What are the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14, and why are they so important?
In Revelation 14:6–12 we find a message called the “everlasting gospel,” and under this heading, a series of announcements, given by three angels, follows. Those announcements are:
Fear God
Give glory to Him
The hour of His judgment is come, worship Him
Babylon is fallen
Do not worship the beast or receive his mark in the forehead or in the hand
Keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus
The first angel is pictured as announcing the everlasting gospel, while the second and third angels offer further developments of the first message.
The importance of the three angels’ messages is evident by the fact that they are to be given to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people with a “loud” or distinct voice. It is a testing message, bringing every person in the world to a decision concerning the salvation wrought out for them by Jesus Christ. Its warning against receiving the mark of the beast produces a people who keep God’s commandments while they keep the faith of Jesus for salvation.
As the messages of the three angels close, the apostle John is shown the return of Jesus to harvest the earth. There is a distinction in this harvest between those who have accepted salvation and those who have persistently chosen to reject it (Revelation 14:14–20). What we are about to consider, therefore, can truly be called, God’s last message to the world.
The First Angel’s Message
Let’s look at the first angel’s message:
“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—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.’” Revelation 14:6–7
The word gospel in Greek means “good news” or “glad tidings.” The Bible says that Christ’s death for our sins is “of first importance” in understanding the gospel:
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you…. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3 (ESV)
The gospel is good news that brings a message of hope to all people: “…that Christ died for our sins….” The everlasting gospel declares to the world that we have a Savior in Jesus Christ.
This gospel is “in accordance with the Scriptures,” and since there was no New Testament in Paul’s day, his most likely source for this good news is found in Isaiah, where the Bible says:
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6
This truth became the central theme of Paul’s writings and teachings, and is seen in many of his letters, like the one he wrote to Timothy:
“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2:5–6
The gospel was also John’s theme, as seen in his earlier letters:
“And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” 1 John 2:2
So it is no surprise that we find the everlasting gospel becoming the central theme of the final message to earth just before Jesus comes.
The Everlasting Gospel
Revelation 14 calls this message the “everlasting gospel” because it points the world to the only way of salvation in both the Old and New Testaments. The Bible says:
“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” Hebrews 4:2
“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’” Galatians 3:8
From these two Scriptures we can see that the gospel was preached in the Old Testament. If fact, according to the Apostle Paul, the Old and New Covenants are not a matter of time or dispensation, but rather of relationship and understanding. We can just as easily be under the Old Covenant relationship today by seeking salvation by means of our works (Galatians 4:22–27).
Every Old Testament sacrifice pointed to the Lamb of God who “takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7). The everlasting gospel is even found in the context of the Ten Commandments:
“And God spoke all these words, saying: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.’” Exodus 20:1–2
How did God bring His people out of Egyptian bondage?
“Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.” Exodus 12:13
God brought the Israelites out of bondage through the blood of the Lamb—the same means by which He brings us out of bondage today.
The Second Angel’s Message
This everlasting gospel is a stark contrast to the second angel’s message and the wine of Babylon:
“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.’” Revelation 14:8
The second angel’s message has a twofold application: it speaks to both the literal and the spiritual fall of Babylon. Babylon means “confusion,” primarily representing the religious confusion apparent in our world today. This confusion ends when the everlasting gospel is preached.
The second angel presents a sharp contrast to the everlasting gospel, calling our attention to the wine of the wrath of Babylon’s fornication, from which all nations have drunk. There are three points here to ponder:
“Made all nations” – meaning that Babylon has universal impact
“Drink of the wine” – wine represents doctrine or teaching
“Of her fornication” – fornication represents illicit relationships, spiritual unfaithfulness
Babylon is a universal religious power teaching doctrines that are unfaithful to God, His Word, and to the gospel of salvation, resulting in spiritual idolatry. If we follow the lead of the second angel, we see a sharp contrast between the gospel and the basic universal teachings of spiritual Babylon. Let’s consider some examples from the everlasting gospel message and compare them with popular religious teaching:
“Fear God”
The first announcement of the everlasting gospel, “Fear God,” means to be afraid of God in a good sense—to be in awe of Him. The Bible teaches that this fear or awe comes when we realize that He has not counted our sins against us:
“If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.” Psalm 130:3–4
“The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.” Psalm 147:11
“Fear God” is an everlasting gospel call to hope in His mercy.
