Three Angels' Message Part 3

by Pastor John Anderson

 Thanks again for joining us, as we continue to give attention to the messages of the three angels, given in Revelation 14:6-12. We see that these messages constitute God’s last appeal to Planet Earth. What could be more important than understanding His “last minute” admonition and plea? We know from our everyday lives that “last minute instructions” contain information that is considered to be the most vital.
How do we know that the Three Angels’ Messages are indeed God’s last plea for the residents of this globe? We can say that with certainty because these messages immediately precede the description of Jesus’ returning to this earth as He promised. It’s just after the three angels deliver their messages that we read, “And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him Who sat on the cloud, ‘Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ So He Who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.” Revelation 14:14-16.
            That this is a portrayal of Christ’s second advent there can no doubt, since the Lord Himself said, “The harvest is the end of the age.” Matthew 13:39. Therefore the messages that precede this grandest of all events, Jesus’ return to earth in glory, must constitute Heaven’s last warning, God’s last call to Planet Earth. Could there possibly be anything of more importance than this? Could there possibly be anything of which we should be more familiar?
We might ask, as we scan the political, social and moral landscape of today, Is there any doubt but that we are living in the time the Bible describes as the “last days”? Consider the amazing fulfillments of prophecy in recent years, the continuing decay of society and the proliferation of global catastrophes. All of these things indicate to us that Jesus is coming back soon, and therefore these messages in Revelation 14 most certainly are meant for us!
            Reading the Holy Bible gives us an insight into the affairs of this life, and knowing that there is a God Who has a plan gives meaning and hope to us. Even more, understanding these messages will give us a different way of thinking; a different way of looking at life. These messages make it clear that God has an agenda for this world. He has a plan for Planet Earth.
We therefore have a choice. We can live our lives, as the vast majority of people do, based on the visible, tangible world and pack as much pleasure into our lives as we can, pursuing our own wants and aspirations, without any regard to a divine design. Or, we can learn about and accept God’s plan for this planet and choose to accept His will in the world and in our lives. We can focus on His agenda and make all of our plans subservient to His will. These two concepts for living are literally worlds apart.
            The Christian who understands what God is about to unfold will have his eyes trained upward, looking for His cloud to break the sky. That mental outlook predominates the thinking of the true believer. Everything else is subordinate to God’s agenda. And yet, how many in this world give no thought to what God’s plan is for this earth! When you think about it, we can see that today’s world is no different than when Noah preached that the earth back then was going to be destroyed by a flood. Nearly everyone paid him no mind, but went about their lives, “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,” as if they would continue indefinitely. Matthew 24:38.
            But it makes no sense, when you think about it, to live life that way. Nothing here lasts. We know that! Paint peels, lettuce wilts, cars break down and health fails. Relationships can crumble. We all find ourselves on a path that leads in only one direction; to the cemetery. Sooner or later, should the Lord tarry, we will all “walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” Psalm 23:4. If we attain to 60 years, 70 years or even more, still it is not really very long. Our life span is like “a vapor.” James 4:14. To live as if “this is all there is” is a state to be pitied. It’s a poor bargain. Heaven is real; it will be awesome!
            Most people today live their lives as if they were floating on a river raft, coasting along, completely oblivious to the fact that just downstream, just past the next bend in the river, out of their visibility, a gigantic drop-off exists, that, unless immediate steps are taken, will cast them to certain death.
            God wants to save us from this present world! The trinkets and toys of this life cannot compare to what He has planned and prepared for us. Not too long ago a BMW Z4 zipped past us on the freeway with the license plate “wurt zw8,” which we interpreted as saying, “worth the wait.” For those who have faith; for those who have the perspective that the Bible provides, life takes on meaning and purpose. We may not have all the answers, but we can gain a sufficient understanding of “what’s going on” in this world today. Heaven will be worth the wait!
The three angels’ messages accomplish three critical tasks; they alert us to the nearness of that event, the issues that will impact that event and the necessity of preparing for that event. Please join us next time as we further explore these crucial messages. Always remember: God loves every one of us, and desperately wants us to be with Him throughout eternity!