FOUR GLOBAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

page 2 / 4

Two Witnesses

To make the testimony of the 144,000 credible, Jesus will give them two assets: a clear grasp of the five Bible doctrines and the Holy Spirit power. The Two Witnesses will make the 144,000 servant-prophets a formidable group of people even though they are few and far between. Here is a mystery. The 144,000 will be largely disconnected from each other by geography and communication – but they are very similar in character and they bear the same four powerful announcements during the probationary period of the Great Tribulation.

God’s purpose for empowering the 144,000 is this: The gospel is not only a proclamation of the love of God; it is a demonstration of God’s love. The 144,000 will be a group of chosen people that have a love for the salvation of souls. They will be individuals who love God with all their hearts, mind and soul and their neighbors as themselves.

In Revelation, we find the gift of prophecy is given to the 144,000. (Revelation 7:3; 10:7; 12:17) The gift of prophecy is called the “testimony of Jesus” because this phrase refers to a process that is most exciting to understand. In Revelation 1:9, we read, “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” Did you notice that John was suffering on the island of Patmos because of the testimony of Jesus?

Notice what the angel told John the testimony of Jesus is: “At this I fell at his feet to worship him. However, he said to me, ‘Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’” (Revelation 19:10) What does the last sentence of this text mean?

Putting these two texts together, we find that John was on the isle of Patmos because of the spirit of prophecy! What is the spirit of St. Louis? What is the spirit of praise and thanksgiving? What is the spirit of the Olympics? Basically, the spirit of something is an attitude about that something. The spirit of prophecy is an attitude of esteem for prophecy.

Prophecy is a gift that comes directly from Jesus. Notice these two verses from Paul: “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, prophecy, however, is for believes, not unbelievers.” (1 Corinthians 14:1,22) Paul makes an interesting point that prophecy is for believers – not unbelievers! Why would he say that? Because believers (should) have an eager attitude or spirit of prophesy, a desire to know the will, the plans and purposes of God. In addition, the gift of prophecy is to be especially desired among the people of God, for it is the most direct means of knowing the plans and will of Jesus. The testimony of Jesus can come through Bible prophecy (the book of Revelation is called the testimony of Jesus; Revelation 22:16) or through a prophet. Regardless of the method of delivery – prophecies from the Bible or through a prophet – the testimony of Jesus remains in constant agreement. In other words, a true prophet has a correct understanding of Bible prophecy will be found to be in agreement.

(This last concept needs a qualifying remark. No prophet has ever been shown everything about the times and dates set by God. (Acts 1:7) Paul says of prophets, “For we know in part and we prophesy in part.” (1 Corinthians 13:9) The end result is that when Old or New Testament prophets were shown scenes concerning the end of the world, they all thought the end was imminent or near. However, their supposition about God’s chronology has been proven wrong by nearly two millenniums. Keep in mind that God only unlocks His chronology when the time for fulfillment arrives. This means the final generation can know they are the last generation because they alone are enabled to assemble all that the prophets were shown. (Daniel 12:9) The point here is that true prophets have been wrong about the timing of Christ’s appearing. (See 1 Corinthians 7:29; 1 John 2:18; Hebrews 1:1; 9:26; 10:37; John 21:22,23, 1 Peter 1:20, 4:7, Romans 13:11,12) However, a correct understanding of Bible prophecy will be found to be in agreement with the content of the visions given to true prophets.

Here is the mechanics of the gift of prophecy works: First, Jesus says something in heaven. The Holy Spirit hears what Jesus says. Then, the Holy Spirit carries the information to the prophet(s). Read the following verse twice and notice the mechanics of this operation: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will only speak what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13) The gift of prophecy is the vehicle through which the testimony of Jesus comes. The 144,000 are servant-prophets that will receive “the word of the Lord” (testimony) from Jesus via the Holy Spirit.

This matter nicely comes into focus when we read Revelation 12:17: “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring – those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” In short, the last generation of God’s people will be those obeying God’s commandments (remember the first announcement?) and holding to the testimony of Jesus as communicated via the Holy Spirit to the 144,000. (Incidentally, the devil in verse 17 goes off to make war against the remnant. The war is described in Revelation 13:7 Notice: “He [Babylon, the dragon like beast] was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given power authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.”) During this coming war, the saints will be greatly encouraged by the presence of Jesus!

Doctrine is important

Within the context of the four announcements that shall be given by the 144,000, five doctrinal truths will be revealed. They are:

1. The salvation of God
2. The worship of God
3. The sanctuary of God
4. The return of God
5. The conditions of man in life and death

These five doctrines converge and bring Revelation’s story into clearest focus. For example, if one does not understand the worship of God, how can he understand the first announcement found in Revelation 14:7 which says, “Worship God?” If one does not understand the sanctuary of God, how can he understand the meaning of the throwing down of the censer in Revelation 8:2-5? If one does not understand the condition of man in death, how can he understand the purpose and importance of two resurrections? If one does not understand that the saints are going to experience the great tribulation and face martyrdom, how can he be prepared? I am not suggesting that every person on earth is going to receive the equivalent of a college education in these doctrines. On the other contrary, I am saying that every person on earth who wants to be saved will receive a saving knowledge of these five doctrines. The difference between a saving knowledge and years of study will be irrelevant. What will be relevant is knowledge sufficient for faith and a determination to stand firm for God and His truth.

