The Three Angels and the Coming Wrath

Summary

Continuing a verse-by-verse study of Revelation, the pastor opens chapters 14 through 16 and explains the message of the three angels. The first carries the eternal gospel to every nation, fulfilling Christ's great commission that the good news must reach all peoples before the end comes. The second announces the fall of Babylon, and the third warns against worshiping the beast or taking its mark, for those who do will drink the wine of God's wrath.

The heart of the message is the endurance of the saints. Pointing to the prophets, the apostle Paul, and Christ Himself, the pastor reminds believers that we enter the kingdom through many tribulations, yet "blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." From Luke 21 he assures the persecuted that not a hair of their head will perish, and he testifies that the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, strengthens us in suffering, recalling a time he was consoled in prayer after a painful experience.

He then unfolds the two harvests of chapter 14, the harvest of salvation when Christ gathers His people, and the harvest of wrath, the winepress trodden in judgment, echoing Isaiah 63 and Revelation 19. Walking through the sea of glass, the song of the redeemed, and the seven bowls poured on the earth, he urges the church to stay awake, keep the faith, and be ready, for God's patience now is a time of grace before judgment falls.

Key Points

• The eternal gospel will reach every nation before the end - the great commission is still being fulfilled.
• God is patient now, giving the world time to repent, but a day of wrath is surely coming.
• The saints are called to endure to the end, keeping the commandments and faith in Jesus.
• Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, so believers need not fear death.
• The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, strengthening us in trials and never leaving us as orphans.
• There are two harvests: one of salvation for God's people, one of wrath for the unrepentant.
• God's judgments are righteous and true, even when they seem severe.