lesson eight

MAY 19–25

Worship the
Creator
“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”
(Rev. 14:6, NKJV).

God has given us the light of knowledge, knowledge that is precious

and necessary. We need to reach toward it and rejoice in the Lord
who has given it to us.
sabbath
MAY 19
Introduction
The Hour of Judgment Rev. 14:7

Has Come!
As young children, my brother and I loved to run around and explore cas-
tles along the coast of western Africa in a country called Ghana, where we
grew up and lived as missionaries. We would jump on old British-era can-
nons and run through tunnels. There was one particular castle experience
that I will never forget: Elmina Castle.

The Lord delivered them to freedom

in the most amazing way.
Like many of the other castles around Ghana’s coast, Elmina Cas-
tle was built more than five hundred years ago! It was one of the most
important stops on the Atlantic slave route under the Portuguese, the
Dutch, and then, later, the British. The castle has several prison cells,
where men, women, and children from all over the Gold Coast were held
and inhumanely treated until they were shipped off to Europe and North
America as slaves.
The conditions these people were subjected to were unimaginable, and
many of them died on the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. But many of
these slaves, in spite of the severe oppression, sang songs and praised
God while they labored in the fields. They sang songs of hope, hope for
Jesus’ second coming when they would finally be delivered and taken to
paradise, where they would be free.
This inspiring piece of history reminds me of my favorite Bible character,
Paul, and his friend Silas. Together they were imprisoned in Philippi after
being flogged. “About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing
hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly
there was . . . a violent earthquake. . . . At once all the prison doors flew
open, and everyone’s chains came loose” (Acts 16:25, 26, NIV). The Lord
delivered them to freedom in the most amazing way.
As the hour of judgment and persecution draws near, can you confi-
dently say that you are willing to praise God even on the darkest of days?
Revelation 14:7 says, “He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give him
glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made
the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water’  ” (NIV). What
a beautiful task God has given us! He is reminding us of His glory and
majesty. God is encouraging us to prepare and make haste because the
end is drawing near, when He will finally come back and take us prisoners
of this sinful world to paradise—where we will be free!

Komal Nunfeli Swansi, Silang, Cavite, Philippines

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 sunday
MAY 20

Rev. 14:6
Evidence
God’s Cup of Wrath

In chapter 14 of the book of Revelation, the three angels’ messages are

revealed to us in the most mesmerizing way. The eternal gospel is to be pro-
claimed to all who live on earth that all who inhabit this place will worship the
One who made the heavens and earth.

It is the fulfillment of all of our hopes as believers.

The three angels’ messages given in Revelation 14:6–12 are some of the
foundational beliefs of our church! This is especially true for all of those who
are living in the last days, waiting for the second coming of Christ. It is the fulfill-
ment of all of our hopes as believers. Furthermore, in verse 6, the word gospel
actually means “good news.” This good news is not simply the announcement
that God is delivering and restoring His people, it is also the announcement
that He is bringing forth judgment on His enemies and the wicked nations.
Furthermore, in verse 8, the second angel says, “She has fallen! Great
Babylon has fallen! She made all the people drink her wine—the strong wine
of her immoral lust!” (GNT). The word fallen refers to Babylon. The Israelites
referred to Babylon as a symbol of idolatry, lust, and immorality because they
had previously experienced exile in Babylon.
Verses 9 and 10 declare that those who worship the beast will drink wine
from God’s cup of wrath. Scripture regularly uses the symbol of the cup to
represent a measured out portion of God’s anger against sin and the wicked
nations. But don’t worry, there is a promise in verse 13.
The good news is that those who die in the service of the Lord will enjoy
rest from their hard work. The promise goes out to all who love God and will be
saved for eternal life. Those who are wicked will be unable to touch you, and
God’s cup of fury will be poured out to torment the wicked.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be among those who will drink
from God’s cup of wrath. I want to fear God and give glory to the One who
made the heavens and the earth—the same One who died on the cross for
my sins. If that is what you want, then God calls for your endurance to obey His
commandments and be faithful to Jesus.

