Where is FAITH found in the first angel’s message?
(Ecclesiastes 12:13 –14; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Hebrews 11:6; Revelation 14:7) Blog Apr. 16-22, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The message of the three angels of Revelation 14 is preceded by a picture of God’s people in Christ on Mount Zion and followed by a picture of earth’s final harvest. These three angels carry God’s final call to earth’s inhabitants. God desires to bring the war that began in heaven to an end. Jesus has been preparing the church to be his bride and these angels call everyone to the marriage of the Lamb.
“Fear God”
1. To whom does the first angel of Revelation 14 direct his message? The message of the first angel is for everyone dwelling on this earth (Rev. 14:6).
2. Why must the first angel’s message be given to everyone on earth? Because the first angel’s message gives the method of preparing for God’s final judgment that will include all humanity, it must be given to all (Rev. 14:7).
3. What precious truth does the first angel have that is humanity’s only hope in judgment? The first angel has the everlasting gospel which is humanity’s only hope for passing the judgment (Acts 4:12; Rev 14:6).
4. How can we make the gospel story of a perfect life and atoning death, our story? The perfect life & atoning death of Jesus is counted ours when we believe in Jesus (John 1:12; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 11:6).
5. If faith in Jesus is required in order to receive the gospel, what should the first angel’s message definitely include? If the first angel is calling humanity to find salvation in Jesus it must include a call to faith (Rom. 3:22; 1 Cor. 15:1-2; Heb. 11:1).
6. With what words does the first angel call humanity to believe? The call to faith in the first angel’s message is: “Fear God” (Gen. 42:18; Ex. 18:21; Eccl. 12:13; Rev. 14:7).
7. What gift from God must come before the exercise of any Christian virtue? Faith must precede every other Christian virtue, for by it alone we are justified & given God’s Holy Spirit whose power alone can inspire, guide, & activate every other Christian virtue, including giving God glory (Rom. 5:1-5; Eph. 2:8; Heb. 11:6).
Give God Glory
8. In what areas of our life should we give glory to God? Paul says that in every area of our lives we should give glory to God, even in what we eat (1 Cor. 10:31).
9. After placing our faith in Jesus, what should be the first way we give glory to God? After believing in Jesus, we should confess him as Lord. One way to do this is by being baptized (Rom. 6:4; 10:9-10; Phil. 2:11).
10. How does confessing our sins give glory to God? Confessing our sins acknowledges that God & his Law are righteous & that we are guilty & unrighteous (Josh. 7:19; 1 John 1:7-9).
11. What four forms of giving God glory does Paul mention in Hebrews 13? Paul mentions praising God, giving him thanks, doing good, & communicating the truth to others as ways we give God glory (Heb. 13:15-16; see also Psa. 50:23; John 15:8).
12. How did Abraham give glory to God? Abraham glorified God by being strong in faith, trusting God’s promises (Rom. 4:20).
13. In what other ways does the Bible say we can give glory to God? We can also give glory to God by being content with such things as we have, by suffering for him, by giving offerings to him, & by maintaining unity in the church (1 Chron. 16:29; Rom. 15:5-6; Phil. 4:11; 1 Pet. 4:16).
Preparation for Judgment
14. How does faith prepare us to enter God’s final judgment? Only faith in the goodness & mercy of God will give us boldness to enter God’s judgment (Psa. 35:24; Heb. 10:19-22).
15. How does faith help us to pass God’s judgment? Being justified by faith we have peace with God, for without faith it is impossible to please him. So, by faith we take hold of Jesus as our Substitute & God counts us perfect in him (Rom. 5:1; Phil. 3:9; Col. 2:10; Heb. 11:6).
16. Since “giving glory to God” is doing good deeds, how does that prepare us for judgment? In God’s final judgment our works are examined, so, how we have glorified God will be considered in judgment (Eccl. 12:13-14; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12).
17. Why does God examine our works in final judgment? Our works are examined in judgment for they give evidence as to whether we have faith or not, for without faith it is impossible to do good works (Isa. 59:12, 18; Matt. 7:20-21; Heb. 11:6; Jam. 2:17-18).
18. Who will pass God’s final judgment? Overcomers will pass God’s final judgment for they trusted in the righteousness of Jesus unto the end & their faith was demonstrated by their lives of giving God glory (John 16:33; Rom. 4:3-5; 1 John 5:4-5; Rev. 2:26; 12:11; 21:7)