Final Warnings Part 1
Notes
Transcript
6 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—7 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.” 8 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.” 9 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, 10 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. 11 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.” 12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 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.”
Three Angels are represented here and each brings a special message.
The chronology of the three seems to fall within a parenthetical portion.
They do not necessarily follow the scene of the previous section of the 144,000 with Christ on Mt Zion.
It seems rather, that they show an over view of the process of God’s plan.
to provide the gospel message all the way through the tribulation period.
to demonstrate the fall of the evil controlling power of spiritual Babylon.
To clearly delineate the consequences to all who follow and worship the beast.
Today, in the first of three messages on this passage, I will speak to you about the -
The everlasting gospel.
The everlasting gospel.
When we hear the word gospel it brings to mind a number of thoughts:
We think of the incarnation like we just celebrated at Christmas, where the gospel is “good tidings of great joy”.
We think of the message of Christ’s love for the sinner, and the payment made by him at Calvary for all who will come to Him, whom He will not turn away according to Matthew 11:28.
We think of the countless sinners that Jesus dined with and tenderly spoke to.
But in this same gospel, there are certain principles that cannot be ignored if one is to receive the gift of salvation.
I. The everlasting gospel is not a different gospel.
I. The everlasting gospel is not a different gospel.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
I believe that Christians are confused about the particulars of the gospel, and when we read verse seven of our text, there quite clearly is something about the gospel that we have been somewhat ignorant of.
7 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.”
This, is what is called here, the everlasting gospel!
A. It is as much righteousness as it is love.
A. It is as much righteousness as it is love.
The church consoles herself of her own disobedience to God every time it excuses its own sinfulness.
B. It is also about judgement and sin.
B. It is also about judgement and sin.
We conveniently forget that when the Holy spirit bids us to come to Christ, it is to honor the Father.
We may say to people that God loves you as you are, but that’s a big pile of Manure!
If He loved us the way we are, there would be no need of a Savior!
He really loves what we can be in Christ!
And so this requires repentance (a turning) from sin.
If we allow people to think that God loves them as they are, and all they need to do is add Jesus to their life, then that is religion.
But if we rather speak of the incredible love of the savior that paid the debt for their sin, they then can only come to Him for forgiveness and imputed righteousness.
C. It is about worshiping God and not humanity.
C. It is about worshiping God and not humanity.
We have seen what man worship looks like.
It is found in the QAnon group that in 2020 made Donald Trump its savior.
How’s that going for you?
I for one could not run far enough away from that Blasphemy, that many so called Christians gave allegiance to!
Our faith, the Christian faith is not nationalism!
Our Bible is the word of God and not the constitution!
Our God is not the Republican party or a conservative president!
I’ve always been outspoken about liberal, political ideas that are immoral. I’ve condemned it from the pulpit!
But when the so called moral right had the opportunity to show the world what it stands for, they blew it!!
It doesn’t matter if your right or wrong!
The scripture clearly tells us to live peaceably with all men!
Edmund Burke who coined the phrase, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.", gives common sense to the matters at hand.
We the church have been sitting back doing nothing, while our fellow man is marginalized, and unjustly and inequitably persecuted!
We have sacrificed the souls of people for the principal of our position!
In a word, we have worshipped ourselves and not God!
II. The everlasting gospel is a glory to God, not mankind.
II. The everlasting gospel is a glory to God, not mankind.
It seems that the gospel preached in society today glorifies man more than God!
At least from a human standpoint.
How many evangelist ride the circuit making a name for themselves, bragging about the numbers of conversions to christ?
How many men and women are lifted up as the spiritual leaders of our time, and if you haven’t read their books or attended their conferences, you aren’t in the know?
Our numbers of converts, growing churches, and baptisms, are far less a sweet smelling sacrifice to God, as they are a feather in the cap of our movements, denominations, and churches.
And if we are selfish with it, we are honoring ourselves rather than God.
I believe we need a change of perspective.
The everlasting gospel
A. Honors God because it reveals His great plan of salvation.
A. Honors God because it reveals His great plan of salvation.
It is God that created everything, and when people understand why they are sinners, and why any amount of goodness they do is futile, and that their sin needs a remedy, or that they themselves are required to be holy; then the good news makes sense and glorifies the Father!
The everlasting gospel
B. Honors God because it reveals a greater love and concern for mankind.
B. Honors God because it reveals a greater love and concern for mankind.
When people think they just need Jesus like a rabbit foot on a key chain, or a statue of a saint on their dashboard, they reflect a shallowness of the love of God.
When our gospel does not challenge the conscience of the unbeliever, and encourages a come and stay as you are invitation, again we are saying to the world that God just wants you to be happy!
But, when our gospel weeps and pleas over the lost condition of the unbeliever, and begs them to avoid the fires that await,; then, the real love and concern for their plight is understood.
C. Honors God only when the church makes it a priority.
C. Honors God only when the church makes it a priority.
What we have been doing during this election season, that is just a continuation from every election season, is to shelve our duty and service to the Lord, for the more important matter at hand - our conservative national position.
We have failed to understand that real change only comes when people know the Lord.
But how will we accomplish that if through all are sinful actions, protests, hate, and condemnation, we prove to the world that we are no different then them?
Do we really think we are any different?
The church has a responsibility to follow Jesus, and He is not leading the charge of patriotism carrying the American flag!
Such images like these that have plastered social platforms inspiring Christians to get involved have only done harm to the cause of Christ.
Jesus is concerned with the souls of men, not the degree of our patriotism.
Conclusion:
The everlasting gospel is both offensive and wonderful!
It requires tact and compassion, boldness and tenderness.
It requires Christians to put aside their own wants and desires for the greater glory - God’s glory!
It demands of us, empathy and love for all mankind, not just the ones we think deserve it.
It requires a constant vigilance to the task at hand, and a discerning eye for the actions that are contrary to the gospel.
It demands sanctification of every member of the body, repentance from bad behavior, and holding ourselves and each other accountable before God.