September 2: THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Paul’s statement provides the “bookends” of the gospel message. Because of sin, we are all under a death sentence. But these marvelous words summarize the Good News of the everlasting gospel. In Revelation 14:6, we find that the angelic warning is not to discourage or terrify us. It is to guide our attention to the most urgent matter at hand. Adam and Eve were intended to live eternally. Although they fell under condemnation for their disobedience, the LORD wasted no time in providing hope—the hope that lies in His plan of redemption. Included in this plan is enmity between [Satan] and the woman, a woman being symbolic for the collective people of God.

The true gospel is everlasting in a multifaceted sense. Jesus is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Each of us is called with a holy calling . . . according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began (2 Timothy 1:9). Another facet of the gospel’s everlasting nature is its ultimate result: everlasting life. God knew every one of us before we were born, and He loves each of us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). What a sharp contrast with the temporary, disintegrating nature of everything that we see around us in this sin-wrecked world.

In Matthew 24, Jesus lays out the plain facts of this world’s downward spiral; He also states that “The gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). This is in perfect harmony with the first angel’s announcement of the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people (Revelation 14:6). After everyone living has had the opportunity to hear and respond to the everlasting gospel, the end will come—and Christ will return. Only a loving, patient, and merciful God would take such measures for a rebellious people; it is only because He desires to save every soul.

The message of the first angel, coming from the midst of heaven (14:6), is a universal proclamation, directed toward everyone regardless of nationality, ethnicity, occupation, or station in life. Because Satan is still exercising his authority over the beast which has worldwide influence, the everlasting gospel is also a warning for everyone so that they can make their own personal decision for or against God before the close of probation. Satan’s anger is especially stirred up against those who preach the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14. Beloved, we need to realize the probationary nature of the opportunity that God, by His grace, gives to us.

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17