33. Before The Final Judgment

Revelation 14:6–11 KJV

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Before The Final Judgment — PART 1

WHAT THE END HOLDS FOR THE SINNER

INTRODUCTION

There are some things we would rather not think about.

We do not enjoy thinking about death, judgment, or eternity.

Yet avoiding those subjects does not change their reality.

Every person in this room is moving toward the end of an earthly journey.

We may not know when that day will come, but we know it will come.

The important question is not simply, “When will my life end?” The important question is, “Am I prepared for what comes next?”

Hebrews 9:27 KJV

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

In Revelation 13, we saw the beast demanding worship, the false prophet deceiving the world, and the mark controlling who could buy or sell.

From an earthly perspective, it appeared that evil was winning.

But Revelation 14 reminds us that the Satan does not have the final word. God does!

In v1–5, John sees the Lamb standing with the 144,000. Those who belong to the Lord are identified with Him.

The beast may threaten God’s people, but he cannot overthrow God’s purpose.

Then, in v6–11, three angels announce three messages to the world.

The first angel delivers a call to worship God.

The second angel declares the downfall of Babylon.

The third angel describes the judgment awaiting those who worship the beast.

These messages concern the coming Tribulation, but their truths reach into our lives today.

God still calls sinners to turn to Him.

The world’s promises still fail.

And those who reject Christ still face judgment.

This passage brings us face to face with the seriousness of sin, the certainty of judgment, and the mercy of God.

We ought to approach it with sober hearts.

We should never preach about Hell as though we are glad anyone is going there.

We preach it because God has warned us—and because Jesus has provided a way of salvation.

Let us consider these three angelic announcements.

I. THE FIRST ANGEL’S MESSAGE

Revelation 14:6–7 KJV

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

A. THE MESSAGE HE CARRIES

John calls it “the everlasting or eternal gospel.”

The word gospel means good news. In a world filled with deception, God sends a proclamation of truth.

The beast says, “Worship me.”

Heaven says, “Worship the God who made you.”

The false prophet points people toward an image.

The angel points people toward their Creator.

This proclamation does not describe another Savior or another way of salvation. Throughout Scripture, salvation rests upon the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 KJV

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

That is the heart of the gospel.

Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again.

Our greatest problem is sin, and God’s answer is His Son.

We cannot erase our sins through good works.

We cannot purchase forgiveness.

We cannot make ourselves righteous enough to enter Heaven.

But Jesus accomplished what we could never accomplish. He bore our sins, died in our place, and rose victorious over the grave.

Romans 1:16 KJV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The gospel has not lost its power.

It still saves the guilty. It still gives hope to the hopeless. It still brings sinners into a right relationship with God.

B. THE PEOPLE HE ADDRESSES

Notice how far this message reaches:

“Every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”

The beast’s deception reaches around the world, but God sends His proclamation around the world as well.

What a remarkable display of mercy! Even as judgment approaches, God is still calling people to acknowledge Him.

Before we hear the announcement of wrath, we hear the proclamation of the gospel.

God’s warnings are not evidence that He enjoys condemning people. They reveal that He tells people the truth about where their sin is taking them.

💡 A warning sign beside a dangerous road is there because someone wants travelers to survive. The sign may speak of danger, but its purpose is to move people away from danger.

That is why we must preach both the love of God and the judgment of God. People need to know that salvation is available—and that they need it.

How many times does the Bible mention hell?

KJV total 54

The English word “hell” appears 54 times in the King James Version, across 54 verses.

However, the Bible warns about eternal judgment more than 54 times, because it also uses expressions such as everlasting fire, outer darkness, everlasting punishment, the second death, and the lake of fire.

Jesus spoke repeatedly and unmistakably about hell, and His warnings are among the strongest in all of Scripture.

In fact, Jesus uses the Greek word Gehenna, associated with final judgment, in 11 recorded Gospel occurrences,

Seven powerful warnings from Jesus about hell

Scripture (KJV) What Jesus warned

Matthew 5:22 The danger of hell fire

Matthew 5:29–30 The seriousness of sin and judgment

Matthew 10:28 God can destroy both soul and body in hell

Matthew 13:41–42 A furnace of fire, wailing and gnashing of teeth

Matthew 18:8–9 Everlasting fire

Mark 9:43–48 Unquenchable fire

Matthew 25:41, 46 Everlasting fire and everlasting punishment

Romans 10:13 (KJV) 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

“Whosoever” reaches the person who feels too sinful, too ashamed, or too far gone.

If you will come to Christ, He will receive you.

C. THE RESPONSE HE DEMANDS

The angel gives three commands:

“Fear God.”

Recognize His holiness and authority. Take Him seriously.

“Give glory to him.”

Acknowledge that He alone deserves the honor people are giving to the beast.

“Worship him.”

Turn from the creature to the Creator.

This is more than an invitation to become religious. It is a call to turn from false worship and bow before the living God.

And the message is urgent:

“For the hour of his judgment is come.”

There comes a time when delay is no longer possible.

We often assume we will have another opportunity, another service, another year. But none of us has been promised tomorrow.

If God is dealing with your heart today, respond today.

The first angel tells us where salvation is found. The second tells us why trusting the world will end in disappointment.

II. THE SECOND ANGEL’S MESSAGE

Revelation 14:8

“And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

A. BABYLON’S FALL IS CERTAIN

The angel declares:

“Babylon is fallen, is fallen.”

