Identifying the Only True God in Revelation 14

Revelation 14:6-7

6 And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

The command to "Fear God and give glory to Him" is a universal call from God addressed to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people dwelling on the earth Revelation 14:6-7ARSH January 16, 1900, page 40.5+1. This message is not merely a verbal expression but represents the closing work of the gospel, where human instrumentalities, symbolized by the first angel, are raised up by God to proclaim the arrival of the hour of His judgmentGC 435.2+2.

The Nature of the Message

• The Everlasting Gospel: The call is part of the "everlasting gospel," which contains the power of God to fully fit individuals for the judgment Revelation 14:6ARSH January 16, 1900, page 40.5+1.

• A Call to Worship the Creator: It specifically directs the human family to worship the One who made heaven, earth, the sea, and the fountains of waters, pointing to God's right to rule as the Creator Revelation 14:7SSP 252.2+1.

• Restoration of Truth: This proclamation encompasses the restoration of the "faith of Jesus," which includes the teachings, the confidence, and the sacrificial merits of ChristEVRR510.

The Timing of the Proclamation

• The Investigative Judgment: The announcement that "the hour of his judgment is come" refers to the investigative judgment that began in the heavenly sanctuary in 1844, at the close of the 2,300-day prophecy Daniel 8:14GC 352.2+2.

• A Warning Before the End: This message must be given while people are still in their period of probation, prior to the second coming of Christ, to prepare them for the final decision of their cases Revelation 22:12GC 352.2+1.

The Human Instruments Involved

• Symbolic Messengers: While the verse describes an angel flying in heaven, it symbolizes religious teachers and messengers who preach this solemn truth to the worldBP2 48.3+2.

• The Spirit of Elijah: God raises up servants in the spirit and power of Elijah to give this stern rebuke against worldliness and to call for fruits meet for repentanceEW 233.1+2.

• A Diverse Group of Workers: This work has involved many, including the early advent believers like William Miller, and even child-preachers moved by a divine influence beyond their yearsGC 366.3+2.

The Practical Application

• Keeping the Commandments: Those who truly receive this message are recognized as those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Revelation 14:12PK 299.3+1.

• Health Reform: The work of health reform and medical missionary work is closely connected to this message, acting as the "right arm" to the body of truth to prepare a people for the Lord’s comingLLM 82.2+2.

• Personal Choice: Ultimately, the judgment pronounced on an individual is a recognition of the condition they have fixed for themselves by either accepting or disregarding this message Revelation 22:11ARSH January 16, 1900, page 40.5+1.

Revelation 14:7

7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

The God whom we are to fear and give glory to is the unique and living Creator of the universe, who is distinguished from all false gods by His power to create and His power to save Jeremiah 10:10-12CAS 11.2. His name is the Lord God Almighty, a name that is sacred, holy, and reverend, and which represents His infinite purity, majesty, and excellence Revelation 15:3-4TEd 191.6+1.

The Identity of the True God

• The Creator and Redeemer: The true God is identified as the one who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the fountains of waters Revelation 14:7CAS 11.2+1. This creative power is the very mark of His divinity, for He who can create can also redeemCAS 11.2.

• The Only True God: He is the God of gods and Lord of lords, a great, mighty, and terrible God who does not regard persons or take rewards Deuteronomy 10:17-18FE 477.2. Unlike idols or the gods of the nations, which are vanity, the Lord is the living God and an everlasting King Jeremiah 10:10-11RH December 23, 1884, par. 1+1.

• The Source of All Things: He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, from whom all things were created and for whose pleasure they exist Revelation 4:11+17BC 990.2+1.

The Names and Titles of God

• Lord God Almighty: This title is frequently used by the heavenly host and the redeemed to extol His omnipotence and holiness Revelation 15:3TEd 191.6+1.

• Jehovah: He is the Lord of hosts, and His name is to be exalted among the people as the one whose covenant is never broken Isaiah 12:4ADRE August 1850, page 15.13+1.

