In today’s reading an angel declares that Babylon—a symbol of the powers of this dark world—has been effectively poisoning the world. I think we can see these effects around us today too. I picture a personified Babylon offering me a glass of wine and saying, “Here, drink this. You’ll love it!” Sensing no immediate danger, I have a taste, and all is well. But this crafty sommelier will be back tomorrow to offer me more. And the next day the same. And the one after that. Before I know it, I have a trusted (but wicked) friend, and I’ll accept whatever I’m served.
But Babylon is more than a passive, instructive metaphor; it is an active entity with malevolent intentions. All along, its ambition was to drive me insane and destroy me from the inside out with the fruit of its rotten vines. The cup I willingly accepted was tainted with trace amounts of poison too innocuous to be detected but potent enough to damage my mental and spiritual faculties by imperceptible degrees. I was never observably “drunk,” but my judgment was dangerously impaired and my thinking hideously distorted.
Now, we do have an insurmountable confidence that Jesus can scatter the darkness of even our most heinous wickedness. But for some, the mere suggestion that the enemy has infiltrated our minds would elicit an emphatic “Not I, Lord!”
Alas, the stakes are too high to avoid self-evaluating, precautionary questions. Is it possible that I’ve been hypnotized by the wiles of modernity’s Babylon? Am I in any way complicit with the agenda of the enemy? Has Babylon’s cup of deceit softened my defenses? Have I allowed any subtle forms of maleficence to become commonplace—and therefore acceptable? How much injustice, gossip, greed, back-biting, selfishness, vanity, ungratefulness, and deceitfulness have I tacitly permitted in my own life and within my own community? I simply do not want to wake up some day and realize I’ve been fooled into thinking that everything is coming up roses when really the world around me is a stinking, rotting field dotted with the unmarked graves of those who didn’t even know they were dead and who didn’t have to be.
Please, dear reader. Let’s sober up. Let’s snap out of dark reverie and heed the warnings of God’s precious Word. Let’s not wait for an angel to declare Babylon’s demise before we finally come around and see we weren’t on the side of Jesus. We cannot afford to delay. Let it be us, those “whose names have been written in heaven” (Hebrews 12:23), who live out the gospel of Jesus wherever we go. Let us, “the redeemed of the LORD” (Psalm 107:2), arise and join the chorus encouraging the world to “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water” (Revelation 14:8). Now is the time to learn the song of the redeemed and sing it for all to hear.
Written by Alex Florez
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72 thoughts on "The Proclamation of the Three Angels"
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Oh my….and again, not for the faint of heart as we read today and the accompanying devotional is direct. These are questions that really jumped out to me.”Am I in any way complicit with the agenda of the enemy? How much injustice, gossip, greed, back-biting, selfishness, vanity, ungratefulness, and deceitfulness have I tacitly permitted in my own life and within my own community?” And instead of thinking I am above these falterings, I need to be humble of heart, examine myself and say “show me Lord”.
Heavenly Father, mighty Lord, we come before you unworthy, broken sinners but of so grateful for the gift of salvation you offer. Forgive us Lord for a lackadaisical mindset, for complacency and for letting outer guard down. Give us courage, boldness, steadfast hearts and minds to stand firm in you, the Truth of your Word. Find us faithful Lord as we seek and serve you. Amen.
Oh my word. Wow Alex. What a call to stand up or shut up. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! And not just say it, but prove it with our actions.
Lord, I can’t pretend to understand all of this. But what I do know is that you have saved me by the blood of the Lamb and by His testimony. Please fill me with your Spirit so that I can let everyone know how glorious You are and what You have done for me.
In Jesus’s precious name, Amen
“Our God is an awesome God he reigns from heaven above.”
“Our God is an awesome God he reigns from heaven above.”- i love this song.
I really love today’s devotional. What a great writer you are ALEX FLOREZ! What stood out to me today is, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 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” (Revelation 14:9-10).
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Those who worship the beast are people who pledge allegiance to the Antichrist’s system, who choose the world’s system over God, who trust human power, not Christ, who reject God’s truth during the Tribulation, who embrace the Antichrist as a savior or ultimate leader. Those who receive the mark of the beast (necessary to buy or sell) will show the outward symbol of inner allegiance, a sign of loyalty and submission to the beast, a deliberate rejection of God. It is not an accidental mark.
