Who Will Gain your Allegiance?
Then I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the fountains of water.” – Rev 14:6-7 NASB
This first end-time message is the gospel proclamation in the context of the hour of God’s judgment that has come upon the world. The gospel is good news about God, who saves human beings on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ and His work for them. The gospel is “everlasting” because God never changes. His plan was put in place even before we existed (2 Tim1:9, Titus1:2). The first angel’s message includes both salvation and judgment. It is good news for those who give glory to God and worship Him as their Creator, but it also is a judgment warning for those who reject the Creator and the sign of that creatorship He has given.
The three angels are described as proclaiming the messages with “a loud voice” (Rev. 14:7, 9). These messages are urgent and important; they must be heard by all because it concerns their eternal destiny. As such, they must be proclaimed to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. This proclamation is particularly significant because, at the time of the end, the beast will exercise authority over “every tribe, tongue, and nation” (Rev13:7, NKJV). Satan’s deceptive activities, worldwide in scope, are met by the end-time proclamation of the gospel worldwide.
The three angels’ messages are proclaimed by God’s people to counter satan and his end-time allies—the dragon, a symbol of paganism/ spiritualism; the sea beast, which signifies the Medieval Church-State union; and the false prophet, or lamblike beast, representing all Christian apostate countries and churches (Rev13). They will operate up to the time of the sixth plague (Rev16:13, 14). Thus, the world is presented with two rival messages, each with the goal to win the allegiance of the people on earth. Who will gain your allegiance?
The call to “fear God and give glory to Him” is proclaimed in the context of the “everlasting gospel.”
A realization of what Christ has done for our salvation results in a positive response to Him. Respect, awe and obedience!
In the Bible, fearing God and giving glory to Him are closely related (Ps. 22:23, Rev. 15:4). Together, they designate a right relationship with God (Job 1:8) and obedience to Him. To fear God does not mean to be afraid of Him but to take Him seriously and allow His presence in our lives. God’s end-time people are the ones who fear God (see Rev. 11:18, Rev. 19:5). God desires His people to love Him (Deut. 11:13, Matt. 22:37), obey Him (Deut. 5:29, Eccl. 12:13), and reflect His character (Gen. 22:12). Thereby giving Him glory
“The hour of His judgment has come.” The ambiguity here is intentional – is God acting as judge or is He being judged? Both have important theological messages. Paul told the Ephesians that in the context of the church something was being revealed to the principalities and powers in the heavens (Eph 3:9-10 and 1 Cor 4:9.) He also said God will “have His day in court.” (Romans 3:4NLT.) In the great controversy theme played out in Revelation, we need to remember that regarding this planet’s rebellion (and before that lucifer’s rebellion in heaven,) God put Himself on trial before the universe. When God is judged, those who are his followers are judged also. “Judgment begins at the house of God.” (1 Peter 4:17) This was the message of the Old Testament sanctuary’s Day of Atonement.
Judgment in Revelation 14 is a part of the gospel. To those who are in a right relationship with God, judgment is good news; it means vindication, salvation, freedom, and eternal life. However, it is bad news for the disobedient, unless they repent and turn to God by accepting this end-time, judgment-hour message. God does not want anyone to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).
When Christ returns, He will bring His reward with Him (Matthew 16:27) – which means that every case will have been decided. (Revelation 22:11,12). For Christ to hand out rewards, judgment must have already taken place in the courts of heaven (remember the conceptual language we have already discussed.) Before Jesus returns your case and its outcome will have been determined. Do you fear God – that is the question? How are your plans for eternity.