Revelation 14:6-13
Verse 6 – This is a first, an Angel flying through the earth preaching the Gospel. Where in scripture do we see this take place?
In fact in the book of Acts, Angels came to send Believers to preach as we can read in Acts 8 and Acts 10.
There are commentators of this passage that state that this is a different Gospel being preached than the one the Born Again Believers have accepted to be saved. That it is more of an end time message for those to prepare for judgment to divide the sheep and the goats.
The word everlasting kind of deputes this teaching. For why would this be called the Gospel which is good news of eternity with the Lord, if it was to be just a proclamation of impending judgment?
Let us stay with the literal sense and heed the Apostle Paul’s warning in Galatians 1:8-9. No other Gospel is to be preached, even of Angels.
Verse 7 – So we have the message given of this Angel. The message doesn’t sound any different than the one you and I received that we need to fear (reverence) God which is to receive the Salvation He provided through the cross of Jesus, worship Him, knowing that there is an impending judgment at the end of all things if we reject the truth and recognizing that He is the creator of all things. Isn’t this what we believe?
Verse 8 – we have another Angel proclaiming “Babylon is fallen!” This “Babylon” in the book of Revelation has been another one of those confusing places that commentators have gone for Centuries.
However, due to currant events and greater revelation, the picture is coming into focus. This is not the physical Babylon in Iraq or the spiritual Babylon referenced in prophecy. No, this is being revealed as an actual Country that we are all familiar with.
In order to do justice to the information that we will examine concerning this place, we will put this on hold until we move into chapters 17 and 18. This verse only gives a cursory mention of this event and we do not want to add to the confusion.
Verse 9 – now a third Angel comes on the scene in which judgment is being proclaimed for all that take of the “mark of the beast” on their forehead or hand. Some of these passages we could write volumes on. They have already been the basis of massive speculation and information released concerning each of the coming events.
We all know about the dreaded “mark.” Is it a computer chip, a tattoo, a bird, a plane? Well we have already dealt with this question in chapter 13:11-18. So if you have not read this yet, then it would behoove you to do so.
In this passage, the judgment is just being proclaimed concerning the ones that receive this mark. Now notice that this is a choice, for they actually worship the beast system which involves the anti-christ. It’s one thing to receive this mark because it is the only way to survive even though that would still be wrong. However these choose to worship the beast system and that is why they will be without excuse at the White Throne Judgment.
Verse 10 – can be difficult to read due to the nature of the judgment and punishment associated. If we have any compassion at all, we would not want to see anyone suffer what is coming for those that reject Jesus, particularly our family and friends. However, many know this is coming or they choose not to believe it. We as Believers must do all we can to help them to see truth and not reject it!
Verse 11- continues the awful eternity for those that reject the message of the Gospel and embrace the false beast system. Oh that the light of the glorious Gospel would shine on the hearts of them that are facing this judgment!
Verse 12- after such a dark and gloomy revelation of what is to come, we are given a bit of comfort. We must be patient and keep ourselves pure in order to be an example to a lost and dying world. Maybe they will see the Shalom we live in and want to partake.
Verse 13 – at the end of all this judgment, God has the commanded “Blessing” announced again. That for those that have suffered and labored to follow Christ, they are reminded of the empowerment they have received of God to live in the place of rest. Hebrews 4:9 tells us of this place and how we can obtain it.
