There are several reasons. A. It never has been sealed (Revelation 22:10). B. The very name Revelation means unveiling, not sealing. C. It is Jesus’ book in a unique way — it begins with the revelation Jesus Christ received and made known (Revelation 1:1). D. It is written primarily for the people just before Jesus’ return. E. A special blessing is pronounced on those who read it and heed it (Revelation 1:3). F. It describes God’s end-time people with clarity and tells what they should be preaching (Revelation 14:6–14).

The word angel literally means messenger, so God uses three angels to symbolize the preaching of His three-point gospel message for the last days. The symbolism of angels reminds us that supernatural power will accompany these messages.

First, it is the everlasting gospel; second, it must be preached to every person on earth. The three angels’ messages stress the gospel, making it plain that people are saved by faith in and acceptance of Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:10–12; John 14:6). Two of Satan’s effective counterfeits are salvation by works and salvation in sin.

A. Fear God — revere Him with love and trust (Proverbs 16:6; Ecclesiastes 12:13). B. Give glory to Him — praise, thank, and obey Him (2 Timothy 3:1,2). C. The hour of His judgment has come — everyone is accountable, and the judgment is now in session. D. Worship the Creator — this rejects all idolatry and the theory of evolution. The call to worship the One who made heaven, earth, and sea echoes the wording of the Sabbath commandment (Exodus 20:11), pointing to the seventh day as a memorial of Creation.

The second angel declares that Babylon is fallen, and the voice from heaven urges God’s people to come out of Babylon at once so they will not be destroyed with it. Unless you know what Babylon is, you could easily end up staying in it. (Babylon is presented in detail in Lesson 20.)

The third angel’s message warns people against worshiping the beast and his image and receiving his mark on the forehead or hand. The first angel commands true worship; the third tells of the tragic consequences of false worship. (Details on the beast and his mark are in Lesson 20.)

A. They are patient and faithful to the end. B. They are saints, fully on God’s side. C. They keep God’s commandments — happily obeying His Ten Commandments, aiming to please the One they love (1 John 3:22). D. They have the faith of Jesus (or faith in Jesus) — fully following and trusting Him.

Immediately after the three angels’ messages are taught to every person, Jesus will return in the clouds to take His people to their heavenly home. (Details on the second coming are in Lesson 8; on the 1,000 years, in Lesson 12.)

Present truth is an aspect of the everlasting gospel that has particular urgency for a certain time. Examples: Noah’s message of the Flood (2 Peter 2:5); Jonah’s message to Nineveh (Jonah 3:4); John the Baptist’s message (Matthew 3:1–3; Luke 1:17). Present truth for our day is contained in the three angels’ messages (Revelation 14:6–14), which prepare people for Jesus’ second coming.

Elijah the prophet. There is something significant about Elijah and his message, as we shall see.

Elijah urged the people to decide whom they would serve (1 Kings 18:21). The nation was almost wholly idolatrous: one prophet of God and 450 prophets of Baal (verse 22). Elijah proposed that the true God reveal Himself by fire — and God sent fire from heaven, and the deeply moved people chose God (verse 39). Elijah’s message came at a time of spiritual crisis and demanded a decision.

Jesus called John the Baptist’s preaching, which prepared people for His first advent, the Elijah message (Matthew 11:11,14). John went in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17), making truth clear and demanding a decision.

Two events must occur before the great day of the Lord (Joel 2:31): the coming of the Elijah message and the great signs in the heavens. The dark day was May 19, 1780; that same night the moon appeared as blood; and the stars fell November 13, 1833 (Matthew 24:29). So the end-time Elijah message must begin near or after 1833. The threefold message of Revelation 14:6–14 fits perfectly: it began around 1844 and is preparing people for the second coming.

The Elijah message — the three angels’ messages — will bring family members together in a loving, close, joyous relationship. What a blessed promise!

Yes! Every person will have an opportunity to hear the last-day message; the devil’s plans will be revealed; heaven’s power will accompany the preaching; God’s people will be patient, will have the faith of Jesus, and out of love will keep His commandments. The major emphasis of the three angels’ messages is that salvation is provided for everyone through Jesus Christ. With Him we cannot fail; without Him we cannot succeed.