In sharp contrast to this gospel teaching, over one billion Christians today are taught that they can earn forgiveness by works. The idea is that indulgences, deeds of charity, and self-denial can buy them grace. Purgatory is another option for some of the less faithful. Consider this recent statement:
“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Liberia Editrice Vaticana, 1995 p. 268).
“The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead….” (Ibid. p. 269).
The doctrine of purgatory undermines the everlasting gospels call to “fear God” because it undermines hope in God’s mercy. It distorts the atonement of Jesus Christ, causing us to doubt God’s forgiving grace. Personal suffering and penance can never earn some part of our salvation! Salvation is a gift—it cannot be bought or earned, but can only be accepted freely (Romans 6:23).
“Give Glory to Him”
To give glory to God means that we are saved by grace through faith, and not of works lest any man should “glory” (Ephesians 2:8–9). It is to understand that in biblical salvation there is no creature merit. Christ is our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:29–31). Our title and fitness for Heaven are found in His perfect life and penalty-satisfying substitutionary death. Only Christ’s life can meet the standard of God’s Law. Only Christ’s death met the penalty of our sin. This means that God gets all salvation glory, and man gets zero (Revelation 7:9–10).
The opposite of this “everlasting gospel” truth teaches that we can merit some part of grace. The idea is put forth that some part of our eternal salvation is earned through creature merit. This is another prominent teaching of the 1.3 billion-member universal Catholic Church:
“Since the initiative belongs to God in the order of grace, no one can merit the initial grace of forgiveness and justification, at the beginning of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life. Even temporal goods like health and friendship can be merited in accordance with God’s wisdom. These graces and goods are the object of Christian prayer. Prayer attends to the grace we need for meritorious actions.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Liberia Editrice Vaticana, 1995 p. 487; italics in original).
The Bible is very clear that we are saved by grace—the unmerited favor of God—and not by works.
“And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.” Romans 11:6
“The Hour of His Judgment”
The judgment points all people to Jesus as their Advocate and High Priest in Heaven, and His finishing work in the Most Holy Place as the Defense Lawyer for the sinner (1 John 2:1–2). He is the Judge of all men; therefore, we should not judge each other (Romans 14:10-14). Jesus is the only Mediator and Priest between God and man; therefore, we should not look to men for the forgiveness of sins, but go directly to God through Christ (1 Timothy 2:1–6; Hebrews 7:24–8:2).
When we trust in Jesus for salvation, we have the gift of His righteousness, which is our vindication from the accusations of Satan in the Judgment (Revelation 12:10; Zechariah 3:1–5; Isaiah 54:17).
While all are judged by their works, none are saved by them. There is an important difference: our works testify to the genuineness of our faith and belief in the saving grace of Jesus (James 2:17–26). That is why the very first work considered in the Judgment is whether we have believed Jesus (John 6:29).
However, many are taught that salvation is an issue of bad deeds weighed against good ones, that the gospel teaching of assurance in Christ is dependent upon our performance. They are also taught that there is an earthly priesthood empowered to forgive sins, thus diluting the heavenly work of Christ. This earthly priesthood claims that they alone have the power to forgive, that we cannot go directly to God.
“Rebutting a belief widely shared by Protestants and a growing number of Roman Catholics, Pope John Paul II on Thursday dismissed the ‘widespread idea that one can obtain forgiveness directly from God’ and exhorted Catholics to confess more often to their priests.” (Los Angeles Times, December 12, 1984).
This is directly opposed to the gospel and confuses the work of Christ as our only sacrifice and High Priest.
“Worship Him”
The final aspect of the first angel’s “everlasting gospel” outline is the call to “worship Him.” This worship call is taken directly from the Sabbath commandment in Exodus 20:8–11. The Sabbath reminds us of two important truths of the gospel:
First, the Sabbath was instituted in Eden as a reminder of all that God created for us, without us. Like the gospel, the Sabbath teaches us to cease from our works and rest in God’s works (Hebrews 4:1–9). It is a sign of Christ’s perfect work of freedom from sin’s slavery, of sanctification, of salvation, of rest and of eternal redemption (Deuteronomy 5:15; Ezekiel 20:12; Isaiah 66:23).