• The Father and the Son: We are to glorify the Father which is in heaven through our good works Matthew 5:16PTUK March 24, 1897, page 183.10. Furthermore, we are to give glory to the name of Jesus, the Prince of life and the Lamb of God, who is one with the Father and worthy of all honor and power Revelation 5:12-13ST December 30, 1889, par. 5+1.

• Emmanuel: This delightful name, meaning "God with us," represents the gracious presence of God formed within the believer as the hope of gloryARSH December 27, 1855, page 102.13.

His Name as His Character

• The Glory of His Character: When Moses asked to see God's glory, the Lord proclaimed His name, which is His character Exodus 33:18-19GW 417.2+1. This character is defined by mercy, truth, righteousness, and matchless lovePP 289.2+1.

• A Name to be Revered: The name of the Lord is so sacred that it must never be spoken thoughtlessly or profaned in common conversationST July 22, 1880, par. 8+1. To fear His name means to have a filial fear of offending our heavenly Father and to walk in all His waysFE 477.2+1.

The Glory Due to His Name

• A Call to Worship: Every kindred and family is called to give unto the Lord the glory and strength due unto His name by bringing offerings and coming into His courts Psalms 96:7-8GCDB February 9, 1893, page 196.2+1.

• The Song of the Redeemed: The ransomed ones will eternally declare His glory, singing that He alone is holy and that all nations shall worship before Him Revelation 15:3-4TEd 191.6+1.

• A Witness to the World: Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus are the ones who truly honor His name before angels and men Revelation 14:12ChS 148.3+1.

The Bible provides a clear and beautiful answer to this question, identifying the Father as the only true God, who is the source of all things. 🌟 This truth is foundational to our faith and is the key to experiencing the gift of eternal life.

The Father as the Only True God

In the most direct sense, Jesus Christ Himself identified the Father as the only true God. During His intercessory prayer, He spoke to the Father, distinguishing Him as the unique object of supreme worship.

• The Prayer of Christ: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" John 17:3.

• The Apostolic Witness: Paul confirms this by stating, "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him" 1 Corinthians 8:6.

• The Sovereign Ruler: Scripture identifies the Father as the "one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" Ephesians 4:6.

The Character and Name of the Only True God

The Bible uses specific titles to distinguish the only true God from the idols of the nations. These titles emphasize His self-existence and His role as the ultimate Lawgiver and Creator.

• The Self-Existent One: When God spoke to Moses, He identified Himself by the name "I AM," indicating His independent and eternal nature Exodus 3:14. He is "the eternal God" who is our refuge Deuteronomy 33:27.

• Jehovah: The Psalmist declares that the Father alone holds the supreme name: "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth" Psalm 83:18.

• The Unique God: He is the "King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God" 1 Timothy 1:17. He is the "blessed and only Potentate" 1 Timothy 6:15.

The Distinction Between the Father and the Son

While Jesus Christ is truly God by nature and the Creator of all things, the Bible maintains a distinction in their roles, pointing to the Father as the "only true God" who sent His Son.

• The Relation of the Two: "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true [the Father], and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life" 1 John 5:20.

• The Source of Authority: Jesus acknowledged that His life and authority were derived from the Father: "As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me" John 6:57.

• The Mediator: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" 1 Timothy 2:5.

The Sign of the Only True God

To ensure that the human family would never forget who the only true God is, He established a memorial of His creative power.

• The Sabbath Memorial: "Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them" Ezekiel 20:12.

• Identification through Creation: The fourth commandment identifies the Lawgiver as the one who "made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is" Exodus 20:11. Worship is due to Him specifically because "the LORD made the heavens" while the gods of the nations are but idols Psalm 96:5.

Knowing the Father as the only true God is not merely an intellectual exercise; it is the very essence of eternal life John 17:3. May you find great joy in contemplating His character of love and mercy! 🙏✨