Lesson 16
1. Why are we studying Revelation? Isn’t it sealed?
Answer: There are six essential reasons why we should study Revelation:
A. It has never been sealed: Contrary to the belief that Revelation is sealed, it is explicitly mentioned in Revelation 22:10 that it remains open. Revelation reveals the ongoing battle between Christ and Satan, including the strategies employed by the devil in the last days. Understanding these deceptions can help people avoid falling into Satan’s traps.
B. Revelation means “unveiling”: The very name of the book, Revelation, signifies “unveiling,” “opening,” or “revealing.” It has always been intended to provide insight, not to be kept hidden.
C. Revelation is centred on Jesus: The book of Revelation is uniquely connected to Jesus. It begins with “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1) and offers a vivid description of Him in Revelation 1:13–16. No other book in the Bible reveals Jesus and His end-time plans for His work and His people as comprehensively as Revelation.
D. Revelation is relevant to our time: Revelation is primarily directed at the people living in our era, just before the return of Jesus (Revelation 1:1–3; 3:11; 22:6, 7, 12, 20).
E. A blessing for those who read and heed: The book of Revelation promises a special blessing for those who read it and follow its guidance (Revelation 1:3; 22:7).
F. Revelation describes God’s end-time people: It provides a clear depiction of God’s last-day church and outlines what this church should be preaching in the final days (Revelation 14:6–14). This Study Guide offers an overview of this message, enabling you to recognise it when you encounter it.
Note: Before continuing, please read Revelation 14:6–14.
2. God commissioned His church to take the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). How does He symbolise this sacred work in Revelation?
“I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach. … And another angel followed, saying. … Then a third angel followed them, saying …” (Revelation 14:6, 8, 9).
Answer: The term “angel” essentially means “messenger,” which makes it fitting for God to employ three angels as symbols to represent the proclamation of His three-part gospel message for the final days. By utilising this angelic symbolism, God emphasises that these messages will be accompanied by supernatural power.
3. What two crucial points does Revelation14:6 reveal about God’s message for the last days?
“I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6).
Answer: The two crucial points are: (1) that it is the “everlasting gospel,” and (2) that it must be preached to every person on earth. The three angels’ messages stress the gospel, which makes it plain that people are saved by faith in—and acceptance of—Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:10–12; John 14:6). Since no other way to salvation exists, it is evil to claim that there is some other way.
Satan’s Counterfeits
Satan’s counterfeits, while many, include two very effective ones: (1) salvation by works, and (2) salvation in sin. These two counterfeits are uncovered and revealed in the three angels’ messages. Many, without realising it, have embraced one of these two errors and are trying to build their salvation upon it—an impossible feat. We also must stress that no one is truly preaching the gospel of Jesus for the end time who does not include the three angels’ messages.
4. What four distinctive points does the first angel’s message cover?
“Saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water’ ” (Revelation 14:7).
Answer: A. Fear God. This means we should revere God and look upon Him with love, trust, and respect—eager to do His bidding. This keeps us from evil. “By the fear of the Lord one departs from evil” (Proverbs 16:6). Solomon, the wise man, also said, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all [whole duty]” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
B. Give glory to God. We fulfill this command when we praise, thank, and obey God for His goodness to us. One of the major sins of the last days is unthankfulness (2 Timothy 3:1, 2).
C. The hour of His judgment is come. This indicates that everyone is accountable to God, and it is a clear statement that the judgment is now in session. A number of translations say “has” come instead of “is” come. (Full details of this judgment are given in Study Guides 18 and 19.)
D. Worship the Creator. This command rejects idolatry of all kinds—including self-worship—and repudiates the theory of evolution, which denies that God is Creator and Redeemer. (Many books and talk shows stress self-esteem, which can lead to self-worship. Christians find their value in Christ, who makes us sons and daughters of God.)
