The choice is yours…

6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

This passage is a crucial interlude between the visions of the dragon and the beasts (ch. 12-13) and the pouring out of God’s final judgments (the seven bowls, ch. 16). It serves as a final, universal offer of God’s grace and a call to repentance before the end.

Verse 6: The Messenger and the Audience·

“Then I saw another angel…”: The word “another” distinguishes this angel from the previous ones in Revelation. This angel is unique because his role is not to execute judgment but to preach the gospel.

· “flying in midair…”: This position signifies visibility and accessibility to the entire world. The message is for everyone, and no one can miss it. It’s a public, universal proclamation.· “the eternal gospel…”: This is the core of the message. Despite the context of impending judgment, the message is fundamentally good news. It is “eternal” because it is based on God’s unchanging character, His everlasting covenant, and His offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, which has been His plan from the beginning.· “to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.”: This phrase is repeated throughout Revelation (e.g., 5:9, 7:9, 13:7). It emphasizes that God’s offer of salvation is universal.

It stands in stark contrast to the beast (Antichrist) who also demands worldwide worship (Rev 13:7-8), but through coercion and deception. God’s call is to all people everywhere, without distinction.

Verse 7: The Content of the Message

The angel’s message is a concise summary of what it means to respond to the eternal gospel.· “He said in a loud voice…”: The urgency and importance of the message demand that it be delivered with power and clarity. It is a final warning and invitation.· “Fear God and give him glory…”: This is the appropriate human response to who God is. · “Fear God”: This doesn’t mean to be terrified, but to have reverent awe and respect. It is to recognize God’s absolute sovereignty, power, and holiness. It is the opposite of fearing the beast or earthly powers.

· “Give him glory”: This means to acknowledge God for who He is—to praise Him, to honor Him with one’s life, and to live in obedience to His will.· “because the hour of his judgment has come.”: This is the motivation for the urgent call. The time of accountability is no longer in the future; it is now present. This impending reality makes the decision to worship God a matter of eternal consequence.· “Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”: This is the ultimate reason why God alone is worthy of worship. The call to worship the Creator is a direct challenge to the beast and those who worship the “image of the beast”. It echoes the language of the Fourth Commandment (Exodus 20:11) and the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 146:6). It grounds our worship in the fundamental truth that life itself is a gift from God, and He alone holds ultimate authority.

Theological Significance and Summary

1. God’s Final Offer of Mercy: Even at this late stage in the tribulation, God graciously extends the gospel to the entire world. It demonstrates that His primary desire is salvation, not judgment (2 Peter 3:9).

2. A Call to Choose: The passage presents a clear dichotomy: worship the Creator or worship the beast. There is no middle ground. This angelic proclamation ensures that no one on earth can claim they did not have a chance to choose.

3. The Basis of Worship: True worship is based on recognizing God as the sovereign Creator. This stands against all forms of idolatry, whether ancient pagan gods, modern materialism, political ideologies, or any other power that demands our ultimate allegiance.

4. A Beacon of Hope: For readers throughout history, especially those undergoing persecution (like the original audience of Revelation), this vision is a powerful reminder that despite the overwhelming power of evil in the world, God is still in control. His message will go out to all people, and His ultimate victory is certain.

In essence, Revelation 14:6-7 is a timeless and universal call to worship the one true Creator God, based on the good news of His salvation, and to do so with urgency in light of coming judgment.

---