A calendar of event

There is an important difference between doctrinal truths and apocalyptic prophecy, and many people do not understand the distension. Perhaps the easiest way to understand the distinction is to think of apocalyptic prophecy as a calendar of events. Each element within a prophecy belongs to a specific moment in time. For example, the first trumpet in revelation 8 happens at a specific moment in time. In fact, the Bible says that the sixth trumpet happens at a specific hour, day, month and year! (Revelation 9:15) Therefore, every apocalyptic element has a date connected with it. Thus, apocalyptic prophecy is essentially a calendar of predicted events.

On the other hand, doctrinal truth is knowledge from God about His love and interest in man. Even more, doctrine reveals God’s interest and ideals for man, and within these ideals, we find God’s purpose for man and our power of choice to determine our destiny. I am personally convinced of something that seems strange to most people. I believe that many people would knowingly and freely choose to forfeit heaven if they could see the conditions and type of life that all in heaven will live. Think about this concept a few times. Can you imagine a person living in heaven for eternity and not being able to get something he wanted? Suppose someone wanted to get a promotion, a better paying job, and God said, “No.” How long could one live with this desire and God’s refusal and remain happy? (I chose this illustration, for this is a repetition of Lucifer’s fall.

Most people do not search the Scriptures to better understand doctrine. Rather, most of us become satisfied with a few simplistic ideas about this or that and that is the end of searching the Bible for more truth. Bible classes at Church are often discussions revealing the poverty of knowledge rather than serious investigation into the infinite realms of God’s Word. It is a lot like high school days. Can you still work an algebraic problem, or have your mathematical skills decayed to the point that basic math is a challenge? 

The point here is that apocalyptic prophecy and doctrine are brother and sister. Apocalyptic prophecy has to do with when.  Doctrine has to do with why. Put them together and we discover wonderful things about God’s purposes that were set in motion before the creation of the world!

The messengers

Now that these matters have been examined, let us examine the fullness of the four announcements that are soon to be heard. The first announcement is this:

“Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people. {7} He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.’” (Revelation 14:6-8)

The delivery of the four announcements is represented to John as the work of angels – flying in midair. Will God’s angels deliver the four annou8ncements to the inhabitants of earth? No, not directly. The 144,000 servant-prophets will bear the responsibility. The Greek word for angel is aggelos which simple means messenger. Notice how Jesus used the word aggelos in this text: “Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. {10} This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger [aggelos] ahead of you, who will prepare the way before you.’ {11} I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:9-12)

Clearly, the word aggelos in verse 10 applies to john the Baptist  – a herald of the First Advent, and in Revelation, 14:6 the aggelos represents the 144,000 – heralds of the Second Advent.

What is the first announcement given to every person living on earth?

 

1.      Fear God

2.      Give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come

3.      Worship the Creator who made the heavens, earth, sea and fountains of waters.

Let us look at each element within the first message, “Fear God.” The Greek word for fear is phobeo that means to cause fear or terrify. (The English word phobia is a derivative.) This command means exactly what it says. God is above every power or authority. He can speak worlds into  – or out of   - existence. He requires His subjects to hold reverent respect for His authority and His throne. No sovereign, in heaven or on earth, can tolerate insolent subjects and maintain the dignity of His throne. Peter puts some perspective on this saying, “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; {5} if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; {6} if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly….This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings.” (2 Peter 2:4-6,10)

Thus, the work of the 144,000 on behalf of the world begins after the global earthquake. They begin with a call to fear God as Supreme Ruler, having the authority of life and death over all inhabitants of earth. As the reader might expect, this message flies in the face of the world’s attitude about God. Like Pharaoh of old they scoff, “Who is your God that we should be so concerned?”

The second element within the first announcement contains more detail. It says, “Give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come.” The Greek sense of giving glory is equivalent today as giving high honor or exalted recognition. We give great glory to Olympic athletes when we stand them on a podium and place a medal around their necks that recognize their accomplishments. This glory is not imaginary. Often, it is converted into millions of dollars for product endorsements.

In God’s case, we give God glory by recognizing that all His works and commands are faithful and true. We give God glory by exalting His laws and commands above anything else. We give God glory by putting Him first, above anything else. Indeed, this is the point of the first announcement because the hour of His judgment of earth has begun. In other words, when this message goes forth, God begins the judgment of the living. He begins sealing everyone in his or her decision for life eternal or for death eternal.

I need to make an important point here. God does not make a unilateral decision upon each person during the judgment of the living as He did upon the dead. Rather, during the judgment of the living, He seals people in their decision for faith or rebellion. He sends the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue and people with great convincing power to see who will receive His truth and lives by faith, and those who refuse His invitation and rebel against Him. Here is the mechanics of the process:

1. Each person on earth will hear the full gospel invitation.
2. As they hear, they will have to decide for or against the message. There will be no middle ground because desperate circumstances will require each person to accept the gospel as delivered by the 144,000 or reject it. (When survival itself is at stake, decisions are not too complicated – they may be hard to make, but the issues are clear.)
3. Once a decision is made, God will test each person to see if he or she is solid in his or her decision. If he or she is not, the testing becomes more intense until a solid decision is reached.
4. After the test reveals the final decision, that person is sealed in his decision of faith or rebellion. The sealing is final.
   
   
   

continue [pg 1] [pg 2] [pg 3]

[TOP]