The gospel includes the creation and redemption of the world by the Lord God. Worshiping the Creator includes worshiping Him on the day He set aside as a memorial of Creation (the seventh-day Sabbath). That Revelation 14:7 refers to the seventh-day Sabbath is made clear by the fact that the words “made heaven and earth, the sea” were lifted right out of the Sabbath commandment (Exodus 20:11 KJV) and used here. (See Study Guide 7 for more information on the Sabbath.) Our roots are found in God alone, who made us in His image in the beginning. Those who do not worship God as Creator—no matter what else they might worship—will never discover their roots.
5. What solemn statement does the second angel make about Babylon? What does the angel of Revelation 18 urge God’s people to do?
“Another angel followed, saying, ‘Babylon is fallen’ ” (Revelation 14:8).
“I saw another angel coming down from heaven. … And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, ‘Babylon the great is fallen.’ … And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people’ ” (Revelation 18:1, 2, 4).
Answer: The second angel states that “Babylon is fallen,” and the voice from heaven urges all of God’s people to come out of Babylon at once so they will not be destroyed along with it. Unless you know what Babylon is, you could easily end up staying in it. Think about it—you could be in Babylon now! (Study Guide 20 gives a clear presentation of Babylon.)
6. Against what does the third angel’s message solemnly warn?
“A third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God’ ” (Revelation 14:9, 10).
Answer: The third angel’s message warns people against worshiping the beast and his image and receiving the mark of the beast in their forehead or hand. The first angel commands true worship. The third angel tells of the tragic consequences connected with false worship. Do you know for certain who the beast is? And what his mark is? Unless you know, you could end up worshiping the beast without realising it. (Study Guide 20 provides full details regarding the beast and his mark. Study Guide 21 explains his image.)
7. What four-point description does God give in Revelation 14:12 of His people who accept and follow the three angels’ messages?
“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).
Answer:
A. They are patient, persevering, and faithful to the end. God’s people reveal Him by their patient, loving conduct and by their faithfulness to holiness in their lives.
B. They are saints, or “holy ones,” because they are fully on God’s side.
C. They keep the commandments of God. These faithful people happily obey His Ten Commandments and all other commandments He has given. Their first aim is to please Him, whom they love (1 John 3:22). (Study Guide 6 gives more information on the Ten Commandments.)
D. They have the faith of Jesus. This also can be translated “faith in Jesus.” In either case, God’s people fully follow Jesus and fully trust Him.
8. What happens immediately following the teaching of the three angels’ messages to all people?
“Then 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” (Revelation 14:14).
Answer: Immediately after the teaching of the three angels’ messages to every person, Jesus will return in the clouds to take His people to their heavenly home. At His appearing, the great 1,000-year blackout of Revelation chapter 20 will begin. (Study Guide 12 tells about these 1,000 years. Study Guide 8 gives the details of Jesus’ second coming.)
9. In 2 Peter 1:12, the apostle speaks of “present truth.” What does he mean?
Answer: Present truth is an aspect of the everlasting gospel that has particular urgency for a certain time. Examples are:
A. Noah’s message of the Flood (Genesis 6 and 7; 2 Peter 2:5). Noah was a preacher of righteousness. He taught God’s love as he warned of a coming flood that would destroy the world. The Flood message was “present truth” for that time. Its urgent cry was “get into the boat.” And it was so important that it would have been irresponsible not to preach it.
B. Jonah’s message to Nineveh (Jonah 3:4) Jonah’s “present truth” was that Nineveh would be destroyed in 40 days. Jonah also uplifted the Saviur, and the city repented. To omit the 40-day warning would have been unfaithful. It was present truth. It fitted that time in a special way.
C. John the Baptist’s message (Matthew 3:1–3; Luke 1:17). John’s “present truth” was that Jesus, the Messiah, was about to appear. His work was to present the gospel and prepare people for Jesus’ first coming. To have omitted that first coming element of the gospel for his day would have been unthinkable.
