“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the 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.” And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, “he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them“
A new section begins with verse six – the angelic announcements of judgment (vv. 6-20).
14:6
Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—
John describes a new vision of an angel with a message as “the eternal gospel.” He was to preach this message to everyone who “who dwell on the earth.” This is a gospel of judgment, not salvation (v.7). It is the good news that God’s purposes in the world are finally coming to fulfillment. God will now discharge the pending judgment against the world dictator.
14:7
saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him,
The phrase “fear God” indicates that people must respect God for who He is. Most people have little conception of the greatness of His person. Fear carries the idea of awe. We must first gain awe of God if we are going to respect His work.
The only way to glorify God is to accept the principle of grace. Grace means that God does the work. If God does the work, then He gets the glory. If we do the work, then we get the glory. God made every provision we need to execute the Christian way of life in Christ. If we accept and believe that, we glorify God.
Mankind usurped God’s glory; now, God retrieves His glory with mankind in time and on earth.
for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.
An announcement of imminent judgment warns people about the object of worship. This is a communiqué of doom.
14:8
And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
A second angel announced Babylon’s fall because she made the nations adulterate the truth of God’s message. “Babylon” is a figurative reference to the Revived Roman Empire (1 Peter 5:13). We will see this in more detail in chapters 17 and 18. Babylon refers to religious internationalism. God destroyed this system the first time in Genesis when He broke down one language into many languages. This was an attempt at a one-world government. However, God broke that system of one-world government into many governments (chapter 11). Religious internationalism of the future United Nations will fall.
The repetition of the words “is fallen” is for emphasis. This is a point of great climax in God’s economy. The fall of Babylon is certain.
To “drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” is a figure for imbibing God’s wrath. The nations receive God’s wrath because they allowed themselves to be seduced into false worship (v, 10). Those who imbibe Babylon’s evil system will fall to that decision. If they ally themselves with this system, they commit spiritual fornication. This will be a difficult decision for many for this prostitute [international religion] is very attractive to the world. Her “wine” will intoxicate those who drink it.
14:9
Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,
A third angel warns of worshipping the world dictator, the head of the Revived Roman Empire. The decision point as to whether they worship the beast is their acceptance or rejection of his mark on their forehead or hand. This will be their fatal choice.
14:10
“he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
Those who follow the “beast” will suffer “fire and brimstone.” God will not dilute His wrath. It will come in full measure.
14:11
“And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
This judgment is eternal (Matthew 25:46). No one will have any rest. This torment is not temporary. The phrase “forever and ever” is a very strong phrase for eternity.
14:12
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
John repeatedly calls attention to “patience.” Tribulation believers are to suffer patiently through severe persecution (13:10). To do so, they need to hold remain faithful to Jesus (2:13).
Those who “keep” God’s commandments (apply the promises of the Word of God) can endure trial. The word “keep” means to guard. This is a military term. Stay on guard to the Word of God like a soldier standing on the watch against the enemy.
14:13
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’”
A special promise of a state of blessedness comes to those who die “in the Lord.” The “blessed” state here is a special promise to those who die in the Tribulation.
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
Death is a blessed relief from persecution.
Principle:
There is a right way to live, and there is a right way to die.
Application:
The right way to handle our problems is to put them in the Lord’s hands by faith. He is much more capable of handling our problems than we are. We say, “Please clobber my enemies right now. I do not have patience with this anymore.” God’s timing is always perfect.
“Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:2)
.”…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
We can sometimes handle the charge of the mosquito but rarely the charge of the elephant. That is because we trust in ourselves rather than God. We need to leave the timing to God. In this way, we can rest under severe pressure.
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
”But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
The right way to die is to die in the Lord. The wrong way to die is to die without the Lord (John 8:24).
Why are verses 10 and 11 used as evidence of hell? In verse 6, it says this will happen on the earth (before judgment day).
And verse 13 says that some of the saints will still be dying.
Just waiting for the answer to the question above.
Ann, I am having computer problems. Will get back to you.
Ann, my apology for the delay.
Hell is described as future in 14:10. The verb “will drink” is a future, middle, indicative.
– – – – Hell is described as future in 14:10. – – –
I don’t see the word hell in verse 10.
And what about verse 6? You didn’t explain that verse. It says that these events will happen on the earth.
You also didn’t explain verse 13 which says that some believers will still be dying (on the earth, of course.)
Ann,
The fundamental problem you are making is that you are assuming time elements where there are none expressly stated in chapter 14. In hermeneutics (biblical interpretation), a major fallacy is to read one’s ideas into the text. It is natural if one does not carefully read the passage to assume an explicit chronology into the text. However, the vision that is being observed is not chronological, but a logical one. Thus, chapter 14 does not give the timing of these events but only that they will occur. The main thrust of chapter 14 has to do with announcements, but not the timing. Many sections of the book of Revelation do not give time elements, but only the fact/s of their occurrences. The order of events is logical, not chronological sequence.
Verse 6 does not give the timing but only to whom the message is directed. To imply anything more is to read something into the text that the passage does not say.
Verse 10 uses the nomenclature of hell – “fire and brimstone,” and “the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever” indicating everlasting punishment. And, as I said, the verb is future, or, more specifically in Greek logical progression.
Verse 13 does not coordinate the events of the previous part of the chapter with this section.