Good News!
(Note: This is the second in a series of blog articles about the three angels’ messages in Revelation 14:6-13. For the next four blog articles, we will unpack, point by point, the first angel’s message.)
As John’s vision of the three angels begins, he says, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth...” (Revelation 14:7). Before we go any further, we must ask ourselves, “What is this everlasting gospel?” We must understand this, for it is the basis of the messages that follow.
So what is the everlasting gospel? Paul summed it up perfectly when he said in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…” The greek word for gospel is euangelion, or “good news.” In a nutshell, the everlasting gospel is the good news of God’s power to save and sanctify.
In the opening words of the book of Revelation, John outlines for us, point by point, that which comprises the everlasting gospel:
Jesus Loves Us
Simple though it may sound, it is so profound—Jesus loves us! We come to an even greater realization of God’s love for us when we consider just how He has demonstrated it. Paul writes, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, NKJV). God loves us so much that He sacrificed His own Son to save us from our sins! Years ago, the hymnwriter penned these words:
Jesus Washed Us From Our Sins
After the fall of man, the human race faced a serious problem. They had broken God’s commandments—they had sinned. We are told in Romans 6:23 that “the wages of sin is death.” The entire human race was under a death sentence. We needed a substitute, one who could (1) live a sinless life, and therefore (2) bear our sins for us. If the substitute was not sinless, he would be simply paying the punishment for his own sins. But if he was sinless, then he could rightfully bear our sins for us.
Enter Jesus, the perfect Son of God. He became a human, was subject to all the trials and temptations that we face, and overcame—not by His own power, but by the same power that is available to all who put their trust in God! He was then qualified to be our substitute. He died a criminal’s death on a crude cross in a place called Calvary. Then, three days later, He arose!
Today, all who believe in His sacrifice (Acts 16:31) and admit the fact that they are sinners in need of His help (1 John 1:9) may be assured of salvation from sin and an eternal home in heaven. Praise God! But that’s not all…
Jesus Makes Us Kings and Priests
We are told that Jesus makes us kings and priests unto His Father—in other words, He makes us royalty! In John 1:12, we read, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” There are many who claim to be born-again Christians, but they do not live by the power that Jesus so graciously gives to all who accept His salvation. This is a dead form of Christianity. There is power in the blood of the Lamb, not only to free us from the burden of sin, but also to help us o’er evil the victory win! Peter writes, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). When we accept Christ’s salvation, we are then to be living witnesses to His power to save and cleanse from sin.
This is the everlasting gospel—the story of God’s plan to save and purify from sin. It is good news, wonderful news! Salvation is possible through Christ! If you have not accepted His gift of salvation, why not kneel down right now and do so today?
- Ilcias Vargas, Jr.
As John’s vision of the three angels begins, he says, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth...” (Revelation 14:7). Before we go any further, we must ask ourselves, “What is this everlasting gospel?” We must understand this, for it is the basis of the messages that follow.
So what is the everlasting gospel? Paul summed it up perfectly when he said in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…” The greek word for gospel is euangelion, or “good news.” In a nutshell, the everlasting gospel is the good news of God’s power to save and sanctify.
In the opening words of the book of Revelation, John outlines for us, point by point, that which comprises the everlasting gospel:
“John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne; and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:4-6).In this passage, four major points are given us concerning Christ that, in reality, are a summary of the everlasting gospel--(1) Jesus loved us, (2) washed us from our sins in His blood, and (3) made us kings and priests to God. So let us take a closer look at each of these points, that we may come to a better understanding of God’s everlasting gospel, the story of His plan to redeem mankind from their sins.
Jesus Loves Us
Simple though it may sound, it is so profound—Jesus loves us! We come to an even greater realization of God’s love for us when we consider just how He has demonstrated it. Paul writes, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, NKJV). God loves us so much that He sacrificed His own Son to save us from our sins! Years ago, the hymnwriter penned these words:
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul?This is all we can say as we stand in the light of Calvary.
What wondrous love is this, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this
That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul;
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul?
Jesus Washed Us From Our Sins
After the fall of man, the human race faced a serious problem. They had broken God’s commandments—they had sinned. We are told in Romans 6:23 that “the wages of sin is death.” The entire human race was under a death sentence. We needed a substitute, one who could (1) live a sinless life, and therefore (2) bear our sins for us. If the substitute was not sinless, he would be simply paying the punishment for his own sins. But if he was sinless, then he could rightfully bear our sins for us.
Enter Jesus, the perfect Son of God. He became a human, was subject to all the trials and temptations that we face, and overcame—not by His own power, but by the same power that is available to all who put their trust in God! He was then qualified to be our substitute. He died a criminal’s death on a crude cross in a place called Calvary. Then, three days later, He arose!
Today, all who believe in His sacrifice (Acts 16:31) and admit the fact that they are sinners in need of His help (1 John 1:9) may be assured of salvation from sin and an eternal home in heaven. Praise God! But that’s not all…
Jesus Makes Us Kings and Priests
We are told that Jesus makes us kings and priests unto His Father—in other words, He makes us royalty! In John 1:12, we read, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” There are many who claim to be born-again Christians, but they do not live by the power that Jesus so graciously gives to all who accept His salvation. This is a dead form of Christianity. There is power in the blood of the Lamb, not only to free us from the burden of sin, but also to help us o’er evil the victory win! Peter writes, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). When we accept Christ’s salvation, we are then to be living witnesses to His power to save and cleanse from sin.
This is the everlasting gospel—the story of God’s plan to save and purify from sin. It is good news, wonderful news! Salvation is possible through Christ! If you have not accepted His gift of salvation, why not kneel down right now and do so today?
- Ilcias Vargas, Jr.
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