SoR#14 The Three Angels

Isn't God great! In the midst of all the mess that Satan has caused, God keeps reminding you that you can rise above it all and be soothed by the music of heaven. This has been emphasized in Revelation 4 and 5; Revelation 7 amidst the opening of the seven seals; and Revelation 10 and 11:15-18 climaxing in the tragedy of the trumpets. Now, in a vision that pictures the intensity of evil in Revelation 12 and 13, we see in Revelation 14 the 144,000 again -- This time in the bliss of heaven.

Will the final eradication of sin take place without the inhabitants of the world receiving God's warning entreaty of love? No! The most powerful proclamation of the Gospel ever given sweeps the world before the return of Jesus. It is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14:6-12. If you could travel the world on the "Three Angels Airline" you would see this prophecy being fulfilled in a dramatic way today. The harvest is almost ripe and, by Jesus' grace and love, you can be ready to meet the rider of the great white cloud.

If we called on you to tell a group of school students the one most undesirable affect of drunkenness, what characteristic would you choose and why?

What have others said?

What is your earliest memory of harvesting and eating fresh fruit?

What have others said?

The Lamb and the 144,000 "14:1) Then I looked and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, with him 144,000 who had his name and his father's name written on their foreheads."	Have you ever been surrounded by trouble (Revelation 12 and 13), when a friend came by and gave encouragement and help? How did you feel? What have others said? When is the name of the Father and the Lamb written in the foreheads of the saved? Revelation 3:11-13; 22:4 What have others said?
"2) And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps."	What music do you find the most soothing? What have others said?
"3) And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth."	Do you have an "experience" song that is unique to you? What title does it have? What have others said?
"4) These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes, They were purchased from among men and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb."	The 144,000 are called "first fruits." Are first fruits a different crop from the main harvest? Give an example. What have others said?
"5) No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. The Three Angels "6) Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth -- to every nation, tribe, language and people.	The 144,000, like all the saved, are redeemed from earth and counted blameless. They have escaped from false worship (symbolized by "women": Revelation 14:4; 17:5; 18:4) and are followers of Jesus. The Three Angels Messages tell how this is all possible. How does this prophecy of great messages sweeping the earth expand on Jesus' prediction in Matthew 24:14? What have others said?
"7) He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."	This does not represent some localized group but an international movement. Click here to examine the four vital components of the everlasting gospel. Do you think it would be valid to check every modern preacher, religion, and church by these three messages? Why? What have others said?
"8) A second angel followed and said, 'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.' "9) A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: 'If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, 10) he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.'"	The third angel contrasts the false worship of the beast with true worship in verse 7. This is the most fearful warning in scripture. Would it be fair to give a warning like this if it were impossible to identify the beast and his mark? Why? What have others said?
"11) 'And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.'"	Cross Reference: The fourth worship commandment and the salvation given by Jesus both promise rest (Exodus 20:8-11; Hebrews 4:1-11). Why is there no rest for the unsaved? What have others said? How well do you endure a few restless nights? What have others said?
"12) This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus."	List the two factors that will give you present and future rest in the face of subtle and open evil pressures? What have others said?
"13) Then I heard a voice from heaven say, 'Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' "'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'They will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.'"	Cross Reference: Until when do the dead in Christ "rest?" 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 What have others said?
The Harvest of the Earth "14) I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one 'like a son of man' with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand."	Why do you think Jesus emphasizes His human form in this Second Coming scene? (Notice Acts 1:11; Luke 24:36-39.) What have others said?
"15) Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, 'Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.'"	What is the most beautiful harvest scene you can remember seeing? What have others said?
"16) So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested."	Cross Reference: Jesus is Lord of the Harvest (Luke 10:2). How did Jesus clearly identify the time of the harvest? Matthew 13:36-43 What have others said? Notice that Jesus pictures, in the parable, a separation between the saved and unsaved at His second coming. Will this be a secret event? Matthew 24:30, 31; Revelation 1:7. Why? What have others said?
"17) Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18) Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, 'Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes.' 19) The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath."	There are two sickles and two harvests because there are two classes of people at the end.
"20) They were trampled in the winepress outside the city,"	When Jesus agonized in Gethsemane and suffered and died on Calvary outside the city, which harvest scene was He participating in for you? What have others said?
"and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia."	In the climax of Armageddon the unsaved turn on each other causing this terrible bloodshed. (See the Study Guide on Revelation 16) Cross Reference: While the angel swings his sickle on the earth (verse 19), Jesus swings His sickle over the earth (verse 16). Notice where it is that Jesus meets His 'harvest' at His second coming. Matthew 24:30, 31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 What have others said?