REACT
1. What does the “everlasting gospel” carried by the three angels mean?
2. “Babylon is a symbol of idolatry, lust, and immorality.” Discuss specifically
what Babylon signifies in today’s modern context.
3. In what way can we as Adventists avoid the wine of God’s fury that is
poured out of God’s cup of wrath (Rev. 14:10)?
Komal Nunfeli Swansi, Silang, Cavite, Philippines
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monday
MAY 21
Logos
Going to Share Rev. 14:6;
2 Pet. 1:12
a Global Gospel
Present Truth (Rev. 10:1; 14:6)
The messages of the three angels in Revelation 14 are the fulfillment
of what was commissioned by the angel in Revelation 10. The men-
tion of “another angel” refers the reader back to the seven angels who
introduced the trumpet judgment and is a reminder of judgment. The
progressive unfolding of truth is a recurring biblical theme throughout
Scripture.

The Gospel (Matt. 24:14; Rom. 1:1)

Revelation 14:6 is the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14. The gospel is not
a different gospel but the same Christ-centered message that the whole
Bible is all about. The final proclamation of this gospel began at Pente-
cost. It includes the good news about Christ’s life, death, resurrection,
and ascension to heaven.

The combined message of the three angels, at its very

core, is a special invitation for the whole world
to worship the living God.
Revelation 14:6 is the only place this word gospel appears in the
book of Revelation (although the verb form is also found in Rev. 10:7).
The accompanying verb “to preach” gives special force to the impor-
tance of what is proclaimed. This is the first of three angels who pro-
claim God’s final message to the world. Most commentators, including
non-Adventist ones, agree that this is “a final chance to repent” that is
“being given the nations.”1 Thus in the overall context of Revelation, the
gospel includes the good news about Christ’s second advent when He
rescues His people.

Those Who Dwell on the Earth (Rev. 1:6; 13:8; 14:6)

The phrase “those who dwell on the earth” occurs frequently in the
book of Revelation. It “functions almost as a technical expression for
the wicked, namely, those who resist the gospel and persecute God’s
faithful people (cf. 3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 14; 17:2).”2 They are
those who worship the beast, whose names are “not written in the book
of life” (Rev. 13:8). This picture stands in contrast to “those who dwell in
heaven” (Rev. 13:6, NASB) and reign in heavenly places (cf. Rev. 1:6;

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5:9, 10). This message is not for believers but is, instead, a final warning
message to unbelievers.

Global Reality (Matt. 24:14; Rev. 10:11; 13:7, 8)

The message of the “everlasting gospel” is global in scope. The
reference to “every tribe and people and tongue and nation” relates to
Revelation 10:11, where John is commissioned to prophesy again “con-
cerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings” (NASB).
Thus this earlier commission means that there is a continuing reality
for the church. This global warning comes as the sea beast is given
authority “over every tribe and people and tongue and nation” when all
render their allegiance to Satan to worship him (Rev. 13:7, 8, NASB).
Since Satan’s work is global in scope, in the same way the end-time
gospel message is just as much a global message. Jesus through this
message is warning the world about the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14,
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a
witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” The combined
message of the three angels, at its very core, is a special invitation for
the whole world to worship the living God before it is too late.

REACT
1. In what way can you help share the good news of the gospel?
2. In what ways have you grown in your understanding of truth?
3. How do God’s end-time people have a special message for the
world?

____________
1. Grant R. Osbourne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002), p. 535.
2. Ranko Stefanovic, Revelation of Jesus Christ: Commentary on the Book of Revelation,
2nd ed. (Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 2009), pp. 245, 451.

