Revelation 14:6 – Revelation 15:6

Three Angel’s Messages and the Close of Mercy

Begin Text:

Thus far, we have completed a verse-by-verse study in the book of Revelation through Chapter 14:5.

At this point, a matrix of many parts is coming together.

Many of you have told me that you find it easy to follow along as we study a specific prophecy, but when it comes to synchronizing everything together, all of a sudden there’s total confusion because there are so many parts. Yes, it takes time and effort to put this story together. But, it can be done! You can do it if you try.

Consider this: A day is coming when all of these things will be easy to understand. As we go through the Great Tribulation, sincere people will be able to synthesize all of these prophetic parts because we will see them and experience them.

When the Great Tribulation begins, the traditional rubbish that has been heaped on the Bible will be removed. Scholars will be humiliated. Pastors will be embarrassed. Popular TV Evangelists will be held in contempt for misleading millions of people because a day is coming when the Bible will speak plainly for itself.

The Bible will not be a complicated book during the Great Tribulation!

Remember, the Bible is one of God’s Two Witnesses. God has seen to it over the past 200 years that Bibles have been translated and distributed most everywhere, and the Holy Spirit will give every honest hearted person the ability to see and understand Bible truth once the walls of religion paradigms are broken down.

Revelation’s story will be as easy to understand as 2 + 2 during the Great Tribulation – for the honest in heart.

Daniel 12:10   “… None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.”

Because the Great Tribulation has not begun, it is difficult to project ourselves and our thinking into the future – into a different “world order.”

But, once the first four trumpets have occurred, it will be quite easy to open up the book of Revelation and to show people that Revelation 8 speaks about fiery showers of burning hail, tow asteroid impacts and darkness over a third of the Earth. At that time, people will not be able to stand firm on their traditional beliefs because their traditional beliefs will have been proven worthless.

The destruction of traditional beliefs at the beginning of the Great Tribulation is very important to understand. A shattered paradigm is the best thing that God can do to open up the mind and heart of an honest person so that he can intelligently consider the testimony of Jesus that the 144,000 will speak.

Ok, you might be wondering, if the Bible is going to be easy to understand during the Great Tribulation, why do we need to understand the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation right now?

Good question. A lot of people don’t want to be bothered with the prophecies.

However, which would you rather experience: Sheer terror when you behold God’s wrath or would you rather experience awesome respect for a God who has been abundantly patient with mankind, but His patience has run out because humanity has become hopelessly defiant?

Which is better: Knowing God’s objectives and the means through which He is accomplishing them or hating God because of your suffering?

Which is better: knowing the Great Tribulation is 1,335 days in length or believing it is 7 years in length?

God wants us to know and understand Him. He’s about to do something unusual.

He wants everyone to know IF they want to know.

Before we begin today’s study with Revelation 14:6, let’s do a quick review.

To help you put several parts together, I have created a little book called “The Chart Book.”

It’s only 25 pages in length but it contains a lot of information --- information that has been hidden for 2,600 years!

If you have access to the Internet, you can download the book for free. You can print out the charts and share them with your remaining friends.

If you do not have access to the Internet, you can order a copy of the Chart Book for $10. This covers the postage, a nice binder and the color prints.

www.wake-up.com/Charts/TheChartBook.pdf

Tell your friends!

Review Charts 10, 11, 12

We now turn our attention to the 7^th prophecy in Revelation and it begins with Revelation 14:6 because chronological order is broken with verse 6.

In other words, the first angel’s message in verse 6 does not occur after the 144,000 are standing around God’s throne.

Because each apocalyptic prophecy has a beginning point in time and an ending point in time, let’s read a few verses of this prophecy to see if we can figure out the beginning point in time….

Revelation 14:6   Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people.

Revelation 14:7   He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Revelation 14:8   A Second angel followed and said, “Fallen, Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”

Revelation 14:9   A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand,

Revelation 14:10   he too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.

Revelation 14:11   And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.”

These three messages are the most serious messages recorded in the Bible and once you understand what they mean, you will be impressed at howoffensive they are. Once you understand the meaning of these three messages, you will understand how these messages will separate the people of Earth into two groups. These messages will have “atomic power” when they are delivered. There is nothing quite like them in the entire Bible.

At first, you are going to think these messages are out of character with the God that you have loved and known all of your life. But, you should know by now that God’s wrath is a part of His character.

