The “three angels’ messages” is an interpretation of the messages given by three angels in Revelation 14:6-12. Seventh-day Adventists and many End Time theorists believe that the three angel messages in Revelation 14, and the ‘fourth’ angel of Revelation 18 contain God’s final warning and call of mercy to the world before the return of Jesus Christ.
After John sees a vision of the 144,000 redeemed ones who “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Revelation 14:4), he sees three angels flying in midair The first one “had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6). This is the only place in the Bible where the Gospel is described as the “everlasting Gospel” or the “eternal Gospel.”
The vision we find in Revelation 14 in which the angel proclaims the everlasting Gospel is a prediction of something that will happen in the tribulation. Before the seven final judgments – the seven bowls of Revelation 15-16 – we are told in Scripture that God will give all of mankind one last opportunity to turn their sin and trust in Christ to receive His gift of everlasting life. We know from the Bible that no one is left out. Again, Revelation 14:6 says, “to every nation, tribe, language and people.” In verse 7, the angel calls out 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.” After proclaiming the everlasting Gospel through an angel, God will finish His work of judgment.
Revelation 14: 6-7 reveals the first angel’s message:”…And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” This angelic messenger is telling the world to fear God. We know from Proverbs 8:13 what that is supposed to look like. Proverbs 8:13 says, “To fear the LORD is to hate evil; pride, and arrogance, and the evil way…” To fear God is to love righteousness. This angel also tells us to give God glory. This is a call for us to reflect God in all things we do. Finally, this angel is telling us that the hour of judgment has come.
The second angel’s message can be found in Revelation 14:8: “…And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” This is not the only time we see a warning of Babylon being fallen. We also see it in Revelation 18:2-3 which says, “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of their delicacies.”
The third angel’s message is revealed in Revelation 14:9-12:”…And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cop of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; And the smoke of their torment ascendith up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosover receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. This is one of the most serious End Times warnings that we should take very seriously. It’s important that we turn away from man and position ourselves towards God to better understand this message. The only way we can do this is to ask God for guidance through prayer. This is a warning to Christians to turn to God, not the world, for every answer we may need.
The three angels’ messages is a warning to all believers. It’s important that we pay attention to God’s prophetic messages so that we are better equipped and in tune with God’s plan for the future. What we can learn from their messages is that the Gospel is an everlasting message which means it never changes. The message of salvation through Jesus Christ is an important, eternal truth. Those who trust and believe in Jesus Christ will acquire those benefits.
