The Everlasting Gospel

 

Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Revelation 14:6-7 ESV).

 

After looking at the first thirteen chapters we are forced to wonder if there is any hope for the people of the world. We have seen that hope exists for the servants of Christ, who are marked out by God for preservation and salvation (cf. Revelation 7; 14:1–5). Yet, it is not yet too late for those who are outside Christ. Though we are in the final era of God’s plan of salvation, while the earth remains and people draw breath, they may still find redemption in Christ. This is the message of the reading today.

 

John sees an angel flying overhead with an eternal gospel that is to be proclaimed to all the world, a gospel that announces God’s imminent judgment and exhorts hearers to worship the Lord. Revelation tells us about the kinds of sufferings the church will face before Christ returns and the periodic judgments on God’s enemies during that period, which culminate in the final judgment of all creation. However, Revelation tells us here that while these things are going on, the gospel is being preached widely. Only the gospel can create a people for God from every tribe and tongue, so it must be preached to everyone. No people group is beyond the reach of God’s grace. But the gospel is not only for those outside the church. It is the means of reform and edification for those who are already believers. Matthew Henry writes:

 

“When idolatry creeps into the churches of God, it is by the preaching of the gospel, attended by the power of the Holy Spirit, that men are turned from idols to serve the living God, as the Creator of the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

 

Around the world, the church is suffering at the hands of many different enemies. But this same church is preaching the gospel, and we are seeing church growth on many continents. Their example encourages us to preach the gospel in our own context so that we may see the church renewed. We should do be faithful to pray for these messengers and the leaders for our churches who preach and teach the biblical gospel.