Sunday, February 11th, 2018 - AM - Of Angels & Announcements (Rev. 14:6-13)
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Rejoicing Through Revelation • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 59:21
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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, 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. 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. 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; and 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 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. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Introduction
Introduction
Many years ago in England there was a small boy who talked with a lisp. While growing up, he was never a scholar. When war came along, they rejected him because “we need men.” He once rose to address the House of Commons, and they all walked out. He often spoke to empty chairs and echoes.
One day he became prime minister of Great Britain and led his country to victory in a worldwide conflict. That man was Sir Winston Churchill, whose iron will to persevere rallied all of his countrymen to defend their land and eventually win the war. [Michael P. Green, ed., Illustrations for Biblical Preaching: Over 1500 Sermon Illustrations Arranged by Topic and Indexed Exhaustively, Revised edition of: The expositor’s illustration file. (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989).]
The price of greatness is responsibility. - Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill had the following words of Abe Lincoln framed on the wall of his office:
“I do the very best I can, I mean to keep going. If the end brings me out all right, then what is said against me won’t matter. If I’m wrong, ten angels swearing I was right won’t make a difference.”
Winston Churchill’s brave words to the students at Harrow School in the dark days of 1941: “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.”
If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile-driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time—a tremendous whack! - Winston Churchill [Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002).]
Main Thought
Don’t sell out! Never give in!
Remain loyal, steadfast and true to the One who made you!
Understand the doom of compromisers.
Fight for the law of God and the faith of Jesus to the end.
The promise of rest and legacy awaits the faithful.
Sub-Introduction
Background/Intro Material:
Rev. 14:8ff- some say it is like a Table of Contents for the rest of the book of the revelation.
I. The First Angel | Declaration of the Everlasting Gospel (Rev. 14:6-7)
I. The First Angel | Declaration of the Everlasting Gospel (Rev. 14:6-7)
A. Flying in Mid-heaven (v. 6a).
A. Flying in Mid-heaven (v. 6a).
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,
John declared that he “saw” (ei=don)2161 “another angel” (a;llon a;ggelon). It is significant that the Apostle stated that this angel was “another” (a;llon),2162 requiring the reader to search for a preceding angel. Since he said that he saw this angel “fly in the midst of heaven” (petw,menon2163 evn mesouranh,mati), the exegete must find reference to the previous angel with the same descriptive terms, such as the prepositional phrase evn mesouranh,mati (“in the midst of heaven”). This expression is tris legomena, occurring previously in Rev. 8:13 and later in Rev. 19:17. The previous reference sets up the allusion to “another,” and indicates that the current reference to angel is likened unto “an angel flying through the midst of heaven” (e`no.j avgge,lou petwme,nou evn mesouranh,mati). For those who have received by faith the “received text” (cf. Jn. 17:8; I Thes. 2:13) and its consequent translation of the KJV, there is no difficulty because this angel that John saw flying in the midst of heaven will preach the Gospel, whereas the previous angel that he saw was flying in the midst of heaven proclaiming the three-fold woe message (cf. Rev. 8:13). The CT followed the inferior and defective a MSS and read “eagle” (avetou/) instead of “angel” (avgge,lou).2164 This textual perversion (cf. II Pet. 3:15) causes confusion and difficulties for the reader, as CT advocate Leon Morris perpetuates and bemoans, stating, “Another angel is difficult because there has been no preceding angel since xii 7 .”2165 [Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 567.]
B. Having the Message of the Everlasting Gospel (v. 6b).
B. Having the Message of the Everlasting Gospel (v. 6b).
*As opposed to the previous angel's message of Woe, woe, woe... (Rev. 8:13).
The everlasting gospel includes the good news that God is ready to conclude His judgments on the government of the antichrist and the satanic one world church. Notice that this gospel message is directed to them that dwell on the earth. This is a phrase referring to the unsaved. (Revelation 3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 12, 14; 17:2, 8) [Dr. Glen Jr. Spencer, The Expository Pulpit Series: Revelation (WORDsearch, 2013), Re 14:6–13.]
*If a person is still breathing, he or she is a candidate to hear
Included in this gospel message, is the call to repent and turn to Christ for salvation. For those who have not taken the mark of the beast there is hope. [Spencer, Re 14:6–13.]
