The Eternal Gospel Series

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christan Fellowship

Hagerstown, MD

www.mycrossway.org

Part 1:https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/158412

Part 2: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/160241

It is a remarkable thing in the world today that people are hoping for a better world and it is this that is the folly of the world. Let me tell you what I mean. If you were to survey the world, you would find that the top issues our world is facing are issues like poverty, global warming/climate change, disease, terrorism, addiction, crime, hunger, etc. While these are important, the truth of the matter is they are not going to get better. The problem is that people are using humanistic solutions to God-size problems. Truthfully, and biblically, we know that things are going to get much worse. There is not going to be a better day. In fact, our world is heading toward a time of tribulation and judgment.

The message of the world is different. The misnomer is that if we elect the right president, congressman, governor, or people that run our cities, somehow they will legislate our society into a peaceful utopia.

This brings us to Revelation Chapter 14 in our continued study of Revelation. We left off last week with the 144,000 Jewish evangelists and their remarkable lives and ministry. This week, with the 144,000 standing on Mt Zion with Jesus, a series of angelic messengers arrive on the scene with one last warning to the people to turn away from this world system before the Seventh Trumpet, which is the Bowl Judgements, is sounded.

Angels are very involved in the plans of God. They were involved in the giving of the law. They have been involved in the care of believers. In fact, Hebrews 1 says they minister to the saints. And angels are involved in the events of the tribulation. In fact, the role of angels will be major in God’s final judgment. We see in the Gospel of Matthew, in the parables, and here in Revelation that angels are instrumental in gathering the elect into the kingdom. Angels are involved in bringing messages to the world during the tribulation and here in Revelation 14, we see that pattern.

Tonight we’re going not look at three such angels and also the role in the angels in harvesting the earth. Let’s read through chapter 14 together:

"6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” 8 Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.” 9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” 12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Revelation 14:6–13)

I want you to first understand that the context of these three messengers is the impending judgment of the Seventh Trumpet, which are final Bowl Judgements of God that will appear in chapters 15-16. If you remember, the Seventh Trumpet was announced back in chapter 11. Up until now, we’ve been in a bit of an interlude. And now, these three angels anticipate the seventh trumpet will be blown. So just before the final outpouring of the last seven judgments God sends these powerful angels to make a last final appeal to the people of the earth to turn toward God. Even in the moments before judgment, God is still giving sinful man an opportunity to change his eternal destination. This unbelieving, rebellious world can avoid the holocaust of the day of the Lord and the devastation of judgment and eternal hell. Even at this moment, we still find grace.