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.” *1
Revelation contains the message of the three angels, which is designiated to be preached in our times. But what does this message entail? First of all, it is not three angels who will literally descend from heaven to preach. The book of Revelation is prophetic and each element must be viewed in light of prophecy. The symbols used allow us to understand several important points.
"Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven." So far I do not know of a faster way to travel than flying. The Lord uses the image of an angel flying in midair, to demonstrate the speed and urgency with which this message must be preached. How easy it would beif an angel literally descended from heaven and gave this message, but it is our responsibility, it is part of our chuches’s mission.The fact that an angel is said to be the herald of this warning is significant. By the purity, the glory, and the power of the heavenly messenger, divine wisdom has been pleased to represent the exalted character of the work to be accomplished by the message and the power and glory that were to attend it. And the angel's flight "in the midst of heaven," the "loud voice" with which the warning is uttered, and its promulgation to all "that dwell on the earth,"--"to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,"--give evidence of the rapidity and world-wide extent of the movement. *2
"Having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people." The Lord is eternal, His word is eternal and His law is eternal. The angel has the everlasting gospel which demonstrates the perfect law of God and reflects His love for humanity by giving his only son to die on the cross for us. Now that gospel is eternal because Jesus rose again and will return a second time to save all who accept his invitation. Although it is an eternal message, never before had it been preached because the prophecies had not yet been fulfilled. But now that we are in the end-time we preach that the hour of His judgment has come and Jesus will soon return.
"Saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come;" like it or not we will all be judged according to our works. The Lord shows us the path we should follow. Heaven is a place of reverence and holy order. We can be eternally happy if we live up to the standards of God. His law is our freedom. The investigative judgment began in 1844. Since then the cases of all dead in Christ began. Peter tells us,
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” *3
We are not given a specific time when the Lord ends the trial of the righteous dead and will began for the ones still alive. But I feel like the Lord and already begun to examine our cases and may end at any moment. Either way our final opportnity can come at any moment if we pass away today.
Notice that the verse says, "Fear God and give glory to Him." It does not call us to be afraid (although the wicked should be afraid of the wrath of God). But these are words of admonition and warning. Warning, the tiem of judgement had begun and it is essential to live according to God's will so Jesus’ justice can cover us.
"Worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” Let us never forget who our creator is. By His word everything was created. By his hand everything we see reamins in existence and through his mercy we live. Nothing and nobody in this world deserves or even may suggest that they deserve to be worshiped for only God has that right. Therefore, our time and effort must be focused on worshiping our Heavenly Father, King of the Universe, and our savior Jesus Christ, to Him be all the honor and glory for ever and ever amen!
1 * Revelation 14:6, 7
2 * The Great Controversy, "A Great Religious Awakening" Ellen G. White
3 * 1 Peter 4:17,18
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