D. The three angels’ messages (Revelation 14:6–14). God’s “present truth” for today is contained in the three angels’ messages. Of course, salvation through Jesus Christ alone is central to these messages. However, the “present truth” of the three angels also has been given to prepare a people for Jesus’ second coming and to open their eyes to Satan’s highly convincing deceptions.
Unless people understand these messages, Satan could capture and destroy them. Jesus knew we
needed these three special messages, so in lovingkindness He has given them. They must not be
omitted. Please pray earnestly as you examine them point by point in the next eight Study Guides.
Some of your discoveries might be shocking. But all will be satisfying. Your heart will be tremendously stirred. You will sense Jesus speaking to you! After all, they are His messages.
10. Who does the Bible say will come to give a “present truth” message before the great day of the Lord?
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5).
Answer: Elijah the prophet. There is something significant about Elijah and his message, as we shall see in the next few questions.
11. What did Elijah do that caused the Lord to focus on him?
Note: Please read 1 Kings 18:17–40.
Answer: Elijah urged the people to make up their minds about whom they would serve (verse 21). The nation was almost wholly idolatrous. Most had forsaken the true God and His commandments. There was one prophet of God, Elijah, and 450 heathen prophets of Baal (verse 22). Elijah suggested that both he and the idolaters build altars and place wood and a bull on them. He then suggested they ask the true God to reveal Himself by setting fire to His altar. The heathen god did not answer, but the true God of Elijah sent fire from heaven and burned up Elijah’s sacrifice.
The Message Demanded a Decision
Elijah’s message came at a time of deep spiritual crisis and national apostasy. It came with such power from heaven that it stopped “business as usual” and drew national attention. Elijah then insisted that people decide whom they would serve, God or Baal. Deeply moved and fully convinced, the people chose God (verse 39).
12. The Elijah message has a twofold application. It was a “present truth” message to prepare people for Jesus’ first advent and a “present truth” message to prepare people for His second coming. Who did Jesus say preached the Elijah message to prepare people for His first advent?
“There has not risen one greater than John the Baptist. … And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come” (Matthew 11:11, 14).
Answer: Jesus called John’s preaching to prepare people for His first advent “Elijah,” or the Elijah message. John’s message, as in Elijah’s day, made truth very clear and then insisted on a decision. The Bible says of John the Baptist, “He will … go … in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17).
13. How do we know the prophecy has a second application to our time–just before the second advent?
“I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5).
“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31).
Answer: Please take note that two events will occur before the coming of “the great and awesome day of the Lord” mentioned in Joel 2:31—one, the coming of the Elijah message, and two, the tremendous signs in the heavens. This helps us locate both events. The dark day occurred May 19, 1780. That same night, the moon appeared as blood. Matthew 24:29 includes one more sign—the falling of the stars, which took place November 13, 1833. From this, we know the end-time Elijah message must begin near or after 1833—before the coming of the great day of the Lord.
Second Elijah Message After Sky Signs
It is clear that John’s “Elijah message” does not apply to the second “Elijah message” because God’s great sky signs appeared more than 1,700 years after John preached his message. The Elijah message of Joel 2:31 had to begin after those sky signs in 1833 and must prepare people for Jesus’ second coming. The threefold “present truth” message of Revelation 14:6–14 fits perfectly. It began around 1844 and is preparing people worldwide for Jesus’ second advent (verse 14), which will take place after the threefold message has reached every person on earth. (Details on the 1844 date are given in Study Guides 18 and 19.)
The Message Demands a Decision
Elijah insisted evil be met head-on and that all decide whom they would serve. So it is also with God’s threefold message for us today. A decision must be made. God’s threefold message unmasks Satan and his plans. It reveals God’s love and His requirements. God is calling people today back to true worship—worship of God alone. To knowingly serve anyone or anything else in this crucial day amounts to disloyalty and will result in eternal death. God miraculously reached hearts in Elijah’s day (1 Kings 18:37, 39) and in the days of John the Baptist. He will do the same in these last days as people respond to the three angels’ messages (Revelation 18:1–4).
