October 23: THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE (part 4)
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 14:10
At the creation of our world, it was the presence of the Lamb that brought light and goodness, order and incredible beauty. This paradise was far beyond any glory that we can imagine, an ongoing display of His creative power presented to humankind for joy and endless delight, centered around a love relationship between the Creator (who would become the Lamb) and His people. But after the entrance of sin, every manner of harm came onto the scene, marring the relationship with the Creator and bringing blight onto the creation itself. Satan inflicts harm upon the objects of God’s greatest love on the earth by leading them to harm themselves and others. Yet many professed believers who live in rebellion are convinced that their deeds are “harmless.” The blinding effect that sin brings into thinking is the very thing that perpetuates it. Unless sin itself is permanently removed, the Kingdom of heaven cannot come. The fact that all evil and rebellion will be totally purged is made clear in God’s love letter to the world, His Word. The degree of His wrath against that which brings harm to people correlates directly to the heights of His unfathomable love for His creatures.
The second statement above – He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb – is a reference to the final judgment that comes after the thousand-year reign of the saved with Christ (Revelation 20:4). All of the unrepentant who have ever lived will be raised for the final and permanent judgment scene (v.12-13). This is the second resurrection which leads to the second death (v.6), a death from which there is no resurrection. The permanent destruction of sinners who refuse to relinquish their sin is God’s strange act of putting them to death (Isaiah 28:21 KJV), according to the multitude of His mercies (Lamentations 3:32).
Compare the second statement of our opening verse to the promise in Revelation 3:5 where Jesus makes a promise: I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. This promise is for overcomers. For humans to overcome the snares laid out for us by Satan is the miracle of the Holy Spirit of God coming to the aid of everyone who humbly asks for His help. The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in those whose hearts are yielded to Jesus creates a seal of spiritual protection. It is necessary to understand, however, that no one is saved against their will. We are to walk faithfully, for obedience is the greatest act of worship – and even this obedience is the gift of God (Romans 6:23) through the awesome power of His Spirit.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
For further study: Psalm 136; Isaiah 28:21-22; Ezekiel 18:31-32; Malachi 4:1-3; Matthew 12:31; 26:38-42; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 15:1
A note regarding the nature of fire: once kindled, it will burn until there is nothing left to consume, unless it is quenched. The idea of fire that is not quenched means that it is allowed to burn until destruction is complete. There are two references of unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:12 and Luke 3:17) to help us understand this concept. The notion that unrepentant sinners burn endlessly is rooted in ancient mythology that came into the Medieval church and supports Satan’s lie about death (Genesis 3:4). As Satan intends, it is a denial of the mercy and love of God.