How can you get into practice now at following the Lamb wherever He goes?

What have others said?

If Satan accuses you now before God, can Jesus show that every sin in your life is covered by His blood?

What have others said?

If you wish to send us your responses to the questions above just enter your name and email address then click on the send button below.

Revelation 14:7	Worship Commandments -- Exodus 20
1. Fear God	No other gods but the true God.
2. Give glory to Him	Do not worship a false god.
3. Judgment has come	Not guiltless if God's name misused.
4. Worship Creator	Remember memorial of creation.

The first step toward salvation is for people to realize their own need and the futility of false gods. What part does fear play in this? Proverbs 16:6

What have others said?

Think About This: Will you work hardest for someone who intimidates you or someone who has your deepest respect? Why?

What have others said?

Because God is interested in you as a complete person -- spiritual, mental and physical -- how much does true glory, or honor to God, encompass? 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20

What have others said?

The Christian's body is not only a temple for the Holy Spirit but also a living sacrifice to a God who wants you to be as healthy as possible (Romans 12:1; 3 John 2).

Think About This: What possible part in the everlasting gospel could classes on nutrition, fitness, stopping smoking, stress and weight control play?

What have others said?

How could a substance abuse, bad habit, overwork, immorality, marriage or family problems result from the worship of a false modern god?

What have others said?

In what ways could glorifying the true God in your body and spirit, affect your physical, mental, and spiritual health?

What have others said?

Who is on trial -- is it God, you or both? Satan accuses you before God and he accuses God before the universe for saving you, a sinner. If God can show that your sins are covered by Jesus' blood, your name and His name is cleared. If, by His strength, you reflect His character on earth, His name is glorified. This is the good news! Which direction was the judgment in Paul's day -- past or future? Acts 24:25

What have others said?

In contrast, while the gospel is still being preached, where does John place the judgment -- present or future? Revelation 14:7

What have others said?

There are at least three phases of Judgment -- investigation, verdict, and execution of judicial decision. In Revelation each of these are carried out twice -- once for the saved and once for the unsaved. When does the investigative judgment of the saved (which answers Satan's accusations) take place in relationship to the second coming of Jesus? What picture of this do you see in Daniel 7:9-10, 21:22; 12:1; Revelation 22:12?

What have others said?

Early Christian readers would have equated this pre-advent judgment with the cleansing of the temple on the day of judgment or atonement. Bible students have seen an amazing coincidence between the termination of the Bible's longest time prophecy and the first proclamation of this judgment hour message in the middle of the last century. You are living today in the judgment hour.

Think About This: Would you rather speak for yourself in the judgment or have Jesus represent you? See 1 John 2:1

What have others said?

If people you know are fearful of the judgment, what is the best help you can give them?

What have others said?

At least three times in Revelation God is identified as the creator. The one who made the world can create in you a new heart and, in the end, create a new heaven and earth. No wonder Satan tried to discredit God's creative power. Who is the creator and sustainer of the universe? Colossians 1:15-20

What have others said?

Many times the New Testament tells of Jesus and His followers remembering this memorial. For example, notice Luke 23:55-56; Acts 13:42-48. What link can you see between the commandments, Gentiles, and grace?

What have others said?

Think About This: Jesus said If you love Him you will keep His commandments (John 14:15). How could remembering the memorial of creation be a blessing or a curse to you?

What have others said?

Of course the gospel doesn't save anyone. It is the good news that you can be saved from the penalty of sin by the death of Jesus; from the power of sin by the victory of Jesus; from the presence of sin by the return of Jesus. From the texts below list the basic ABC steps of salvation:

A. Romans 3:23
Without a recognition of need there will be no desire for Jesus -- all people have that need.

B. John 3:16
Without true knowledge there is little hope. A person must learn to know Jesus and be willing to believe in Him.

C. Matthew 11:28-30; Ephesians 2:8
The final step involves coming to Jesus in prayer, telling Him that His gift is accepted, and thanking Him that you are now a child of God. If you have not already, why not take the ABC steps today, then share them with a friend.