The Everlasting Gospel of The Everlasting Covenant

The messages of Revelation 14 proclaimed by the angels flying in the midst of heaven are the everlasting gospel.

This is he same gospel that was declared in Eden when God said to the serpent: 

I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed. Genesis 3:15.

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,

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. Revelation 14:6, 7.

What is symbolized by the angel in Revelation 14:6-7?

Answer: The word angel signifies messenger. Angels are God's ministers, or messengers. 

Moreover, they are fellow-servants with His people in the great plan of salvation. (Hebrews 1:14; Daniel 7: 16; 8:16; 9:21-22; 10:11-12; Revelation 22:9, and other scriptures.)

In symbolic prophecy, angels not only show God's care and supervision over the work predicted, but also, symbolize His people who are giving the gospel to the world.

Therefore, the angel of Revelation 14:6 represents the people who give this message to the world.

Question: At what time in this world's history is this message due?

Answer: The last days.

Question: What expression in the message shows that it relates to the closing work of the gospel?

Answer: The hour of God's judgment is come. Revelation 14:7.

The Judgment - The people represented by this angel predict a judgment to come. (Acts 17:31; Acts 24:25)

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained;

And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, 

Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

They state that the hour of God's judgment is come. The cases are already called. 

That judgment began in the investigation of the cases of the righteous in 1844.

What message had been given to the world previous to 1844?

Answer: The message of Revelation 10:10.

And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

Previous to this God had given the world the great advent message of 1840-1844. 

This is symbolized by the angel of Revelation 10 - clothed with a cloud, with a rainbow upon his head, and having great power.

The cloud indicated obscurity. It was believed that the Lord would come in 1844. 

The truth concerning the nature of that event was hidden to try those who professed it.

The joy of believing and the bitterness of disappointment experienced in that movement are symbolized by the little book - first sweet, and then bitter.

The power of the message is indicated by the mighty angel, his great voice, and by the fact that he came down from heaven.

Though the message was obscure and the disappointment bitter, hope was held out before God's people in the covenant bow. 

The angel of chapter 10 symbolized the power and effect of the 1840-1844 message.

The angel of chapter Revelation 14:6 in its fullest sense represents the gospel message in its clearness. 

It is a part of the great threefold message of God to humankind, beginning in 1844.

Question: What was to follow this message, and to what extent?

Answer: Revelation 10:11; Revelation 14:6.

And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

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.

Question: What is the message called?

Answer: It is is the same message which God has given to sinful man since the fall. 

It is the everlasting gospel of the everlasting covenant. Isaiah 55:3, Hebrews 13:20.

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; 

and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, 

through the blood of the everlasting covenant.

It was preached to:

• all after the fall, and the faith of the righteous was shown in the shedding of the typical blood

• Abraham (Galatians 3:8), and with him was the everlasting covenant confirmed

• the children of Israel (Hebrews 4:2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-9)

1 Chronicles 16:7-35 is but an expansion of the thought expressed in Revelation 14:6-7. Note especially 1 Chronicles 16:23-33.

It is the same message of salvation to all the world. 

It is given by the same true and living God, to whom is due the same reverence (fear) and honor and worship. The One who will judge the earth and reign forever.

What does the apostle declare the gospel to be?

Answer: 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; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Question: How great is the power of God?

Answer: Psalms 147:5, Jeremiah 10:12.

Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

Question: For what purpose is it manifested in the gospel?

Answer: Romans 1:16.

Question: What is the condition of all men?

Answer: Romans 3:23.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Question: What is sin?

Answer: 1 John 3:4, Romans 7:7.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: 

for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Question: Being sinners, what is the inevitable doom of humankind?

Answer: James 1:15, Romans 6:23.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The result is in the first sin. In the very beginning of sin is death. God knows it and would save us from it.

People will not believe that death is in sin. They hope to enjoy the sin and evade the death. 

Faithful will believe God now, and evade death by abstaining through grace from sin.

Question: By whom alone is man redeemed from this curse of sin?

Answer: Galatians 3:13.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

Question: From what besides death does Christ redeem us?

