Answer: There are six good reasons to study Revelation:
A. It had never been sealed (Revelation 22:10). In Revelation, the millennium-long battle between Christ and Satan is shown and, on the other side, the devil's strategies and deception plans for the end times are revealed. Those who are aware of his lying deceptions in advance will not fall into his trap so easily. That is why he hopes that people will believe that Revelation is a sealed book.
B. The very term “revelation” means “unveiled,” “open” or ”revealed" - exactly the opposite of “being sealed”. It has always been wide open.
C. Revelation is uniquely Jesus' book. It begins with the words: “This is the revelation of Jesus Christ.” In Revelation 1:13-16, Jesus is described figuratively. No other book in the Bible reveals Jesus and his instructions and plans for the last days in relation to his work and his people like Revelation.
D. The revelation is first and foremost written for and tailored to the people of our day, who live immediately before Jesus' return (Revelation 1:1-3, 3:11, 22:6.7.12.20).
E. A special blessing is promised to those who read Revelation and follow its advice (Revelation 1:3 22:7).
F. Revelation describes God's end-time people and the end-time church with astonishing accuracy. The word of the Bible comes to life when you see how the end-time events described in Revelation are fulfilled. It also tells the church exactly what to proclaim in the end times (Revelation 14:6-14). This lesson provides an overview of this proclamation so that you can recognise it when you hear it.
Remark: Please open your Bible before you continue and read Revelation 14:6-14
“And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having an everlasting gospel to preach... And another angel followed him, saying.... And a third angel followed them, saying...” Revelation 14:6-9
Answer: The term “angel” literally means “messenger”. When God uses three angels to symbolise the proclamation of his threefold gospel message for the last days, it is fitting. God uses this symbolism to make us aware that these messages will be accompanied by supernatural power.
“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having an everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Revelation 14:6
Answer: These two crucial points are: (1) that it is “the eternal gospel” and (2) that it must be proclaimed to all people on earth. The three angels” messages emphasise the gospel, which makes it clear that people are saved through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:12, Mark 10:26.27). Since there is no other way to salvation, it is criminal to claim that there are other possibilities.
Satan's deceptions
Among Satan's many deceptions, there are two that are particularly effective: (1) salvation by works and (2) salvation in sin. These two deceptions are exposed and revealed in the three angels' messages. Many have succumbed to one or the other error without realising it and are now trying to create their own salvation - an absolutely impossible undertaking. It must also be emphasised that no one truly proclaims the gospel of Jesus for the end times who does not include the three angels' messages.
“He said with a loud voice: Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgement has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth and the sea and the springs of water.“ Revelation 14:7
Answer: A. Fear God. This means that we honour God and look up to him in love, trust and reverence - ready to do his will. This protects us from evil. “By the fear of the LORD one avoids evil.” Proverbs 16:6 Wise Solomon said, “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is what makes a man whole.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
Answer: B. Pray the honour to God. We fulfil this commandment when we obey God, praise him and thank him for his goodness to us. One of the most characteristic sins of the last days is ingratitude (2 Timothy 31:2).
Answer: C. The hour of his judgement has come. This indicates that God demands an account from every person. The text also clearly states that the judgement is taking place at the present time. Some translations read: The time of his judgement “will” come, instead of “has” come.
Answer: D. Worship the Creator. This commandment rejects idolatry of any kind - including self-worship - and emphatically rejects evolution, which denies God as Creator and Saviour. (Today, many books and talk shows overemphasise man's self-worth, which leads to self-worship. The Christian's self-worth is founded in Christ, who makes his children sons and daughters of the King of Heaven).
The gospel encompasses the creation and redemption of the world by the Lord, the God of heaven. The worship of the Creator also includes worshipping God on the day set apart by him for this purpose - as a day of remembrance of creation (the seventh-day Sabbath). The fact that Revelation 14:7 refers to the Sabbath is clear from the wording “who made heaven and earth and the sea”, which was taken from the Sabbath commandment (Exodus 20:11). We find our true roots in God alone, who created us in his image in the beginning. Anyone who does not worship God as the Creator - no matter what a person may worship - will never be able to discover their true origin.
