A New Revelation

(Note: This is the first is a series of blog articles about the three angels’ messages in Revelation 14:6-13. For the next few weeks we will unpack the meaning of these special end-time messages and see how we can apply them to our lives today.)

The year is 96 A.D. In a cave on a Greek island called Patmos sits an elderly man, with a stylus in his hand, and a roll of parchment on his lamp. He gazes over the waves of the Mediterranean sea rolling up against the shore. Then, picking up his pen, he begins to write.


From that lonely cave on the Isle of Patmos, John the Revelator beheld some of the greatest scenes ever to be beheld by mortal man. This last living of the 12 apostles of Christ was given a look into the future, and penned down the things he saw for succeeding generations to read and heed.​

The things John saw in vision on the prison island of Patmos are recorded for us in the book of Revelation. There are those who teach that the book of Revelation is a sealed book that no one can understand, when in reality, it is just the opposite. It begins with the following words:

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:1-3).

The pen of inspiration tells us, “In the Revelation are portrayed the deep things of God. The very name given to its inspired pages, ‘the Revelation,’ contradicts the statement that this is a sealed book. A revelation is something revealed. The Lord Himself revealed to His servant the mysteries contained in this book, and He designs that they shall be open to the study of all” (E. G. White, Acts of the Apostles, p. 584). The messages contained in the book of Revelation are addressed to those who are living in the time when the fulfillment of its prophecies are “at hand.”

The Time is at Hand

The focal point of the book of Revelation is Jesus and His soon return to earth. It is described for us several times—in chapters 1, 6, 14, 16, and 19—and reference to it is made even more times. So when John says that “the time is at hand” for his readers, he is making reference to the Second Coming of Christ. Is it possible that he was referring to us? Sure, it is possible! But was he referring to our day? I am convinced that he was.

In Matthew 24 and elsewhere in the Bible, Jesus has given us several signs of His return, among which are:

• Wars and Rumors of War (Matthew 24:6, 7)
• Famines (Matthew 24:7)
• Disease (Matthew 24:7)
• Earthquakes (Matthew 24:7)
• False prophets (Matthew 24:24)
• Increase of Knowledge (Daniel 12:4)
• Trouble in the Environment (Isaiah 51:6)
• Increasing Problems of Pollution (Revelation 11:18)

        … and many, many more signs!

We see these signs increasing in frequency and intensity, all letting us know that the return of Christ is near.

It is because it is so late in earth’s history that God is now sending out a final warning message to the people of the world to prepare them for the next great event in human history—the second coming of Christ. This message is recorded for us in the book of Revelation.

God’s Final Warning Message

John writes:

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:6-13).

The word angel means “messenger.” So this imagery of three angels used here in the 14th chapter of Revelation signifies that a special message is being delivered to the entire world. These angels fly high in the air, where all can see, and their message is universal. The fact that a description of the return of Christ is given right after these messages (see Revelation 14:14) indicates that these messages comprise God’s final warning message to this world.

So just what are these three angels’ messages all about? What do they mean to us here in the twenty-first century? Beginning next week, we will unpack the meaning of these special messages point by point, so we may come to a fuller understanding of God’s plan for a world on the edge of eternity.

- Ilcias Vargas, Jr.