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Why is the mark necessary to buy and sell? “…no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark…” Revelation 13:16–17. This is to force loyalty to the antichrist. This is to control trade, currency, food distribution, technology, personal identification, healthcare, security, surveillance, tracking. So wicked. This makes me realize how God is love, and He gives us free will. Not control. This one world order system of the antichrist is to punish those who refuse to submit so that they cannot buy food, work, travel, receive healthcare, or live normally. Is the mark an embedded microchip? Digital id tag? Implantable payment system? Digital wallet tattoo like code? A passport? Perhaps all of the above. You get the gist. This is a full economic surveillance, over every transaction covering food, medicine, employment, housing, travel, digital bank accounts. For all will be traceable through this mark. No privacy. One’s identity, finances, and actions become visible to the power structure. This is where the world is heading if you are noticing. A cashless world with centralized digital currencies, biometric scanning, digital IDs linked to health records, social credit scoring, AI surveillance over our digital footprints. The mark is not just a payment tool, it is permanent. It will have eternal consequences. It will change/ even dictate a person’s judgment, emotions, and one cannot change it back. Once the mark is taken, there is no biblical indication of repentance or reversal. There is likely an emotional shift after taking it and the person is no longer their own. What a deception. If it will be marketed and promoted as a payment tool or for health surveillance benefits, “you won’t need cash”, “safer and more secure”, “anti-fraud id”, “you won’t lose your wallet”, “wrist payment device”, blah blah… but behind the scenes is the hunger for complete control. Will one trade freedom for convenience? Or may I really ask, will one trade your eternity with Christ for convenience? One might if they don’t know what we know. Can you imagine the mass deception?
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This is not a call to fear. May we pray for strength and courage daily as we see these signs. We are chosen to exist in this time to witness such a big closing chapter… for a reason. He chose the best for last. Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9). The Lord has made provisions to equip His people for every good deeds. Prayers of the righteous avail much. Awareness is important so we can be spiritually alert. I love gathering with you daily here so we can draw strength from one another. Very special for me as the Lord calls us to not neglect the gathering. Be blessed dear sisters.
Mercy,
Thank you so much! You are a blessing!
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I’m not sure why this section is called the proclamation of the 3 angels. I counted 6, in verses 6, 8, 9, 15, 17, and 18, and at least 5 of them spoke. Did anyone else notice this?
That said, first 5 verses of this chapter were so full of lovely imagery: “there was a Lamb.” “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” And “No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.” May such words be spoken of me! That is who I long the be! Well, the last two. I can’t be the Lamb.
Margaret… I think the first three are actively proclaiming giving glory to God and the His wrath that is coming and also the fall of Babylon. The others seem to have a “job to do” with the sickles & harvesting. I dunno…I will look at my study Bibles when I get home.
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And I agree that the imagery is so lovely! ❤️
After more looking, I don’t see any specific notes. So my takeaway remains that three do proclaiming, whereas the other angels do the judging and reaping work.
Praying for you all today! Happy Thursday ladies
Back with a SONG SHARE:
Bebo Norman – Nothing without You W/Lyrics
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JENNIFER JACKSON – thought of the verses you shared this morning when I heard this song. ;)
Love that. Thank you!
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When reading another devotional (from Alistair Begg… he’s pretty neat!), he made mention of living with one foot planted in the Bible, and the other foot planted in the culture, so that we speak the truth of Jesus. It reminded me of our reading the other day (where an angel had one foot on the land and one on the sea… signifying that ALL creation belongs to God and that he is ruling sovereignly, even though Satan is waging war… Revelation 10).
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I’ve said it before… the end times sound so terrible, but “He’s got this”!
Wow! This lesson hits right where it is needed in this day and time! Everyone’s comments loved them!
It just speaks to me the importance of bring ready. Praying, staying in the word, serving, sharing the Good News around us! Stand firm, be not deceived!
And God’s mercy! God is good!
Praying for all!
I’m catching up today. Yesterdays devotional was so good.
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I’m curious about the number 144,000. Anyone have insight?