You have heard me say many times that one of the hardest things the 144,000 will say during the Great Tribulation is that “God is love.” When the world is lying in ruins and 1.75 billion people are dead, many people will sneer at the testimony of the 144,000 saying, “How could a God of love” do such hateful things?”

One more introductory point:

There is a reason why these three tiny messages are represented in Scripture by angels flying in midair. These massages come from above… they are not of human origin. They come directly from God’s throne. These thee messages will be carried by God’s prophets to every person on Earth.

With these things in mind, let’s begin.

The first angel’s message is painfully blunt. The first message comes from an angry God – an indignant God. His first message does not invite discussion nor negotiation.

The first angel’s message is a direct – head on – conformation with all of the false religions of the world. Jesus Christ is about to confront man’s arrogance and ignorance with a brutal message.

Think about the context of this message for a minute: When the censer is cast down. God’s attitude and behavior toward Earth appears to change. When there is no intercession for sinners, there is wrath – in this case, corporate wrath (wrath against the world as a whole).

This is a starling transition!

Jesus has been corporately interceding for mankind every since the day that Adam and Eve sinned, so the world has not seen a time when corporate intercession was not available!

If you remember our studies on the Jubilee Calendar, (March-June, 2004), you know that I believe that God’s patience with Earth expired in 1994 with the fullness of 70 Jubilee Cycles, and at that time, the seven trumpets were given to the seven angels that stand before God.

And you already know that the first four trumpets have been delayed – four angels have been waiting for Jesus to declare, “There is no more delay.”

When God’s clock strikes the appointed hour, the time of the end begins, the censer comes down and Day 1 of 1,335 days occurs. On that day, Jesus will rise up in anger to do His “strange work” --- He will release divine wrath against a sinful world. This is something that has not been done for a long time. [Isaiah 28:21]

When the wrath of God is released, the Great Tribulation will begin. This is why Daniel 8 refers to the appointed time of the end as a time of wrath. It is in the context of displayed wrath that we have to view and understand the proclamation of the three angel’s messages in Revelation 14.

These three messages will operate like a giant magnet – they will attract those who love truth. The rest of mankind will find them offensive!

Consider this:

The fist angel’s message will come as an outright demand. “Fear God….” The second message will come as a defiant declaration. “Babylon is fallen….” The third message will come as an ultimatum. “If anyone worships the beast….”

Three messages”

1.   An outright demand

2.   A defiant declaration

3.   An ultimatum

1.   What is the meaning and timing of each message?

2.   Why are they so harsh?

3.   Who delivers these messages?

4.   What are the options?

Let’s see if we can answer these four questions:

1.   What is the meaning and timing of each message?

Each of these three messages aligns with a specific development on Earth and they are cumulative as the Great Tribulation unfolds.

In other words, the first message begins at a point in time and it continues sounding until the 1,260^th day, the end of mercy. Later on, the second message begins and it continues sounding until the end of mercy, etc. The net effect is that eventually, all three messages will be heard together.   

Let’s look at the first message (an outright demand) to see how it applies:

“Fear God and give Him glory for the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made the heavens, earth, sea and the fountain of waters.”

This message is similar in structure to the Ten Commandments. This message is a direct order, a divine command. Nothing less. The first angel’s message carries the force and weight of the law. There is no room for negotiation or deviation from the demand. It simple means what it says.

This law will be proclaimed in every nation by the 144,000 at the same time. Everyone will hear this demand. Here’s an interesting twist:

The God mentioned in the first angel’s message is Jesus Christ, The Creator of Heaven and Earth. The 144.000 will tell everyone that Jesus Christ now demands respect and worship because He is the Creator-God of Heaven and Earth who rules the Universe.

As you can guess, this message will be so inflammatory in some parts of the world that it cannot be presented to the world until the world has been humbled by a show of divine wrath.

I need to emphasize this highly important fact again. The God in the first angel’s message is Jesus Christ, the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

The first demand is not a demand to honor the Father nor the Godhead, nor is it a demand to honor any of the gods that men presently worship. This is an usual message demanding that everyone on Earth suddenly fear and worship Jesus Christ, the Creator-God of Heaven and Earth. 

And, if it were not for the overwhelming destruction that sets the stage for this message, it would enrage the people of Earth. Most of the 144,000 would be killed within a few days.

