Instruction
Scripture: Revelation 14:6-7
Lutheranism has a slogan that is referred to as the, “Three Solas.” Sola is Latin for only or alone. The “Three Solas” are Sola Gratia, Sola
Fide, et Sola Scriptura - Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Scripture Alone.
In this passage the angel proclaims an eternal gospel which
is God’s Word handed down by prophets and apostles all the way to today which
proclaims how a person comes to be saved. This passage would have us focus on
God’s Word as the message that gives us salvation and brings salvation to the
world.
Teaching
John’s vision seems so strange. Modern people don’t
generally think about angels and the spiritual forces that are at work in our
world. Angels, however, are real. They are servants of God and they serve in a
variety of ways, particularly as messengers. In fact, the word, “angel,” means,
“messenger.”
So what message would this messenger have us receive? “Fear
God and give Him glory!” The angel would have all people see their Creator,
recognize their accountability to Him, fear His wrath at their sin, and also
know that our Creator loved us so dearly that He rescued us from His wrath by
the death of His Son, our Savior, Jesus.
Life
This passage is not intended for us to focus on the
messenger, but on the message. The angel proclaimed an eternal gospel. From the
beginning God planned to rescue us from sin and death. Our Creator knew we
would rebel, and as our maker He could not (would not!) sit idly by and let us
be destroyed. So He gives a message of gospel – good news. He would save us. He
provided an amazing rescue that was not just for us, but for all people. And
now we get to join that angel – that messenger – sharing the eternal gospel
that saves all people, no matter where they come from.
Prayer
Father in Heaven, You have revealed an eternal gospel –
everlasting good news! Christ has died for our sins and He is risen. He has
made the way for us to return to You, our Creator, and has opened Your kingdom
to everyone – every nation, tribe, language, and people – through faith in Him.
And You continue to have messengers who proclaim this good news as they speak
Your Word.
Thank You for revealing Your Word to us. Thank You for
giving us messengers who spoke this eternal gospel to us. And we thank You for
gathering us from the many peoples of the world to be Yours.
Forgive us for times that we have been slow to share that
eternal gospel or when we ourselves have neglected the message of Your Word in
our own lives. Forgive us for looking at the world and seeing the mass of
humanity without seeing them as Your beloved people whom You have made and
saved.
Let Your messengers go out into all the world, O Lord. Let
everyone hear the good news of Your salvation. Create faith in people who do
not know You, who do not believe in a Creator, who are hostile to You, and who
are simply ignorant about You. Give them faith in Jesus our Redeemer, who lives
and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.
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