The Proclamation of Three Angels
Open Your Bible
Revelation 14:1-20, Psalm 107:1-3, Hebrews 12:18-24
BY Guest Writer
The thundering voice from heaven.
The new song before God’s throne.
The proclamation of the eternal gospel across the globe.
In reading Revelation 14, we begin to hear the echoes of hope, when each mighty angel from the heavenly realms announces that the final hour of judgment has come. We’re told there will be harvests—first the reaping of ripe grain and then the gathering of clusters of grapes for the winepress, God’s wrath. And while the image of God’s wrath and judgment seems unimaginable and terrifying, it’s actually good news: Those who’ve worshiped the beast, the embodiment of evil, and carried out his vicious schemes will one day drink the wine of God’s wrath (14:9–11).
Wine is an image reverberating out from Old Testament prophets (Isaiah 51:17–23; Jeremiah 25:15–31; Habakkuk 2:16), through Psalm 75:7–8, and into the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26). It’s there that Jesus, knowing full well what was coming, prayed that the “cup” might be taken from Him. Then in utter and complete submission to the perfect will of His Father, He said, “Yet not as I will, but as you will,” and took in the full cup of God’s righteous wrath (v.39).
But as the redeemed, we have hope, and this is where our hope lies: with the victorious Lamb who takes away the sin of the world and rescues us from God’s coming wrath (John 1:29; 1 Thessalonians 1:10). Until that day, we are called to remain faithful and endure (Revelation 14:12). Death has not yet been dealt its final lethal blow, but in the meantime, we trust in the promise that those saints “who die in the Lord” will one day find “rest from their labors” (v.13).
Looking forward, the author of Hebrews assures us that we are headed for the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. We are headed to the welcome of thousands upon thousands of the angelic host, as well as other believers, whose names are written in heaven. It’s there that Jesus, our perfect Mediator, faithfully intercedes for us, even today (Hebrews 12:22–24).
So let those who have been redeemed from the hand of the enemy—those gathered from all the lands, east, west, north, and south—give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! (Psalm 107:1–3). Let those from every nation, tribe, language, and people join in a mighty chorus of praise for the Lamb who has overcome. And let us join as a mighty chorus, praising and worshiping “the one who made the heaven and earth” and then redeemed them for eternity (Revelation 14:7).
Elaine A. Phillips received a BA in social psychology from Cornell University, an MDiv from Biblical Theological Seminary, and an MA in Hebrew from the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem, where she and her husband, Perry, studied and taught from 1976–79. She holds a PhD in rabbinic literature, and teaches Biblical Studies at Gordon College. She also serves as a historical geography field instructor for Jerusalem University College. She has published a commentary on Esther in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary; a devotional book, With God, Nothing Is Impossible; and, most recently, An Introduction to Reading Biblical Wisdom Texts.
44 thoughts on "The Proclamation of Three Angels"
-
Beth Moore has a women’s Bible study on the book of Daniel that helps explain a lot of this really well. The first portion of the study focuses on the first part of Daniel and centers on his life and on living with integrity, but the second part is largely on end times and brings in a lot from Revelation. I’ve done the study twice (once with a group of friends and then last summer alone) and there’s so much to learn, I’d do it again! I highly, highly recommend it!
-
Sue: thank you for your suggestion to check-out HRT devotional–it was helpful. I love that the writer (John Greco) sums it up by saying: ” …The same decision stands in front of all the complex issues we face-theological, social, political, and everything in between. Before we can answer any other questions, we must answer the most important one: ‘Whose side am I on?'”
And Shawn, I love your football analogy– :-)
Sisters, though the imagery of Revelation can be daunting, the bottom line is the same as any other book of God’s Word: God is in control; we have a choice to make; and there are/will be repercussions (good or bad) from our choice. God is a loving Father, wanting all to be saved, but He is also just–and although it is sobering to read the result of choosing satan and the world over God, it is meant to be.
Hold onto the Truth and Hope that is presented through God’s Word–“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”-
Lovely!
-
-
Remember, the enemy wants us paralyzed and compromised by what ifs, opinions, accusations, and misunderstandings. Confusion, included. Focus in on Jesus. Endure. Persevere.
-
So thankful for my salvation! My heart is breaking for those who don’t know the Lord, especially those who have outright rejected Him – only eternal torment in the future for those who continue down this path.
-
For me, looking at Revelations is more of a consistent overview of God’s plan. It is like looking in a coach’s playbook. I don’t necessarily understand all of the signs and symbols but I am confident in the coach and trust Him to be prepared to see the game to the end to secure the victory. I am encouraged that in his plan book he has an offense and defense for whatever the opponent and other team may attempt to secure their own victory. But I realize that the coach has my best interest in mind and everything he does is for the ultimate gain for his team. All I need to know is that he has a plan, he prepares me for my part on the team and I need to the best in my power to execute his plan for me, and trust that the outcome is already secured in his plan. Forgive me, but my husband was a football coach for more than 20 years. This may be simplistic, but I trust my my coach his playbook, and I already know who wins! Amen! I do feel honored and blessed that coach allows me to look at his playbook as he reveals its meaning to me little by little as our relationship grows and my knowledge of the game increases. Amen!
-
This is a great way to think of it! My husband is a coach too :)
-
-
This is my take away from this study: Proverbs 3:5-6, “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct all your paths.”
-
Amen!
-
-
Does revelation 14:1-5 mean that those who live a more holy, undefiled life will have more exclusive VIP heavenly access?
-
I’m assuming you are saying this because the 144,000 sing a new song that no one else knows. If not, then my comments won’t mean much and you will have to share more specifics of why you made this comment for me to understand.
I’m not educated so this is a lay persons response. In reflecting on your comment this verse came to mind psalm 40:3 – He put a new song in my mouth Praise to our God. My song of Praise is unique no one else can sing it because no one else has lived my life. I don’t think the 144,000 are holier because of the life style they live because no one is without sin Jesus died for all. They will just sing a song that I could never know because I have lived a different life, but they can’t sing my song either I’m the only one priveleged to sing my song to my Redeemer
-
L I was thinking something similar!! I’m not an expert in the Bible but I remember my husband telling me about the crowns you may or may not receive in heaven based on the life you lived on earth. Which I thought of when I was reading this. Look more into the 5 crowns.
-
-
When Jesus comes back, none of us will stand and say “this is not how this was supposed to go.” Pre, post or a- millenialist, none will argue their position when they see His face. He is sovereign over all time. We are speculating when it comes to much that is the end times. What comforts me is that there are no cold case files with God. All will be revealed. He will judge fairly. He is coming again. All who believe will spend eternity with Him. Those who don’t, won’t. We use the time we have understanding what we can and trusting Him for the rest. We love our neighbor as ourselves. We love God. We share the Good News.
Post Comments (44)