The third angels message (Rev. 14:9-12) is a warning: Do not worship the beast or receive his mark. Those who disregard this warning will face judgment and punishment. Notice the word worship, again linked with judgment. To worship the beast rather than God would be spiritual fornication. The mark of the beast is a sign of spiritual fornication and a spiritual fall. This fall comes as a result of rejection of the message of the first angel: worship God the Creator, and accept His offer to declare you not guilty in the judgment. Apparently, those who reject the first angels message will unite to mark those who disagree with them. They will even resort to force to prevent anyone from accepting the message of the three angels. We understand that the worship of the beast and the reception of his mark will involve controversy involving the seventh-day Sabbath. Observance of the seventh-day Sabbath is based on the biblical account of the six-day creation (Ex. 20:11). By observing the Sabbath, we witness and give evidence of our acceptance of the first angels message: worship the Creator. By worshiping on Sabbath we witness that we accept the Bible as the ultimate authority. By worshiping on Sabbath we testify that we accept salvation by grace alone, based only on the merits of Jesus substitutionary sacrifice. Discrediting the creation story would remove the basis for observing the seventh-day Sabbath, and much more. What better way to destroy the seventh-day Sabbath than to discredit the six-day creation, the very basis for its observance? And what purpose for a judgment if there were no fall into sin? Without the doctrine of a six-day creation, the three angels message loses its meaning. youtu.be/5GkgpGGXmx4
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 22:02:32 +0000
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