Second, the Sabbath also points to God’s power to re-create us, reminding us that God spoke the world into existence in six literal days (Genesis 2:1–3; Exodus 20:8–11). This creative power is ready to change our hearts, making us new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Psalm 51:10).
On the other hand, Babylon teaches that God did not create the world in six literal days. It embraces a form of evolution and, therefore, casts doubt on the power of God and the Sabbath memorial of that power. Here’s a summary of what Babylon teaches regarding Creation:
“Did God create mankind in his image as the Bible says or did humans evolve from animals as Darwin theorized nearly 150 years ago? According to Pope John Paul II, evolution may be a better explanation.” (U.S. News and World Report, November 4, 1996).
“In his message to a meeting of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, which had taken the origin of life as its theme, John Paul described the shift in the church’s view of evolution…. The statement is unlikely to influence the curriculum of Catholic schools, where evolution has been taught since the 1950s. Indeed, reading the entire Bible literally has not been a dominant practice among Catholics through much of the 20th century.” (Time, November 4, 1996).
The Bible says God “…spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalm 33:9. Part of the wine of Babylon is the idea that we evolved, by definition, and that we’re getting better. If we believe the theory of evolution, we don’t really need a Savior, just time. Time in purgatory, time to do penance; we just need time, and we can save ourselves. The human race is evolving—salvation from sin is just a matter of time, not of faith in a Savior. Thus, evolution and the basic teachings of Babylon go hand-in-hand.
The Third Angel’s Message
The third and final angel’s message warns us against receiving “the mark of the beast.” In love and compassion, God opens the future of this world and what is going to take place in regard to the enforcement of the mark of the beast that we might not be deceived. God does not want any to perish, but desires all to be saved (2 Peter 3:9).
Let’s look carefully at the third angel’s message:
“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, 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. 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.’” Revelation 14:9–11
In Bible prophecy a beast is symbolic, representing an earthly kingdom or power (Daniel 7:17, 23). The mark of the beast, therefore, is the mark of an earthly kingdom. But what earthly power?
The kingdom brought to view in Revelation 13:1–3 is Papal Rome. The second beast with two lamblike horns represents the United States of America. It came up in the “earth,” a less populated area of the world, and was based on the two principles of civil and religious liberty, symbolized by the lamblike horns.
John was shown that this End Time kingdom would eventually speak “like a dragon,” and cause the world to follow the Papacy or lose economic status (Revelation 13:12–17).
God’s prophetic word is certain of fulfillment, as always. The United States is now a superpower and more closely allied to Papal Rome than ever before. And the economic sanctions portrayed in this prophecy have become the regular policy of America.
So how does this connect to the dreaded mark? Revelation tells us that the Papacy receives its power, seat, and authority from the dragon (Revelation 13:2). It also tells us that the second beast, America, speaks like a dragon (Revelation 13:11). Both these powers are identified with the dragon, who makes “war with the remnant” who “keep the commandments of God” (Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12). The mark of the beast, therefore, is in direct opposition to the commandments of God.
What does all this mean? Simply put, the mark of the beast is a worship issue—worship of the Papacy according to its authority and the support of Protestant America, versus the worship of God by those who keep His commandments. If this is a new idea to you, please make a careful count of how many times the word “worship” is repeated in Revelation 13:4, 8, 12, 15 and Revelation 14:7, 9, 11. Biblically speaking, the mark of the beast is a worship issue, period.
The Seal of God
Let’s give this some careful thought. Every Christian in the world today worships God on one of two days—either Sunday or Saturday. Those who keep Saturday believe that the seventh-day Sabbath was given not just to the Jewish nation, but to mankind at the creation of the world. They see no biblical evidence that the seventh-day Sabbath has been set aside or changed by God (Mark 2:27; Genesis 2:2–3; Matthew 5:17–18). In the context of the gospel, the Sabbath is a “sign” that God alone saves us through the everlasting covenant, and that He (not we) makes us holy (Isaiah 56:1–7; Ezekiel 20:12). The seventh-day Sabbath is a continual reminder of what God has done for us, without us. This is why the Sabbath commandment is so important. It stands as a “sign” or “seal” of salvation rest (Hebrews 4:1–11). Note that “sign” and “seal” are used interchangeably in the Bible (Romans 4:11).