14. What wonderful blessing will the preaching of the Elijah message (the three angels’ messages) bring?
“Elijah … will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:5, 6).
Answer: Praise God! The Elijah message—or three angels’ messages—will bring family members together in a loving, close, joyous, heavenly relationship. What a blessed promise!
15. The word “gospel” means good news. Do the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14 provide good news?
Answer: In these last days, every person will have the opportunity to hear and understand the final message of salvation.
The devil’s cunning plans to ensnare and destroy people will be unveiled, protecting us from his traps.
Heaven’s divine power will accompany the spreading of God’s message in these end times.
God’s people will exhibit patience and be known as “saints.”
They will possess the unwavering faith of Jesus.
Out of love, God’s people will obediently follow His commandments.
God’s immense love is demonstrated by sending special messages to prepare us for Jesus’ second coming.
These messages will foster love and unity among family members.
The primary focus of the three angels’ messages is that salvation is available to all through Jesus Christ. He covers our past sins with His righteousness and continually imparts His righteousness to us, helping us grow in grace and become more like Him. With Jesus, success is assured, but without Him, we cannot prevail.
In upcoming Study Guides, we will delve into these crucial points of the three angels’ messages:
A. The arrival of God’s judgment hour.
B. The call to come out of fallen Babylon.
C. The warning against receiving the mark of the beast.
As you continue your prayerful study in the forthcoming guides, you’ll encounter more enlightening insights. Some revelations will bring joy and surprise, while others may be unsettling. You might find certain aspects challenging to accept. However, considering that Jesus has sent these special messages from heaven to guide and assist each one of us during these last days, there is nothing more vital than hearing, comprehending, and wholeheartedly following each message.
16. Do you feel thankful to learn that Jesus has a special three-point message to guide and assist His people in these last days of earth’s history?
Answer:
Thought Questions
1. Will every person on earth be reached with the three angels’ messages before Jesus returns? With billions of people now living, how can this be possible?
Yes—it will happen because God promised it (Mark 16:15). Paul said the gospel went “to every creature under heaven” in his day (Colossians 1:23). Jonah, by God’s grace, reached the entire city of Nineveh in less than 40 days (Jonah 3:4–10). The Bible says God will finish the work and cut it short (Romans 9:28). Count on it. It will happen—very quickly!
2. Did Moses and Elijah actually appear with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3)—or was it only a vision?
The event was literal. The Greek word “horama,” translated “vision” in verse 9, means “what had been seen.” Moses was raised from the dead and taken to heaven (Jude 1:9), and Elijah was translated without seeing death (2 Kings 2:1, 11, 12). These two men, who had been on earth and suffered terribly from the onslaughts of the devil and the rebellion of God’s people, understood what Jesus was experiencing. They came to encourage and remind Him of all who would be translated into His kingdom without seeing death (like Elijah) and raised to life from the grave to enter His kingdom (like Moses) because of His sacrifice for our sins.
3. Why did John the Baptist say he was not Elijah (John 1:19–21) when Jesus said that he was (Matthew 11:10–14)?
The answer comes from Luke 1:3–17. The angel who announced John’s coming birth said, “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. … He will be great in the sight of the Lord. … He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (verses 13–17). When Jesus referred to John as Elijah, He was referring to his life, spirit, power, and work being like that of Elijah. The same is true of the Elijah message for these last days. The emphasis is on the message, not the man. So John was not Elijah in person, but he was presenting the Elijah message.
4. Is it possible for someone to be preaching Jesus’ full end-time truth for today without including the three angels’ messages?
