Three Angels with a Message
These three angels denote “another radical change in protocol of God’s communication with the earth. This angel is the first in a parade of six ‘another’ angels mentioned in verses 8-9, 15, and 17-18.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume V: [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983], 1008)
This is a Bible Study. Have your own Bible handy to look up the references mentioned.
If you do not have a Bible, I invite you to go to BibleGateway.com or another online Bible.
6. There are many angels in heaven. God is using this angel for a unique task. (MacArthur, John. New Testament Commentary: Revelation 12-22. [Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2000], 85)
He is flying in midheaven which “refers to the point in the sky where the sun reaches its meridian, apex, or high point at noon (cf. 8:13; 19:17).” (MacArthur, 85) [NASB1995]
McGee tells us it “will serve as a broadcasting station to the entire world.” (1008)
Eternal gospel “provides the means to eternal life.” (MacArthur, 86) [NASB1995]
God will forgive them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people who repent and believe in Jesus Christ as their savior.
Angel Spoke
7. The angel spoke with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come.”
God is giving unbelievers another chance to believe in Him.
“At the time of final judgment, everyone will acknowledge God, as expressed in these three commands:
1. Fear God. They must reverence him instead of the monster.
2. Give Him glory. They must honor him instead of the dragon.
3. Worship Him. They must fall before him instead of the beast’s image.
These commands are based on acknowledging God as the one who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters. (Easley, Kendell H., Holman New Testament Commentary: Revelation. [Nashville: B&H, 1998], 250) [NIV]
Judgment is coming. Soon will be the seven bowls.
The Greek word for judgment only appears a few times in Revelation.
This is the first time the word judgment appears in Revelation, although it appears several more times.
It was God that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Psalm 19:1-4 Isaiah 40:21-26 Romans 1:18-20
8. There is a second angel who is bringing bad news (MacArthur, 89).
Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city
The Babylon mentioned here is “Antichrist’s worldwide political, economic, and religious empire.” (MacArthur, 90)
Babylon was “founded by Nimrod (Genesis 10:9), a proud, powerful, God-rejecting ruler. Babel (Babylon) was the site of the first organized system of idolatrous false religion (Genesis 11:1-4)” (MacArthur, 90)
This is where the Tower of Babel was built.
God confused their language.
Read more about Nimrod in Genesis 10 and 11.
Babylon “stands condemned because she made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries. [NIV].” (Easley, 250)
Third Angel Appears
9. Another angel, also with a loud voice has appeared.
If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand
Worshiping the beast and receiving the mark of Satan is NOT good folks.
See Revelation 13:16 and follow my discussion on it in Beast from the Earth.
Turn to Jesus and refuse the mark in his [your] forehead, or in his hand.
10. “The nations who have drunk the seductive wine of the prostitute Babylon will now drink of the wine of God’s fury [NIV].” (Easley, 250)
In ancient times wine was usually diluted with water.
Here the wrath of God…is mixed in full strength [NASB1995]
Not only that it will be in the cup of His indignation.
Those who are drinking this wine of the wrath of God…will be tormented with fire and brimstone.
Genesis 19:24-25 Luke 17:29 Psalm 11:6
It will not be nice, and I do not want to be there.
This will all be done in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
This will “add shame and embarrassment to their suffering.” (MacArthur, 92)
“Unrepentant sinners will be banished from God’s presence relationally; they will be forever barred from the loving fellowship with Him that believers will enjoy.” (MacArthur, 92)
11. Those who are in hell will experience the smoke of their torment which ascendeth up forever and ever.
What does that tell you about the conditions in hell?
Also, they have no rest day nor night.
Who are these?
They are who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Turn to Jesus and do not receive the mark of Satan.
References
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB1995. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
Easley, Kendell H., Holman New Testament Commentary: Revelation. Nashville: B&H, 1998
MacArthur, John. New Testament Commentary: Revelation 12-22. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2000
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume V: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
One Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand The Blessed
