2. the Everlasting Gospel

This is a remarkable testimony. It would seem to be the last before the great and terrible day of the Lord. The faithful had gone out with “the gospel of the kingdom,” and some of them had been put to death (Rev. 6:9). The two witnesses also testified, as we have seen in the eleventh chapter, until the beast killed them. And now the seer at Patmos says, that he saw
an angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel, etc. (Rev. 14:6)
We must not confound the different ways in which “gospel” is brought before us in the word of God. We have “the gospel preached to Abraham,” promising blessing through his seed. The gospel for the land of Canaan (Heb. 4:2). We read also of “the gospel of Christ,” which testifies of Christ’s work, — redemption through His blood. We have also “the gospel of God,” which enters into the eternal purpose, grace, and glory of God in our salvation in Christ, and through His blood. Then we have what Paul called his gospel —
my gospel {Rom. 2:16, 16:25; 2 Tim. 2:8};
which may include
the mystery {Rom. 16:25}
revealed to him of the oneness of believers with Christ the Head in heaven. We read also of
the gospel of the kingdom {Matt. 4:23, 9:35; Mark 1:14},
which promises blessing in the earth to the faithful when Messiah shall appear, when it will be seen that those who endure to the end shall be saved. But here we have the
everlasting gospel.
At a time when infidelity and
great delusion {see 2 Thess. 2:11}
have overspread the world, and God is denied, not only as Redeemer, but also as Creator, when man will set himself up above all that is called God and be worshipped, this testimony to the living God, which has been true in all ages, and will be for ever, goes forth, that God is worthy to be acknowledged and glorified by man. It implies that there will be blessing to those who, refusing to worship the beast, do homage to the living and true God. The testimony is,
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 (Rev. 14:7).
It is proclaimed with a loud voice to them that
dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people (Rev. 14:6, 7).
It seems to be God’s last publication of glad tidings, just before the time of actual judgment arrives, and it asks simply that the living God, the Creator, be given glory to, and owned and feared. Blessing in the earth has always been connected with the acknowledgment of the Creator.
To what a terrible crisis men are hastening! How lamentable is the fact, that, with all the world’s boast of Christianity and enlightenment, Christ is coming in flaming fire to take vengeance on those who know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, — who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power. But where will the Church be then? Blessed be God, we shall be vessels of mercy filled with Christ, and bringing glory and admiration to Christ, through what will be seen of Him in us.
When He shall come to be glorified IN
— not with, but in —
His saints and to be admired IN all them that believe {2 Thess. 1:10}.
Then the world will believe that the Father sent His Son to die for sinners, and that He loves us even as He loves Jesus.
“Jesus, Thou art enough
The mind and heart to fill;
Thy life-to calm the anxious soul
Thy love-its fear dispel.

“O fix our earnest gaze,
So wholly, Lord, on Thee,
That, with Thy beauty occupied,
We elsewhere none may see.”