Consider these statistics:

1.   –2.5 billion people have never heard of Jesus Christ.

2.   –2.5 billion people reject the idea that Jesus is God.

3.   –1 billion Christians have no idea who Jesus really is.

2.   Why is the message so harsh?

This message is light and truth sent from Jesus Christ and it appears harsh because it confronts the great darkness that surrounds the truth about the Creator of this world.

Colossians 1:15   He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God [the Father], the firstborn over all creation.

Colossians 1:16   For by him all things are created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

Colossians 1:17   He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

So, the first angel’s message comes to earth as “a direct order,” a divine command.

This message will immediately initiate controversy all over the world and a growing controversy always forces people to take sides. The first angel’s message will confront man’s religious arrogance, the devil’s lies and human ignorance.

The first angel’s message begins on Day 1 – when the day the censer is thrown cast down and the global earthquake occurs. In a physical sense, the whole world will come to a screeching halt as a result of this earthquake.

This earthquake will come with dramatic displays of lightening, loud peals of thunder and deep rumblings (eerie voices). The people of Earth will be terrified. Everyone will be physically forced to stop, look and listen.

This global earthquake will separate the past from the oncoming future. Life as we presently know it will end on a single day. The world will be put in “lock down” (a term used in prison and schools to indicate that everyone is locked in their cell or classroom).

The people of Earth will be locked down in geographic cells. Geographic cells will be created by broken bridges, broken power lines, broken water mains, broken highways, broken runways and broken lines of communication. High-rise building will fall over and lie in ruins.

Of course, the global earthquake on “Day 1” will destroy everything. God spares some things for later destruction, but rest assured, everything – including all of the wicked – will be destroyed by “Day 1,335.” With no electricity, silence will quickly fall upon the earth.

And during this silence a clarion message will be heard. It will begin with one mouth in each geographical cell. The testimony of Jesus will begin small but as time passes, it will fill each cell as waves ripple outward from a pebble tossed into a pond.

A new and powerful revelation of Jesus Christ will be told and His generous offer of salvation will be heard in every cell.

Matthew 24:14   And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

The Holy Spirit will heighten people’s fear of God so people will give the three angel’s messages due consideration. [Do you remember the story when the Holy Spirit killed Ananias and Sapphira?].

Acts 5:11   “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.”

Think about this: 144,000 prophets will be saying the very same thing in every language at the very same time – without knowing each other! This is why the Bible says the first angel’s message is presented with “a loud voice…” Everyone will hear God’s prophets – loud and clear – without a radio or TV!

144,000 will inform the people of Earth that Jesus Christ, the Creator of Heaven and Earth is returning to Earth to gather up everyone who will love and serve Him and that He will destroy all who rebel against His authority.

They will also justify Jesus’ wrath. They will explain that the depths of our decadence, our sins and rebellion anger Jesus. As you might expect, the fist angel’s message will not go over well. People don’t take kindly to being told their religion is wrong.

Now, you know why four trumpet judgments are necessary after the global earthquake. The carnal nature can’t be humbled without overwhelming destruction. What does Pharaoh’s rebellious experience with 10 plagues teach us about the carnal nature?

As the people of Earth consider the consequences of the global earthquake, they will be forced by circumstances to acknowledge that there is a Sovereign God that rules over Earth – but which God? Many will ask, how can this be Jesus Christ? He is not God!

Like Pharaoh, many will be unable to submit to the light and truth and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Sovereign; so many judgments will be necessary.

The bible does not teach this, but I believe the 144,000 will announce the date and time of each of the first four trumpets. This ability to accurately predict God’s judgments will affirm that they indeed speak for Jesus Christ who controls the timing of the trumpets judgments. (Parallel: Moses and Aaron announced God’s judgments to Pharaoh.)

When the predicted events occur – wise people will be able to put the pieces together. They will see in Scriptures and from circumstances that the 144,000 are prophets of Jesus Christ. The wise will confess that Jesus Christ is the only true God and He is to be feared and worshiped! These people will have “a Nebuchadnezzar moment.” 

Remember, after seven years in the forest, eating and living like an animal, the king wrote, Daniel 4:37   “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of Heaven, because everything He does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

Nebuchadnezzar’s acknowledgement is so different than Pharaoh’s who said, Exodus 5:2   “…is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.” 

