DEF: because/bikawz,-kuz/conj. For the reason that; since, – because of on account of; by reason of. {ME f. BY prep. + CAUSE, after OF par cause de by reason of} > for, since, as, inasmuch as, seeing that, owing or due to the fact that.

(OXFORD AMERICAN DICTIONARY AND THESAURUS, p. 118, Oxford University Press, 2003)

“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

EVERLASTING

The gospel (def: “unquestionable truth”–Collins Dictionary, Harper Collins, 1991), noted here in the opening verse, is an everlasting gospel; it is so in its nature, and it will be so in its consequences. “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and its flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1: 24–25. The everlasting gospel is of great concern to the whole world, and as it is the concern of all, it is very much to be desired that it should be made known to all, even to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Revelation 14:6. The gospel is the great means whereby men are brought to fear God, and to give glory to Him. Natural religion is not sufficient to keep up the fear of God, nor to secure to Him glory from men; it is the gospel that revives the fear of God attended by the power of the Holy Spirit, that men are turned from idols to serve the living God as the Creator of the “heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:7

“One of the wonderful qualities of the New Testament’s four Gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke, John) is that they force you either to embrace or reject them. You can study the gospels as “literature” if you like, but their logic subverts any attempt to treat them as you would treat other literary texts. Hamlet: may reach dizzying heights of sublimity and repay a lifetime of study, but it doesn’t ask for radical changes in your thought and behaviour and has no power to compel them.” (Opinion–Book Review; by Barton Swaim, on Jay Parini’s “Jesus: The Human Face of God,” Wall Street Journal, Dec. 23, 2013)

“I do not seek to understand so that I may believe, but I believe so that I may understand.” St. Anselm

BAD NEWS!

Ah! But, in the unveiling of conditions on the earth at the end of the age, we see a manifestation of the power of Satan. As the year turns and time painfully progresses—ambitiously, the subject that is becoming impossible to duck or avoid is the growing global disorder, global unease, suicide bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, mass killings, and intimidations. Moreover, the world is on a global financial death spiral! The world, furthermore, is ruled by de facto military juntas, military criminals, or a distracted or disinterested leadership, and over shadowed by an insidious plotting for power while exercising economic dictatorship—and all satanically energized.

Of Satan it is said that he is the deceiver of the whole world (Revelation 12:9). Satan has organized the world of unbelieving mankind upon his cosmic principles of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure (Matthew 4:8–9; John 2:15–17). This world system is imposing and powerful with military might, is often outwardly religious, scientific, cultured, and elegant; but, seething with national and commercial rivalries and ambitions, is upheld in any real crisis only by armed force, and is dominated by satanic principles (Zechariah 12:1–6; Matthew 4:8).

Satan, furthermore, has created a surge in devices and services in homes, businesses, schools, and churches. He is churning out a number of Internet-connected gadgets with wicked connotations. “Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; He devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words.” (Isaiah 32:7 NKJV); Psalm 37:7; Proverbs 1:31; Proverbs 19:21; Jeremiah 18:12

Not only is there a potentially dangerous breakdown of international order, but also people’s loss of faith in their leadership. But in a world with as many disturbances as now, what usually comes with intense national disaffection and frustration is rarely good. It is a world that is running on the cliff’s edge.

REFLECTION

It is a time for reflection—meditation; a change!  A time to turn to the Bible, the Holy Scriptures, the Word of God, but pointedly—the Book of Revelation—the concluding book of the scriptures which unfolds the great events bringing history to consummation, including the revelation of Jesus at His second advent.

The word “Revelation,” used as the title of the book, is from the late Latin,”revelato” which means (as does the Greek, “apokalipsis” from which the English word “apocalypse” is derived ) disclosure of that which was previously hidden or unknown. The book is a record of what the Apostle John saw and heard, that wise old sage on Patmos Island, Greece (AD 95).

BOOK FOR END OF AGE

Of all the books of the Bible, this book is the one that certainly may be considered as the book for the end of the age. It’s obvious to see that the Western world itself, including its leaders, presidents, kings, statesmen, religious leaders, scientists, economists, authors, essayists, news editors, and students, have consciously or unconsciously recognized this. Ah! Not only the Western world! Just throw a dart randomly at a map of the Middle East, Southeast Asia, or Africa, and it will hit “trouble!” It is no surprise that in conversations of late one hears invocations of chaos or war! If you have the courage to view, read, hear any media source and it will reek of violence. The use of the word “apocalypse” surfaces— invariably! This word has come to stand for an age of upheaval, world conditions fraught with fearful consequences, the unleashing of vast powers which man himself seems unable to control.

TO THE CHURCH

The author of the book on Revelation in the Moffatt commentary, Martin Kiddle, refers to “the remarkable relevance” of the message of this book “to the church in our own day. It is only one more example of the divine sanction, and the timeless significance of John’s visions. Whenever there is a world crisis, whenever the State exalts itself and demands an allegiance which Christians know they cannot pay without abandoning their very souls, whenever the Church is threatened by destruction, and faith is dim and hearts are cold, then the Revelation will admonish and exhort, uplift and encourage all who heed its message.” (p. xlix)

ONE WORLD ORDER

This, furthermore, the book of Revelation is supremely the book of one world, and surely now, in the twentieth century, we are approaching a one-world condition. Often in the Apocalypse we come upon such a phrase as “many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings”(Revelation 10:11; 11:9; 17:15), which suggests the universal scope of the vision. When kings are introduced, they are the “kings of the whole world” (Revelation 16:14; 17:2,18; 18:9; 19:19).

