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6 I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 7 He said with a loud voice, "Fear the Lord, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters!"
Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea
Before we plunge into this beautiful reminder that our God alone created all things wonderfully, I want us to be reminded of the context of this alert in its relation to what we studied in chapter 13.
Then I stood [or the dragon stood] on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names. The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
One of his heads looked like it had been wounded fatally. His fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled at the beast. They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him. He opened his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his dwelling, those who dwell in heaven. It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. (Revelation 13:1-9)
Here in these contrasting chapters we see a clear and sharp divide that will soon separate everyone living on this planet before the coming of the Lamb to receive His own who remain loyal to His Father. This passage from chapter 13 summarizes the character and disposition of the dragon and all who receive their identity and power from him. What we have been examining for some time now in chapter 14 is the very opposite – people who choose to rather die than not follow the Lamb wherever He leads them, people who insist on identifying only with the character and disposition of the Lamb, who in turn is the exact reflection and likeness of the Father of love who sits on the throne.
Worship is all about giving authority to someone to define our identity and who we allow to show us how to act like ourselves. Circumstances today are fast coalescing to compel everyone to choose one source to conform to or the other – the dragon/beast coalition or the Creator and Father of all.
"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!" (Revelation 4:11)
The angel who I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky, and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there will no longer be delay, (Revelation 10:5-6)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
The heavens and the earth were finished, and all their vast array. On the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. (Genesis 2:1-2)
for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy. (Exodus 20:11)
Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, "Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you." (Exodus 31:13)
Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. (Exodus 31:16-17)
You are Yahweh, even you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their army, the earth and all things that are thereon, the seas and all that is in them, and you preserve them all; and the army of heaven worships you. (Nehemiah 9:6)
Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed. But you are the same. Your years will have no end. (Psalms 102:25-27)
Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Yahweh, his God: who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps truth forever; (Psalms 146:5-6)
Thus says God Yahweh, he who created the heavens and stretched them out, he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, he who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it. (Isaiah 42:5)
Thus says Yahweh, your Redeemer, and he who formed you from the womb: "I am Yahweh, who makes all things; who alone stretches out the heavens; who spreads out the earth by myself; (Isaiah 44:24)
Ah Lord Yahweh! behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm; there is nothing too hard for you, (Jeremiah 32:17)
All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made. (John 1:3)
When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, "O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; ...Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus."
When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:24, 29-31)
What distills from viewing all these references collectively? What we see here relates to who authored us and why all creation came into existence.
Worship (get our identity and sense of purpose from) Him who made or created
It is the God of heaven who created everything because He desired to (opposite evolution)
The 7th day Sabbath rest is involved in the issue of where we came from and who we worship
The 7th day Sabbath memorial of creation is a pivotal sign of who we reflect and transforms us
The true Creator cares and preserves what He created (in contrast to the bustling beasts)
What is created is not self-sustaining, while the Author endures forever
The One who made everything keeps truth forever (in contrast to the father of lies)
Those who rely on and hope in Yahweh experience happiness (in contrast to intimidation)
The Creator is the sole source of all breath, spirit, life for everything that moves in creation
The Creator who formed and sustains all creation personally formed us from the womb
Nothing is too hard for the true Creator
Identifying with the Creator of all things releases power to speak boldly into the face of fear
and the springs of waters
Springs of life-giving water are also symbolic of what we must receive in order to live spiritually.
