The Third Angel's Message. (Sheba International)

 The Third Angel's Message: The Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus Christ

In a world full of distractions, confusion, and deception, the Bible presents a clear and urgent message to all people: the Third Angel's Message found in Revelation 14:9-12. This message is one of life or death. It calls for a decision to either worship the Creator according to His commandments or to follow the beast, resulting in eternal consequences. Despite its urgency, this message is largely ignored by many, even in the Christian community today. But it is a message that demands our attention, especially in these last days.

Understanding Revelation 14:12

The key to understanding the Third Angel's Message is found in Revelation 14:12, which says:

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

This verse highlights the two essential components of God's people in the end times: the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Let’s break this down to understand why this message is so critical.

The Commandments of God: A Call to Obedience

The first part of the Third Angel's Message is about those who “keep the commandments of God.” In a time when many dismiss the importance of God's law, it is crucial to recognize that the commandments are still relevant today. God's law, as given in the Ten Commandments, is the moral standard for all mankind. Jesus Himself upheld these commandments, as seen throughout His ministry.

Many churches today teach that God's law is obsolete or that we are free to live as we please. However, Scripture makes it clear that God’s commandments are still binding. In 1 John 5:2-3, the apostle John explains that loving God means keeping His commandments, and they are not burdensome. The commandments are not meant to be a heavy burden but a guide for living in harmony with God and others.

One of the most debated commandments today is the Fourth Commandment: the Sabbath. The command to keep the seventh day holy has been largely ignored by many Christian denominations, but the Bible speaks clearly about the importance of the Sabbath as a day of rest, worship, and connection with God. The Sabbath is a sign of loyalty to the Creator. This is the issue at the heart of the end-time test of worship: Will you follow God's command to keep the seventh-day Sabbath, or will you follow man's tradition and observe Sunday?

The Faith of Jesus: A Life of Complete Dependence on God

The second part of Revelation 14:12 emphasizes the need for the faith of Jesus. It’s not merely about believing in Jesus, but having the faith that He had—a faith that led Him to obey the will of His Father fully, even to the point of death on the cross. Jesus’ life was a perfect example of living by faith, trusting in the power of His Father to sustain Him in every trial.

This aspect of the message is not just about intellectual belief, but about living out the faith that Jesus demonstrated. The faith of Jesus empowers believers to live in accordance with God's commandments, not through their own strength, but through His strength. As Romans 8:3-4 teaches, Jesus came to fulfill the law in us. When we place our trust in Him, His righteousness can be lived out in our lives. This is the key to overcoming sin and the temptation to follow the ways of the world.

The Mark of the Beast: A Deception of Worship

Revelation 14:9-11 provides a stark warning about the Mark of the Beast, which will be enforced upon all who refuse to worship the true God and obey His commandments. The mark of the beast will be a symbol of allegiance to the papacy, the first beast of Revelation 13, which seeks to change God's laws and set itself up as an authority over Scripture. The second beast, symbolizing the United States, will enforce the mark through a religious-political system that demands worship contrary to the commandments of God, especially the observance of Sunday.

The mark of the beast is not a physical item like a microchip or barcode. Rather, it is a mark of worship—a decision to worship according to man-made traditions and rules, rather than the commandments of God. Revelation 13:16-17 shows that the mark will involve a forced choice: either to submit to the beast’s laws or to reject them, which will have serious consequences.

The Key to Overcoming: Faith and Obedience

The Third Angel’s Message is a call to stand firm in the faith of Jesus Christ and to keep God’s commandments, especially in a world where the pressure to conform will be immense. Revelation 14:12 tells us that those who stand firm will demonstrate patience and endurance—a steadfast faith in God’s ability to help them remain faithful, even in the face of persecution.

But how do we remain faithful? Ezekiel 36:26-27 tells us that God will give us a new heart and a new spirit, causing us to walk in His ways. We are not alone in this battle. God has promised that through His Holy Spirit, we will be empowered to live in obedience to His law, just as Jesus did.

The End-Time Test: Worship the Creator

The final issue in the Third Angel's Message is worship. Revelation 14:7 calls us to "worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." This is a direct call to recognize God as our Creator, the One who established the Sabbath as a memorial of creation. Worshiping the Creator means honoring His commandments, including the Fourth Commandment, and rejecting the counterfeit worship system set up by the beast.

In these last days, the world will be faced with a choice: to follow the commandments of God, or to follow the traditions and commands of man. The Third Angel’s Message calls us to make a stand now, to choose whom we will worship, and to remain faithful to the truth of God's Word.

The Final Appeal

As we approach the end of time, the message of the three angels in Revelation becomes increasingly urgent. The Third Angel's Message is a solemn warning and a call to remain true to God and His Word, regardless of the consequences. Let us make the choice to follow the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus, knowing that in doing so, we are choosing life, not death.

Revelation 14:12 offers us a beautiful promise: "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." May we all strive to be part of that faithful remnant who endure to the end, keeping God's commandments and the faith of Jesus, as we await His glorious return.

In Christ

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