lectionary.com

Time after Pentecost · Reformation Day · Year A

Revelation 14:6-7

The Three Angels

The Angel with the Everlasting Gospel, Cloisters Apocalypse illuminator
The Angel with the Everlasting Gospel, Cloisters Apocalypse illuminator, c. 1330The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (The Cloisters Collection)
An angel flies across the top of the page holding out a long scroll of the gospel over a crowd of people, while Saint John stands at the left and watches.Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth … “Fear God and give him glory.”Cloisters Apocalypse illuminatorAn anonymous Norman illuminator who painted one of the finest surviving illustrated Apocalypse manuscripts.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (The Cloisters Collection)The Cloisters, the medieval branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (The Cloisters Collection)

Overview & Insights

“I saw an angel flying in midheaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth.” (Revelation 14:6)

Following the glorious portrayal of the Lamb standing with his people on Mount Zion celebrating their victory, we encounter a series of judgments on those who follow the beast: three angelic messages of judgment (14:6–13) followed by two visions of judgment (14:14–20). In 14:6–13 three angels issue proclamations of coming judgment (14:6–11) with the first one being more of a warning to worship God or else. These angelic messages are followed by a call to endurance for the saints and the announcement of blessing on those who die in the Lord (14:12–13). Outline c. Proclamations of judgment and reward (14:6–13) i. First angel: Proclaiming the eternal gospel (14:6–7) ii. Second angel: The fall of Babylon (14:8) iii. Third angel: Judgment of the beast’s followers (14:9–11) iv. God’s people called to endurance (14:12) v. Second beatitude: Blessing on those who die in the Lord (14:13)

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Revelation 14:6-7

Commentary

Background & Word Study

The Church Fathers

Questions preachers ask

What is the eternal gospel?

John sees an angel carrying the everlasting good news to every nation, calling all to fear God and give him glory, for the hour of judgment has come (Revelation 14:6–7). The Reformation took the flying angel with the gospel as its emblem.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on John 8:31-36
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.