How the Three Angels Messages of Revelation 14 Relate to the End Times
First Angel
Why is it called the everlasting gospel? This is the only instance in Scripture where the gospel is described as everlasting. This is an acknowledgement that it is impossible to destroy the gospel of Christ. In spite of all attempts to obliterate or pervert the good news of the gospel, it continues to maintain its integrity. Secondly, the effect of the Gospel, its fruitage, is everlasting. Acceptance of the gospel provides everlasting life. A third reason is that the tremendous truths of the gospel - God’s love for humanity, God’s suffering for humanity, God’s plan of salvation for humanity - will be studied and retold for all eternity. Fourth, the gospel is a declaration from a God who is from everlasting to everlasting. He had no beginning and He has no end!
Scripture clearly portrays the establishing of a court trial that involves the saints in the Old testament book of Daniel - the name Daniel meaning God is judge - depicts an awe-inspiring court scenario. Daniel Chapter 7 describes how, after the reign of the four universal kingdoms, the little horn rises and reigns for twelve hundred and sixty years, ending in 1798. It is after 1798 that this remarkable court scene occurs, described in Daniel 7:9-10.
“ I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened”. Daniel 7:9-10
"krisis" (Greek κρισισ&) simply means judgment, the act of judging. From the context, this means that the cleansing of the sanctuary, or judgment, began in 1844. It should be noted that the three angels messages precede the second coming of Jesus Christ. When Christ comes, He is coming to execute judgment because His reward is with Him. (Revelation 22:12).. The act of judging which corresponds to the cleansing of the sanctuary, is going on right now in heaven.
The commencement of this judgment is revealed in Daniel chapter 8: And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed”. Daniel 8:14 The term cleansing of the sanctuary can be shown to represent a work of judgment in the heavenly temple. The two thousand three hundred days (that is, 2300 years) can conclusively be shown to end in the year 1844 AD.4 This means that the heavenly court session commenced in the year 1844. Therefore the fulfillment of the first angel’s message of Revelation 14:6-7 commenced in the year 1844.
Summary
When combined with other texts in Daniel and Revelation the three angels messages present a holistic approach to understanding prophecy in these last days. Come and join us at the Living Word Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Glen Burnie, Anne Arundel County, Maryland and learn more.
© Copyright 2017
|
First Angel Revelation 14:6 "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters". “It is both interesting and significant that more than sixty men in the early 19th century, scattered over four continents, and located in 12 different countries, looked to 1843, 44, or 47 as the terminus of this epochal period.” |