The Sabbath contains three characteristics of a seal:
Name: The Lord God
Title: The Creator
Domain: heaven and earth
These characteristics are found in the Sabbath commandment:
“The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God [name]…. For in six days the Lord made [Creator title] heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is [territory/domain]….” Exodus 20:10–11
According to the Bible, the seventh-day Sabbath is the Lord’s Day and stands as a sign or seal of His salvation.
The Bible declares that God’s people are to be sealed into the gospel truth by the power of the Holy Spirit:
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 1:13
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30
So we find that God’s people are to be sealed with and by the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit sealing is directly connected with the word of truth, the gospel of salvation. The “word of truth” is the Bible, all of it, including the seventh-day Sabbath, inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). So we are to be sealed into Bible truth, not man’s truth. To be sealed with the Holy Spirit is be filled with the truth of the Word of God in contrast with the teachings of men.
The Sabbath, then, is a sign of the gospel, of resting in God for salvation (Hebrews 4:10). In contrast, those who receive the mark of the beast have no rest, day or night (Revelation 14:11). They follow earthly kingdoms who set up a false gospel and impose a day of worship that is contrary to the Bible.
The Mark of the Beast
The mark of the beast is in direct conflict with God’s seal. Prophecy predicted that the little horn power of Daniel 7 would “think to change times and laws” and the Sabbath is the one commandment of God’s law that deals with time (Daniel 7:25). It is the fulfillment of this change by the Papacy that has directed over 1 billion people into a counterfeit gospel. How? The Papacy views their change of the Sabbath as a sign that they have the authority to change God’s Word and the way of salvation.
Today, at least 2 billion people, when we include Protestant and Orthodox churches, are seconding that claim by recognizing Sunday, instead of the Bible Sabbath. There are a number of reasons why Christians keep Sunday instead of the Bible Sabbath:
1. It was the day Jesus rose from the grave.
2. Christians have kept Sunday for many centuries and, therefore, it is a tradition.
3. The disciples met together on that day to break bread and study the Scriptures.
4. Most Protestant churches even claim that God’s Ten Commandments have been done away with, nailed to the cross.
However, because none of these reasons are based on a direct command from God, Christians are forced to admit that while Sunday is their Sabbath, it is not the Bible Sabbath. For over a billion Catholics, however, the reason for keeping Sunday instead of the Bible Sabbath is more specific. The following quotations are taken from Catholic catechisms on Church doctrine:
“Sunday is expressly distinguished from the sabbath which it follows chronologically every week; for Christians its ceremonial observance replaces that of the sabbath. In Christ’s Passover, Sunday fulfills the spiritual truth of the Jewish sabbath and announces man’s eternal rest in God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Liberia Editrice Vaticana, 1995 p. 524).
“Those who lived according to the old order of things have come to a new hope, no longer keeping the sabbath, but the Lord’s Day, in which our life is blessed by him and by his death.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Liberia Editrice Vaticana, 1995 p. 525).
“The sabbath, which represented the completion of the first creation, has been replaced by Sunday which recalls the new creation inaugurated by the Resurrection of Christ.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Liberia Editrice Vaticana, 1995 p. 529).
The Papacy has changed God’s appointed time of worship. It has put the first day of the week—Sunday—in the place of God’s seventh-day Sabbath—Saturday. Through an archbishop, the Papacy claims to have the authority and power to do this:
“The authority of the church could therefore not be bound to the authority of the Scripture, because the church had changed Sabbath into Sunday, not by the command of Christ, but by its own authority.” (Dr. J. H. Holtzman, Canon and Tradition, p. 263).
By the nature of this issue, and by the direct confession of the Papacy, the observance of Sunday becomes the sign of man’s allegiance to tradition, rather than to the gospel. It is a mark of trust in man’s authority rather than in God.
