The First Angel's Message

LESSON 1

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible study programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we continue with our series on The Three Angels' Messages. The topic for this study is: The First Angel's Message. The first angel's message is graphically chronicled in the heart of Revelation as follows: "14:6 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,

14:7 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."

(Revelation 14:6, 7) In order for us to obtain a clear understanding of this important message, we will consider the pivotal expressions that are found in the passage, and provide key explanations to them:

1) ANOTHER ANGEL

This expression signifies the point that this angel is not the first angel that John sees in the book of Revelation. The apostle had come across several angels as he beheld various visions and compiled them into the scrolls of Revelation (see Revelation 7:1, 2; Revelation 8:1, 2; Revelation 10:1 etc.). Thus, the title "The First Angel's Message" does not suggest that this message is the first the apostle John receives from an angel in the book of Revelation. However, the title suggests the first of a threefold final warning message that goes to the whole world with a loud voice before the second coming of Jesus in the clouds of heaven (see Revelation 14:14-16 ).

2) FLY IN THE MIDST OF HEAVEN

It is interesting to note that this angel is not walking or even running but flying in the open firmament of heaven. This symbolism may have several interpretations. Here are a few of them:

A) The flight of the angels denote the swiftness with which they carry forward the task that has been given unto them (see Ezekiel 1:11, 14). You see friends, as the population of the earth increased in every generation, God provided means through which the gospel was able to reach the new population. Thus in the final hours of earth's history, when the earth is filled with the highest population of the human race ever, God especially works on various minds to invent adequate technology for mission that transcends all barriers. The worldwide reach and unique application of such end time technology is literally like an angel flying in mid-air. This divine help is to enable the people of God to complete the global work of carrying forward the final message of warning to the world before the glorious second coming of Jesus (review Revelation 14:14-16 ).

B) The flight of the angels in the open firmament of heaven also illustrates the public nature of their ministry. It has usually been argued in some quarters of the church that the three angels' messages must be taught privately in church as a sort of Bible study programme to people who have already joined the faith. However, the glaring picture that John portrays as he pens down this vision is very contrary to this assertion. You see friends, if an angel appeared in the open firmament of heaven today, he will draw a public crowd. And that is exactly the nature of the three angels' messages. They are to be given out in public to stir the heart of the people towards the approaching apocalypse of this world. For how could the final gospel message of Revelation 14 be a witness to the world if they never heard it in the first place (see Matthew 24:14)?

3) THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH, AND TO EVERY NATION, AND KINDRED, AND TONGUE, AND PEOPLE

The phrase "them that dwell on the earth" may have a twofold application:

First, the phrase does represent the entire human race. This is justified by the other key adjectives that follow this expression such as; and to "every nation", and "kindred", and "tongue" and "people". The phrases utilised in this verse clearly depict a worldwide scenario. What this means is that the messages of the three angels must go to the entire world (see Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 16).

Second, the phrase "them that dwell on the earth" may also apply to the wicked inhabitants of the world. As we have already considered in the introduction of this series, the three angels in Revelation 14 are not literal angels, but rather God's end time people that carry an end time message to the inhabitants of the world (see Revelation 10:8-11; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12). Thus the three angels, who are representatives of God's end time people, are differentiated from those that dwell on the earth, the wicked inhabitants of the world who are to be warned through the threefold message of Revelation 14.

The urgency, earnestness and power that accompany the messages of the three angels will divide the world into two main groups for the final harvest at the second coming of Christ (Revelation 13:8; Revelation 14:12; Revelation 14:14-20 ).

4) THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL

The everlasting gospel is the keynote message of the first angel. The use of the adjective everlasting is of very key importance. This adjective helps us to understand that the apostle John is talking about nothing more than the gospel message that is found in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus for the human race. For the gospel of Jesus is everlasting in the sense that it stretches throughout the timeline of all mankind. It is sobering to learn that even before the first human was created, the Godhead had devised the way through which mankind was to be saved in case he sinned against the commandment of God (1 Peter 1:18-20; Revelation 13:8).

