Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” – Rev. 14:911 Last week in Revelation 13, the Antichrist takes economic control over the whole world. No one can buy or sell without the mark of the beast imprinted into the back of the hand or on the forehead. In chapter 14, the angel announces this is a fatal choice. Anyone who receives this mark will experience God’s wrath to the last drop.
This is what some call “hellfire and brimstone” preaching. It is viewed as controversial to the “gospel of love.” But all through the Bible, you see God’s love being revealed to people everywhere, urging them to escape this future judgment. God in His love pleads with people, Do not go on to this end! But ultimately, He must judge those who refuse His offer of grace. He says, in effect, I love you and can provide all you need. Therefore, love Me, and you will find the life your heart is searching for. But many people say, No. They say, “I will take your gifts and all the good things You provide, but I do not want You! Let me run my own life and serve my own ends. I have my own kingdom.” To such people, God eventually says, All right, have it your way!
This leaves God with three choices: First, He can let rebellion go on forever and never judge it. In that case, the terrible things that are happening on earth, all the cruelty, anger, hate, sorrow, hurt, pain, and death that take place, will go on forever. God does not want that, and neither do we. Second, God can force people to obey Him and control them as robots. But He will never do that because that means they cannot love Him. True Love is not forced. Therefore, the third and only choice God really has is that He must ultimately withdraw from those who refuse His love. He must let them have their own way forever. With God removed from one’s life, it plunges them into a terrible sense of loneliness and abandonment. Into a life of no purpose. No satisfaction. No future hope. An eternity of that would be unspeakable torment.
As this world turns more and more violent, the people of God must continue is steadfast faith. He has given us His Word. We know what to expect. We know what the outcome will be. Let me share with you my favorite Bible verse; “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” 1Corinthians 16:13 This the believers must do and remember to…keep looking up.
Bro. Clay