This puts a fire in my heart. To lean into God more and more. I’ve never felt closer to God than before and after Tanner died. I want to continue that closeness. Not take a sip of wine one day and then the next a little more and so on. It is easy to fall away if we are not careful. As the devo said yesterday, we need to keep our eyeballs glued to our Savior.
from Got Questions: “The 144,000 are first mentioned in Revelation 7:4, “Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.” This passage comes in an interlude between the judgment of the sixth seal of the tribulation (Revelation 6:12–17) and the opening of the seventh seal (Revelation 8:1).
These 144,000 Jews are “sealed,” which means they have the special protection of God. They are kept safe from the divine judgments and from the wrath of the Antichrist. They can freely perform their mission during the tribulation. It had been previously prophesied that Israel would repent and turn back to God (Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:25–27), and the 144,000 Jews seem to be a sort of “first fruits” (Revelation 14:4) of that redeemed Israel. Their mission seems to be to evangelize the post-rapture world and proclaim the gospel during the tribulation period. As a result of their ministry, millions—“a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Revelation 7:9)—will come to faith in Christ.”
I need to dive more deeply into that too… at one time, I know the JW folks thought that meant only they would be saved. But then once their membership surpassed 144,000, they revised their stance. The fact that the 144,000 are virgins that have not defiled themselves with women has me perplexed. I thought this reading was pretty straightforward, but you and Margaret are making me think I will be delving deeper this afternoon. ❤️
144,000 male virgins. This stood out to me as well.
My study Bible notes say this is an illustration on how God can keep believers remarkable pure in the midst of great difficulty. Notes also refer to the church as a bride that is holy and without blemish. The church maintains purity by staying faithful to God. “Thus it is said of the multitude of the heavenly denizens that they are virgins and follow the Lamb wheresoever he goes.”
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Now back to notes (hopefully about the angels… regarding Margaret’s comment…)
Yes, that was mentioned in the article as well (JW).
I heard a radio program recently (not sure which one, seems like so many pastors are doing a Revelation series lately…) that said the 144,000 being referred to as virgins could mean celibate single men or married men who were faithful to their wives.
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God in His mercy gives again, and again an opportunity for repentance. What a gracious, loving God we have.
Yet – the people still did not repent, even when they knew the consequences…Much like those in this world today, who hear the gospel over and over again and the results of rejecting God – yet they still do not repent. If only they would understand the cost of letting salvation pass them by.
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Satan is very subtle with how he sets temptation before us. It looks harmless, it looks pleasant but it has the bite of death! Christian beware – we can not lose our salvation, but our walk with God can be destroyed if we are not on guard – if we do not put on the armor of God daily.
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Praise God we have not come to the mountain of fear, but the mountain of joy! To the city of the living God, the Judge of all, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant – to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word!! (Hebrews 12:22-24)
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The song that immediately came to mind after reading the Hebrews passage – Better Word by Leeland.
Here is a portion of the song…
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[Verse 1]
Your blood is healing every wound
Your blood is making all things new
Your blood speaks a better word
[Verse 2]
Your blood, the measure of my worth
Your blood, more than I deserve
Your blood speaks a better word
Speaks a better word
[Chorus]
It’s singing
It’s singing out with life
It’s shouting down the lies,
Oh, it echoes through the night
The precious blood of Christ
Speaks a better word, speaks a better word
[Verse 3]
Your blood
Your blood, a robe of righteousness
Your blood, my hope, my hope and my defense
Your blood, forever, forever covers me
Oh, forever covers me…
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@Rhonda – praying for Shalann and that all goes well when she has her court date on Tuesday.
@Kelly Neo – praying that your husband “finds favor” and is able to get the needed permits.
@A Walton – praying for your dad and that the doctors will be able to pinpoint what is causing his symptoms. Also for your visit with your in-laws (trusting they arrived safely) and that the building of your home will begin at the end of January.
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Happy Thursday She’s! ❤️
Amazing! Thank you for such a timely and meaningful message!
Amen. And…..WOW! Today’s devotion, well, two words: jaw drop. What a powerful, inspired message that goes straight to this frail human heart. Please Lord, reveal in me any dark roots that have taken hold in my heart that they can be weeded out. And let me live a life that reflects You, that others may know You and be among the redeemed in your eternal kingdom.