He announces its downfall with certainty.

What appears powerful and permanent on earth is already under the sentence of God.

We will study Babylon more fully in Revelation 17–18.

Those chapters describe its religious corruption, its wealth, and its influence over the nations.

Here, the central truth is clear:

The system that leads people away from God will not stand forever.

Its wealth cannot save it.

Its influence cannot protect it.

Its popularity cannot excuse it.

God will bring it down.

B. BABYLON’S REBELLION IS DEEP

Babylon is more than a name on a map.

In Revelation, it embodies the pride, corruption, and false worship of a world opposed to God.

Its background takes us to Babel.

Genesis 10 connects Babel with Nimrod’s kingdom. Genesis 11 describes people building a city and tower while declaring:

“Let us make us a name.”

Their ambition centered upon themselves. They sought their own greatness and resisted being scattered across the earth.

That spirit continues throughout human history.

Man wants the blessings of creation while refusing the authority of the Creator.

He wants security without surrender,

prosperity without accountability, and

religion without repentance.

Babylon gives expression to that rebellion.

It offers people a way of life in which God is pushed aside and human desires take His place.

C. BABYLON’S INFLUENCE IS DECEPTIVE

The angel says … made the nations drink of the wine of her fornication.

The picture is one of seduction and spiritual unfaithfulness. Babylon draws people away from God and persuades them to embrace what He condemns.

Sin rarely advertises its final consequences.

It promises pleasure, freedom, acceptance, and success. It conceals the bondage, emptiness, and judgment that follow.

💡 A fisherman conceals the hook beneath the bait. The fish sees something desirable, but it does not see what that desire will cost.

The world does the same thing. It displays the attraction and hides the consequence.

But God exposes the end: “Babylon is fallen.”

Everything built in rebellion against God will eventually collapse.

That gives believers a searching question: Am I investing my life in something God says will fall?

Are we allowing the world to shape our values, direct our desires, and determine what matters most?

We must live in this world, but our confidence belongs in Christ.

The second angel announces the collapse of the system. The third announces the consequences for those who give that system their worship and allegiance.

III. THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE

Revelation 14:9–11

“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation…”

This warning specifically addresses those who worship the beast and receive his mark.

In the passage, the mark is connected with worship and allegiance. These people identify themselves with the beast in defiance of God.

The angel reveals the terrible end of that choice.

A. THE JUDGMENT IS UNDILUTED

They will drink of God’s wrath “poured out without mixture.”

Babylon offered them her cup of corruption. Now they face the cup of divine judgment.

“Without mixture” emphasizes the full strength of that judgment. It will not be weakened or reduced.

God’s patience should never be mistaken for indifference.

He sees every sin. He knows every heart. His judgment is righteous, and His warnings are true.

We must not picture God as losing control in a fit of temper. His wrath is His holy response to evil.

The God who is perfect in love is also perfect in justice.

B. THE JUDGMENT IS INESCAPABLE

Verse 10 says this judgment occurs:

“In the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.”

The Lamb who was rejected is present as Judge.

The One who offered salvation is the One before whom sinners must answer.

People may dismiss Jesus now, but they will not be able to dismiss Him then.

There will be no power greater than His authority and no appeal beyond His righteous judgment.

That should move us to humility, prayer, and concern for those who do not know Him.

C. THE JUDGMENT IS UNENDING

Revelation 14:11 KJV

11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

These are solemn words:

“For ever and ever.”

“No rest day nor night.”

This passage describes continuing, conscious torment. It gives us no basis for treating the judgment as a temporary inconvenience.

We must let the seriousness of those words reach our hearts.

The people described here are people who were deceived, who rejected God’s warning, and who followed the beast.

Their end should bring no satisfaction to us. It should stir us to warn, witness, pray, and plead.

And it should cause every person here to ask:

“Have I trusted Jesus Christ?”

CONCLUSION — THE SAVIOR WHO BORE OUR JUDGMENT

There is a cup of judgment in this passage. But before we close, remember another scene involving a cup.

In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed:

Matthew 26:39

“O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

Jesus went willingly to the cross.

He did not become sinful. He remained the spotless Son of God. But He bore our sins and suffered in our place.

Isaiah 53:5–6

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Notice those words:

Our transgressions.

Our iniquities.

The iniquity of us all.

We were the sinners, but Jesus bore the judgment.

At Calvary, we see how seriously God takes sin—and how deeply He loves sinners.

The cross assures us that forgiveness is available through the sacrifice of Christ. His resurrection assures us that He is the living Savior, able to save everyone who comes to God through Him.

You do not have to face eternity without Christ.

You do not have to carry your guilt another day.

You do not have to wonder whether Jesus would receive you.

John 6:37

“…him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

The first angel calls people to worship God.

The second announces that Babylon will fall.

The third warns that allegiance to the beast ends in judgment.

Together, these messages press one urgent truth upon us:

Turn to God while there is opportunity.

Christian, let this passage renew your concern for the lost. Think of the people you love who do not know Jesus. Pray for them. Speak to them. Tell them what Christ has done.

And if you are here without the Savior, come to Him today.

You do not need a record of perfect living. You need forgiveness.

You do not need to make yourself worthy. You need to trust the One who died and rose again for you.

Turn from your sin and place your faith in Jesus Christ.

The end of your earthly journey is coming. Through Jesus Christ, you can be ready.