Revelation 14:6-13
Three Angels Announce Judgment
Read the passage
6Then I saw another angel flying overhead, with the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.
7And he said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.”
8Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”
9And a third angel followed them, calling out in a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on his forehead or on his hand,
10he too will drink the wine of God’s anger, poured undiluted into the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented in fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.
11And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. Day and night there is no rest for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”
12Here is a call for the perseverance of the saints, who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
13And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
John sees an angel flying overhead with an eternal gospel to proclaim to every nation, tribe, language, and people. The angel says to fear God, give Him glory, and worship Him who made heaven, earth, sea, and springs of water, because the hour of His judgment has come.
A second angel announces that Babylon the great has fallen because she made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality. A third angel warns that anyone who worships the beast and its image and receives its mark will drink the wine of God's wrath.
The third angel describes that wrath without softening it: torment in fire and sulfur before the holy angels and the Lamb, smoke rising forever, and no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and receive its mark. Giving the beast worship is not a harmless way to avoid trouble.
This calls for perseverance from the saints, who keep God's commands and faith in Jesus. Then a voice tells John to write that those who die in the Lord from now on are blessed. The Spirit says they will rest from their labors and their deeds will follow them.
The passage puts two outcomes before the churches. The beast offers a way to take part in the world, but its worshipers face God's wrath without rest. Those who belong to the Lord may die in faithful service, yet are promised rest. The warning and blessing both call the saints to hold to Jesus.
Questions
1 Who hears the eternal gospel?
AnswerEvery nation, tribe, language, and people hear it. The announcement of judgment and worship is universal rather than limited to one favored audience.
2 What does the first angel command?
AnswerThe angel commands people to fear God, give Him glory, and worship the Creator. Judgment is announced alongside an invitation to return to the One who made all things.
3 What does Babylon's fall signify?
AnswerIt signifies the collapse of a power that intoxicates nations with sexual immorality and corrupt influence. The announcement exposes the system before its visible fall is complete.
4 Who is called blessed?
AnswerThose who die in the Lord are blessed. They rest from their labors, and their deeds follow them; faithful work is not forgotten by God.
What This Means for Us
A costly act of obedience can seem pointless when compromise would make life easier. Remember where each allegiance leads. Bring the particular pressure you face to Jesus and ask Him to help you keep His commands. The rest He promises gives His people reason to persevere even when their work receives little recognition.
Prayer
Creator God, turn our worship away from corrupt powers and toward You. Give endurance to Your saints, rest to those who die in the Lord, and faithfulness to our household in work that You remember. Amen.