May 22, 2022
The last two days we reviewed two of three end-time messages that are going out to the world by angels. The word “angel” simply means messenger. God’s heavenly angels have a history of conveying authoritative messages. Jesus referred to the pastors of the seven churches (Revelation 2&3) as angels. In the eyes of our Lord, humans who share His truth are angels.
In quick review, the first angel’s message commands true worship. The “everlasting gospel” is for every person on earth. An understanding of the pure gospel message provides security against Satan’s many counterfeits.
The second angel’s message states the fact of the utter fallenness of the world’s counterfeit religion. Through its leader, the world is coalescing under a single religio-political system that is devised to deceive, enslave, and control.
Jesus said . . . “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
The third angel’s message contains the sternest warning in all of Scripture. It is meant to get our attention!
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.” Revelation 14:9-10
The messages of the three angels are God’s final plea to the world. The loud voice of the third communicates urgency! The Biblical meaning of worship includes service, and obedience. The warning against serving and obeying the beast and his image could not be clearer! Jesus said, “True worshippers . . . worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” (John 4:23)
There is no shortage of unbiblical speculation about what the beast’s mark is. Students of the Bible can identify this mark, or sign. It has been set up in opposition to God’s sign, the seventh-day Sabbath. Even the beast itself proclaims its mark. Here is one of many such proclamations:
“Sunday is our Mark of Authority. The Church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact.” Catholic Record of London, Ontario, September 1, 1923
To receive the mark on the forehead means to actually believe it is correct. To receive it on the hand means to go along with it even though you know it is not according to Scripture. The little word or makes it clear that God is not pleased with either.
The word translated tormented means to be subjected to judicial procedure, not “tortured” (see Matthew 8:29). The mark-of-the-beast crisis is yet future but will soon be upon us. The tragic consequences that result from false worship should awaken every soul to make certain that he is worshipping the only true God and not an impostor.
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:16