Amen, Laura. I had similar thoughts and prayers. Very convicting message today.
Another great devotional to go with the reading! Sin IS sneaky, even as Christians fully aware, the devil is crafty serving up a taste, with undetectable poison (that’s so true!), until we look around and say “how did I get here?!”
We need to fill up in His Holy Word every day! Getting our daily nutrients. Receiving His daily grace and mercy! Putting on our daily armor. That glass of wine isn’t doing any damage, it’s not wrong to have some wine? Is it? It’s not wrong to gossip a little..Why not ask what is right and true?! Don’t let the devil have a place at your table, a piece of you that will spread. A little leaven ruins the whole. You can separate it once it’s there. Only Jesus! Cleanse more Lord continually!
Brings me to the song “Thank you for the Blood” by Charity Gayle.
And the reading today instantly brought me to a favorite song at church singing about the Elders singing. “No One Like the Lord” by Bethel!
We had such a good group at jail yesterday as we have been stressing the importance of Bible reading, Memorization and Meditation! I played the song I have been listening to nightly for months which is the whole of Psalm 57. There are so many “Scripture to song” in every genre! And I also have one for Meditating on a single verse. Isaiah 41:10. As we hear the words and meditate on them..Do not fear..for I am with you!! Do not be dismayed! It sets our heart and mind on him constantly. It replaces the fear and anxiety of our troubles and storms. Or let’s us look at them in a new way. What is God doing during this for me? Revelations is daunting and challenging, but every word is for our good to know and see what God has for us. To examine and pray on, meditate and taste and see.
“Do not fear..for I am with you!! Do not be dismayed”- Love this!
Revelation 14:12-13
12 This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!”
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Gotta run for now!
Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
“Blessed are those who die in the Lord” ❤️
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I heard once that coincidences are when God wishes to remain anonymous. Today’s reading was very well timed for me. Thank you.
Amen! I’ve been praying that I would be a light wherever I go. That in some subtle way, the Lord’s presence would exude from me! In the past week, I’ve had a patient and my manager tell me “you’re such a ray of sunshine.” Not I, but the Holy Spirit within me! May we go be lights today ladies. Praying safety & health over you today!
Beautiful! ❤
Isn’t is lovely when we decide to let his light shine daily!! And then you get confirmation that it is good!
Let my life count for you Lord is a daily prayer for me!!
God is SO good. My other devotional today had this verse
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment. Romans 12:3
And also Deuteronomy 6:5
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Amen Awesome and Great Lord ✝️
❤ Perfect parallel! Thanks for sharing!
❤️ Amen. May I not be deceived but lift my eyes to worship you and you alone, O God, for you are worthy of all my praise.
The wrath of God – all are warned, not once, not twice but three times as the deadline for salvation approaches – in addition to the countless times Jesus has been presented before this time.
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Alex is clear in describing the subtlety of evil as we can be in over our heads before we realize what’s happening. His plea is to take a clear look at ourselves, wipe the mirror clean to see us as we really are, without justifying slippage from God’s Word – let’s do it. Jesus is here for us now, accept and follow Him without hesitation or delay! Praying for the lost.
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One of the verses from The King Is Coming (written by Charles Millhuff, Gloria Gaither, Bill Gaither) comes to mind –
I can hear the chariots rumble,
I can see the marching throng,
The flurry of God’s trumpets
Spells the end of sin and wrong:
Regal robes are now unfolding,
Heaven’s grandstand’s all in place,
Heaven’s choir now assembled,
Start to sing “Amazing Grace!”
Reminds me of the story of the frog. Throw it in boiling water and it will hop out. Put it in a pot of cold water, slowly bring to a boil, etc.
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Fun song to sing in quartet! ❤
Yep – the frog came to my mind as well ☺️
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Me too!
My curiosity is peaked by so many things in Revelation. Obviously all the symbolism is a curious puzzle begging to be understood, there are a few other things. This song, the new song, that no one else can learn – so curious. It reminds me of this little thought I often have, one of the “one day in heaven” thoughts – does anyone else have those? Well, one day in heaven, I think there should be sing off of David and singers through the ages singing their versions of Psalms.
Another curious thing is about the incense. Do you think the incense before the throne of God in Revelation has he same scent as the recipe in the Old Teatament to be used in the temple?
