Our study in Revelation this morning reveals the gracious heart of our Creator God towards fallen mankind. God in His divine providence and grace dispatches an angel to fly in mid heaven, proclaiming loudly the everlasting gospel (Revelation 14:6-7). While the world is giving allegiance to the kingdom of the antichrist, God sends this angel to proclaim loud and clear the message of redemption. Despite the refusal to repent when God made known His disapproval of their sinful ways (Revelation 9:20,21), because He is longsuffering, “not willing that any should perish but all come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9), God provides an undeniable proof of His love for fallen man by allowing this angel to preach the gospel day and night.
Until we realize the exceeding sinfulness of sin in comparison to the holiness and perfections of God (Isaiah 6:1-8), we will never be able to fully comprehend our desperate need for the grace and love of our Creator God. Sin has corrupted every part of our being. Sin has skewed our affections, our desires and, most importantly, our understanding of the character of God (Ephesians 4:17-19). As sinners, we do not have a case before God. We do not stand a chance to be accepted by Him upon the basis of our own efforts (Romans 4:1-8). Thus, whenever we talk about deserving anything from God or God being indebted to us, we are not understanding the depth of the fall of Adam in the Garden.
What we need is grace and mercy, not justice. The Bible tells us that today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Why is such an incredible gift from God possible? Because of the finished work of atonement by The Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). Our Creator is gracious and full of compassion towards us (Psalm 145:8,9). He became a Man, that He might die on a cross, that we might become His sons and daughters (Philippians 2:5-11). While pastors and teachers may not be angelic beings flying in the midst of heaven, they are instruments of God nonetheless who have been ordained to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to every creature (Mark 16:15).
Reader, do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master? Have you repented of your sin and trusted in His sacrifice alone as the only source of forgiveness of your sin? Listen to the words of the angel in our study today: “Fear God and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come; and worship Him who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Turn to Christ today, do not despise this day of grace.