Now hear this: If the Great Tribulation were only 60 in length, people would do most anything Jesus demanded. But, there will be 1,260 days of testing. The dust has to settle and persecution has to test the faith and love of Christ’s followers. So, like will resume, albeit under very difficult circumstances after the fist four trumpets. 

Jesus grants a period of 3 ½ years to the Two Witnesses to give people a chance to understand what the kingdom of God is all about. It takes time to understand the plans, the ways and the character of Jesus.

We know that about –60 days after the global earthquake occurs, the composite beast will arise. In its effort to appease God’s wrath, it will demand that people worship God according to various traditions in various nations. It will persecute those who accept the testimony of the 144,000.

The people of Earth will be trapped between two demands. The demand of Jesus and the demand of Babylon. The juxtaposition of those two demands will test the living.

Our choice will reveal our faith and love for God.

Revelation 3:10   Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from [through] the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.”

Three Eternal Truths

The first angel’s message is called the eternal or everlasting gospel because it contains three truths:

The first truth is this: Jesus is God. He is co-eternal and equal with the Father in every way.

Jesus is worthy to rule over the universe as Sovereign God as is the Father. The Father affirmed this stunning truth in 1798 when He turned the throne over to Jesus.

Ephesians 1:9   And he [the Father] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,

Ephesians 1:10   to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven an don earth together under on head, even Christ.”

The Father has put everything under Jesus to tell the universe that Jesus is an equal with Himself! So, the demand: Fear God and worship Him as it pertains to Jesus Christ in not in conflict with the position and authority of the Father.

The second truth in the eternal gospel is this: Jesus Christ is our Creator and Judge. He holds every created being accountable for his actions. This is why the first angel’s message says, “…give Him glory for the hour of His judgment has come.” The Judgment Bar of Christ is based on the rule of law. His royal law is the Ten Commandments. Jesus is the Author of the Ten Commandments. He wrote them with His own finger and He spoke from Mt. Sinai with His own voice.

He requires every human being to obey and fulfill these commandments – no one is exempt. When a person refuses to obey and fulfill the Ten Commandments, he shows contempt for the authority of Jesus.

Notice Paul’s words: 

2 Corinthians 5:10   “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:11   Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men [to do the same]….”

Discussion:   This is the most importance difference between obeying and fulfilling the law. At no time in Earth’s history has obedience to the Ten Commandments produced salvation from sin and this remains true during the Great Tribulation! Sinners cannot obey the Ten Commandments and expect to receive salvation.

Some Christians who observe the seventh day Sabbath think that the great test coming upon the world during the Great Tribulation is one of obedience, that is, obeying the 4^th commandment. In simple terms, many Sabbath keeping Christians think that God is going to test mankind to see who will keep the Sabbath and who will not.

The end result is that those who obey the Ten Commandments, specifically the fourth commandment, will be saved and all others will be lost. This is not the case at all! The Bible does not teach this.

If this were the case, salvation would come through obedience and not through faith in Christ. If salvation came through obedience, Jesus would not have needed to die on the cross. So let’s make sure that we correctly understand a very important topic that concerns the Great Tribulation:

Yes, Jesus requires obedience of His followers.

John 14:15   “If you love me, you will obey what I command.

John 15:14   You are my friends if you do what I command.

Even before sin began, Jesus put Adam and Eve under the obligation of the law.

Genesis 2:16   And the Lord God (Jesus) commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;

Genesis 2:17   but you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

Everyone created by Jesus, including the angel’s, were put under the obligation of the law. If this were not the case, there would be no sin because sin is lawlessness, a violation or disregard for law and order. (1 John 3:4)

The Ten Commandments are not ten suggestions. They are divine laws and Jesus commands that everyone obey them, but not for the purpose of achieving salvation.  The Ten Commandments were designed to do two things for human beings:

First, on a secular level, the Ten Commandments were designed to produce social order. Jesus gave us the Ten Commandments to that mankind could live together in a healthy and prosperous way.

If everyone obeyed the Ten Commandments, there would be good within and among families that make up every nation. Nations prosper when a majority obeys and exalts the divine principles expressed in the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments also serve a second purpose: Once a person is born-again, he relates to the Ten Commandments in a very different way than before. A born-again person discovers the Ten Commandments to be expressions of what his heart would do if he loved God with all his heart and his neighbor as himself.

