The Three Angels
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
We all know the clock is ticking. Time is passing. Eternity is drawing near. While all this is true God’s mercy and grace continue to be extended to humanity, and the invitation is given day after day, week after week, month after month.
We know from earlier in the book that 144,000 (12,000 Jews from each tribe) will embrace Christ as the Messiah and now we see them again...notice...
Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
At this point in John’s vision these individuals are seen with Christ on Mount Zion. After their redemption, they had faithfully followed the Lamb, sought to live pure lives, and maintained an honest and godly lifestyle.
Then John hears the proclamation of THREE angels and that will be the focus of our message today:
The First Angel Provides: The Good News & the Bad News (vv. 6-7)
The First Angel Provides: The Good News & the Bad News (vv. 6-7)
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—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.”
As John reflects on what he’s just seen in verses 1-5 he notices another angel. This angel is flying in the midst of heaven and the Bible says he has “the everlasting gospel.”
Throughout history God had entrusted the Gospel to humanity. Now it is entrusted to this angel, I assume because many of God’s people have been executed for their faith. Even in the end, even to those who have rejected the Truth time and time again, we see God’s heart—He is still making sure the Gospel (the Good News) is heard throughout the ends of the earth.
Notice to whom this Gospel is going—EVERY nation, EVERY tribe, EVERY tongue, and EVERY people. This serves as another reminder that God is no respecter of persons and that He has a heart for EVERY people group!
Part of sharing the GOOD NEWS is contrasting it with the bad news. The bad news is that judgment is on the scene. For those who have rejected Christ as their Savior, they will face the judgment they are deserving of, because they have rejected the One who was judged in their place.
To avoid this rightful judgment, the invitation is given to worship the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
Notice the next angel:
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.”
Here we see...
Babylon’s Fall (v. 8)
Babylon’s Fall (v. 8)
This is the first time Babylon is mentioned in Revelation, but it certainly will not be the last.
In Revelation 17:5 Babylon is referred to as the “mother of prostitutes.”
In Revelation 18:2 Babylon is referred to as a “dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean bird.”
In Revelation 18:10 the point is made that judgment will come upon this city swiftly and verse 21 indicates that this judgment will be fierce and violent.
What’s the deal with Babylon?
Albert Barnes said that Babylon was the “...head of the heathen world.”
You may remember some things about Babylon from biblical history. It was located in what we call modern day Iraq. You may remember the evil leader Nebuchadnezzar who desired to be worshipped and called for all the Hebrews who were in captivity to worship his image.
Just like the Antichrist and the False Prophet will call on people to worship the image of the beast.
Some see this reference to Babylon as a literal rebuilding of the ancient kingdom, but I think it is just a reference to the Babylonian...AntiChrist system as this entity that is opposed to God and His people. It is most likely a reference to the world system (political, economic, and religious systems) that is under the Antichrist's control.
In John’s day, at the time of this writing, Rome would have most certainly come to mind as a literal city that had the characteristics of a literal Babylon.
Babylon is also compared to an “intoxicating” and “seductive female.” The city is referred to as “she” and it is said that “she made all the nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She has led the nations into an orgy of rebellion and hatred toward God, and led them to substitute Him for worthless idols.
Albert Barnes says this about this characterization:
...[she is] holding in her hand a cup of wine to attract her lovers; that is, she allures and intoxicates them.
Gwyn Pugh notes this about her “fornication”
“Fornication” (Greek porneia) is used here as a metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness. The nations of the world have committed spiritual adultery against God in their idolatrous relationship with Antichrist.
Notice what the third angel has to say:
Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 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.”
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
There is a Definite Choice to Make (vv. 9-12)
There is a Definite Choice to Make (vv. 9-12)
If it hasn’t been obvious to this point, a clear line has been drawn in the sand. Those who have rejected Christ will face the judgment of God. There is no other alternative, there is no other Savior, there is no other option.
One can receive Christ and be forgiven of their sin, or one can reject Christ, and by proxy serve the antichrist and be condemned because of their sin.
By the way that same choice exists today. You can do nothing and be condemned or you can trust Jesus and be forgiven. Isn’t that what Jesus said in John 3:17-18
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world—the world was already condemned. Jesus came to save the world. He came to rescue the world from the condemnation it was already in.
When we are saved we have...
A Hopeful Promise (v. 13)
A Hopeful Promise (v. 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 labors, and their works follow them.”
For the believer death is not the end of life but only the beginning. However, things will be so bad in the world during this time, that death for the believer will be considered a “blessing.” Believers will be hunted down, stay on the run, having to hide...The Spirit says that when they finally go home to be with Jesus it will be a time of rest from their labors.
Applications
Applications
It’s Time to Sober Up
It’s Time to Sober Up
It’s interesting that the Scriptures use the analogy of intoxicating alcohol and sexual promiscuity to relate to work of the Antichrist mentality and the Babylonian influence. Notice again:
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.”
We have to be honest and say that the work of the “world, the flesh, and the devil” is seductive and intoxicating. The mentality offers comfort, security, and meaning apart from God.
Some are intoxicated with the pursuit of wealth, power, instant gratification, BUT THERE IS AN ETERNAL HANGOVER awaiting those deceived by this “spirit.”
Someone said:
You cannot follow the Lamb and simultaneously get drunk on the world’s rebellion.
It’s time to SOBER UP:
Please turn to
You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Confess the area’s where the world, the flesh, and the devil have a grip on your soul and sever your allegiance to them and WHOLEHEARTEDLY EMBRACE Christ!
It’s Time to Clarify Your Allegiance
It’s Time to Clarify Your Allegiance
You may have noticed that the 144,000 have their Father’s name on their foreheads. This will be in contrast to those who follow the Antichrist.
This mark is VISIBLE and UNMISTAKEABLE. There is no neutrality!
As believers, our lives should CLEARLY DISPLAY WHO we belong to! We may not have a “visible mark”, but our lives should be VISIBLY MARKED by the CHANGE the Holy Spirit has produced in us!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Salvation
Baptism
Church Membership
