Revelation 14:6-7; The Everlasting Gospel
Revelation 14:6-7 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.
John writes that he saw another angel flying in the sky between heaven and earth. First, the word another begs the question whether an angel has been mentioned earlier. The last reference to an individual angel was the seventh in the series of trumpet-blowing angels (Revelation 11:15). Now he introduces another group of three angels in which in Greek each, in turn, is referred to as “another angel.” The first of these angels is flying in mid-heaven, much the same as the eagle in Revelation 8:13, as a portent of impending judgment. The angel’s position mid-heaven allows his message to be heard far and wide.
This angel has to proclaim the eternal or everlasting gospel to residents on this earth, that is, to all the divisions of the human race from “every nation, tribe, language, and people” (compare Matt. 24:14). The noun gospel appears only here in Revelation; it is preceded by the adjective eternal or everlasting and in Greek is without the definite article. The adjective points to the timelessness and permanence of the Word of God, which people ignore to their own detriment. They are content to live on this earth without any thought of God’s imminent judgment. Jesus used the illustration of the people in Noah’s day, who ate, drank, and married up to the day Noah entered the ark and the flood carried them away (Matt. 24:38–39).
Matthew 24:38-39 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Eating, drinking, and marrying are normal human activities, but those people performed them without any concern for God’s Word or will.
The angel proclaims the gospel not necessarily as good news but as a reminder of God’s abiding truth; the angel calls men and women to respond to God’s message before the judgment comes. The expression “every nation, tribe, language, and people” occurs repeatedly in Revelation and alludes to unrepentant residents on this earth who are inimical to God (compare Revelation 11:9; 13:7; 17:15), to the saints who worship the Lord (Revelation 5:9; 7:9), and to people everywhere who are being called to repent (Revelation 10:11).
Revelation 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Revelation 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Revelation 10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
Here the angel addresses a message of repentance to all sinners who have been indifferent to God and his Word, as is evident from the angel’s message.
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, pp. 407–408). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
May the words of Christ be heeded. Amen.