In other words, the royal law reveals that a pure heart of love would naturally do! For example:

If a man obeys the 7^th commandment that forbids adultery because the law demands it, his family, his children and even his coworkers will be blessed. There’s no scandal or bitterness caused by unfaithfulness.

But, after awhile, let’s suppose this man’s lust overcomes him and he violates the 7^th commandment.

The social benefit of the 7^th commandment is lost. His children are crushed. His coworkers are upset because he can’t do his job. His wife is angry and sues him for divorce. And in the divorce, she gets the elevator and he gets the shaft.

Do you understand this secular benefit that comes with obeying the 7^th commandment?

James 1:14   “But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

James 1:15   Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 1:16   Don’t be deceived [sinful desire can pop up at anytime, so be on your guard], my dear brothers.”

Now, let’s look at the spiritual process of the 7^th commandment.

One day, a born again man sees a naked woman and he momentarily entertains the idea of having an adulterous affair with her. Immediately, the Holy Spirit confronts this man with the light of truth:  This man doesn’t love his wife, as he should.

This man has to admit that he is not fulfilling the law! Yes, he may have been keeping the law for many years by avoiding adultery, but he is not fulfilling the law if he wants to have an affair with another woman. The 7^th commandment reveals that a loving husband would not want to commit adultery.

A heart of pure love says, I cannot commit adultery, because the 7^th commandment reveals what a heart of pure love will do, this man is forced to admit that he doesn’t love his wife as he should.

He confesses to God that he loves himself more than he loves her and he cannot fulfill the intent of the 7^th commandment until he loves his wife, as God would have him love his wife. The point here is that even though he has been “keeping” the law for years, he has not been fulfilling it!

The Pharisees rigorously kept the law, but they could not fulfill it!

Paul wrote:

Romans 7:9   Once I was alive [self righteous in my own eyes but I was living] apart from [the intent] law; but when the commandment came [to my knowledge, saying Thou shalt not covert], sin sprang to life [because I had to admit that I was coveting] and I died [that is, my self-righteousness died from this knowledge].

Romans 7:10   I found the very commandment that was intended to bring life [by showing me what a heart of pure love will do] actually brought death [because the law condemned me and my self righteousness.]

A human being cannot love as God loves unless the Holy Spirit generates the love of God within him. Listen carefully: These things have been said about the two purposes of the Ten Commandments because the Ten Commandments show born-again people what pure love will do.

The object of the Great Tribulation is to become sealed. Yes, everyone will be tested to see (a) if they will obey the Ten Commandments. Jesus has carefully designed the Great Tribulation to produce both texts. He will text our knowledge and our love.

Both tests will be administered within the context of persecution. And all who pass both tests will be sealed. The carnal heart will be removed so that selfishness will never again have any part in God’s children.

From our point of view, the object during the Great Tribulation is to become sealed with the seal of the living God! Yes, observing the Sabbath will play a role, but obedience is only a part of the test!

1 Corinthian 13:1    If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:2   If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and If I have the faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

1 Corinthian 13:3   If I give all that I Possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

King David understood the spiritual purposes and process of the Ten Commandments.

Psalm 19:7   The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statues of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Psalm 19:8   The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.         

Psalm 19:9   The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.”

Psalm 119:97   Oh, how I love your law! I mediate on it all day long.

Do you remember what happened to king David? One day he saw a naked woman taking a bath. Her name is easy to remember: Bath – Sheba. Don’t ask me how she got this name. After committing adultery with Bath Sheba, David killed he husband by having his general, Joab, put Uriah on the front line of battle. Later, the prophet Nathan confronted David with his adultery and murder.

When David saw the enormity of his sin as God saw it, he was deeply shaken by his failure. David knew that he had drifted away from having a heart of love. He had killed Uriah one of his best friends – all because of lust.

David earnestly prayed:

Psalm 51:10   “Create in men a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Every Christian should know that in order to be saved from the penalty of sin, we have to be clothed with a righteousness that comes only from God. This righteousness does not come from obedience. Rather, Jesus grants this righteousness to us when we become willing to love God with all our heart, mind and soul and our neighbor as our self. True love for God and others fulfills the demands of the law.

The Holy Spirit wants us to look often into the perfect law of God to see how pure love for God and man is expressed. Yes, every born again person knows the problem with sin. We can’t fulfill the intent of the law all of the time.

