Revelation 14:6-8 And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth… I. THE SUBJECT OF HIS MINISTRATION: "The everlasting gospel." This blessing God designs by the Christian ministry to confer upon the whole world. 1. The heathen have lost the knowledge of God. We may infer the greatness of this loss from the fact that the knowledge of God is the only foundation of religion. But how can this knowledge be restored? It is only taught by three volumes — Nature, Providence, and Revelation. But Nature and Providence never taught this knowledge without the comment of Revelation. Nothing restores the lost knowledge of God but the gospel. 2. They are without the knowledge of their sinful state. 3. They are without the knowledge of acceptance and pardon through the true Mediator. II. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS MINISTRY. 1. It is the ministry of men. The term "angel" is not a designation of nature, but of office; ministers are called angels in Holy Scripture. The ministry of the gospel is exercised by men, that they may not only teach doctrine, but be the witnesses of what they teach. 2. It is an authorised ministry. An "angel" is a messenger, and a messenger must be sent. The command of the Lord is, "Go ye into all the world," etc. 3. It is an open and undisguised ministry. St. Paul gloried in using "great plainness of speech." There is nothing in Christianity that requires concealment. 4. It is a zealous and successful ministry. The attitude of "flying," in which the angel is placed before us in the text, denotes zeal and activity; an eagerness to deliver the message, and to carry it into the remotest regions. And, thank God, we have such a ministry in progress. It has met with difficulties, and future difficulties await it, yet it is pressing onward. III. ITS EXTENSIVE COMMISSION. It is sent to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." 1. The gospel is equally needed by all nations, and equally adapted to all. 2. There is an essential difference between the Jewish and Christian dispensations. The Jewish dispensation was restricted to one nation and period; the Christian dispensation is universal, embracing all the different tribes of men, and extending to the end of time. 3. The extensive commission recorded in the text is the foundation of universal philanthropy. 4. It gives noble and expanded views to Christians. Study and understand your own religion. It is not one amongst many modifications of human opinion. It is from God, and it is intended by Him, like Aaron's rod, to swallow up every other. IV. THE SPECIFIC OBJECTS OF THE ANGEL'S MINISTRY. 1. The angel cries out, "Fear Him." The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the source and guard of virtue. But the heathen are without it. They have religious fear, but not the fear of God. The fear of God is a mixture of awe and love. 2. To establish His worship. This is another effect of the promulgation of the gospel. Instead of idols, to place the true God in His temples. Instead of polluting orgies, to teach men to wash their hands in innocency, and thus to encompass God's altar. Instead of vain mediators, to have the name of Jesus in which to trust. 3. To claim for God His revenue of praise and glory.Lessons: 1. Behold, then, a glorious object of contemplation — the progress of the angel in the midst of heaven. 2. It depends on you to speed or delay the angel. 3. Let it not discourage us, that the world maybe tossed and troubled. (R. Watson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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, |
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