No. The three angels’ messages must be included. In the book of Revelation, Jesus Himself reveals His end-time message (Revelation 1:1) and says that His people must keep on following what He has revealed in the book (Revelation 1:3; 22:7). So the faithful in the end times must preach Jesus’ messages from the book of Revelation. This, of course, includes preaching His special three-point message of Revelation 14:6–14. Notice that Jesus calls these messages the “everlasting gospel” in verse 6. He also says they must be taken to every person on earth before He returns for His people. Here are three solemn thoughts:
A. No one is truly preaching Jesus’ “everlasting gospel” unless he includes the three angels’ messages.
B. No one has the right to call his messages the everlasting gospel if he omits the three
angels’ messages.
C. The three angels’ messages prepare people for Jesus’ second coming (Revelation 14:12–14). Unless you hear, understand, and accept Jesus’ three-point end-time messages, you may not be prepared for His second coming.
Special Messages for the End-time
Jesus, who knows what we need, gave us three special messages for the end times. We must understand and follow them. The next eight Study Guides will make these messages clear.
5. Luke 1:17 says the Elijah message was to turn “the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.” What does this mean?
“The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). The just have the wisdom to rest their salvation upon faith in the Saviour. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). John’s Elijah message was to make this clear to everyone. A faith that is anchored to anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ can never save from sin and lead to a changed life. People must hear and understand this. This truth is the very heart of God’s three-point Elijah message for us today.
Quiz Questions
1. The three angels of Revelation 14 (1)
_____ Are literal and must shout loudly to be heard.
_____ Represent God’s last-day message moving with speed and power.
_____ Are a figment of someone’s imagination.
2. Which items below tell the truth about Revelation? (3)
_____ The book is sealed.
_____ The name means “unveiling” or “revealing.”
_____ It tells what message God’s people will preach in the last days.
_____ It contains a word picture of Jesus.
_____ God pronounced a curse on those who study it.
3. The message of the three angels must go to every person before Jesus returns. (1)
_____ Yes.
_____ No.
4. The first angel’s message stresses the following: (3)
_____ It is the everlasting gospel being presented.
_____ It can’t be understood.
_____ Evolution is a fine Christian theory.
_____ The judgment is now in session.
_____ We should respect and truly trust God.
_____ Each person should worship whatever or whomever he wishes.
5. The second angel’s message says Babylon is fallen, and the angel of Revelation 18 urges God’s people who are in Babylon to come out. (1)
_____ Yes.
_____ No.
6. The third angel’s message urges all of God’s people to receive the mark of the beast. (1)
_____ Yes.
_____ No.
7. How does Revelation 14:12 speak of God’s people? (2)
_____ They are patient.
_____ They are saints.
_____ They do not believe in the Ten Commandments.
_____ They have very little faith.
8. What happens immediately after the gospel has reached every person? (1)
_____ The nations are all converted.
_____ God rebuilds New York and London.
_____ The second coming of Jesus takes place.
9. Which of the following are “present truth” messages for today? (1)
_____ Jonah’s message to Nineveh.
_____ Noah’s message before the Flood.
_____ The three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-14.
10. Which items are true about the three angels’ messages? (6)
_____ These messages are being preached now.
_____ These messages stress salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
_____ They can also be called the “Elijah message.”
_____ Elijah will appear in person to help present them.
_____ They stress the Christian values of evolution.
_____ Most people will never hear about them.
_____ They will bring family members together in a close, loving relationship.
_____ Supernatural power will accompany them.
_____ They help prepare people for Jesus’ second coming.
11. John the Baptist was called the Elijah of his day because (1)
_____ He liked to call down fire from heaven.
_____ The high priest preferred that name.
_____ His preaching, with the spirit and power of Elijah, prepared people for Jesus’ first coming.
12. The word “gospel” means “good news.” (1)
_____ Yes.
_____ No.
13. Jesus promises to bring family members close together in love and unity in these last days. Are you praying for this experience in your family?
_____ Yes.
_____ No.
14. Are you relieved and thankful that Jesus has a special message to guide His people through the end time?
_____ Yes.
_____ No.