Paul wrote:

Romans 7:15   I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

In other words, born again Christians have two natures that war against each other. Sometimes the carnal nature wins. This happened in king David’s case. Sometimes the spiritual nature wins. Born again Christians understand this warfare. This is why the seal of God is so wonderful.

God’s children will be tested to see if they really want their selfish carnal nature removed. When they pass the test, Jesus will fulfill their desire.

The first angel’s message demands that we give glory to Jesus. What does this mean? We bring glory to Jesus by exalting the eternal principle of love that he lives by. This is a beautiful point. God is pleased when we keep His law and God is overjoyed when we fulfill the intent of His law through selfless love.

This is the meaning of  “Give glory to Him…”

I have taken several minutes to explain the differences between keeping the law and fulfilling the law because the third truth in the eternal gospel centers around worship.

The third truth in the eternal gospel is that Jesus is to be worshiped as God. He is the Creator of Heaven, the angels, the Earth and mankind. The first angel’s message demands that everyone worship and honor Jesus.

“Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

There is no wiggle room on this demand. These four times, “the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water” are mentioned in this verse because they are the four items that are destroyed by the first four trumpets.

The heavens, 4^th trumpet

The earth, 1^st trumpet

The sea, 2^nd trumpet

Springs of water, 3^rd trumpet

Worship and the Ten Commandments.

The Greek word for worship means, “to kiss” as in an act of submission. In Arab countries, people often greet one another with “the kiss” of submission. Kissing is an act of submission – affectionate submission.

Summary:

-- The first angel’s message begins with the opening of the 4^th seal.

-- The first angel’s message begins with the censer being cast down.

-- The first angel’s message begins at a time when the world will be willing to listen.

-- The first angel’s message marks the beginning of the judgment of the living the hour of   judgment has come upon us.

-- The first angel’s message is an announcement that the judgment bar of Jesus just began!

Three eternal truths are found in the first angel’s message:

1.   Jesus is Sovereign God, “Fear God…”

2.   Jesus is the Judge of mankind “the hour of His judgment has come”

3.   Jesus is entitled to worship that belongs to God “and worship Him who made…”

2.   Who delivers the first angel’s message?

The 144,000 will deliver the three angel’s messages. The 144,000 do not yet exist, and the three angel’s messages have not been given out yet. The 144,000 will be selected, sealed and empowered to give the three angel’s messages. This will be their mission and destiny and it could not be done any other way. One cannot carry out this mission and destiny without being selected by God, empowered by His Holy Spirit and having the sinful nature removed.

It’s humanly impossible to give the three angel’s messages!

I know of a church group in particular claims to be preaching the three angel’s messages, but their claim is not valid. For that matter, various religions, church groups and church leaders make all kinds of claims that are not Biblical, so this is not new nor surprising.

Here’s a short list showing why the three angel’s messages haven’t begun:

1.   The first angel’s message sets up a universal test to see who will worship Jesus Christ and during this test, Jesus judge’s mankind on the basis of each decision.

In other words, the first angel’s message impacts the entire world – everyone on Earth – at the same time because judgment day for the living begins on Day 1. The demand to worship the Creator comes as a test that everyone will either submit to or reject. The length of this test is 1,260 days because this is the duration of God’s Two Witnesses.

2.   Although we haven’t yet examined it in detail, it is not possible for the second angel’s message to have been given. Babylon does not yet exist. No one can give a message saying that Babylon is fallen when Babylon (the composite beast) hasn’t even come up out of the sea!

3.   The third angel’s message, the warning against worshiping the beast and receiving his mark hasn’t been given because: (a) the beast has not yet appeared on Earth and (b) the mark of the beast doesn’t exist at this time.

The point here is that the three angel’s messages are yet future. They occur at a specific time and they are specific message that address the context and circumstances of the moment for the whole world. Each message impacts the whole world – all 144,000 cells in a timely setting!

4.   What are the options?

The options to these three messages is painful. Because the three angel’s messages are so blunt and decisive, there will we no wiggle room. We will either submit and obey God’s Ten Commandments as commanded by Jesus or rebel.

This brings the composite beast into focus. The composite beast rises (the crisis government is formed) for the purpose of appeasing God, but it sets up laws contrary to God’s laws. The composite beast will persecute the saints because obeying God is contrary to its authority.

The gulf between obeying the three angel’s messages and obeying the laws of the crisis government will be so great that no one will be able to straddle the fence very long.   

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