LEARNING DAILY

 

Revelation 14:6-7, Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on 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.”

 

Chapter 14 connects the rest of The Revelation with the seventh trumpet seen in chapter 11.  During the last half of the Tribulation the gospel of Jesus will be proclaimed to the world in clarity, power and the final choice between Jesus Christ and the antichrist.  It is a call to fear God and give Him glory.  The gospel comes from God Himself which makes it eternal and it applies to every person everywhere.

 

Another angel follows saying that Babylon is fallen.  Babylon in the Old Testament (first mentioned in Genesis 10-11) represents the one-world political, religious, and economic system

under the control of the antichrist. Its fall is detailed in Revelation 17-18.  More will be written about Babylon at that time.  

 

These announcements place the options right out in front of the reader and those living upon earth during this time of tribulation.  Those who worship the beast and take his mark will seal their eternal doom; they will suffer God’s judgments and be tormented for ever and ever.  This warning is for all unbelievers and believers who might be tempted to deny their faith in Jesus Christ in the face of losing their lives in martyrdom.  The other choice is to worship God and be with Him eternally (a discussion of eternal life in heaven is coming!). Read Revelation 14:9-11!  You want to be scared?  Read what the Bible states what waits for those who choose to worship the beast!  Choose today to worship God and live for Him, living the best way you know how! 

 

Those who die for their faith in Him during the Tribulation are especially blessed. Revelation 14:13 states, ”Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”  The David Jeremiah Study Bible comments, “The Greek word for rest pictures sailors who spend their entire lives at sea and finally come to their home port.  The word means refreshment, rejuvenation, or the absence of struggle and persecution, not idle activity as some assume.  So in heaven, God’s people will be absorbed in serving, but without the tiredness that often accompany works on earth.”

 

God is about to conclude His judgments and wrath against the beast and those who follow him.  He is about to pour out the Bowl Judgments.  Revelation 15:7 tells us the Bowl Judgments are “full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever.”  No one is allowed to enter God’s temple in heaven until these last judgments are poured out; no one can intercede to stop what is about to happen upon the earth.

 

Might I borrow from the book of Joshua and encourage each person who reads this to “Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve”!  Choose to serve God!