Revelation 14:6-13--The Messages of the Three Angels

Revelation 14:6-13
English Standard Version

The Messages of the Three Angels
6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

8 Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”

9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

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Before the final judgment comes, the gospel is going to be proclaimed one more time, but it is not the gospel as you normally think of it.  There will be three messages declared to every man, woman, and child of every tribe, tongue, and nation so that all men will be without excuse in the day of judgment.

The first angel proclaims a call for repentance.  "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water."  This is the absolute last chance for anyone to repent, believe and possibly escape the final judgment. 

The second angel proclaims the indictment against the people of the world who refused to repent.  “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”

​The third angel declares the verdict for all those who have worshiped the image of the beast and taken the mark of the beast upon their right hand or their forehead.  “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”  God's wrath has been reserved for them, and they will not escape it.  They will be thrown into the Lake of Fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels.

That is not going to sound like "good news" to the world, but it is still "good news," because God is not going to let the wicked win.  He is not going to let sin and death reign forever, and He will make sure justice is done.  He will do so to preserve His own name and reputation and to defend those He loves.  This is part of the gospel message, whether we like it or not.  It is the only gospel message for those who remain--turn or burn.  Many hate when people preach such gospel messages today saying that it misses the love, grace, and mercy of God, but this is the only appropriate message for those who have hardened their hearts and refuse the free gift and the one and only Way that the Father provided through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, in whom He is well-pleased.

This message is good news for the saints who suffer persecution--the day of judgment is coming.  There will be an end of days when the wicked will be punished.  God wins, and He will make all things good and beautiful and righteousness and justice and peace will flow like a river from His throne unto His own once again.  Before that can happen though, His wrath must be satisfied by pouring out great and terrible judgment on all flesh, for His wrath has been held back like a dam that is going break.  This last generation will receive the judgment that has been built up ever since the time of the Flood.

The angels are silent, but there is one more voice from heaven that speaks a blessing over those who will die in Christ from this point forward, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”  The voice from heaven and the Spirit want us to be sure to know there will not just be a judgment of the wicked, but a judgment of the righteous, but they are not the same.  The righteous will not be caught up in the judgment of the wicked.  They will be judged according to their works that they did for Christ and His Name and His Kingdom, but there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  They do not need to be scared of the Lake of Fire or any of the plague in this book that are reserved for the wicked.  The book of Revelation may encourage them to share the gospel more fervently with their friends and family who are awaiting judgment and damnation, but it should not arouse a spirit of fear in the heart of the one who is in Christ because He took the judgment and wrath that you deserved on Himself on the cross and He is the propitiation (satisfaction of God's wrath) for us.  He was the only pleasing and acceptable sacrifice that could make us pleasing and acceptable to the Father, not because of our righteousness, but because we are clothed in His righteousness.  God wants to make sure His people understand these words of judgment are not reserved for them.  Upon death, they will receive the blessings and rewards that have been promised to them--the greatest is that they will be united with Christ, never to be separated from Him ever again.