Revelation's
Most Urgent Health Warning - Introduction
The most urgent health
warning is found in Revelation Chapter 14 verses 6-12.
In this passage three angels give a series of urgent messages. Their
messages are represented as the last ones given before the second coming of
Christ which is described in Revelation Chapter 14 verse 14 onward. They are
given with a loud voice and go to the whole world. The last of these three
messages must be the most fearful warning contained anywhere in the Bible.
Surely this health warning is one we all need to pay very careful
attention to and make it a priority to understand.
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Bible
Prophecy
Revelation's Most Urgent Health Warning!
STORY
In
his book Your Bible and You (Chapter 6)2
Arthur Maxwell relates some stories about how the Bible changed people lives.
First he tells the story of Mussau island, a small island in the South
Pacific. In 1931, when two young missionaries landed on Mussau, the island was
well-known for its savagery and licentiousness. These missionaries were humble
men, natives of a neighbouring island. The only book they knew much about was
the Bible. They began to teach the natives of Mussau the message of the Bible
and within ten months the entire island had been transformed. Churches and
schools were established and evil habits given up. The people were changed and
loved what was good. Maxwell quotes a British Government official who visited
the island and then wrote his impressions to the missionary society involved.
This is what he wrote: "I am astonished at what I have seen. I cannot
realise that such a change is possible. The people have taken hold of your
religion with a fervid zeal that cannot be described, but must be seen to be
appreciated. I had never seen, read, or heard of such a movement before. What
is it that you have done to the people? They are changed. They seem to be now
living for something which I cannot understand. I took a case of tobacco over
with me and it was returned unopened. Betel-nut chewing is not seen any where.
I marvel and say it is a miracle." Another example Maxwell relates is
that of Pitcairn island. Once the scenes of terrible crimes, this island
became a model of goodness and sobriety. Why? It was the influence of Fletcher
Christian's Bible. Maxwell also tells the story of Kussaie island which lies
between Tarawa and Saipan in the Carolines. A missionary named Snow landed on
the island in 1952 when it was known as a place of unspeakable horrors. Snow
patiently formed a written language for the native tongue and then began to
translate the Bible into it. After many years the whole Bible was printed in
the language of this island. Maxwell quotes an interview with the king of
Kussaie found in Francis Stifler's book The Bible Speaks: " ' How many
murders a year now?' The king was asked. 'There has not been a native murder
in my lifetime, said the King'... ' Well, then, how many minor offences? How
many cases of detention in your gaol this year?' ' Gaol', exclaimed the king,
' but there is no gaol.' ' But you must have some place to put the tipsy
ones.' ' But there is no drinking on Kussaie', was the answer. ' No native has
been known to taste alcohol in the past 30 years.' Marriage is a sacred thing
on Kussaie. Divorce is unknown."
This is what the Bible did for these people. Its influence has made the
drunkard sober, the profligate pure, the depressed cheerful and the proud
humble. Why don't you release its power in your life by sincerely studying it.
This web site, by God's grace, can help you get started.
This is what Revelation 14:6-12 says:
6 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,
7 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.
8 And there followed another
angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made
all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
9 And the third angel followed
them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and
receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out
without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with
fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of
the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have
no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever
receiveth the mark of his name.
12 Here is the patience of the
saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Who is it that gives these messages of encouragement and
warning to the world? It is the members of the Church. We know this because
angels are symbolic of Church members in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. If we read
these two chapters we will notice that each of the seven exhortations is
prefaced with the words "to the angel of the church of...". However,
when we study the individual messages themselves we can see clearly that they
are addressed to church individuals not angelic beings (see for example
Revelation 2: 18, 24-26). Revelation 14: 12,13 is additional evidence that it is
Church members who give the "three angels' messages" of Revelation
chapter 14. Revelation 14: 12,13 describes those who give the three angels'
messages, and also the results in the lives of those who receive the messages.
The notes that follow are based on the main points of the
warning message and are arranged as follows:
The aim of these notes is to enable you to clearly
understand the issues involved with the warning. I have endeavoured to keep them
as simple and short as possible while remaining true to this objective.
Footnotes have been included where references were needed or more detailed
explanations seemed necessary. If you are not used to studying the Bible you may
find it more helpful to avoid reading most of the footnotes to start with. They
can be read, as necessary, later. Please do not give up if some question is not
answered immediately. Hopefully it will be clarified by continuing to read,
referring to the footnotes, or through checking the Bible references. When
looking up Bible references it is important to read them in the context of the
whole chapter or book to get the proper meaning.
You may find a few parts of these notes a little
challenging to understand at first. However, you will be richly rewarded if you
persevere. Not only will you comprehend the warning message, but also your mind
will be strengthened and invigorated. I believe that sincere study of the Bible
is the most effective means of strengthening and developing the mental powers.
Some of the explanations may need reading over and studying a few times. Please
do not forget to ask God for help. This will make all the difference. If
you continue reading you will soon understand this most urgent health message
and what you need to do. May God bless you. "it is my prayer that
you may do well in all things, and be healthy in body, even as your soul does
well." (3Jn. 2, BBE).
The following three paragraphs are for
those not used to studying the Bible. The Bible is actually a collection of
66 different books. Each book in the Bible is divided into chapters. Also, each
chapter is divided into a number of verses. These chapter and verse divisions
were not part of the original work but were added later to help people know
exactly where parts of the Bible are to be found. To give a chapter and verse
reference in the book of Daniel we would write, for example, Daniel 3: 25. This
means the book of Daniel, chapter 3 and verse 25. This verse says: "
Lo [look], I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have
no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." --Try
looking it up.
