Tag: Revelation 14
Three Angels of God’s Mercy
Scripture reading for December 18: Revelation 14
“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, 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. 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.” Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” Revelation 14:9-12
Following John’s vision of the beasts and the mark of the beast received by those deceived by the false prophet and antichrist, John saw three angels, each bearing a message of invitation or warning. The first angel preached an eternal Gospel to all people still dwelling on the earth. He invited all to fear God and give Him glory and worship Him as Creator and Lord. (Revelation 14:6-7) The second angel followed warning or declaring the fall of Babylon the great, the humanistic world system exalting man, rebellion, and sexual immorality. (Revelation 14:8)
The third angel warned all of earth’s inhabitants of the coming judgment and wrath of God on those made in His image who have received the beast’s mark on their forehead or right hand. This angel told of torment by smoke and sulfur viewed by the Lamb and holy angels. He warned that this torment would last ‘forever and ever!’ This passage shows the mercy of our Lord giving all a final chance to repent of their idolatry, sexual immorality, greed and theft, and violence and murder. God truly does nothing by judgment unless He warns His people by the prophets and in this case angels. (Amos 3:7)
Have you received the invitation to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? As others look at how you live your life, would your decision to either repent and follow Jesus or live for yourself be easy to discern? Do you think that you have the seal of belonging to Jesus imprinted on your forehead?
Prayer: Father God, I humbly renew my acceptance of Your amazing invitation to honor You by repentance and faith in Your Son Jesus Christ. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and form Your heart and mind in me today afresh. May I declare Your invitation and broadcast warning to all You send me to. Amen.
The Harvest of the Earth!
Scripture reading for December 19th: Revelation 14
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Revelation 14:14-16 “I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one “like a Son of Man,” with a crown of gold on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. The another angel came out of the Temple and called in a loud voice to Him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take Your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So He who was seated on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth and the earth was harvested.”
Revelation 14 ends with a description of two harvests. These Scriptures describe the first harvest and apparently Jesus Christ as the One with the sickle who is told by an angelic messenger to “reap”. With that command, the earth will be harvested! But this chapter continues with the description of another angel who also has a sickle and a companion in charge of the fire. This angel is commanded to reap the clusters of grapes from earth’s vine, which were ripe, and throw them into the wine-press of God’s wrath! The righteous are gathered to God and the wicked will go to judgment!
Observations for over-comers: There are only two possibilities for each person after life on earth is over: eternal life in God’s presence through Jesus Christ or eternal wrath in the Lake of Fire. “Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the wine-press is full and the vats overflow–so great is their wickedness!” (Joel 3:13)
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord!
Scripture reading for December 18th: Revelation 14
God is merciful and full of compassion for all He has made. He does nothing by judgment unless he warns the people created in His image. In this chapter we find God sending angels to proclaim the “eternal gospel” to all who live on the earth. The first angel proclaimed, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Revelation 14:7) God called out to all men to honor and worship Him. He identified Himself as the Creator of the heavens and earth! A key belief of our day is evolution–a denial of a God who created and the substitution of time and chance for Him. Men will do anything to deny God so that they may do as they please.
The third angel John saw announced: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of His wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. The smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.” (Revelation 14:9-11) God clearly warns those on earth of the eternal punishment coming to those who worship the beast or receive his mark. This punishment involves smoke, burning sulfur, and complete lack of rest day or night–forever!
“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes, says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds follow them.”” (Revelation 14:13) John was told specifically to write this statement of blessedness! Those who die in Christ rest and will surely be blessed and rewarded!