It is important for us to note that in the symbolism of the first animal sacrifice in Eden (see Genesis 3:21), the gospel was presented to Adam and the descendants that will follow him. This picture of the gospel was graphically illustrated later on through the sanctuary ordinances that God gave the Hebrew nation (Exodus 25:8, 9, 40; Psalm 77:13 ). Today, the people of God can look above into the main sanctuary in heaven where our Saviour stands as Intercessor and Judge (Colossians 3:1, 2; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 8:1, 2). This everlasting gospel that transcends all human timeline is the message of the first angel. The message that says: "3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

(John 3:16, 17) At this point in our study, it is important for us to note that also chronicled in the everlasting gospel of the first angel are the following important spiritual themes:

A) FEAR GOD

The first spiritual concept that John mentions right after introducing the everlasting gospel is the concept of fearing God. Even though this concept does not mean we should be afraid of God (see 2 Timothy 1:7 ; 1 John 4:18), it nevertheless does not mean we should approach God as our equal (see Psalm 89:7; Psalm 111:9). There is One who is equal with God (Philippians 2:5-11). We are only creatures who live, move and have our being because of God (Acts 17:28). Thus, it is incumbent on us to approach God with holy awe and reverence; the kind of reverence that far surpasses any that we will accord an earthly human.

The concept of fearing God also means to keep His commandments. We find this concept spread throughout both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Particularly, in Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14, this concept is forcefully set forth with the following eternal words: "12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR GOD, AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: for this is the whole duty of man.

12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

(Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14; Capital Emphasis Added; see also Genesis 42:18; Exodus 18:21; Job 1:8, 9; Psalm 66:16; Matthew 10:28; 1 Peter 2:17) From these texts of Scripture above, we come to learn a very important lesson concerning the everlasting gospel; that even though we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the law of God is still important (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Romans 7:7, 12). This concept of fearing God strikes at the heart of the popular cheap grace theory that is being dished out in various mainstream Christian denominations today. Thus, the final gospel message that goes out to the world through the first angel echoes the loud call that all of God's faithful children that have been redeemed by the merits of the begotten Son of God must fear God and keep His commandments (review Revelation 14:6, 7; Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14).

B) GIVE GLORY TO HIM

The second spiritual concept that John captures in the everlasting gospel is giving glory to God. This concept can be understood in two similar ways:

First, the concept of giving glory to God is to help us to understand that our salvation is fully paid for in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. In other words, there is nothing we can do to add up to what Jesus has done for us through the cross to merit salvation before the Father. All who come to God through the everlasting gospel of Jesus must understand that they are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. This understanding will call forth from the heart the deepest love and devotion, and thus give glory to the One who has made an infinite sacrifice for the salvation of mankind.

The second understanding of giving glory to God is based on how we are to humble ourselves before Him in all things. The Son of God gave us a clear example on this point when He (though equal with God) humbled Himself before the Father as a servant (review Philippians 2:5-11). Beside His condescension in nature as a man, Christ humbled Himself before the Father through several hours of importunate prayer as He carried forward His salvific work on earth for humanity (see Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16 ;Matthew 14:23; Luke 6:12). All these were clear examples of His willing effort to give glory to God.

As the people of God proclaims the everlasting gospel of Jesus, they are to draw the attention of their hearers to the fact that they should humble themselves in all things, and give every glory to God — for the Lord God will not share His glory with anyone (Isaiah 42:18). This end time message in the everlasting gospel strikes at the centre of all human pride and self-reliance, turning the attention of the world to the fact that we are able to do all that we do because of God (review Acts 17:28). And thus, whether therefore we eat, or drink, or whatsoever we do, we must do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

C) THE HOUR OF HIS JUDGEMENT HAS COME

The third spiritual concept that John captures in view of the everlasting gospel is the fact that the hour of God's judgement has come. Even though many people have been led to view the judgement as a terribly bad news, in this message of the everlasting gospel in the heart of Revelation, God helps us to view things in a different perspective. We are forced to realise that the judgement will have to also carry good news as it is proclaimed in the light of the everlasting gospel of Jesus (review Revelation 14:6, 7).

We can understand this concept of good news that relates to the judgement when we consider the hour of God's judgement in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, the solemn day of God's judgement fell on the Day of Atonement (see Leviticus 23:26-32). On this day, the high priest performed several ordinances to cleanse the sanctuary of the sins of God's people that have symbolically been transferred therein throughout the entire year. In other words, God cleansed or wrote off the sins of His people during the Day of Atonement or Judgement.

