The Everlasting Gospel

Revelation 14:6-7
The End Times

In my last post, we examined a Revelation 14:1-5 to consider The Lamb and The Redeemed. In this post, we move on the Revelation 14:6-7 to consider The Everlasting Gospel.

“Next I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven with everlasting Good News to proclaim to those living on the earth — to every nation, tribe, language and people. ⁷ In a loud voice he said,“Fear God, give Him glory, for the hour has come when He will pass judgment! Worship the One who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water!” ~ Revelation 14:6-7 (CJB)

The 144,000 were the firstfruits. Here the picture symbolizes the general evangelization of the whole world. The Lamb’s weapon in leading His army against the beast is the preaching of the pure Besorah (Good News). To some, this image represents the carrying of the Besorah to the Gentiles after it had been preached to Israel. To others, it typifies the era of modern worldwide missions, preceding the fall of Babylon, which is announced in verse 8. To others, it is an announcement that the millennial reign of Yeshua is at hand.

In any case, the angel is giving a warning to the people of the world, a sort of “last call” for those have yet to repent, that Yeshua is coming soon.

Some theologians have difficulty with these two verses! The reason being they do not believe that an angel would be given the opportunity to preach the Besorah. Therefore, we are told that it is a different Besorah. Their explanation is that it doesn’t provide mercy and grace, but it is one solely of judgment.

There is no question but that the angel did emphasize that judgment is at the door. What if a minister preaches a sermon and the majority of it focuses on hell; is that a different Besorah than when he preaches on heaven? Many pastors have preached a sermon about “creation” and witnessed God opening the eyes of a lost person to the truth that God is the Creator-Redeemer of the universe. It is true that for an angel to be preaching the Besorah is not characteristic of the church age, however, the church has been removed from the earth and taken into heaven at the rapture. These are not normal times. For an angel to preach the Besorah is most unusual, but these are strange times.

Some theologians focus on the word everlasting to point out how it is a different Besorah. But all that the word everlasting depicts is the emphasizes that it never changes. The same Besorah that was preached in the first century is still being taught today and will be preached on that occasion.

Note the words of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 1:8, “But even if we — or, for that matter, an angel from heaven!—were to announce to you some so-called “Good News” contrary to the Good News we did announce to you, let him be under a curse forever!” The message of this angel is focused on God as the Creator. Many in that day who reject Yeshua as the Savior, also dismiss the idea that God is the Creator. One might conclude that it is impossible to accept Yeshua as the Savior of humanity and at the same time deny God the Father as the Creator of this universe. This message is God’s last attempt to call humanity back to the fear and worship of the one true and living God. This move on the part of God also finalizes the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14. “And this Good News about the Kingdom will be announced throughout the whole world as a witness to all the Goyim. It is then that the end will come.”  G. E. Jones shares his thoughts on this passage: [1]

Here we find the everlasting gospel preached by an angel to ALL nations. The word “Gospel” means good news. While there is a message of coming judgment, which is near, yet it is still a message of judgment, mingled with offered mercy. In Ephesians 1:13 Paul speaks of “The gospel of your salvation.” In the opinion of this writer just as long as the gospel is preached there will be some people saved. As it will be preached to ALL nations there will no doubt be people saved from all nations in this time. It is when the THIRD angel in this chapter proclaims the fate of those who worship the Beast that no mercy is offered. This is not another gospel from that Paul and the Apostles preached, but it is the same old gospel with special emphasis placed on the everlasting kingdom which is drawing near. It is by the gospel that God calls His elect to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. In every period of time God has His elect. The churches will no longer be here to preach the gospel. The 144,000 will have been removed to heaven, and believers will have gone into hiding from the persecution at the hands of the Beast. So God will make use of angels to proclaim his message.

Special Comparative Note on Chapter 14:6-7 ^[2]

Historicist Approach:

Most Historicists view this angel representing the missionary era and the Great Awakening in the time of the Wesleys, Whitefield, Edwards, and Finney. The hour has come when He will pass judgment refers to the destruction of Babylon [which we cover in my next post].

Preterist Approach:

Preterists maintain that the preaching of the Besorah is not done by angels but by the church.

Futurist Approach:

Futurists are mixed on who is delivering the Besorah and is it two different, yet legitimate proclamations.  Is it the Besorah of Grace or the Besorah of the Kingdom?

Idealist Approach:

Idealists maintain that the angel is only symbolic of a general concept.  Which Besorah is also in question.

In my next post, we will explore a Revelation 14:8 to examine Babylon Is Fallen.

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[1] A Layman’s Commentary on Revelation by Don Jones.

[2] Material in this post is taken from “Revelation: Four Views, Revised & Updated” by Steve Gregg. Notations in brackets, if any, are my comments.