and 51).
Warning to the worshippers of the Beast: this is a solemn admonition to all those who associate themselves with the Antichrist in any manner or form (Rev.13:8,12-18). They will bring upon themselves the wrath of God in the judgment of the seven vials, and will incur a permanent torment thereafter, with fire and brimstone, having no rest day and night. Nobody will be able to claim ignorance, for during the tribulation period God will have provided His messengers, heard throughout the world: Elijah, the two witnesses, the 144,000 Jews, and the second angel's announcement (2 Thes. 2:10).
THE END OF THE ANGELS' ANNOUNCEMENTS
Verse 12 concerns the saints who are suffering because of their loyalty to God and faith in the Lord Jesus (and therefore their refusal to accept the Antichrist): they are patient knowing the fate of unbelievers.
Beatitude for the tribulation saints: this is not a proclamation by an angel, as before, but a directive to John in a voice from heaven, to write these words. Those who die thereafter, says the Spirit, are assured of rest from their labours, and their works will be remembered in heaven (and rewarded).
The Lamb and the 144,000
1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
The Proclamations of Three Angels
6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth - to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people--
7 saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water."
8 And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."
9 Then a 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,
10 "he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
11 "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."
12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
13 Then 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 labours, and their works follow them."
Rev 14:1-13 (NKJV)