We now get another insight into the true situation. We have just seen what happens to those who remain faithful to the Lord. Now we see the state of those who follow the world.
The first angel declares the gospel to the world. This is "Fear God and give Him glory", and we will shortly see that judgement is a fundamental part of the gospel, and in the section the central part. We too often forget that judgement is central to the gospel. Jesus taught this, and the apostles all taught this. We were created to worship and give glory to the Creator. The gospel calls us back from our rebellion to worship God.
Then a second angel appears and he declares the defeat of Babylon. This is in the aorist tense, which means it is a completed action. Babylon represents the world system, the world's rebellion against God. Many were induced to follow Babylon. Today we see that most go along with the world. But she is defeated.
Then came a third angel with perhaps the most serious message. Anyone who worships the beast will receive God's wrath. Full judgement is coming, and the only escape route is Christ. The consequences of following the world will not simply be "all well we backed the wrong horse", rather it will be terrible judgement. We need to realise how serious the situation is.
Verses 12 and 13 give instruction to the saints. We are to have patient endurance, and then we are told that "blessed are the dead who dead who die in the Lord". This is no easy promise of blessing. Also it is completely consistent with God's people being around during the time of great tribulation.
The sorts of situations described in these chapters have existed a various points in history and various places in the world (in Iraq and Syria just now, for instance). There will come a time when it is the situation everywhere.
The message of the Bible is not an easy get out, but a call to patient endurance and continuing faithfulness to Christ.
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