8. What is the message of the third angel of Revelation 14?

The third angel’s message (Revelation 14:9-12) contains perhaps the most startling, urgent and solemn warning in all of Scripture. The message graphically describes the terrible results of choosing to worship the beast (the papal system) and his image (the end-time union of church and state that mandates Sunday observance).JTL22 10.1

The mark of the beast comes from choosing to honor the counterfeit Sabbath promoted by the papacy and its allies instead of the seventh-day Sabbath which God Himself sanctified as the day of worship. This warning is so important that the next section of the book of Revelation focuses on explaining its significance. God will send His wrath in the form of seven last plagues on those who reject the messages of the three angels. Those who choose to align themselves against Jesus Christ and His designated day of worship can no longer be covered with His mercy and protection.JTL22 10.2

In contrast to the majority who reject God’s everlasting gospel, the last verse of the message focuses on the patience of the saints who do keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12) and receive His seal. This faithful remnant receives the message of the righteousness of Christ and are prepared to receive the seal of God (Revelation 9:4) which shields them from Satan and his allies. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22). But in a special sense the seventh-day Sabbath is a sign or seal of our connection with God (Ezekiel 20:12). It contains the three elements of an official seal — the name, title, and jurisdiction of “The One” who the seal represents. Worship observance on Sunday, the man changed Sabbath, will be the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:17). The great question which comes down through all ages is—will we submit to human authority in earth’s final crisis and receive the mark by worshipping the beast and his image, or will we remain faithful to God and worship Him on the correct day—the seventh-day Sabbath? This special day was instituted by God Himself as a memorial of His creation and will continue to be worshipped on throughout all eternity.JTL22 10.3