Michael W. Campbell, Silang, Cavite, Philippines

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tuesday
MAY 22
Testimony
The Power of Proclama- Rev. 14:6–20

tion and Personal Labor

“The proclamation of the judgment is an announcement of Christ’s sec-
ond coming as at hand. And this proclamation is called the everlasting gospel
(Rev. 14:6, 7). Thus the preaching of Christ’s second coming, the announce-
ment of its nearness, is shown to be an essential part of the gospel message.
“The Bible declares that in the last days men will be absorbed in worldly
pursuits, in pleasure and money-getting. They will be blind to eternal reali-
ties. . . .
“Men are rushing on in the chase for gain and selfish indulgence as if there
were no God, no heaven, and no hereafter. . . . The message of Christ’s soon
coming is designed to arouse men from their absorption in worldly things. It
is intended to awaken them to a sense of eternal realities, that they may give
heed to the invitation to the Lord’s table. . . .

“We are not to wait for souls to come to us;

we must seek them out where they are.”
“The world is perishing for want of the gospel. There is a famine for the
word of God. There are few who preach the word unmixed with human tradi-
tion. Though men have the Bible in their hands, they do not receive the bless-
ing that God has placed in it for them. The Lord calls upon His servants to
carry His message to the people. The word of everlasting life must be given
to those who are perishing in their sins.
“To a great degree this must be accomplished by personal labor. This was
Christ’s method. His work was largely made up of personal interviews. He
had a faithful regard for the one-soul audience. Through that one soul the
message was often extended to thousands.
“We are not to wait for souls to come to us; we must seek them out where
they are. When the word has been preached in the pulpit, the work has but
just begun. There are multitudes who will never be reached by the gospel
unless it is carried to them. . . .
“None should be neglected because of their apparent devotion to worldly
things. Many in high social positions are heartsore, and sick of vanity. They
are longing for a peace which they have not. In the very highest ranks of
society are those who are hungering and thirsting for salvation. Many would
receive help if the Lord’s workers would approach them personally, with a
kind manner, a heart made tender by the love of Christ.”1
____________
1. Ellen G. White, Christ Object Lessons, pp. 227–229, 231.

Editors, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA

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 wednesday MAY 23
Rom. 12:2;
How-to
2 Cor. 7:1 Preparing for the End Times

In Matthew 24, during the last days of Jesus’ ministry on this earth,
Jesus gathered His small group of believers on the Mount of Olives to
relay His last message before He returned to His father in heaven. He told
them that He would be going away, but before He returned there would be
different kinds of signs that would happen. Jesus told them that in order to
identify the signs of His coming, they must be faithful to Him.

How do we prepare?
He foretold many others who would try to deceive them by claim-
ing that they were sent by God. Every corner of this earth would hear
of wars and fighting, but it would not be the end of the world just yet.
Different natural disasters would cause pain on the earth, and the sins
of the people of the earth would increase. There would be hunger and
diseases that would contribute to heartaches and sorrows, but the end
would not come until every person had heard the Word of God.
The signs are there to help us realize that Jesus’ coming is very soon
and these are indeed the end times. How do we prepare?
Renew our minds. Our minds are channels that store information
that helps us make decisions in life. Many things in this world affect us
through our minds. When we renew our minds and allow the Holy Spirit
to work through us, we are running in the right direction. To renew your
mind and enrich your relationship with Jesus, read the Bible and the
Spirit of Prophecy, which show us the signs that will happen in the end
times.
Purify ourselves. In 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, it mentions that our bod-
ies are the temples of God, and to keep our bodies pure, we must not
participate in the sins of this world by breaking the law of God. To purify
our lives we need to keep the commandments of God with the help of
the Holy Spirit.
Perfect holiness. When we love God, we will keep His law, because
the law is holy and His will for us is nothing but the best. We cannot be
completely faithful followers of God if we are not conscious of being
faithful to God. To love Him and be faithful to Him, we are not to break
His law.

