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Seriously Heeding the Three Angels' Messages

Study based on Revelation 14:6-13



By Nab B. September 11, 2022



Spiritual Understanding of Scriptures 



“The flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)


“We speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual...the things of the Spirit of God...are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor 2:13-14)





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Revelation 14:6

“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.” (NKJV)



"I saw another angel flying"

This is the FIRST of three angels or messengers. The Greek aggelos means messenger. Only the context determines whether it is a human or a heavenly messenger. 


Could this be an angel influencing people's minds with the gospel message? I think not! I believe this represents Christ's followers who alone were to preach the gospel:


“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)



"In the midst of heaven"

This heaven symbolizes the spiritual state where all true believers dwell. (See Eph 2:6; Phil 3:20) From this realm as lights to the world, Christ's messengers spread the gospel. 



"Having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth"

The first messenger begins with a new message, "the everlasting gospel" to all people of the earth. This was the case during the early beginning of the Church age.


Even by the year 60 AD, the gospel has spread far and wide in a short time. Note how Paul in his day testified of this fact: 


"The gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister." (Col 1:23; Rom 10:18)


The word 'everlasting' is the word 'aióios' which means an 'age-long'. The gospel message is unique to this final age only (it's not forever!). 



Revelation 14:7

“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, the sea and springs of water.” (NKJV)



"Saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to Him"

A "loud voice” is a clear message to all just like Christ who with a shout, with the voice of the archangel speaks (1 Thess 4:16) The essence of any gospel message is to "fear God and give glory to Him."


Institutionalized churches have watered-down the gospel message while true followers of Christ must loudly and clearly declare God's message, unadulterated.



"For the hour of His judgment has come"

John marked his time as "the last hour" (1 John 2:18). God's judgment for people has come based on the saving work of Christ Jesus and the gospel preaching. This whole age is called "the last hour." The word judgment, krisis means to separate, distinguish, or judge. It doesn't mean physical torment.



Revelation 14:8


“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.” (NKJV)


"Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city" 

This is the second messenger. Most likely, this comes after enough time has elapsed since the gospel was preached. I believe this has allowed the "apostasy" or the "falling away" to appear and spread in the church. 


Near the end of the Apostolic period, Babylon the Great, the man of sin was already at work. Many apostles pointed to this "falling away":


“Apostasy comes first…the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.” (2 Thess 2:3,7)

“Many deceivers have gone out into the world . . . the antichrist.” (2 John 1:7) 

“The spirit of the antichrist . . . you heard was coming and now is already.” (1 Jn 4:3)


In what sense Babylon has fallen? The answer is in Rev 18:2 


“Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” 


The deceived Church has abandoned the worship of the true God and is serving other christs. She has become the centre of every unclean and false teaching. Paul was referring to many false teachers will come when he said, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1 Tim 4:1)



"She has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath [passion] of her fornication" 

Many of the Gentile nations have been deceived to drink the "wine of Babylon's fornication". 


More on this is discussed in Revelation chapters 17 and 18.



Revelation 14:9-10


“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worships the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.” 



"The third angel followed them Saying with a loud voice, if any man worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark in his forehead, or in his hand"

Suddenly, the third messenger is assigned to sound a warning—a last call! The message is loud to put all on notice. It confirms God's judgment on the worshippers of the beast. This message has been taking place for some time through Christ's chaste church of followers.



"Shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God full strength into the cup of His indignation" 

Since Babylon deceived many with her wine of spiritual immorality, God will make her drink the wine of His wrath.


This is a judgment of chastisement to warn, correct and help His people come out of the Babylonian false church. God's judgment is to send “A deluding influence [strong delusion] so that they believe the lie and be condemned.” (NASB)



"And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone" 

The Greek word for torment here is básanos. This was a stone used as a touchstone to test the purity of metals. 


All forms of “torment” carry the meaning of mental anguish, deep sorrow and mourning (not endless physical torture). God, in His severe mercy still desires to purify many by fiery tests to lead them to repentance.


Let us see what is tormenting with “fire and brimstone” means:


Jesus writes about the corruption in the church of Thyatira warning them to repent: 


“I gave her time to repent sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a [spiritual] sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation [great test] unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with [spiritual] death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.”


