3 Angels Message---FIRST ANGEL - 06/08/01 09:44 PM
For the next few topics we are going to take a detailed look at one of the most "Adventist" teachings we have. It has far reaching implications and goes right to the heart of who we are as a people. It is important that we never loss focus as to who we are or why this church was called into existence in the first place. So we will be studying the THREE ANGEL'S MESSAGE and what it means and how it impacts our lives, as bible believing Christians today.
Revelation 14
The Proclamations of Three Angels
6 Then 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-- 7saying 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."
8And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon[1] is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."
9Then 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, 10he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."
12Here is the patience of the saints; here are those[2] who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
13Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,[3] "Write: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."' "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
Now if you are anything like me that text may seem overwhelming at first, perhaps even scary. But let us stop and take it one part at a time over a few weeks and you will indeed see it is GOOD NEWS!
When I personally joined this church way back in 1990 I heard the term "Three Angel's Message" tossed around alot, but not many people stopped and took time to explain it. Have you ever had that experience? I want to take a little time to make sure we cover that ground and see how it impacts how we live for God. I am sure it will bring up many issues as we go along.
This topic I want to start at the beginning and look at the FIRST angel's message, next topic the second, and then that following topic the third.
So lets start taking a look at the first angel's message this week....
6 Then 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-- 7saying 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."
Basically what we are looking at this week is What is the First Angel's Message and what does it mean to us a church. Here is some questions that might help us achieve this....
What is an Angel? And how is that term being used here? Secondly what does it mean in this text when it says FEAR GOD, And His Judgment has come? How does this relate to what we teach as a church regarding 1844 and the Millerite message? How does this impact our mission as a church and how we live our lives?
Why is it a message for ever Nation, Tribe, Tongue and Peoples? Why is God named as the Creator in this verse? What is it trying to tell us?
I am excited to be sharing this study of the First Angel's Message with you all. I look forward to conversing on this topic as we "re-connect" as a list with this defining Adventist understanding.
------------------
~VINCE~ IN ~CHRIST~
SDA-TODAY moderator
This restless world is just illusion
All at once, there’s a message from above
This senseless world of mass confusion ....
In the name of love
There’s a message from above ... (Sammy Hagar 2000)