The Apocalypse – Chapter 14 – Part 2
We are continuing our study into the Book of Revelation or Apocalypse. Continuing in Chapter 14. For as in Rev 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. The Proclamations of Three Angels
A Purified People Fear of what others will say Shows a lack of trust in Me Do not look at the difficulties Try and see as I see. Look into your own hearts Be absolutely sure You are walking in My way That your motives are pure. See yourselves Through My eyes that sees you Walk humbly in Me your God Keep on the path that’s true. You who know My name Can reach out and touch the sky, But it will be a purified you That is set on high. By the late Andrew Feakin [passed away 16th March 2019]
Keys – The Proclamations of Three Angels
- Though all flesh be grass know that the Word of the Lord endures for ever.
- We have been entrusted with this Word of the gospel as treasure in earthen vessels.
- The everlasting gospel is of great concern to all the world and should be made known to all.
- The gospel is the great means whereby men are brought to fear God, and to give glory to Him.
- It is the gospel that revives the fear of God, and retrieves His glory in the world.
- When idolatry creeps into the churches of God, it is by the preaching of the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit, that men are turned from idols to serve the living God.
- The preaching of the everlasting gospel shakes the foundations of antichristianism in the world.
- What God has fore-ordained and foretold shall be done as certainly as if it were done already.
- The patience of the saints shall be rewarded with salvation and glory.
In previous accounts we have seen the great trials and sufferings which the servants of God had endured. Now a new day is dawning. Here represented is the Lord Jesus at the head of His faithful followers, Rev. 14:1-5. Three angels are sent successively to proclaim the fall of Babylon and the consequencies of so great an event, Rev. 14:6-13. Lastly the vision of the harvest, Rev. 14:14-20
The Proclamations of Three Angels
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— 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.”
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.” 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, 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.
In the presence of the Lamb
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 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.” Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
The Word of the Lord endures for ever
Henry says – In this part of the chapter we have three angels or messengers sent from heaven to give notice of the fall of Babylon. It describes those things that were consequential to that great event.
The first angel was sent on an errand to preach the everlasting gospel, Rev. 14:6, 7. Though all flesh be grass, the Word of the Lord endures for ever. It is a work fit for an angel to preach this everlasting gospel. Such is the dignity, and such is the difficulty of that work! And yet we have this treasure in earthen vessels.
The everlasting gospel is of great concern to all the world and should be made known to all. It is very much to be desired even to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. The gospel is the great means whereby men are brought to fear God, and to give glory to Him. Natural religion is not sufficient to keep up the fear of God, nor to secure to Him glory from men. It is the gospel that revives the fear of God, and retrieves His glory in the world.
To worship any other
When idolatry creeps into the churches of God, it is by the preaching of the gospel, attended by the power of the Holy Spirit, that men are turned from idols to serve the living God. He is the Creator of the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters, Rev. 14:7. To worship any God besides Him who created the world is idolatry.
The second angel follows the other, and proclaims the actual fall of Babylon. The preaching of the everlasting gospel had shaken the foundations of antichristianism in the world. Thus it has hastened its downfall. Some understand Babylon to be understood as Rome, which was before called Sodom and Egypt, for wickedness and cruelty. It is now first called Babylon, for pride and idolatry. Some ascribe it to the the wickedness of America or the Capitalist states in the world.
Her crimes are recited
What God has foreordained and foretold shall be done as certainly as if it were done already. The greatness of Babylon will not be able to prevent her fall, but will make it more dreadful and remarkable. The wickedness of Babylon, in corrupting, debauching, and intoxicating the nations round about her, will make her fall and will declare the righteousness of God in her utter ruin, Rev. 14:8. Her crimes are recited as the just cause of her destruction.
A third angel follows the other two, and gives warning to all of that divine vengeance which would overtake all those that obstinately adhered to the antichristian interest. Even after God had thus proclaimed its downfall, Rev. 14:9, 10. If after this (this threatening denouncement against Babylon, and in part already executed) any should persist in their idolatry, professing subjection to the beast and promoting his cause, they must expect to drink deep of the wind of the wrath of God.
Idolatry is a damning sin
They shall be forever miserable in soul and body. Jesus Christ will inflict this punishment upon them, and the holy angels will behold it and approve of it. Idolatry, both pagan and papal, is a damning sin in its own nature, and will prove fatal to those who persist in it. For those who refuse to come out of Babylon, after fair warning given and resolve to partake of her sins, they must receive of her plagues.
The guilt and ruin of such idolaters will set forth the excellency of the patience and obedience of the saints. These shall be rewarded with salvation and glory. When the treachery and rebellion of others shall be punished with everlasting destruction, then it will be said, to the honour of the faithful (Rev. 14:12): Here is the patience of the saints; you have before seen their patience exercised, now you see it rewarded.
Adapted from the Matthew Henry Commentary
Prayer for the Day
Prayer: Father, I come to You. Your Word endures for ever. Thank You that You have chosen to entrust me with the Word of the gospel. May it be like a hot ember in me and have the urgency to make it known in the world. Stir in me the reverential fear of You in me and bring others to this fear that men give You the glory. May Your gospel revive the fear of You among Your people and retrieve Your glory in the world.
Where idolatry has crept into Your church may the preaching of the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit turn men to serve You, the living God. Let the preaching of the everlasting gospel shake the very foundations of antichristianism in our town and the world. Thank You that as we continue in patience we shall be rewarded with salvation and glory. In Jesus name. Amen.