“And another angel followed him, saying, Babylon the great is fallen“ Revelation 14:8 “And after these things I saw an angel come down from heaven, having great authority... And he cried with a loud voice with power, saying, Babylon the great is fallen... And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people...” Revelation 18:1-4
Answer: The second angel solemnly declares that “Babylon has fallen”. The heavenly voice urges all who belong to God to leave Babylon immediately. Anyone who does not know what is meant by Babylon runs the risk of perishing in it. Could it be that you are in Babylon at the present time?
“And the third angel followed him, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive the mark in his forehead, or in his hand, he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” Revelation 14:9.10
Answer: The third angel's message warns people against worshipping the beast and his image and against accepting his mark on their foreheads or hands. The first angel calls for true worship. The third angel speaks of the terrible consequences of false worship. Do you really know what is meant by the beast and who is behind it? What is his mark? If you are not fully aware of who the beast is and what his mark is, it could be that you are worshipping him without realising it.
” Here is the steadfast perseverance of the saints, here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus!” Revelation 14:12
Answer: A. You demonstrate patience, perseverance and loyalty to the end - This call is for today's generation. God's people are recognised by their patient, kind behaviour.
Answer: B. They are saints, or holy, because they are completely on God's side.
Answer: C. They keep the commandments of God. These people of God joyfully keep God's ten commandments and all the other commandments he has given them. It is their greatest endeavour to please him whom they love (1 John 3:22).
Answer: D. You have the faith of Jesus. This can also be translated as “faith in Jesus”. In any case, God's people follow Jesus and trust him completely.
“And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat one like a son of man, having on his head a golden crown and in his hand a sharp sickle.” Revelation 14:14
Answer: Immediately after the worldwide proclamation of the three angels' messages, Jesus will return in the clouds (his second coming) to take his people to their heavenly home. At his appearance, the great 1000-year period announced in Revelation 20 will begin.
Answer: The present truth is part of the eternal gospel and is of particular importance and urgency for a certain time:
A. Noah's announcement of the flood (Genesis 6+7, 2 Peter 2:5). Noah was a preacher of righteousness. He taught people about God's love while warning them of the coming flood that would destroy the world. The announcement of the flood was “present truth” for that time. The urgent call was: “Come into the ark!” This message was so important that it would have been irresponsible not to pass it on.
B. Jonah's message to Nineveh (Jonah 3:4). Jonah's “present truth” included the downfall of Nineveh in 40 days. Jonah also proclaimed the Saviour, whereupon the city was converted. However, it would have been unforgivable if he had omitted the message of warning. It signified present truth and applied to that time in a special way.
C. The message of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-3, Luke 1:17). The “present truth” of John the Baptist was that the appearance of the Messiah was imminent. His ministry consisted of proclaiming the gospel and preparing people for Jesus' first coming. It would have been unthinkable for him to leave aside the first element of the gospel - the coming of Jesus.
D. The three angels' messages (Revelation 14:6-14). God's “present truth” for today can be found in the three angels“ messages. Of course, salvation through Jesus Christ alone is the centre of these messages. Nevertheless, the ”present truth" of the three angels is also given to us in order to prepare people for Jesus' second coming and to open their eyes to Satan's deceitful seductions. If people do not understand these messages, Satan will indeed be able to capture and destroy them. Because Jesus knew that we need these three special messages, he sent them to us in his kindness. They must not be omitted. Please examine them point by point in the eight lessons that follow with earnest prayer.
Some of the discoveries you will make may be shocking and stir your heart. You will hear Jesus speak to you, because these are his messages.
Answer: The prophet Elijah. In the following questions we will recognise that Elijah and his message are of great importance.
Remark: Please open your Bible and read 1 Kings 18:17-40 carefully before answering this question.
Answer: Elijah urged the people to decide who they wanted to serve (verse 21). Almost all the people had fallen into idolatry. They had turned away from God and his commandments. There was a prophet of God, Elijah, and 450 pagan priests of Baal (verse 22). Elijah suggested that both he and the idolaters should build an altar and put wood on it. He then suggested praying that the true God would reveal himself by lighting the fire on his altar. The pagan god remained silent, but the true God sent fire from heaven and consumed Elijah's sacrifice.