In this web site I have abbreviated Daniel as
"Dan." and Revelation as " Re.". So, for example, Daniel
chapter 3 verse 25 would usually be written as Dan. 3:25. If more than one Bible
reference is given at a time, then the different references are separated by
semi-colons. For example, Dan. 3:25 and Dan. 7:13 and Re. 1:13 would be written
Dan. 3: 25; 7: 13; Re. 1: 13. Another abbreviation used is "vs.". This
stands for "verse" or "verses". Don't worry if this all
seems a little complicated now -- you will soon get used to it.
It is also worth mentioning at this time that the Bible is
divided into two main sections. These are called the Old Testament and the New
Testament. The Old Testament refers to those books before the time of Christ.
The New Testament is that part of the Bible written after Christ's first coming.
Throughout these notes reference is made to various Bible
passages. The abbreviations used for the different books of the Bible are listed
below. For your convenience the books of the Bible are given here in alphabetical
order rather than in the order they occur in the Bible.
Regarding Bible versions in
this Web site: Unless otherwise noted all passages are from the King James
Version (KJV). The Bible in Basic English (BBE)1 is
also used in quite a few places.
Even though both Daniel and Revelation
are printed in full in this web site you would do well to get your own copy of
the whole Bible if you do not have one. You can then refer to Daniel and
Revelation in your own Bible. I would recommend the New King James Version
(Thomas Nelson Publishers).
OLD TESTAMENT
|
ABBREVIATION
|
NAME OF BOOK
|
ABBREVIATION
|
NAME OF BOOK
|
|
1Ch.
|
1 Chronicles
|
Job
|
Job
|
|
1Ki.
|
1 Kings
|
Joel
|
Joel
|
|
1Sa.
|
1 Samuel
|
Jon.
|
Jonah
|
|
2Ch.
|
2 Chronicles
|
Jos.
|
Joshua
|
|
2Ki.
|
2 Kings
|
Judg.
|
Judges
|
|
2Sa.
|
2 Samuel
|
La.
|
Lamentations
|
|
Amos
|
Amos
|
Le.
|
Leviticus
|
|
Dan.
|
Daniel
|
Mal.
|
Malachi
|
|
De.
|
Deuteronomy
|
Mic.
|
Micah
|
|
Ec.
|
Ecclesiastes
|
Nah.
|
Nahum
|
|
Es.
|
Esther
|
Ne.
|
Nehemiah
|
|
Ex.
|
Exodus
|
Nu.
|
Numbers
|
|
Eze.
|
Ezekiel
|
Obad.
|
Obadiah
|
|
Ezr.
|
Ezra
|
Pr.
|
Proverbs
|
|
Ge.
|
Genesis
|
Ps.
|
Psalms
|
|
Hab.
|
Habakkuk
|
Ru.
|
Ruth
|
|
Hag.
|
Haggai
|
So.
|
Song of Solomon
|
|
Hos.
|
Hosea
|
Zech.
|
Zechariah
|
|
Is.
|
Isaiah
|
Zeph.
|
Zephaniah
|
|
Je.
|
Jeremiah
|
|
|
NEW TESTAMENT
|
ABBREVIATION
|
NAME OF BOOK
|
ABBREVIATION
|
NAME OF BOOK
|
|
1Co.
|
1 Corinthians
|
Gal.
|
Galations
|
|
1Jn.
|
1 John
|
Heb.
|
Hebrews
|
|
1Pe.
|
1 Peter
|
Jn.
|
John
|
|
1Th.
|
1 Thessalonians
|
Js.
|
James
|
|
1Ti.
|
1 Timothy
|
Jude
|
Jude
|
|
2Co.
|
2 Corinthians
|
Lk.
|
Luke
|
|
2Jn.
|
2 John
|
Mk.
|
Mark
|
|
2Pe.
|
2 Peter
|
Mt.
|
Matthew
|
|
2Th.
|
2 Thessalonians
|
Phil.
|
Philippians
|
|
2Ti.
|
2 Timothy
|
Philem.
|
Philemon
|
|
3Jn.
|
3 John
|
Re.
|
Revelation
|
|
Acts
|
Acts
|
Ro.
|
Romans
|
|
Col.
|
Colossians
|
Tit.
|
Titus
|
|
Eph.
|
Ephesians
|
|
|
Footnotes
1. Both the KJV, 1769
(Authorised Version) and the BBE, 1949/1964 can be freely copied without any
royalties being due. The rights of the Authorised Version of the Bible are
vested in the British Crown. The BBE is in the public domain.
2. Signs Pub. Co., Warburton, Australia.
Also available from Review and Herald, Washington, USA.
David Bird compiled the web site.
Copyright © 2000, David Bird. Web site address: http://www.lis.net.au/~dbird/
Visitors to this web site are
most welcome to contact David Bird at dbird@lis.net.au
with questions, criticisms or suggestions -- or if you believe you've found a
mistake (e.g. in a Bible reference). I am a fellow pilgrim in need of God's
grace like anyone else. A reply will be sent as soon as practical, but may take
a few days.
The contents of this web page may be freely copied and
distributed on the condition that it is copied and distributed in its
entirety (space images may be omitted). Please ask if you want to
just use a part of it.
"The heavens declare the glory..." (Ps. 19:1)
For the next image or photograph please see Revelation
14-6 - The everlasting gospel
Image from STScI (Space Telescope Science
Institute, Baltimore, MD)
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