What did Jesus tell about the Gospel to his disciples?
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature
Note: Preach the Gospel to every creature [person].
When will the end come according to Jesus?
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
Note: Preaching of "this gospel of the kingdom" to all the world and then the end shall come. Jesus is telling us that there would be a gospel message that would have to be preached to the whole world before His second coming and then the end will come.
Where do we find such a gospel message?
Revelation 14:6-7 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,(7) 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.
Note: This is the gospel - everlasting gospel - that Jesus prophesied would be given to “all the world” (Matt. 24:14). (The word that is translated angel in Revelation 14:6 means messenger. God has always had messengers to preach his message of grace to the world).
What are the messages that are given to us as the everlasting gospel?
Everlasting Gospel includes a three part message:
a) Revelation 14:7 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.
Note: The Everlasting Gospel includes the message by the first angel which is:
1) Fear God
2) Give glory to him
3) The hour of judgment is come
4) Worship the creator of heaven and earth
b) Revelation 14:8 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.
Note: The Everlasting Gospel includes the message by the second angel which is:
- Babylon is fallen
c) Revelation 14:9-11 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
Note: The Everlasting Gospel includes the message by the third angel which warns against:
- Worshipping the beast and receiving his Mark.
[We shall dwell on the three part message of the everlasting Gospel in more detail later in this study!]
What does the gospel do to those who believe?
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ : for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth
Note: Gospel is the power of God to save everyone from sin, that believeth in Jesus. The word Gospel [Gr. euaggelion] means “GOOD NEWS”. The good news is the message of salvation from sin [both penalty, guilt and power] through Jesus Christ.
If the gospel is the power of God to save us, where is the power of God manifested?
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me
Note: The power of God is revealed by preaching the cross. The cross is the power of God because it makes peace and reconciliation (Col. 1:20, Eph. 2:16). If we preach the cross [Christ and him crucified], Jesus will draw people out of sin and Babylon!
If preaching of the cross is the power of God to save us from sin, what does this mean to the preaching of “Everlasting Gospel”?
This means that God’s people are to preach nothing but “Christ and him crucified” through the Three angel’s messages. In other words, we are to preach or introduce Christ Jesus through the Three Angel’s messages.
What two things does the fourth angel add to the three angel’s messages?
Revelation 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power ; and the earth was lightened with his glory .
Note: Power and Glory
Where is the power and glory of God most clearly seen in all of scriptures?
Gal 6:14, But God forbid that I should glory , save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Note: The final piece that this angel of revelation descends with, to add power to the three angel’s messages is nothing else but Jesus Christ and him crucified.
This is for our Adventist bretheren:
Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel . Now we have a message, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world." Will not our church members keep their eyes fixed on a crucified and risen Saviour, in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered? This is our message, our argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the sorrowing, the hope for every believer. If we can awaken an interest in men's minds that will cause them to fix their eyes on Christ, we may step aside, and ask them only to continue to fix their eyes upon the Lamb of God. They thus receive their lesson. Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. He whose eyes are fixed on Jesus will leave all. He will die to selfishness. He will believe in all the Word of God, which is so gloriously and wonderfully exalted in Christ. (SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, p.1113)
Of all professing Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should be foremost in uplifting Christ before the world. The proclamation of the third angel's message calls for the presentation of the Sabbath truth. This truth, with others included in the message, is to be proclaimed; but the great center of attraction, Christ Jesus, must not be left out. It is at the cross of Christ that mercy and truth meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss each other. The sinner must be led to look to Calvary; with the simple faith of a little child he must trust in the merits of the Saviour, accepting His righteousness, believing in His mercy. (Gospel Workers p.156)
3) The hour of judgment is come
4) Worship the creator of heaven and earth
b) Revelation 14:8 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.
Note: The Everlasting Gospel includes the message by the second angel which is:
- Babylon is fallen
c) Revelation 14:9-11 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
Note: The Everlasting Gospel includes the message by the third angel which warns against:
- Worshipping the beast and receiving his Mark.
[We shall dwell on the three part message of the everlasting Gospel in more detail later in this study!]
What does the gospel do to those who believe?
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ : for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth
Note: Gospel is the power of God to save everyone from sin, that believeth in Jesus. The word Gospel [Gr. euaggelion] means “GOOD NEWS”. The good news is the message of salvation from sin [both penalty, guilt and power] through Jesus Christ.
If the gospel is the power of God to save us, where is the power of God manifested?
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me
Note: The power of God is revealed by preaching the cross. The cross is the power of God because it makes peace and reconciliation (Col. 1:20, Eph. 2:16). If we preach the cross [Christ and him crucified], Jesus will draw people out of sin and Babylon!
If preaching of the cross is the power of God to save us from sin, what does this mean to the preaching of “Everlasting Gospel”?
