Revelation 14:6-13
6 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— 7 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.”
8 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.”
9 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, 10 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. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 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.”
12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ”. “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
8 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.”
9 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, 10 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. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 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.”
12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ”. “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
The next scene unfolding after the 144,000 who will constantly worship the Lamb is a series of three angels proclaiming messages. The first reminds those left on the earth to give all the glory to God and to fear Him; this is not just because of the judgements, but also because of the eternal gospel to all which warns of the judgement but offers good news of grace for deliverance from it. This gospel is a call to glorify God through faith and obedience to the Lamb. All things were made through Him, and the call is to acknowledge this by confessing our sinful nature and trusting His only remedy. The second angel will remind these that the world system and empires will certainly fall for leading people astray from following God’s holy and righteous ways. The third follows right behind, warning of those rejecting Christ and worshipping the evil one’s minions. God’s wrath of judgement will torment those following the one set against Himself, and they will be tormented in view of the Lamb of God and the holy (not fallen) angels. This torment never ends. Not ever. The lesson and purpose of showing us these things in advance is given here. We are to follow the Lamb in willing obedience because of the gospel, as a result and not the source, and this trust of Jesus is based on the certainty of His resurrection and ours in Him to come. All who hear these words of warning now are promised the same blessings if they know Him in a regenerative birth of transforming grace. These all will die in the Lord by resting from working their way to the Father, and all they do will follow as a result with them into His eternal presence apart from sin and its consequences of wrath and judgement. This is the hope of the gospel proclaimed now by His followers and by an angelic last call seen here. Why wait to accept this and trust Him fully as our Creator and Sovereign King?
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