Revelation 14:6 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.
This passage of scripture features the aspects of the everlasting gospel that are most pertinent to us in our day, and it addresses the issue of true worship, an issue that has come under fire within the last two centuries with ever increasing intensity. The passage incorporates several words that are taken from the fourth commandment which stipulates the one and only God-given day of rest, and also makes mention of the earth, the sea, and the heavens, thereby establishing beyond any doubt, who is the Creator, and by what means He has the authority to give us such good laws. Let's read:
Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
But what is strange enough about the first angel's message is that it makes no mention of the great sacrifice of Christ in our behalf, which stands as the centerpiece of our salvation, neither is the word love ever mentioned even once in the entire chapter. As a matter of fact, the three angels messages are actually off-balanced, focusing squarely on the keeping of all of the commandments of God, and making no mention of Calvary or of love. The reason for this is that most Christians have already understood and accepted Christ as the Messiah, and all of us have experienced His matchless love, both in theory and in practice.
But the great problem in our day with Christendom is that there has been a fearful departure from the great principles laid down in the law of God, and the false doctrines which teach that the commandments were nailed to the cross have led many people to regard the sacred law as being out-dated, irrelevant and even obsolete. The law of God is now ridiculed, trampled upon, and distorted with many man-made additions, subtractions and amendments that suit our own fancy, and because of this the everlasting gospel to our generation, beginning with the first angel's message does not focus on Christ's Messiahship, or the great principle of love which stands at the foundation of His government.
A poisonous mix of pseudo love and lawlessness is now being brewed and distributed worldwide by the man of sin, and God warns the inhabitants of the earth not to become intoxicated with the deadly drafts of Babylon, which names the name of Christ but really stands in direct opposition to all that God says. Let's read:
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. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
It is very important that our worship be directed to the only true God, and it's even more important that our love and and appreciation of Him be expressed in ways that are in harmony with His word. Love is manifested in obedience, and therefore any "Gospel" that teaches love to God without obeying His commandments is a false gospel, and should be shunned like the plague. The fact that love is inextricably linked to obedience is a theme that runs throughout the entire scripture, and is reiterated over and over again by the apostle John, who is well known for his detailed expositions on love. Let's read:
1st John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
The three angels messages are now resounding throughout all the earth, calling all members of the human family back to the great laws and principles contained in the Decalogue, for they were given for our very best good, and when adopted and practiced, will produce a far better society than the one we are currently living in. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reminds us of the blessings of obedience, and it is God's will that the necessary reforms and changes in our attitudes towards His law, take place without delay, for the days are evil. Let's read:
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!