Previously: They were redeemed as the firstfruits — Revelation 14:4

The scripture

Rev. 14:6 – Then I saw another angel flying high overhead, having the eternal gospel to announce to the inhabitants of the earth — to every nation, tribe, language, and people. ⁷ He spoke with a loud voice: “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (HCSB)

In Revelation 14, John sees three angels and records their unique messages. The first angel flies high overhead and proclaims the “eternal gospel” to the earth’s inhabitants. The second angel announces the fall of Babylon the Great. The third angel warns that those who worship and beast and receive his mark on their foreheads or hands will be severely punished. Finally, John hears a voice from heaven promising comfort to those who “die in the Lord from now on.”

 

This passage raises many challenging questions:

• What is the “eternal gospel?”
• Who or what is “Babylon the Great?”
• What does it mean to “drink the wine of God’s wrath?”
• Do verses 10-11 speak of temporal punishment on earth, or of everlasting torment in hell?
• What does the third angel mean when he says, “This demands the perseverance of the saints?”
• And who are the “dead who die in the Lord from now on?”

Let’s take a closer look.

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