It is assuring to learn that God is doing the same thing for us today through Jesus Christ, who serves as our High Priest and Judge in heaven's sanctuary. We learn from the book of Daniel that from the end of the 2,300 days prophecy, mankind has been living in the antitypical Day of Atonement. What this means is that the hour of God's judgement began in the Most Holy Place of heaven's sanctuary way back in 1844. From that time to the present, Christ has been cleansing the sins of God's penitent people from the heavenly sanctuary in His own blood so they can stand in the presence of a holy God without blemish (Revelation 1:5; Ephesians 5:25-27).

(For a comprehensive study on the subject of the sanctuary, request for our 9 - part series dubbed: His Way Is in the Sanctuary through any of our WhatsApp Numbers at the end of this lesson)

Friends, even though God offered the people of Israel a kind of salvation that was full and free in the atoning death of the Redeemer to come, this salvation was not forced on the people. Those who rejected this offer of God's salvation by clinging to their wicked works were cut off from the congregation of Israel after the ceremony of the temple cleansing on the Day of Atonement was over (review Leviticus 23:29, 30). In the same way, the end time people of God who will continue to hold on to their sins, and allow those sins to remain in the sanctuary records of heaven, cannot have those sins cleansed or written off when Christ finally brings His work of intercession to an end (see Revelation 22:11). The sins of all such people will come up against them when they appear before a holy God in the judgement (see Revelation 20:11-13 ). All such will be marked for death as Christ makes the dreadful pronouncement: "22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."

(Revelation 22:11, 12)

D) WORSHIP HIM THAT MADE ...

The last concept that the apostle John captures in the everlasting gospel is the issue of worship. He echoes the voice of the angel in the following words: "and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters" (Revelation 14:7). God has expressly made it clear that He alone deserves worship by virtue of the fact that He is Creator (Exodus 20:3-5; Isaiah 45:5, 6; Isaiah 41:21-23; Psalm 95:6, 7). Even though a creature, Satan had attempted to usurp the place of God in the heart of mankind, thus securing the worship that is due God alone (seeRomans 1:25 ; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:9, 10; Revelation 13:8).

Thus, in the presentation of the everlasting gospel to the peoples of the world, the message is to strike at the heart of all false worship that has taken centre stage in various parts of the world. When the people that Satan has bound in secular humanism, occultism and new age spiritualism comprehend from the everlasting gospel that the Creator God is the same One who came to die for mankind to redeem us from the penalty of eternal death (John 3:14-17; Philippians 2:5-8), the hearts of men, women and children will be touched and softened to turn around to worship this God who made the heavens and the earth, the seas and the fountains of waters (see Genesis 1, 2; Revelation 14:6, 7).

Friends, it is interesting to learn that inextricably linked with the worship of the Creator God is His Sabbath commandment. It is this that serves as the memorial of His creatorship. In fact, key phrases that are found in the message of the first angel such as: "and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters" (Revelation 14:7) bear a clear allusion to the Sabbath commandment as outlined in Exodus 20:8-11: i) "20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

20:11 FOR IN SIX DAYS THE LORD MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH, THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IN THEM IS, AND RESTED THE SEVENTH DAY: WHEREFORE THE LORD BLESSED THE SABBATH DAY, AND HALLOWED IT."

(Exodus 20:8-11; Capital Emphasis Added; see also Genesis 2:1-3) Thus friends, the concept of worship that is tied to the everlasting gospel calls the attention of the inhabitants of the earth to come back to honour the Creator God through the celebration of the memorial of His creatorship, even the Sabbath commandment, which highlights the tokens of our creation and redemption in God alone (see Genesis 2:1-3; Psalm 95:6, 7; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; John 8:34-36).

5) The Lord arranged the three angels' messages in such a way that the first angel's message was to serve as an important preparatory message that must go forward before the second and third angel's messages could be proclaimed. The first angel's message is to convey the everlasting gospel to the people. It is to help the peoples of the world to surrender to Jesus as their Lord and personal Saviour. When Christ now lives in the hearts of the people through His Spirit, they can now be in a good position to choose to worship Him whom they have come to know and love, despite the pressures that will come in the future to succumb to false worship.

Exhortation: The beloved apostle captures the essence of man's salvation that has been worked out through Jesus Christ in the following divine greeting: "1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. UNTO HIM THAT LOVED US, AND WASHED US FROM OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BLOOD,

1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

(Revelation 1:4-6; Capital Emphasis Added) In our next study, we will consider the topic: The Second Angel's Message. The Bible study reference for this study is Revelation 14:8. Please do well to go through this study reference before the next study is released.

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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