C. Speaking with a Mega-Voice (v. 7).
C. Speaking with a Mega-Voice (v. 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.
1. Fear God & Give Him Glory.
1. Fear God & Give Him Glory.
2. Because His Wrath Is Come.
2. Because His Wrath Is Come.
The Gospel of Christ then entails, 1) “death” for judgment, 2) “burial” because of death, and 3) “resurrection” to culminate final disposition relative to judgment.2173 The focus of this angel’s Gospel preaching2174 will be primarily judgment (cf. v. 7). The word euvagge,lion literally means “good message” and is expressed as “the gospel of the kingdom” (Mt. 4:23), “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24), “the glorious gospel” (II Cor. 4:4), “the gospel of Christ” (II Cor. 9:13), and “the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15). Contextually, the good news of the Gospel is that God has dealt with sin judicially on the Cross and He will deal with sinners during the Tribulation. This judgment will usher in the blessed Millennial Kingdom, which will be good news for Tribulation surviving saints! [Strouse, 570.]
3. Worship the Creator.
3. Worship the Creator.
In these final days of the Tribulation, man will be in his last moments, as John expressed, “the hour of his judgment” (w[ra th/j kri,sewj auvtou),2182 “is come” (h=lqen).2183 Men will be forced to decide for Antichrist or Christ, the deceiver or the deliverer! The world populace will recognize that their choice will be an irreversible, final allegiance to either the Dragon or the Lamb. If they receive the mark of the Beast they will be judged with him (cf. Rev. 13:8). [Strouse, 572–573.]
Application: Their hope begins with the fear of God. The fear of God is for the most part missing in today's world. This world lives from day to day, as if there is no God to answer to. In these last days the fact that this world does not fear God is clearly seen in their actions. Our news is filled with school shootings, murders, rapes, robberies, and all sorts of wickedness. With over 4,000 babies murdered everyday in their mother's wombs, it is clear that there is no respect for life. Our televisions and movie screens are filled with violence, death, and sex. Many programs on television openly glorify and promote the sodomite lifestyle. The air waves are filled with raw blasphemy. We have children killing children, adults killing unborn children, and our homes flooded with violence and wickedness. We are living amidst what the Bible calls a perverse and crooked generation.
If it is this bad now, how much worse it will be during the tribulation, when all restraints are removed? During the tribulation men will live as if there is no God to answer to. Like the ungodly crowd Paul spoke of, There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:18) The Bible declares that, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) Saved people fear God as they ought and therefore, they live to please Him. However, fools live without considering the fact that they must answer to the Holy God of Heaven. Therefore, they live wicked and sinful lives, enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season. (Hebrews 11:25) What precious mercy and grace we see here as our Great God once again issues the call for people to repent and glorify Him. [Spencer, Re 14:6–13.]
Transition: We've considered how God's angel will preach the everlasting gospel to the earth dwellers as a last curtain call to mankind before His bowls of wrath are poured out on a wicked world, now let's pay attention to this second angel's announcement:
II. The Second Angel | Downfall of Babylon the Great (Rev. 14:8)
II. The Second Angel | Downfall of Babylon the Great (Rev. 14:8)
A. Great Babylon Has Certainly Fallen.
A. Great Babylon Has Certainly Fallen.
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.
Details are in Revelation 17-18
Certainty of the fall- system & city (Rev. 16:19)
In Revelation, this is the first reference to Babulw.n, the capital of Babylonia on the river Euphrates, and apparently the vision anticipated the ultimate destruction of the rebuilt city2193 of Babulw.n with the Seventh Vial Judgment (cf. Rev. 16:19).2194 In its first five of six occurrences in the NT, Babulw.n refers to the actual city (cf. Mt. 1:11, 12, 17[2x]; and Acts 7:43), and then to the symbolic name for Rome (cf. I Pet. 5:13).2195 The remaining six times Babulw.n occurs refers to either the actual city, or to the religious system (Rev. 17) or to the commercial system (Rev. 18).
The place name Babylon derives from the Hebrew lb,B' (“Babel”) which means “gate of God” and is a pun on ll;B' (balal) which means “confound,” according to Moses’ account which states, saying, “Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth” (Gen. 11:9).2196 From its first reference forward (262x), lb,B' (“Babylon”) takes on a sinister and evil connotation denoting the city and system of the city that opposes the will of the LORD (cf. Gen. 10:10; Isa. 13:19). The Seer referred to Babylon as “that great city” (h` po,lij( h` mega,lh),2197 since it is the actual source for both apostate religion and opulent materialism. [Strouse, 574–576.]
B. Because She Poisoned the Nations.
B. Because She Poisoned the Nations.
Reason for fall- immorality/ infecting others
Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand,
That made all the earth drunken:
The nations have drunken of her wine;
Therefore the nations are mad.
With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,
And the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her,
And the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
For thus saith the Lord God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.
