Angel 3 – Don’t take Satan’s tattoo
9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” (Revelation 14:9-11–ESV)
Allegiance with Satan is for forever. This third and final angel gives a prophecy. That prophecy is a warning telling of a future. The sure pathway to God’s wrath is through worship of Satan and accepting his mark of allegiance. Those left alive at this point are rapidly being sifted into Beast-worship, Beast-allegiance. Into this apocalyptic scene flew a third angel giving warning.
Choose the Beast, live on earth a while longer, but face the full anger of the Lamb.
Reject the Beast, die now, but escape through grace into the eternal goodness of God.
In our day this choice is no where near as stark as it will then be. Stark or not the finality of choice is not diminished. Wrath is still the endgame for the disobedient and salvation for the allegiant.
What are these angels doing?
They are sent from Zion for angels are God’s messengers. God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone including the wicked. Check out Ezekiel 33:11 for the reference. God desires that all come to repentance. To the very end of things and right through the heart of Satan’s final dark deeds God sends his messengers. Sometimes they are people, once it was he himself, and other times angels are sent. In Revelation 14 we are told of angels and their message.
A recap is below:
- Worship God, the creator, and serve him only: Message 1 – Revelation
- Take note that Satan’s house falls: Message 2 – Observation
- Reject the initiatives of the dark one: Message 3 – Choice
What is going on with God and Satan?
They are vying for our souls. This must not be lost upon us for it can be a boon to your own self-esteem. Of course, we have heard time and again God is love, God made us, we are valued because of that. Sometimes that message can go in one ear and out the other. For a moment, though, turn your attention to Satan himself. He values something you have to offer. He does not value you, but there is something you and I have that he lusts for. We have allegiance to offer and my how he values that. He will force you to worship him. God will give you the opportunity to worship him.
We should pause and ponder this. Nothing in all of creation is as valuable as the human souls that walk upon it. From the smallest to the greatest we all carry a spark that can be lit up for self and Satan or given back to God. Satan wants that spark for himself. God wants that spark for yourself. In the flame of God the human being has closure in the quest for meaning and purpose. There is the happily-ever-after. There is the reason why angels like those of Revelation 14 go. God is not slow in keeping his promises, but wants all to join him…for their good.
This perspective is very useful personally. It is very useful outwardly. It is very useful eternally.
1Fritz A, Samenow J. (2017, August 30) Harvey has unloaded 24.5 trillion gallons of water on Texas and Louisiana. Retrieved on 9/2/2017 from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/08/30/harvey-has-unloaded-24-5-trillion-gallons-of-water-on-texas-and-louisiana/?utm_term=.64f27e3903bd
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