And I saw another angel fly in the midst of Heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. Revelation 14:6
An organization that worked to provide services to underprivileged families decided to put on a dinner for its many volunteer workers. The invitations were sent out to the organization’s membership, announcing the dinner to be held in the ballroom of a large hotel, indicating that the dinner was for members in good standing and with a record of active service. On the day of the dinner, members gathered in the lobby of the hotel, waiting for the doors to open to the dining hall. As the time drew near, the president of the organization came out to address the guests. He told them he had good news and bad news. The good news, he said, was that the dinner had plenty of room for all members who were qualified. The bad news, he said, was that members who were in arrears in their dues, or who had no record of active service, would not be allowed to attend. When the doors opened, some people were turned away because they were behind in their dues, or because they had done nothing for the organization. The president’s message to his members was similar to the everlasting gospel that the angel preached.
Angels do not get involved in preaching to men, as a rule. But in this case, the angel’s message was primarily an announcement, a confirmation of the salvation that people had already received or rejected. The word gospel means good news, and the everlasting gospel as preached by the angel was truly good news for those who were saved, and for Israel at the end of the great tribulation. The Lord Jesus is about to appear, and the angel is confirming that those who are ready will be received by Him. But the message is bad news for those who are not saved, the lawless and disobedient, the worshippers and followers of the antichrist. For them, the door of opportunity has closed and they are to be forever shut out for judgment.
We do not preach the everlasting gospel today, we preach the gospel of the grace of God. The message today is of an open door, an available opportunity, a waiting Saviour with welcoming arms extended. This is a wonderful message of good news, and there are many – a tiny percentage, but still many – who are accepting the Saviour’s invitation. Our mission is to proclaim this message, to reach all who will listen. Unlike the everlasting gospel, the gospel of the grace of God is one which people can ignore and reject, at least for now. But that does not absolve us from our responsibility to preach it, and to support others who preach it. Because those who hear the message now will one day encounter the angel preaching the everlasting Gospel, and will need to be ready.
The everlasting gospel is a word of everlasting comfort to those who are saved. And it is a reminder of our responsibility to those who are lost. -Jim MacIntosh