Corrupted by the Beast
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Last we looked at the first five verses of chapter 14 and those that were sealed by God, and the 144,000 Jews that were called to proclaim the Gospel message during the second part of the tribulation period, and how millions and millions of people will come to salvation through them.
Tonight we will look at verses six through thirteen of chapter 14, and there are three angels that are sent to make proclamation to the world.
Through these three proclamations we see some important information. We are given some warnings that we need to pay close attention too.
I. Voices of the Angels
I. Voices of the Angels
In the great tribulation you will either be led by the Lamb or bossed by the beast. And if we really think about it, this is true even now, we are either led by the Lamb or bossed by the dragon - Satan.
A. Angel 1
A. Angel 1
6 Then I saw another angel flying high overhead, with the eternal gospel to announce to the inhabitants of the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 7 He spoke with a loud voice: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
If the gospel is preached in this dispensation, then it is preached by you, me, and others like us, or it is not preached. In the great tribulation, however, God in His mercy gives one final call to the lost by sending angels to preach the gospel.
Some try to say that it will be a different message because it is the tribulation, but listen to what Paul writes through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 1:6-9
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! 9 As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!
But as verses seven says, we must fear God, as He is the one that gives life, both physical and eternal and we must give glory onto him, because the hour of judgment, that is we are in the last days, it is upon us. Worship the one who made the heavens, earth, sea, and the springs of water, we are not to worship the earth, the water, the animals, a person, but Jesus Christ, God the Father, the Holy Spirit, the Three in one, the Almighty God, the Creator of all things.
If an angel appears in the heavens and preaches any other gospel than that which Paul preached, the curse of God is on him.
The true gospel is the saving gospel of God’s grace.
8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—9 not from works, so that no one can boast.
When the angel ceases his message, another angel begins to speak:
B. Angel 2
B. Angel 2
8 And another, a second angel, followed, saying, “It has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen. She made all the nations drink the wine of her sexual immorality, which brings wrath.”
This is the first time in Revelation that Babylon is mentioned. We will discover it more in chapters to come specifically in chapter 18 in detail. Babylon is the cradle and the grave of all idolatry and false worship.
In Genesis 10-11, we learn about a man named Nimrod (his name means rebel) who built a city called Babel.
Originally he wanted to build a city with a tower that reached into the heavens. From this tower he would create a one-world government and religion.
This ultimately became Babylon, which is the fountainhead of all false religion and, therefore, is the typical symbol of evil and sin.
The early Christians in the first century called Rome the Babylon of its day because Rome exemplified Babylon.
For all we know, Rome could be the place where the Antichrist will rule. Or it could be ancient Babylon rebuilt. We will see.
For now we know that Babylon is destined for destruction and that it is the capital city of the Antichrist. Babylon will corrupt the entire world and bring in a one-world government and a one-world religion.
II. Consequences of following the Beast.
II. Consequences of following the Beast.
Now we turn specifically to those that have decided to follow the Beast.
1. Destiny of the Mark of the Beast
1. Destiny of the Mark of the Beast
It is a decision that determines ones destiny. Think of those who have accepted the mark of the Beast.
C. Angel 3
C. Angel 3
9 And another, a third angel, followed them and spoke 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 will also drink the wine of God’s wrath, which is poured full strength into the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the sight of the holy angels and in the sight of the Lamb, 11 and the smoke of their torment will go up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or anyone who receives the mark of its name. 12 This calls for endurance from the saints, who keep God’s commands and their faith in Jesus.”
The Antichrist will have a minister of propaganda who will cause everyone to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead. He will also be a controller of commerce.
You will not be able to buy or sell without the mark of the beast, and if you do take the mark of the beast, you will commit an unpardonable sin.
This is not saying that you can lose your salvation, but that you never had salvation, because if your did, you would have trusted in God, and not followed after Satan and his false regimen.
There will be no hope for you whatsoever - you will be forever damned, once you have taken the mark of the beast. As Christians we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit, that cannot be removed, that mark-seal is set forever, the mark of the beast is set-sealed forever once received.
But if you do not receive his mark , you will be persecuted by the beast and put to death. You can anticipate torture and death. Either way, you do not want to be here during the great tribulation.
If you do take the mark of the beast, then you will drink from the cup of the indignation of Almighty God.
10 he will also drink the wine of God’s wrath, which is poured full strength into the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the sight of the holy angels and in the sight of the Lamb,
In ancient times capital punishment was often carried out by causing a person to drink a cup of poison.
In case you did not know, there is an eternal hell fire and brimstone.
Somebody may say, “Well, this is all just symbolic, isn’t it?” For your sake I hope it is not symbolic if you die and go to hell; the symbolism is always weaker than the reality.
For instance, what is more beautiful - a painting of a sunset or the sunset itself? The painting is the symbol of the reality.
Whatever it is, you don’t want to experience what the Bible describes as fire and brimstone.
You may say, “If I go there, I won’t stay long.” Oh no? Look at Revelation 14:11
11 and the smoke of their torment will go up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or anyone who receives the mark of its name.
There is no hope once you go to hell. The Bible says in Proverbs 11:7
7 When the wicked person dies,
his expectation comes to nothing,
and hope placed in wealth vanishes.
Hopelessness is the destiny of the damned.
Bernard M. Baruch said, “The saddest word in the English language is the word hopeless.”
Jesus Christ had more to say about hell than any other person in the Bible. He also talked more about hell than about heaven.
43 “And if your hand causes you to fall away, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to hell, the unquenchable fire.
In essence, Jesus said it would be better to be a crippled saint than a healthy sinner on the way to hell.
2. Destiny of Sealed by the Holy Spirit
2. Destiny of Sealed by the Holy Spirit
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they will rest from their labors, since their works follow them.”
What a great verse! The beast may put these tribulation saints to death, but the Bible says, 2 Corinthians 5:8
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
The minute a child of God dies, he goes immediately into the presence of the Lord.
Stephen was stoned, but , Acts 7:55-56
55 Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
I know Jesus is normally seated in heaven, but He stood up for Stephen, and lovingly said, Welcome home, my son!
Do you have a mother, father, sibling, or perhaps a child in heaven? Here are three things from Revelation 14:13 that can give us comfort:
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they will rest from their labors, since their works follow them.”
1. They are Rejoicing - The dead - are blessed:
1. They are Rejoicing - The dead - are blessed:
In the Greek the word blessed is makarios, which means rejoicing.
Saints who have died are now leaping, dancing, and praising God. Heaven is all the loving heart of God can desire, the omniscient mind of God can conceive, and the omnipotent hand of God can perform.
That is what heaven is. Consider the artistry God has put into heaven. The God who sculpted the wings of the butterfly, blended the hues of the rainbow, and painted the meadows with daffodils is the same One who made heaven. Blessed are the dead in Christ, for they are rejoicing.
2. They are Resting - Let them rest from their labors:
2. They are Resting - Let them rest from their labors:
This type of resting does not mean the saints are sitting around on a fluffy cloud wearing a robe and halo and plucking a harp. It also does not mean they are passively listening to music for all eternity.
3 and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him.
In heaven the saints will rule kingdoms and universes in service to God.
3. They are Rewarded - For their works follow them:
3. They are Rewarded - For their works follow them:
If you are trying to work your way to heaven, you will never be able to do it. It would be like running up the down escalator. You will not get there by your works, but your works will follow you to heaven. Jesus said -
42 And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”
There is God to serve. There is hell to shun. There is heaven to gain. There is eternity to live. There are the decisions of the living and the destiny of the dead, whether you are in this age or the age to come.