An interesting Christian book that relates to this is: “En Route to Global Occupation—A High Ranking Government Liaison Exposes the Secret Agenda for World Unification.” Gary H. Kah, Huntington House Pub., 1991. He warns that national sovereignty will soon be a thing of the past. Political forces around the world are now cooperating in unprecedented fashion to achieve their goal of uniting the people of this planet under a New World Order. The author demonstrates that there is an ominous cooperation between the globalists, who are promoting the one world government, and the burgeoning New Age groups, who are promoting a new religion. Another appropriate book for this time is: “The Secret Terrorists” by Bill Huges, Truth Triumphant, P.O. Box 567, Tangerine, FL. 32777. The book unfolds the fact that the U.S.A. is in more danger today than ever before. A secret terrorist organization has been working from within to destroy America, its Constitution, and everything for which she stands. This book gives all the details—how!

ENDLESSLY BLESSED

The Book of Revelation is pre-eminently a book for a troubled age, for an age in which the darkness deepens, fear spreads over all mankind, and monstrous powers, godless and evil, appear on the stage of history (as they appear in the book of Revelation). But, there is comfort and encouragement here: God knows all things from the beginning, even the tribulations of His own people. However, the ultimate end of this conflict, persecution, tribulation, martyrdom, is determined by Christ, when He finally will be victorious. Sin and Satan and all Satan’s cohorts will be eternally defeated; and believers will be with the Son of God in glory forever.

All right, but, even if one were to say these things were not true, and especially for the age we live in, we should not forget that this is the only book in the Bible that pronounces a beatitude regarding the hearing, reading, and obeying of its words: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things which are written therein.” Revelation 1:3. (see also Revelation 22:7)

GOOD NEWS

Doubtless in the future, the importance and influence of the Book of Revelation will constantly increase with the existing  and increasing confusion and gloom of the times. But, whether such times are measured in time and forthcoming, the order of events are not the subject of this paper, but to the furthering of man’s salvation and preparedness. In other words, man is yearning for the Good News!

So, to begin with, the word “Gospel” means “Good News!” As used in the New Testament, the word deals with different aspects of divine revelation. But, absolutely essential to man’s salvation are the following:

  1. Gospel of the Grace of God “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to My gospel.”Romans 2:16. Grim news—too!
  1. Gospel of Divine Revelation

1) That Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world;

2) That He was raised from the dead on account of our justification;

3) That by Him all who believe are justified from all things.

  1. Gospel of God

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.” Romans 1:1

 It is The Gospel of God

  • BECAUSE—it originates in His love.
  • BECAUSE—“of Christ.” “For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:14
  • BECAUSE—it flows from His sacrifice.
  • BECAUSE—He is the object of faith.
  • BECAUSE—of “the grace of God.” “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
  • BECAUSE—it saves those who the law curses.
  • BECAUSE—it is “glorious.” “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4. “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” 1 Timothy 1:11
  • BECAUSE—it concerns Him who is in the glory and is bringing many sons to glory. “For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Hebrews 2:10
  • BECAUSE—“of your salvation” “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 1:13
  • BECAUSE—“it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
  • BECAUSE—“of peace” because through Christ it makes peace between the believing sinner and God, and makes inward peace possible. “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:15
  1. Gospel of the Kingdom

“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” Matthew 4:23. This is the good news that God purposes to set up on the earth, the kingdom of Christ, the Son of David, in fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:16). Now, the good news of this kingdom was announced by the Old Testament prophets (Isaiah 9:6–7), by Christ in His first coming (Matthew 9:35), and will be proclaimed during the great tribulation (Matthew 24:14).

  1. Everlasting Gospel—(Revelation 14:6—opening verse) is described as the announcement of divine judgment upon the wicked in the coming great tribulation. It is good news for the suffering believers as it heralds their coming deliverance and reward (v. 12). So, in view of those who “dwell on the earth” are exhorted to fear God and worship Him (v. 7).
  1. Another Gospel—but the “good news” of divine revelation is contrasted with “another gospel” (a warning!). “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”2 Corinthians 11:4. “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel” (Galatians 1:6), which Paul states “is not another,” but a perversion of the gospel of the grace of God. We are warned against all its seductive forms which deny the sufficiency of grace alone to save, keep, and perfect. Its teachers lie under the awful anathema (GR. anathema; “another subject”) (Def: “anything detested, hateful, ban of the church, a curse of God.” –Collins Dictionary of the English Language, Harper Collins, 1991). “As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:9. Grim news!

SUMMATION:

The abounding and consoling word, “gospel,” therefore, includes various aspects of the good news of divine revelation. But the marvellous fact that God has proclaimed the good news of the gospel of grace, the gospel of the coming kingdom, and the everlasting gospel of divine judgment upon the wicked and deliverance of believers does not mean that there is more than one Gospel of salvation. Grace, you see, is the basis for salvation in all dispensations, and is under all circumstances the only way of salvation from sin.

“If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, in which thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5

Is it BECAUSE?

 

Amen <>< <>< <><                                                                                                   

John Theodorou