This means that God’s people are to preach nothing but “Christ and him crucified” through the Three angel’s messages. In other words, we are to preach or introduce Christ Jesus through the Three Angel’s messages.
What two things does the fourth angel add to the three angel’s messages?
Revelation 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power ; and the earth was lightened with his glory .
Note: Power and Glory
Where is the power and glory of God most clearly seen in all of scriptures?
Gal 6:14, But God forbid that I should glory , save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Note: The final piece that this angel of revelation descends with, to add power to the three angel’s messages is nothing else but Jesus Christ and him crucified.
This is for our Adventist bretheren:
Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel . Now we have a message, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world." Will not our church members keep their eyes fixed on a crucified and risen Saviour, in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered? This is our message, our argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the sorrowing, the hope for every believer. If we can awaken an interest in men's minds that will cause them to fix their eyes on Christ, we may step aside, and ask them only to continue to fix their eyes upon the Lamb of God. They thus receive their lesson. Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. He whose eyes are fixed on Jesus will leave all. He will die to selfishness. He will believe in all the Word of God, which is so gloriously and wonderfully exalted in Christ. (SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, p.1113)
Of all professing Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should be foremost in uplifting Christ before the world. The proclamation of the third angel's message calls for the presentation of the Sabbath truth. This truth, with others included in the message, is to be proclaimed; but the great center of attraction, Christ Jesus, must not be left out. It is at the cross of Christ that mercy and truth meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss each other. The sinner must be led to look to Calvary; with the simple faith of a little child he must trust in the merits of the Saviour, accepting His righteousness, believing in His mercy. (Gospel Workers p.156)
Preaching the Cross [Christ] through the three angels messages
First Angel’s message :
Now let’s expands the four part message of the first angel’s message (Rev. 14:7):
Part 1) Fear God
Part 2) Give glory to him
Part 3) The hour of his judgment is come
Part 4) Worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Part 1: First Angel’s message - What does it mean to Fear God?
Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me , and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever
Note: Fear God is connected with keeping the LAW of self sacrificing love and the cross confirms the LAW of God:
We are told in Daniel that Jesus the Messiah will confirm the covenant:
Dan 9:27 And he [the Messiah] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week
How did Jesus the messiah confirm the covenant?
Mathew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament [covenant], which is shed for many for the remission of sins
Note: When Jesus said this is the blood of my new Covenant, he was saying that his “blood confirms the covenant”. The sacrifice that he did on the cross confirms the covenant and therefore, it cannot be changed.
What is the new covenant that Jesus confirmed?
Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts : and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Note: The new covenant includes the ‘LAW’ of self sacrificing love written in our hearts. Therefore the bible tells us that the cross confirms the covenant. [So get this - if you reject the covenant [Law of God], you reject the cross!]. Daniel 7:25 say that the man of sin “think to change the times and laws”, which is another way of saying, the man of sin think to change the new covenant [Law of God written in our heart]. Thus, what he [the man of sin] is really warring against is what the cross stands for. (See also: Law of self sacrificing love done away denies the cross).
Part 2: First Angel’s message - What does it mean to give glory to him?
We are told in Isaiah that we were “created” for God’s glory:
Isaiah 43:7 even every one that is called by my name for I have created him for my glory yea I have formed him yea I have made him
Genesis 1:27 so God created man in His own image in the image of God created he him male and female created he them
Note: We are created to reflect God’s image. An image is the reflection of the original.
What is God’s glory?
Exodus 33:18-19 and he said I beseech thee show me thy glory and he said I will make all my goodness pass before thee and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and ill show mercy on whom I will show mercy
Note: Moses asked God to show his glory and God responded:
- I will make all my goodness pass before thee
- And I will proclaim the name of the Lord
- And I will be gracious on whom I will be gracious
- And show mercy on whom I will show mercy
God’s glory is his character (Exodus 34:5-6).
The first angel calls the people of God to give glory to him which means reflect His glory [character]. Who makes it possible to reflect God's character?
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory
Note: Only Christ!
Part 3: First Angel’s message - The hour of his judgment is come
When is the heavenly Day of Atonement [judgment]? When did the hour of judgment begin?
Dan. 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed
Note: The hour of judgment began after 2300 years. The same way, earthly sanctuary was cleansed on the typical annual day of atonement (Lev. 16:30), the bible says the heavenly sanctuary needed cleansing (Heb. 9:22-24); this day of atonement signified a day of judgment when all the sins of the people were blotted out or cleansed. Daniel 8:14 gives us the time when the judgment in heaven would begin and the sanctuary will be cleansed. Adding 2300 [prophetic days] from 457 B.C - the date for the beginning of the 2300 day prophesy brings us to the autumn of 1844. Therefore, “Unto 2300 days, then the sanctuary will be cleansed”:
Sanctuary will be cleansed by what?
