“And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. “Fear God,” he shouted. “Give glory to him. For the time has come when he will sit as judge. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all the springs of water.””
Revelation 14:6-7 NLT
Just as John is gripped by the wonder of the Heavenly choir and the 144,000 God-followers on earth with Jesus, singing the new song, his vision is distracted by the first of three flying angels. This one has a proclamation, and he wastes no time in making sure that all the inhabitants of the earth hear what he has to say. Don’t forget that the people living on earth include all who are marked with the 666 reference, on their hands or foreheads. In spite of all the problems and natural disasters, they still haven’t repented and turned to God. The angel’s proclamation is the Gospel, the Good News about Jesus and His Kingdom. He shouts the message out. The people must “Fear God“. They must acknowledge His presence and truth. They must worship Him, the Creator God, and, ominously, the angel warns the world that it’s judgement time. Our gracious God, even in the eleventh hour, still gives time for mankind to repent.
Imagine the scene. You are going about your daily business. But something in the sky grabs your attention. You look up, rub your eyes to make sure, and watch in amazement as an angel flies overhead, shouting out his message. You hear it in your native language. But the Asian family down the road hear it in their language as well. Simultaneously. In fact, regardless of what language is spoken, everyone will hear the message, loud and clear. No-one will have an excuse when they come to stand before God, to say they didn’t hear the Gospel, or understand the language of the angel. They won’t even be able to claim that the accent was indecipherable. How big will the angel be? Rest assured – he will be large enough for you to see him well. You won’t miss him, trust me!
In many ways this is a catch all. Up until now, God’s holy people, Christians everywhere, have gone to great lengths to share their faith, their messages of hope, the Gospel message of the Good News. Look at the extraordinary effort that has been put into translating the Bible. According to Wikipedia, as of September 2020, the full Bible has been translated into 704 languages, with the New Testament into a further 1551, and other portions bringing the total up to 3,415 languages. Over the centuries, missionaries have criss-crossed the globe with the Gospel message. But just in case an obscure people somewhere has failed to hear the message, or the people need a reminder, the first of the three angels will make sure they hear it.
But we know that God wants everyone to repent and turn to Him. The Apostle Peter recorded in his epistle 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent“. But we have a choice. God isn’t going to twist anyone’s arm. We can choose the broad way that leads to destruction or the narrow way that leads to eternal life.
If anyone is reading this blog today, and they haven’t yet made a decision for Christ, I invite you, even plead with you, to make the right choice right now. Before you forget. Don’t put it off. We don’t know when the day of Judgement will arrive, but it will be too late if you leave the decision until then. Remember, the default choice is the wrong choice. The Judgement Day will be a terrible time. A time when the enormity of having made the wrong decision suddenly hits home, as you are directed towards the door which opens into a place where you don’t want to go. And there’s no way back. God has said so.
Heavenly Father. We thank You for Your gracious patience. We pray for our families and friends, that our messages of hope will bear fruit and they will join us one day in Your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 