Answer: Titus 2:14.

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Question: What does God give to the believer in place of his sins?

Answer: Romans 3:22.

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.

Question: By what means and power is this change wrought?

Answer: John 15:3.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

God does not force us to obey, or compel us to believe in Him. He manifests His love that He may win us. 

Whether we believe or not, we have our own choice. Our relation to God is wholly voluntary.

God, in His love, pleads, but He will not compel. Whatever it be that seeks to compel religious belief or practice is not of God.

Question: What is this power of the word and Spirit which thus changes the sinner?

Answer: Ephesians 2:10.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

What power is pledged to all in the everlasting gospel?

Answer: Creative power. Isaiah 40:28-29.

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? 

there is no searching of his understanding.

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

Question:  Then for whom is there hope?

Answer: John 3:16.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Question: In what great work is manifested the power of God through Christ?

Answer: Colossians 1:16, 17.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, 

whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Question: What has been done for believing sinners through Him?

Answer: Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Question: What is God's memorial of this creative power?

Answer: Exodus 20:8-11.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou,

 nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

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.

Question: Of what does the Sabbath become a constant memorial and sign?

Answer: Ezekiel 20:12, 20.

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.

And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.

The Sabbath memorial declares who the living God is - the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

In the prophecy the warning of the judgment is followed by the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven.

The proclamation of the judgment is an announcement of Christ's second coming as at hand. And this proclamation is called the everlasting gospel.

What is God's object in thus revealing His power?

Answer: Acts 26:18.

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, 

that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Question: Will all accept of this salvation?

Answer: Matthew 7:13, 14.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Question: Can not all accept it? Is not this God's desire?

Answer: John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:4.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Question: For how many, then, should we pray and work?

Answer: 1 Timothy 2:1-3, Revelation 14:6

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

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;

Question: What then is the ultimate object of the gospel?

Answer: Ephesians 1:5-10.

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will; 

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Question: For what did our Savior pray?

Answer: John 17:20-23.

 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Question: To what did the apostle exhort?

Answer: 1 Corinthians 1:9,10.

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; 

but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Question: By what is this unity to be accomplished?

Answer: 1 Corinthians 12:13.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; 

and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Question: What do we thus become?

Answer: 1 Corinthians 12:12.

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

Question: Of what is Jesus Christ said to be the head?

Answer: Colossians 1:18.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Question: How is Christ fitted for all this?

Answer: Colossians 1:19, 2:9.

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Question: That this union among the people of God might be perpetuated, what did God do?

Answer: Ephesians 4:8, 12.

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Question: How long were these gifts to continue?

Answer: Ephesians 4:13.

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Question: What would be the effect of unity upon the world?

Answer: John 17:21.

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Question: What will be the ultimate glorious result?

Answer: Ephesians 1:9,10; Revelation 5:13

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.

Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

For how long is the gospel to be given to man?

Answer: Till all men have accepted or rejected it. Matthew 28:18-20.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Question: What decree will then go forth?

Answer: Revelation 22:11.

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: 

and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Question: What great event will then take place?

Answer: Revelation 22:12.

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Christ didn't say that all the world will be converted, but that this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; 

and then shall the end come. Matthew 24:14.

By giving the gospel to the world it is in our power to hasten our Lord's return. 

We are not only to look for but to hasten the coming of the day of God. 2 Peter 3:12.

In conclusion

The threefold messages of Revelation 14 are those by which the world will be tested. They are the present truth of the everlasting gospel, and are to be proclaimed everywhere.

A work accomplished will be similar to that which took place at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the days of the early disciples, when they preached Jesus and Him crucified.

Many will be converted in a day. For the message will go with Divine power. It can then be said:

Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost. 1 Thessalonians 1:5.

It is the Holy Spirit that draws men to Christ. For He takes of the things of God and shows them to the sinner. 

Jesus said: He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:14.

References:

1. 1896 - Lessons on the Great Three-fold Message of Revelation 14

2. MR 32, 1896; DA 633; RH, Nov. 1892;  -The Ellen G. White Estate

3. The Bible, King James Version (KJV)