1 John 1:7 The BLOOD of Jesus Christ his Son CLEANSETH us from all sin.
Note: The 2300 days is a Christ centered teaching! What was the only hope of the Israelites on the earthly Day of Atonement [judgment]?
Leviticus 16:30 For on that day the priest shall make ATONEMENT for you, to CLEANSE you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the LORD
Leviticus 17:11 For it is the BLOOD that maketh an ATONEMENT for the soul.
Note: It was the blood of Jesus, the only hope of the Israelites. So is our hope during the antitypical Day of Atonement. Judgment reverses the false condemnation against the righteous (John 5:24). (See: Investigative Judgment, Christ in the Heavenly sanctuary).
Part 4: First Angel’s message - Worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters
Compare the two verses:
Revelation 14:7 “worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
Exodus 20:11 "the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is”
Note: This is directly pointing our attention to the forgotten commandment, the only commandment that tell us to remember the Sabbath day and why? For God alone is the creator and only him we are to worship and the Creator [Jesus] confirms the Sabbath. How did He confirm?
God tested the Israelites when they came out of Egypt. He rained down Manna for six days and on the seventh day, he rained down none (Ex 16:4-28). God's purpose in doing this was to teach them trust in his provision! They were to trust and have full assurance. And the Sabbath was the test of their trust or full assurance. On the seventh day, they were to trust in the full provision that was given to them on the sixth day. How much was it given to them on the sixth day? Double portion (Ex. 16:22).
Jesus comes along and He says “I am the bread" (John 6:48-49) - I am the manna that came down from heaven. So Jesus picks up this analogy and if he is the bread of life, then we can expect something would happen on a sixth day in the life of Jesus. What happened on a Friday with Jesus? He was crucified. So get this now - The cross of Christ was the double portion - the more than abounding blessing that God has given us and now what comes the day after Jesus died? It is the Sabbath. So, do you realize that the Sabbath is a test to see whether we trust in the full provision made for us at the cross? That's what it its!
Every Sabbath we keep, we are saying, "I trust in the full provision made for me at the cross, I will rest in him". That means, I am resting from my own works (Heb. 4:10). What are my own works? The works of the flesh. Therefore, the Sabbath reveals our ultimate trust in the sacrifice of Christ. Cross [blood stained banner] stands for the confirmation of the Sabbath. So, to deny Sabbath is to deny the very thing the cross stands for.
For our Adventist bretheren:
“As the sinner looks upon the Saviour dying on Calvary, and realizes that the Sufferer is divine, he asks why, this great sacrifice was made; and the cross points to the holy law of God , which has been transgressed. The death of Christ is an unanswerable argument to the immutability and righteousness of the law. ” Bible Echo, March 15, 1893 par. 3
Second Angel’s message – Babylon is fallen
Who is Babylon?
Revelation 17: 1-6 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
Note: Rev. 17 describes the false woman - church = Babylon. A woman in Bible prophesy represents a church (Jeremiah 6:2).
Note that Babylon is described as having a golden cup in her hand and she is making the nations drunk with the Wine. Interestingly, during the last supper, Jesus not only gave the disciples bread, but he also gave them a cup. And he said, “This is the blood of my New Testament or covenant” (Mathew 26:28). Now what kind of grape juice did Jesus give his disciples? Unfermented wine. It was pure grape juice. It represented the pure teaching of his gospel. But what Babylon and her daughters are giving is a counterfeit version. This wine is fermented. It’s causing people to get drunk and forget something:
Proverbs 31:3-5 Give not thy strength unto women , nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4It is not for kings to drink wine ; nor for princes strong drink: 5Lest they drink, and forget the law .
Note: Babylon has a cup in her hand with wine which she’s giving to the world, and this cup or wine is a counterfeit to the covenant of Christ, which is the 10 commandments written in our hearts, and this cup that nations are drinking is designed to make people forget the law. What commandment begins with the word remember? The Sabbath. The wine that Babylon is giving the world is a counterfeit version of the gospel in the name of the cross of Christ; because of the cross, we keep Sunday. In fact, because of the cross we don’t have to keep the law of God. Bible says, these church systems are fallen!
Third Angel’s message – Warns against worshiping the beast and receiving its mark
The third angel’s message is dealing with a people who offer up for God something he didn’t ask for. Cain was the first person marked in the bible (Genesis 4:15). Cain was marked because He killed his brother. Why did he kill his brother? Because the sacrifice he offered up to God was a “bloodless sacrifice” (Genesis 4:3). Abel offered a lamb which God required (Genesis 4:4). Cain offered fruits of his own labor – offered up something which God did not require!
Those in the last days who receive the mark are those who ultimately deny what the cross stands for.
Who is the beast?