As a beast in prophecy represents any earthly kingdom or power, the mark of the beast would constitute the distinguishing feature of such a power. The distinguishing mark of the papal power is the substitution of Sunday observance in place of God’s seventh-day Sabbath, an act for which there is no biblical support, yet all Christendom follows. The entire world, including non-Christian countries, literally follows after this earthly power in regard to the day of worship in exact fulfillment of God’s prophetic word:
“So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’” (Revelation 13:4).
Prophecy predicts what the Catholic Church admits, leaving each of us without a doubt as to what constitutes the mark of the beast.
Does this mean that people who go to church on Sunday presently have the mark of the beast? No, it does not! The mark of the beast does not become a testing issue until all the predictions of the prophecy are in place. No one will receive the mark of the beast until legislation is passed enforcing Sunday laws under pain of economic boycott and death.
The Forehead or the Hand
Let’s take a look at where the mark of the beast will be placed:
“He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:15–17
The “mark of the beast” can be received in the right hand or in the forehead. However, the seal of God can only be received in the forehead. This is because the forehead signifies what one truly believes with the mind, whereas the hand simply signifies what we do—our actions, regardless of what we believe (Ecclesiastes 9:10). This prophecy predicts that there will be many who do not believe in Sunday observance but will go along with it, refraining from work with their hands due to economic pressure.
Summary
The three angels’ messages are God’s last everlasting gospel call to the entire world. The first angel’s message calls all people to fear God by hoping in His merciful forgiveness; to give glory to God by trusting in Christ’s righteousness, and not our own works; to prepare for God’s judgment by confessing our sins directly to our Advocate, and not men; and by resisting the inclination to judge others. It calls us to worship Him by resting from our temporal work on the seventh-day Sabbath as a sign that we rest in the finished salvation gift of Jesus Christ.
The second angel’s message announces the fall of Babylon—religious confusion—because this religiopolitical system compromises the everlasting gospel by putting man’s fear in place of God’s fear, creature merit in place of Christ’s merit alone for salvation, earthly priests in place of Christ, our only Mediator; and man’s day of worship in place of God’s Sabbath. The angel’s message is amplified in Revelation 18:1–6 with a final call for God’s people in Babylon to come out so they don’t partake of her plagues.
The third angel’s message warns the world against the mark of the beast—the unwarranted authority claimed by Papal Rome to change God’s designated day of worship from the seventh-day Sabbath to Sunday. It then points us to those who keep the commandments of God, including the Seventh-day Sabbath, as a sign or seal of loyalty to God while they maintain the faith of Jesus for salvation.
So in reality, Revelation’s last message is warning the world of both false and true salvation. It points us to two distinct calls to worship. It places truth beside error, God’s way beside man’s way. We have the teachings of the Bible versus the teachings of man, the cup of salvation versus the cup of the wine of Babylon.
We are not presuming to identify the Catholic religious teaching as anything other than what it claims for itself. In fact, God has His people in the Catholic faith, millions of them—just as He has His people in all the various churches and religions of the world who have been worshiping Him with honest and sincere hearts. He has winked at their lack of understanding regarding these things, but now He is calling them to come out of religious confusion (Acts 17:30).
Appeal
The Bible places an important emphasis upon our understanding and worship of God. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3. When we know God, we will choose to serve Him and worship Him according to His Word, because it is His Word and that Word alone that gives us life. Jesus is the Word. He is our salvation, our wisdom, and righteousness. To worship Him is the only option for those who see this wonderful truth of the gospel. When and on what day? Whatever day God commands, whatever day He wishes, whatever day He, in His Word, calls us to remember to worship Him. Because in the end, the power to worship Him is in His Word, not in man’s word.
In the final analysis, we can only keep holy that day which God Himself has made holy. To remember the Sabbath is to remember that we are powerless to save and powerless to make holy. To remember that fact is to remember the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. If you have forgotten God’s Seventh-day Sabbath—the sign of our salvation rest in Jesus—won’t you please respond to the call of the three angels’ messages and come out of Babylon before the harvest is past? Amen.