They traveled from Marah, and came to Elim: and in Elim were twelve springs of water, and seventy palm trees; and they encamped there. (Numbers 33:9)
For Yahweh your God brings you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of springs, and underground water flowing into valleys and hills; (Deuteronomy 8:7)
The men of the city said to Elisha, Behold, we pray you, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees: but the water is bad, and the land miscarries. He said, Bring me a new jar, and put salt therein. They brought it to him. He went forth to the spring of the waters, and cast salt therein, and said, Thus says Yahweh, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from there any more death or miscarrying. So the waters were healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke. (2 Kings 2:19-22)
He sends forth springs into the valleys. They run among the mountains. They give drink to every animal of the field. The wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the sky nest by them. They sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his chambers. The earth is filled with the fruit of your works. (Psalms 104:10-13)
He turns a desert into a pool of water, and a dry land into water springs. There he makes the hungry live, that they may prepare a city to live in, sow fields, plant vineyards, and reap the fruits of increase. (Psalms 107:35-37)
Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will be in the habitation of jackals, where they lay. (Isaiah 35:6-7)
Behold, all those who are incensed against you will be disappointed and confounded. Those who strive with you will be like nothing, and shall perish. You will seek them, and won't find them, even those who contend with you. Those who war against you will be as nothing, as a non-existent thing. For I, Yahweh your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Don't be afraid. I will help you.' Don't be afraid, you worm Jacob, and you men of Israel. I will help you," says Yahweh, "and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Behold, I have made you into a new sharp threshing instrument with teeth. You will thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and will make the hills like chaff. You will winnow them, and the wind will carry them away, and the whirlwind will scatter them.
You will rejoice in Yahweh. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel. The poor and needy seek water, and there is none. Their tongue fails for thirst. I, Yahweh, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. (Isaiah 41:11-18)
This passage actually highlights the nature of the power experienced in the lives of those who learn to live in the New Song environment. This is the most potent weapon against evil in the universe, and the Lamb's special ops agents practice and learn it until they reflect the disposition the Lamb displayed when He lived here among us on earth. We shall see in later chapters that this is the true ring of power that alone can bring down the empire of evil, for darkness and evil cannot withstand the power of praise, love, truth and joy in the lives of those synchronizing with the heart of the Father.
They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun strike them: for he who has mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water he will guide them. (Isaiah 49:10)
For with you is the spring of life. In your light shall we see light. (Psalms 36:9)
For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13)
Yahweh, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be disappointed. Those who depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken Yahweh, the spring of living waters. (Jeremiah 17:13)
It will happen in that day, that the mountains will drop down sweet wine, the hills will flow with milk, all the brooks of Judah will flow with waters, and a fountain will come forth from the house of Yahweh, and will water the valley of Shittim. (Joel 3:18)
Jesus answered her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14)
Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water." But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn't yet glorified. (John 7:37-39)
What the careful observer will see in this message of the first angel is the significance of worshipping the Creator out of admiration and appreciation that He is the only Source of life, of identity and of true power. This is in contrast to worshipping the beast and his image which means also worshipping the dragon, all of whom rely on force, fear and intimidation to gain compliance. Because the truth about our origin of existence is linked so tightly with the symbol of the 7th day Sabbath rest, what is strongly inferred is that the dragon and beasts coalition likewise have a parallel symbol of their authority and a theory of origin involving force that denies the freedom for which we were created.
What is important not to overlook in this is that it is not safe to assume that merely knowing what day represents the truth about God as creator will guarantee us a place in God's kingdom. Too many put their hopes in knowing and 'keeping' the right day as Sabbath, yet fail to take seriously their need to embrace the disposition and rely only on the methods and motives of the Lord of the Sabbath. A tenacious head knowledge of what is true does not protect us from being infected with the spirit of the dragon or succumbing to intense compulsion by the beast powers.
The issues of contention described in these 2 chapters involves who we emulate, who we allow to influence, direct and control the way we think and how we view God's disposition as well as beliefs about our origin. The Sabbath, like nearly every other symbol or teaching of the gospel, can be just as easily subverted and distorted by doggedly clinging to 'the truth' while being transformed into acting and thinking like the beast rather than the Lamb. Our heart is where this battle is being waged, and the great deceiver distracts us by imagining the war is over who is right or wrong about the externals. The reality is that this war is over whose disposition and methods we will allow to shape our character and feelings about God. By design, our perceptions of God are what we inevitably reflect, and that is determined by whose version of Him we choose to embrace.
The message of this angel centers on worship, on judgment, but also alerts us to a sign or mark indicating to the world which version of God we reflect. The outward sign will in the end be in sync with the inward disposition, and many will be shocked to discover that all their efforts to be saved, along with all their hopes and plans to live in heaven have been thwarted because they failed to receive a love of the truth into their heart and allow it to sanctify them to reflect the image of the Lamb.
There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. (Hebrews 4:9-10)