Daniel seven and Revelation thirteen describe the same power. The beast in Revelation can perfectly fit only one power; that is the Papacy. (See this link for a detail study. Note that this link will take you away from our site: Identifying antichrist).
What is the Mark of the beast?
Let’s find out what God seal of authority is first and you will learn that the antichrist's mark is just the opposite.
Isaiah 8:16 Bind up the testimony, SEAL the LAW among my disciples
Note: The words seal, sign and mark have the same meaning (Romans 4:11). The “Sign” or Seal” is contained within his law, but which law?
Ezekiel 20:12 Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths , to be a SIGN between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them
Ezekiel 20:20 And hollow my Sabbaths : that they shall be a SIGN between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God
Note: Sabbath was “MADE” for man (Mark 2:27). However, Sabbath was not made for Jews, but was ‘GIVEN” for Jews (Exodus 16:29). Some would point to Mount Sinai as to when it was “made,” but this is impossible when before Mount Sinai we read that it was rather “given.” How can it be “made” after it was given? When, then, was it made? In the beginning (Genesis 2:1-3). Sabbath MADE for mankind and GIVEN also for the Jewish 'mankind' signified that Sabbath will act as a SIGN between God and his people. God makes it clear why he gave the Sabbath to his people:
- "I am the Lord your God" (Ezekiel 20:12)
- "I am the Lord that Sanctify" (Ezekiel 20:20)
Sanctification comes only from God and we must rest in whatever God tells us to do. Sabbath is a SIGN that we cannot work our way to heaven, but we must REST our way to heaeven. Add to this, Ephesians 2:11-19 tells us that the cross [Jesus] has broken down the middle wall of separation between Jew and Gentile. Cross says there is no distinction between Jew and gentile. In building up that middle wall of separation, the christians effectively deny the very things the cross stands for. Cross confirms the Sabbath - and Sabbath is a MARK!
Within the Sabbath commandments we find THREE elements that mark it as an official SEAL.
These are:
- NAME
-TITLE
-TERRITORY
If these three elements are not present in a seal then it is not valid. Present Obama would sign a document into law like this:
(1) NAME: Barrack Obama
(2) TITLE: President
(3) TERRITORY: The United States of America
Within God’s Sabbath law (Ex. 20:8-11), we have these same three elements:
Remember the Sabbath day… for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is:
(1) Lord (his name – 'I am the Lord, that is my name' -Isaiah 42:8)
(2) made (his title which is 'creator' –Isaiah 45:18)
(3) heaven and earth and the sea (his territory –Isaiah 66:1)"
Note: Therefore MARK of the antichrist system will be a counterfeit of God's mark... a false Sabbath = Sunday = offering up for God something he didn’t ask for!
" Sunday is our MARK of authority… the church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact." The Catholic Record of London, Ontario Canada 9-1-1923
"The observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the Catholic Church." Monsignor Louis Segur, Plain Talk About The Protestantism of Today p. 213
"Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act… And the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical authority in religious things." H.F. Thomas; Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons
Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
See the following "external link" for a detail study of Antichrist power and it’s mark - Identifying Antichrist.
Sanctification comes only from God and we must rest in whatever God tells us to do. Sabbath is a SIGN that we cannot work our way to heaven, but we must REST our way to heaeven. Add to this, Ephesians 2:11-19 tells us that the cross [Jesus] has broken down the middle wall of separation between Jew and Gentile. Cross says there is no distinction between Jew and gentile. In building up that middle wall of separation, the christians effectively deny the very things the cross stands for. Cross confirms the Sabbath - and Sabbath is a MARK!
Within the Sabbath commandments we find THREE elements that mark it as an official SEAL.
These are:
- NAME
-TITLE
-TERRITORY
If these three elements are not present in a seal then it is not valid. Present Obama would sign a document into law like this:
(1) NAME: Barrack Obama
(2) TITLE: President
(3) TERRITORY: The United States of America
Within God’s Sabbath law (Ex. 20:8-11), we have these same three elements:
Remember the Sabbath day… for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is:
(1) Lord (his name – 'I am the Lord, that is my name' -Isaiah 42:8)
(2) made (his title which is 'creator' –Isaiah 45:18)
(3) heaven and earth and the sea (his territory –Isaiah 66:1)"
Note: Therefore MARK of the antichrist system will be a counterfeit of God's mark... a false Sabbath = Sunday = offering up for God something he didn’t ask for!
" Sunday is our MARK of authority… the church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact." The Catholic Record of London, Ontario Canada 9-1-1923
"The observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the Catholic Church." Monsignor Louis Segur, Plain Talk About The Protestantism of Today p. 213
"Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act… And the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical authority in religious things." H.F. Thomas; Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons
Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
See the following "external link" for a detail study of Antichrist power and it’s mark - Identifying Antichrist.
Recommended material:
The Cross and the Three Angels Messages by Ivor Myers (audio)