Question:
I was wondering how Revelation 14:6 fits into the picture of preaching the gospel to the world.G.C., California
Comment:
Revelation 14:6-11 describes three angels who proclaim messages to those who dwell on the earth, "to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people" (verse 6). Their messages are, in brief: (1) Fear God, give glory to Him, and worship Him; (2) Babylon (or Babylon the Great) is fallen; (3) Whoever worships the beast and his image, and receives the mark, will also be punished by God (verses 7-11).Although many features of the book of Revelation are symbolic and allegorical, it is a book which ties together many of the Hebrew scriptures' prophecies of the end time, the Day of the Lord, the coming of the Messiah in great power, the establishing of the Kingdom of God on earth, and so forth. As such, we must realize that many of the activities and encounters the apostle John saw will actually take place.
We may have heard the explanation that John was given visions showing some pretty sophisticated weapons of war, and the words he chose when recording these visions were the best he could find, based on his experiences, to describe what he saw. However, angels flying through heaven shouting proclamations may not have been as unfamiliar to John as some of the other things he saw. By this time, on the island of Patmos, John had seen many angels in the visions he was given, and had spoken with a number of them. It would seem likely, then, that he was describing how he saw three angels actually "having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth" (verse 6) -- literally!
But will these angels be preaching the gospel during the great tribulation? Will they be active during the famine of the word when God’s church is no longer able to proclaim the gospel with any power? When will these angels fly through the heavens and proclaim their messages?
Although there are many visions recorded in Revelation, and they do not always follow in strict time sequence, there is a general story flow. Therefore, it is important to notice the context in which these verses are presented.
In chapters 8 and 9 of Revelation, the seventh seal is opened, and the first six trumpets (part of the seventh seal) are sounded. Chapter 10 tells us about the little book, which John eats. Chapter 11 shows us the two witnesses preaching, being killed, then being resurrected. As they ascend, John tells us, "The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly" (Revelation 11:14). This is followed immediately by the blowing of the seventh trumpet. Yet the pouring out of the seven bowls, which we have been taught is the major part of the seventh trumpet, doesn’t take place until chapter 16! Let’s see what happens in between.
Chapter 12 discusses the woman, which seems to best represent Israel, and the great fiery dragon, which is Satan. After the birth of her child (Christ), the woman fled into the wilderness (verse 6), representing the flight of the church ("spiritual Israel") into literal and spiritual wilderness during the Dark Ages and Middle Ages. Then we skip to a much later time, when Satan is cast out of heaven and salvation is declared, although the inhabitants of the earth are warned because Satan is coming down to them (verses 7-12). Satan then persecutes the woman again, and she flees into the wilderness again (verses 13-14). Enraged, Satan turns to attack the rest of her offspring (verse 17).
Chapter 13 describes a beast coming out of the sea, and another arising out of the earth. The action in this chapter foretells the end time events we have both looked forward to and dreaded.
Chapter 14 begins by showing us Christ standing on Mount Zion, with 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth, and the sounds of a triumphant song being sung (verses 1-5). Mount Zion is used throughout the scriptures to represent Jerusalem, the Kingdom of God, or God’s throne. If Christ is standing on Mount Zion, it looks like we are seeing Christ returning to Jerusalem with the resurrected saints, to establish His throne.
To the extent that John’s visions up until now have followed a time sequence, we might be able to conclude that, at this point in the narrative, Christ has returned, the saints have been resurrected and/or changed, and they have all returned to Jerusalem. It is apparently at this point that the three angels proclaim their messages (verses 6-11). The three messages were: Fear God; Babylon is fallen; and those who participate with the beast will be punished.
Following this, Christ begins harvesting the earth (verses 14-20). Then, in chapter 15, the seven angels with the vials appear, although they don’t begin pouring them out until chapter 16.
By following this lengthy recapitulation of the events of these several chapters, we can see that, if the three angels literally do fly through the heavens and proclaim the gospel, it may take place at the time of Christ’s return, when He "touches down" on the Mount of Olives, following the resurrection of the first fruits, and before the seven last plagues. This preaching of the gospel does not seem to take place simultaneously with or before the preaching of the two witnesses of chapter 11. It is apparently a final warning to the world, directly from God’s holy angels, that the world has one final opportunity to repent.
This seems to be the story flow and where the three angels fit into the progression of events. Their messages will be very timely to a world torn asunder by war, with the Devil doing his best to destroy the remnant of the church. It is the last preaching of the Word in this age, and the first in the age to come.
The three angelic messages seem to be directed in prophecy toward the inhabitants of the earth at the time of Christ’s return. But they have been included in the Bible for our reading and reflecting. Since every word of scripture is beneficial (2 Timothy 3:16), we can apply these things to ourselves.
We are, today, to worship God and fear Him. We are not to worship other concepts or mental images of God, but the true God. We are not to fear religious men, or men of religion, but God only. Babylon the Great has already fallen for us, because we have given our allegiance to God rather than "the system" or its leaders. This is why we must not have the mark of the beast in our hands or foreheads, for God will not protect us in our daily lives today if we knowingly carry about with us the thoughts and deeds of the Devil’s system. We have already been warned to come out of Babylon the Great now (Revelation 18:4). We must come out of it now, because we have been warned now.
If someone has another understanding of the three angels and their messages, please let us know. We are all here to learn.
tW