Transition: The Good News is that the final judgment from God on this old world of sin has come by this point in the Tribulation, the bad news is that means that this world's idolatrous system of confusion against God is about to experience a world of hurt; look with me now at:
III. The Third Angel | Doom of Beast-Worshippers (Rev. 14:9-11).
III. The Third Angel | Doom of Beast-Worshippers (Rev. 14:9-11).
A. The Recipients of God’s Wrath (vv. 9-10).
A. The Recipients of God’s Wrath (vv. 9-10).
The next set of angels, three through six, declared the doom of the Beast worshippers. The focus of their messages was upon the judgment of unbelievers who will be tormented in torment (cf. vv. 10-11) with fire and brimstone (cf. v. 10) as the harvest sickles (cf. vv. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 [2x], and 19) will produce bloodshed (v. 20) for the winepress of the wrath of God (cf. vv. 19, 20 [2x]). Other than the beatitude for those who die in the Lord (cf. vv. 12-13), the tenor of this passage is very somber and boding. [Strouse, 578.]
1. The Conditions for God’s Wrath (v. 9).
1. The Conditions for God’s Wrath (v. 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,
a. Worshipping the Beast or His Image.
a. Worshipping the Beast or His Image.
b. Receiving His Mark.
b. Receiving His Mark.
2. The Cup of God’s Wrath (v. 10).
2. The Cup of God’s Wrath (v. 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:
a. Full Potency (see Rev. 18:4-6)
a. Full Potency (see Rev. 18:4-6)
b. Fire & Brimstone
b. Fire & Brimstone
(like the Cities of the Plains)
Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone,
And an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.
But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Tribulation saints will no doubt suffer in the presence of their enemies,2221 as many saints have through history. John is careful to record the truth that every Beast worshipper will be tormented “in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb” (evnw,pion tw/n a`gi,wn avgge,lwn( kai. evnw,pion2222 tou/ avrni,ou). The Lord Jesus Christ and His angels will observe the suffering and torment of the wicked in their eternal judgment, starting first in hades and then in the Lake of Fire,2223 for rejecting Christ’s redemptive work.2224 Significantly, the Apostle Paul averred that the punishment of the wicked will be “everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (II Thes. 1:9). In other words, the wicked in the Lake of Fire will not benefit from the Lord’s presence and will not receive His glory as He witnesses their everlasting destruction. Similarly, Abraham was present in witnessing the rich man’s torment but his presence did not benefit the rich man in any way (cf. Lk. 16:23-31). Furthermore, Isaiah predicted concerning the saints’ viewing of the lost, saying, “And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh” (Isa. 66:24). The saints, along with the Lord and holy angels, will view lost sinners in their damnable suffering in the Lake of Fire.2225 Isaiah described the un-glorified state of unrepentant sinners as carcases (~yrig"P.)2226 and worms (~y[il'AT).2227 This inglorious form of the damned sinner is likened unto the shriveled and grotesque appearance of a detestable maggot! The Lord Jesus Christ cited this passage thrice for warning, saying, “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mk. 9:44, 46, 48).2228 [Strouse, 581–583.]
B. The Reason for Their Eternal Torment (v. 11).
B. The Reason for Their Eternal Torment (v. 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.
1. An Incense of Eternal Justice - “smoke…ascendeth”.
1. An Incense of Eternal Justice - “smoke…ascendeth”.
Smoke actually rises, and just as the prayers of the Tribulation saints, likened unto the smoke of incense, ascended up to God in worship (cf. Rev. 8:4), the sinner’s smoke will rise before God in judgment. This ascending smoke will arise forever because the burning in the Lake of Fire will continue forever, as the Scripture revealed the Saviour’s words, saying, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels…And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Mt. 25:41, 46).2233 Jude taught that the angels that committed fornication will be in everlasting chains for judgment (Jude 1:6-7; II Thes. 1:9).2234 This everlasting place of judgment will be with gnashing of teeth (cf. Mt. 13:4-42) and in darkness (cf. Mt. 22:13), and it must be avoided at all costs, the Lord warned, saying, “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire” (Mt. 18:8; cf. Heb. 6:2). [Strouse, 584.]
2. Everlasting Retribution - “no rest”.
2. Everlasting Retribution - “no rest”.
a. For Worshipping the Beast or His Image.
a. For Worshipping the Beast or His Image.
b. Or For Receiving His Mark.
b. Or For Receiving His Mark.
Application: These are startling and sure words. Those who take the mark of the beast will lose all hope of redemption and will suffer the torments and horrors of Hell's fire throughout all eternity. What a contrast we have here between God's people and the antichrist's followers. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever, and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image. While the redeemed of God will live in a land of fadeless eternal day, the wicked will suffer in Hell day and night forever. What an awful place Hell is. We read of its horrors and yet we cannot fully comprehend it.
