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"
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God is great
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Although these devotionals are great there is so much more to uncover in Revelation. Yes, all this is scary but we have hope. Also, it’s not only believing in Jesus but also enduring until the end.
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How do I access He Reads Truth?
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Hi Cindi, you can access the He Reads Truth devotionals at HeReadsTruth.com/plans/. Hope that helps! -Margot, The SRT Team
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I read the Word this morning and then again tonight…as well as each of your posts.
Thank you Sue, and others for the suggestion of reading the He Reads Truth devotional. I knew they had books, but never thought to check an internet site, nice. Another person earlier mentioned reading the devotional from the SRT Bible. I am super excited to have those options daily. I also can’t wait to show my husband. I am tickled! Thank you. Also, thank you Ashley P. for the suggestion for Beth Moore’s book on Daniel. Shawn Parks…I love the coaching analogy, that is powerful.In case I haven’t said so before, you ladies are a blessing. It is a delight to read your posts, pray for and with you, get new insights into the Word, and simply know that there are women, whom I wouldn’t recognize if I saw on the street, but whose hearts are united in worship and love for & through our Savior. Someday…someday…we will worship together at the feet of Jesus. So blessed!!!
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I’m thinking about the people who don’t overtly reject God, who don’t worship the beast/don’t practice evil. But they don’t believe or have faith in Jesus and His finished work. They are as doomed as those who DO overtly reject God.
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Hi, Bridget! There will be no one caught up in the wine press of God’s wrath who has not knowingly outright rejected him. The first angel flies over the whole earth and preaches the gospel in every language so that all may have a last chance to accept God’s mercy before the winnowing begins. Even I. our day, God gives each person chance after chance before the end of their lives. I have spent a large majority of my life as a missionary in the Amazon. Even those in remote tribes are given many chances. God is just but also so very, very merciful!
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Reading about God’s wrath, one may see God as “harsh” or “merciless” – and it may really seem that way, if certain scriptures are taken out of context. But if we read just above those verses, we discover the chance after chance, and the warnings that God gave the inhabitants of the earth. Not only in this passage – but from Genesis through Revelation, we can see God constantly giving those who rebelled against Him another chance, and we discover that God is really a God full of mercy.
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So much to ponder in this study. He reads truth did really help today. Thank you ladies. We get to choose to give our God glory and pray for salvation for the multitude. God has a plan, and because I believe in Jesus and all He has done, I must trust in His plan. His love is unfailing, it is overwhelming. My prayer is that I can continually worship Him who is so worthy and made the heaven and earth, the sea, and the springs of water. May our mouths pour out His praise. Love and joy to your day.
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Sue, thank you for the tip to check out He Reads Truth devotional. It helped bring a little more understanding to what I read :)
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