The embassy demanded a decision
Elijah's message was proclaimed at a time of deep spiritual crisis and national apostasy. It came from heaven with such power that it brought daily activity to a standstill and attracted nationwide attention. Elijah then challenged the people to make a decision as to whom they would serve - God or Baal. Deeply moved and completely convinced, they decided in favour of God (verse 39).
“Among those born of women there has not appeared a greater than John the Baptist.” “And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come.” Matthew 11:11.14
Answer: Jesus called John his first “Elijah” and his proclamation to prepare people for his first coming the Elijah message. John preached the truth clearly and unambiguously, like Elijah in his day, and then called for a decision. The Bible says of John the Baptist: “And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah.” Luke 1:17.
“Behold, I am sending you Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.” Malachi 3:23 “The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.” Joel 3:4
Answer: Please note that two events will take place before the coming of “the great and terrible day of the Lord” as predicted in Joel 3:4. One event is the appearance of Elijah and the other is the great signs in the heavens. This helps us to place both events in time. The dark day fell on 19 May 1780, the same night the moon appeared to be like blood. Matthew 24:29 mentions a third sign - the falling of the stars, which occurred on 13 November 1833. Based on these signs, we know that the proclamation of the Elijah message for the end times must begin around the time of 1833 - before the coming of the great day of the Lord.
Second Elijah message after the signs in the sky
It is obvious that John's “Elijah message” does not apply to the second “Elijah message”, as God's great signs in the heavens appeared over 1700 years after John's proclamation. The Elijah message in Joel 3:4 was to begin after the signs in the heavens (in 1833) and prepare people for Jesus“ second coming. This applies exactly to the threefold message of ”present truth" in Revelation 14:6-14. It began around the year 1844 and prepares people worldwide for Jesus' second coming (verse 14), which will take place after the threefold message has reached all the people of this world.
The message calls for a decision
Elijah insisted on confronting evil and challenged everyone to decide whom they wanted to serve. This is also the case with God's threefold message for our day. A decision must be made. God's threefold message exposes Satan and his plans. It clearly reveals God's love and his demands. God is calling people today to return to true worship - the worship of God alone. To knowingly serve and worship another in these crucial days means unfaithfulness and leads to eternal death. God miraculously reached the hearts of people in the days of Elijah (1 Kings 18:37.39) and in the days of John the Baptist. He will do the same in these last days when people listen to the messages of the three angels (Revelation 18:1).
Answer: Thanks be to the Lord! The Elijah message or threefold angel's message will unite families in a close, joyful, heavenly fellowship. What a promise!
Answer: Yes, indeed! Let us repeat the good news that we have encountered in this overview of the threefold angel's message:
A. Everyone will have the opportunity to hear and understand the end-time message. No one will be left out.
B. The devil's cunning, effective plans, through which he seeks to destroy people, are shown to us so that we cannot be ensnared.
C. The supernatural power of heaven will accompany the spreading of God's message in these last days.
D. God's people will show patience and endurance. He calls them “saints”.
E. God's people will have the faith of Jesus.
F. God's people will keep God's commandments out of love for him.
G. God loves us so much that he has sent a very special message to prepare us for Jesus' second coming.
H. God's message for these last days will unite families in love.
I. The main emphasis of the three angels' messages is on the fact that salvation is made available to all people through Jesus Christ alone. He covers our past with his righteousness and miraculously imparts it to us every day so that we grow in faith and become more and more like him. Together with him, we cannot fail. But without him there is no success.
Another word
Other points of the three angels' messages that will be dealt with in the next lessons are:
A. God's hour of judgement has begun!
B. Come out of Babylon that is fallen.
C. Do not accept the mark of the beast.
Much more good news is waiting to be discovered in the following eight lessons as you prayerfully study these topics. You will be surprised and delighted by some discoveries, shocked and saddened by others. It may be difficult to accept some points. However, because Jesus has sent a special message from heaven to give each of us guidance and help in these last days, surely nothing can be more important than to hear it, understand it fully and act on it.