Notice the words, forever and ever. Hell is an eternal place. The saddest thing about a man losing his soul is that it is lost for eternity! If a person just lost his soul for a million years, he would at least have some hope. After he had been in Hell for 500,000 years, he could say I only have 500,000 more years to live in this awful torment. Oh, how he would look forward to those million years being over. How terrible a million years in Hell would be. But Hell does not end in a million years, or even in ten million. Hell is a place where the lost go for eternity. When we think of being lost and going to this awful place of torment, for eternity, it is more than the human mind can comprehend. [Spencer, Re 14:6–13.]
Transition: The Everlasting Gospel will be preached; Babylon's fall announced; Beast-worshippers doomed; lastly, consider:
IV. God's Saints & Spirit | The Blessedness of God's Holy Dead (Rev. 14:12-13).
IV. God's Saints & Spirit | The Blessedness of God's Holy Dead (Rev. 14:12-13).
A. The Patience of the Saints (v. 12).
A. The Patience of the Saints (v. 12).
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then understood I their end.
* Keepers of the Law of God & the Faith of Jesus.
The angel gave two categories of God’s revelatory truth, apparently referring to the OT Scriptures and the NT Scriptures, respectively. The Scriptures that the saints have preserved through the centuries, starting first with Israel (cf. Rom. 3:2), and then with the NT church saints (cf. Mt. 28:19-20), will still be preserved during the chaotic Tribulation (cf. Mt. 24:35). He designated the OT Scriptures as “the commandments of God” (cf. I Cor. 7:19; Rev. 12:17), since Christ said, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Mt. 22:40).2245 The second expression (th.n pi,stin VIhsou/), is an objective genitive,2246 alluding to the teachings given by Jesus, or the doctrinal system of Christian faith as expressed by NT theology (cf. II Tim. 4:7).2247 These Tribulation saints, many being Jews knowledgeable of the Psalms, will continue the sentiment and practice with regard to the commandments as David said, “Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward” (Ps. 19:11). [Strouse, 587–588.]
B. The Promise of the Spirit (v. 13).
B. The Promise of the Spirit (v. 13).
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
For the fifth time John recorded that he heard “a voice” (fwnh/j)2248 with heavenly authority speaking to him (cf. Rev. 10:4, 8, 11:12; 14:2). This interjection gave pause to the litany of dire judgments which will fall upon mankind. The voice, apparently that of deity instead of that of an angel, gave the eternal perspective concerning life and death. [Strouse, 588.]
1. The Saints’ Resting from Labors.
1. The Saints’ Resting from Labors.
He was to write another beatitude or macarism, the second of seven in the VApoka,luyij (vide Rev. 1:3; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14). With emphasis, the voice stated, “blessed” (Maka,rioi)2249 to show a vast contrast to the cursed on earth who received the mark of the Beast (v. 9). [Strouse, 588.]
Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of his saints.
2. The Saints’ Works Following with Them.
2. The Saints’ Works Following with Them.
...the persecuted and martyred Tribulation saints will find rest from their painfully hard2263 work serving the Lord in the face of extreme difficulties. Further, he added, that “their works” (de. e;rga2264 auvtw/n) go beyond this life and the grave, and out into eternity.2265 [Strouse, 591.]
Application: When the heat is turned up, the persecution of God's people will intensify at the hand of the antichrist and false prophet. God announces this message of hope and Heaven for the martyred saints of the Tribulation. So cold and cruel is the antichrist's pursuit of the saints that God especially reminds them of the reward awaiting all who for His sake suffer unto death. God has the last word. Tribulation saints will be martyred for their faith and allegiance to Christ, and Satan will laugh as if he has won. However, God says Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. To die in the Lord is no tragedy. Paul said, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21) Praise God! What a Saviour! And it shall come to pass in the day that the lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve. (Isaiah 14:3) [Spencer, Re 14:6–13.]
Conclusion
Conclusion
Summary/Review:
God's final program will culminate with His Holy Angel preaching the Everlasting Gospel to the earth; This world's idolatrous system of intolerance toward God's Holy Word and those who strive to keep it will be fully and finally dealt with; and those who die in the Lord will find His blessedness awaiting them for their faithfulness to His Law and the faith of His Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!
God Wants You To:
Don’t sell out! Never give in!
Remain loyal, steadfast and true to the One who made you!
Understand the doom of compromisers.
Fight for the law of God and the faith of Jesus to the end.
The promise of rest and legacy awaits the faithful.