REACT
1. How can you stand strong in the midst of trials and temptations?
2. How can you live a holy life in this world?
Loloma Gairo, Silang Cavite, Philippines
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thursday
MAY 24
Opinion
God’s Picture Rev. 14:7

in the Mind

People are always expecting to hear news. Citizens expect presidential

addresses. Fans follow their star’s latest announcements. Rarely does the
news come in the form of a command. However, Revelation 14 shares
endless good news, or the eternal gospel, for each person to take heed to
and follow. What is it about? Verse 7 states, “Fear God and give him glory.”
People picture God differently. Some see Him as a close Friend with
whom they can joke or laugh. Others say that He is far away, judging wrong-
doings and sending blessings to the holy ones and curses to the wicked.
Yet others may see Him as a compassionate King who has power and uses
it to help them in their great trials. Our picture of God will determine whether
we decide to worship Him or to be afraid of Him.

Our picture of God will determine whether we decide to

worship Him or to be afraid of Him.
What does it mean to fear God? Fear is not usually used as a nice word.
However, the word fear in Revelation has another connotation. It stands
for respect, admiration, recognition, reverence, honor, praise, and worship.
This fear and exaltation has its foundation in love and thankfulness from
humanity to the Hero, Creator, and Savior of all.
God has the power to do as He pleases. Through His Word, works, and
nature, God reveals His choice to love and care for humanity. For that rea-
son, to worship God is not just to attend a meeting in the church or to bow
down the head. It is to bow down the heart before Him and give Him the
glory and the best in terms of honor, time, resources, abilities, and service.
From the giving of His Son and descriptions in His Word to the everyday
miracles, God shows His desire to be with us. Even nature is a living wit-
ness of His care for the details of our lives. Seeing all that He does, there is
no other response but to be thankful and return that love. The good news
of Revelation 14 becomes just a reminder of our solemn duty to Him. This
joy in people’s hearts to respect and reverence the One they most admire
and recognize as the Sovereign of the universe has no end. Their worship
is centered in completely giving their lives to His honor.

REACT
1. How do you picture God in your mind?
2. How does this picture help you to honor Him?
Francis Gabriela Correa Carrión, Silang, Cavite, Philippines
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 friday
MAY 25
Exploration
Matt. 28:19, 20
“I Am With You Always”

CONCLUDE
As time grows short on earth, we hear of wars, we see disasters and
violence, and we may, at times, feel afraid. But Jesus assures us that we are
not to be afraid but, rather, to draw closer and closer to Him. Jesus is not only
our Rescuer; in the end, He is also our Judge, so we do not need to be afraid.
Jesus calls us to action rather than to fear—to care for those who are
disadvantaged and to reach out to those who have not heard of His plan to
save us. For Christians, the end-time events are not to be terrifying days but
days of joyful anticipation knowing that Jesus will come soon to take us away
from this sinful world of sorrow to live forever with Him and to wipe every tear
from our eyes. He will be with us always, even to the end. So let us have con-
fidence in Him and praise Him for His wonderful rescue plan for us.

CONSIDER
• Listening to the song “How Great Is Our God,” by Chris Tomlin, and
reflecting on God’s mercy in His plan of salvation.
• Writing a prayer praising God for each of His blessings to you, espe-
cially the gift of salvation. Be specific.
• Reading blogs by missionaries who share Jesus with others around
the world. Investigate ways that you can become involved through
fund-raising for specific projects, short-term mission work, praying for
the missionaries, or sending care packages to student missionaries.
• Volunteering to share the gospel either locally in the church, at an
evangelistic series, through Bible studies, or internationally as a mis-
sionary.
• Making a card for a shut-in or a person in a nursing home. Focus on
sharing with the person a message of God’s love for him or her.
• Painting a picture depicting the three angels of Revelation. Consider
including images of their messages in the picture and how different
cultures might envision the angels. Share it in Sabbath School.
• Writing a poem or a song giving glory to God for His creation. Con-
sider sharing the poem or song in Sabbath School or church.

CONNECT
Matthew 25:31–46; John 5:22–30; 14:1–6.
Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, chapter 86, “Go Teach All Nations”;
The Great Controversy, chapter 38, “The Final Warning.”
Derek Morris, The Radical Teachings of Jesus, chapter 6, “What Jesus
Taught About the Judgment.”
Heidi Campbell, Silang, Cavite, Philippines
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