Torment by fire and brimstone is a severe form of spiritual purification as seen here:

 

“Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.” (1 Cor 3:13; see also 2 Thess 1:6-9) 



"In the presence [sight] of the holy angels and the Lamb" 

Can you visualize Jesus and his angels watching the physical torture of the beast worshippers? This is one great deception the false church proclaims.


First, this is not real fire or fiery Hell. It simply means Christ and his followers (his messengers) send fiery messages to purify and cleanse the deceived. God's judgment will be carried out by Christ and his holy messengers (which is what "in their presence" means).


Anytime you read torment, fire, and brimstone, it really means severe rebukes, discipline, trials, and tests. Read these for proof:


“Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.” (Rev 3:19)

“Because you have kept my word, I will keep you from the hour of trial.” (Rev 3:10)

“For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.” (Psa 66:10)

“The tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold … tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet 1:7)



Revelation 14:11

“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.”


"The smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever"

Smoke is a visible sign of their ongoing torment (fiery tests for purification).


There is no such thing as “forever and ever” in the Greek text. Translators forced the doctrine of endless torture into the text. The original reads “to the ages of ages”. Accordingly, this judgment is rendered during this age—not forever and ever!



"And they have no rest day or night"

This proves that their torment is not physical. It's spiritual agony and unrest as a result of their own choices. They are “reaping what is sown”. 


This is how Christ judges them: 

“And Jesus said, For judgment, I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. . . Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.” (John 9:39-41)


His language indicates that the deceived who claim to have spiritual sight are being judged in this life and not anytime after!


Their spiritual sickness causes them to have "no rest." This was the case with the rich man (the ecclesiastical rulers) who was spiritually uncomforted, tormented, and separated from God. Similarly, the Church in Thyatira is punished by Christ to "suffer intensely" (Rev 2:20-23)



Revelation 14:12

“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” (NKJV)


Patience is needed to endure tribulation and tests! The saints' hallmark is this:




Revelation 14:13

“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.” (NKJV)



"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on"

This is not about physical death. Other scriptures can unlock this profound meaning.


“But whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:35)

“You too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 6:11)

“But if a grain dies [old-man], it [new-man] bears much fruit.” (John 12:24)

“He must increase [the new man], but I must decrease [the old man].” (John 3:30)


The message is about those who have died to self (their ego), to save it in the end! This is not a future blessing but it begins "from now on".



"Yes, says the Spirit, they may rest from their labours"

This rest is not physical death. It's the ultimate rest in Christ Jesus (Lord of the Sabbath). It is a rest from the demands of our old nature, sin, the fear of death, false teachings, anxieties of life, etc. 


The passage contrasts the beast worshippers who have "no rest day or night" (v. 11) with those who "die in the Lord" and "rest from their labours."


“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, I will give you rest.” (Matt 10:28-29)

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” (Heb 4:9-10) KJV

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free [from sin]. Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:32-36)



"Their works follow them"

Our labour is not in vain. Read Christ’s assurance of all the spiritual rewards given here:


“To him that overcometh will I: 

"Give to eat of the tree of life.” (Rev 2:7)

"To eat of the hidden Manna.” (Rev 2:17)

"I give power over the nations.” (Rev 2:26)

"I will not blot out his name out of the book of life.” (Rev 3:5)

"I make a pillar in the temple of my God.” (Rev 3:12)

"I grant to sit with me in my throne.” (Rev 3:21)


Final words


The three angels’ messages seem to cover long periods of time during the Church age from John’s time until now.


Three periods or phases have been progressing as such:


Where are we exactly in the stream of time? I believe we have experienced all three periods or phases with an emphasis now on the third message of warning against those with the mark of the beast. 


How long this final age is going to last? It is not for us to know: “It is not [good] for you [all of us] to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority." (Acts 1:7) Trying to figure out times and seasons, as is the case among the deceived in the church, is a trap. It hinders the person from serving the Lord with a pure heart.


Whether we are well nigh or far off from the final hour, we live to "Fear God and give him glory" during our brief lifetime in this age.




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