I know these thoughts seem whimsical, and they are a bit, but I think it is good to look to eternity with curiosity and excitement. Most of my “one day in heaven” whimsies are about how incredible it will be to worship in the presence of God and with other believers from all through time. What a celebration!
Cathy, I told have similar thoughts. For me one the bigger ones is “when we see our loved ones in heaven, will we recognize each other as family (ie father and daughter, grandma and granddaughter), or will we recognize each other as souls in Christ?
I was thinking about this as well. God is so mysterious. Revelation 14:3 – the 144,000 sing a new song that no one else can learn. And in Revelation 2:17 – a new name is given to the faithful overcomer, known only to them. He only chooses to reveal certain things to certain people, this really shows the intimacy of God to His people, the “draw close to Me and I will draw close to you” God.
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Amen. Forgive me Father. In Jesus name.
Amen❤️
What a charge Alex! A great reminder to not become complicit in darkness and evil that is in this world. Open our eyes Lord to the stinking, rotting fields.
The interlude of the three angels shows God’s amazing mercies once again. Not willing that any should parish, but turn and come to Him, the fist angel flies with “the eternal gospel to announce to the inhabitants of the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.” Then the second angel announces the world’s system will die from drinking its own poison, and the final angel warns what will happen to those who take the mark and worship the beast.
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Even in the midst of His holy judgment, God offers salvation to His enemies. What love!
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Brings to mind the Civil War era’s abolitionist hymn, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”
by Julia Ward Howe. First verse:
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.
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RHONDA J. – joining you in prayer for Shalann and a merciful judge.
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May we have eyes to see those who the Lord brings our way to share the Good News with.
“Eyes to see those who the Lord brings our way to share the Good News with.” Consider this flagged and added to my prayers. ❤️
Amen!
Yes, Kelly, the love of God ❤️
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And, confessing to a senior moment the other day – the healing for a fall was someone totally different that came to mind. The person with the serious fall has a really long road ahead, and the updates are few. Thank you for remembering.
I did some clinical hours for grad school in the ICU the past couple weeks and was sobered by how many patients were there because of falls. For all our senior sisters (I’m not there yet, but I can see “there” from where I stand :P) PLEASE be working on your core strength and balance, even if it’s just baby steps a day!
Yes, Rachel! I see the difference in my husband’s stability. He faithfully follows the routine the PT gave him a year and a half ago. I started doing them, too, even though I haven’t had serious balance issues. Thanks for that suggestion! ❤
Excellent advice ❤️. Reminder for me, I need to do more core exercises.
SEARCHING- thanks for the clarification! ❤
Thank you Kelly!
Amen
Kelly, I had the same response regarding the warnings of the angels! There will be no excuse that they did not know. “Choose this day whom you will serve.”
God is so full of mercy and grace – He is constantly extending it.
Prayers for all the lost ones we love and those we don’t even know.
Kelly, I felt the same way you did regarding the angels giving explicit warnings. There will be no excuse. God is extending grace and mercy to the last moment. “Choose this day whom you will serve.“
Praying for the lost to hear, understand and receive salvation.
Also praying for the lost and all our prodigals. ❤️
Let’s Go Jesus! Thank you that The Harvest is Ready. Lead us to Those who Need you who are ready to Receive you Jesus as their Lord and savior. Bring the Lost across our Paths. So that we may Bold to Share our Faith to Preach the Gospel of you Oh Lord Jesus. We will pray and Lead so Many back to You Jesus. Many have gotten lost. Lead all of our Families back to you. Show us how to reach those who are hungry for you. Open up the Eyes of Our Hearts Lord we want to see you. Open. Up our Ears so we can hear you Whispering to us. This is the way, Walk this way. We will follow you we go where you send us. Here am I send me. Let me be a light to shine so Bright THE GLORY OF YOU LORD GOD. AMEN
Amen
Dear Heavenly Abba Father God, WE Love You! Beloved Lord Jesus, Glorious Holy Spirit, WE come before you as Your Daughters. We need you! Come be all we need you to be for us. We cry out HOLY, HOLY HOLY! You are Worthy. We Love You!
Holy Holy Holy
Amen
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