Revelation
Lesson 30
Are We Living in the End Times?
Revelation 14:4 4 These are those who did not
defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb
wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as
firstfruits to God and the Lamb.
These
144,000 will remain pure during the tribulation period in spite of living in a
world filled with immorality and fornication. They are the ones who will follow
the Lamb wherever he goes: this means they will abide in his presence.
They will
not stray away form the will or teachings of Jesus. These were redeemed from
among men, means they have been bought with the blood of Jesus.
Being first
fruits to God and to the Lamb means they will be the first Jews saved during
the tribulation period, with more fruit to follow.
Revelation 14:5 5 No lie was found in their
mouths; they are blameless.
Being truthful
characterizes the 144,000. They will have nothing to do with the lies of the
antichrist, or the counterfeit doctrines of the false prophet. They will be
faithful to God and clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
Revelation 14:6 6 Then I saw another angel flying
in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the
earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.
This verse
introduces us to the first of the angels who proclaim a special message to the
world. What is this everlasting gospel the angels preached: the word gospel
here simply means “Good news”. It is also called glad tidings. The good news
always includes the message of the blood in every dispensation, Christ gave
witness to all the prophets that through his name, whosoever believeth in Him
shall receive remission of their sin.
In addition
to proclaiming the everlasting gospel, the angel announces that all those who
have rejected the message of Jesus for the mark of the antichrist are about to
be bombarded with a series of judgments from God himself.
This is the
first of several angels that appear in this chapter. Just when Satan and the
antichrist and the false prophet think they are about to take over the world, God
will send angels to keep his plan on track.
Today the church
is responsible for the proclamation of the gospel, but that will change after
the rapture. Jesus said, this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the
world as a witness to all the nations and then the end will come. Because the
church will be in heaven.
Matthew 24:14 14 And this gospel of
the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as
a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
God will use the 144,000 Jews, the two
witnesses and even an angel to spread his message. He will go to great lengths
to give the world one last chance to be saved.
So, what will the angel preach? The fact that
it is called the everlasting gospel is an indication that it is identical to
the gospel the church preached. Some try to separate the gospel into different
categories. The gospel of grace, the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of
judgment, The everlasting gospel, Paul’s gospel, but all of these are part of
the same gospel.
Revelation 14:7 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God
and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come.
Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs
of water.”
People will have two choices, believe the
antichrist and his lie and worship him, or fear God alone and give him all the
glory and praise. Choosing the antichrist can only lead to spiritual death, but
choosing to follow God will lead to spiritual life, eternity with God.
Fearing God means giving him reverence for
his glory. The hour of judgment has come, worship Him who made the heavens and
the earth, the sea and the springs of water.
Just as the future holds a time of reward and
blessing for the 144,000. It will hold judgment on the wicked who depart from
God and blaspheme His name.
What does it really mean to fear God? Satan
would have you believe it means to be afraid of God. That is not what it means.
Fearing God means to have a holy respect for him. Believe he exists and believe
he reigns and that He will judge all mankind. This kind of fear of God is the
beginning of wisdom and it pleases God.
Psalms 111:10 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning
of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.
Blessed
are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.
who find great delight in his commands.
2 Their children will be mighty in the
land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
Until our
next lesson,
Stay in the
word.
Brother Andy
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