Sin Is Defeated:  Proclaiming the Everlasting Victory of Grace

Shared on April 13, 2025

Introduction

Sin has been defeated and its defeat is eternal.  In our lesson this week, John continues to tell us what he saw taking place in the revelation of Christ. We are going to see the end of tribulation coming with the proclamation of eternal victory for the saints of God.

The Trouble of the Tribulation

By this point in the Revelation, the seven seals have been opened, and much will have happened on the earth during the period of great tribulation.  Revelation 6 covers the conflict and even the death that the four horsemen will bring.

When the seventh seal is opened, the world, and even the heavens, will be plagued.  Jesus taught that signs (a hint) of the end are the natural disasters and signs in the heavens (space) that have been witnessed since His ascension (Matt. 24:6-7). In our lifetime we’ve seen some of these signs with the phenomenons in weather, and even COVID-19. Now, when the seventh seal is opened during the great tribulation period, the world will see such disasters to a greater extreme (Rev. 8).

We must not forget that during the period of tribulation, the Antichrist will also rise and establish his “kingdom”.  Jesus spoke of the Antichrist’s arrival and the deception and lawlessness he will bring to the world (Matt. 24:11-12; 23-24).  Yet, Jesus said that the great tribulation would be shortened for the sake of the elect, those who come to Christ during the great tribulation.

From last week’s lesson, we know that the tribulation saints will face much persecution, and many will likely lose their physical lives.  Yet, they will have the final victory and be gathered around the throne of heaven.  

The Everlasting Gospel Proclaimed to the World

Our lesson this week shows us the beginning of the end of the tribulation. John tells us that he saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, that had the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people (Rev. 14:6).

To be clear, this angel flying in the midst of heaven isn’t flying in the heaven that is God’s kingdom.  You see, starting in Revelation 6, the scene shifts between what will take place in heaven and what will take place outside of heaven, in this world.  In the midst of heaven speaks to the angel flying above the earth.

This angel will be acting like how our satellites act today.  GPS works because of the satellites flying above the earth.  Satellites flying above the Earth help meteorologists with forecasting the weather.  Satellites flying above the Earth helps to broadcast news around the world. This angel is going to broadcast the everlasting gospel so that the whole world will hear it clearly. 

Now, what is the everlasting gospel?  John heard the angel say, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come (Rev. 14:7).”

The gospel is known as the good news of salvation through Christ.  To those saints who manage to survive the great tribulation, the proclamation of the everlasting gospel will be good news.  Those saints will rejoice at the news of Christ’s judgment coming to the world as that will end the tribulation. However, as good as the everlasting gospel will be to the saints, it be awful news to those who will have rejected Christ.

Beginning of the Millennial Kingdom

You see, the end of the great tribulation will bring forth the second coming of Christ.  The Second Coming of Christ is when Christ will establish His kingdom on earth for a thousand years.  In Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus spoke about His second coming and what will occur.  Jesus told the disciples that the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn. 

Jesus also said that He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they will gather His elect from all over the earth.  When we look back at Revelation 14:8, John said he saw another angel say, “Babylon is fallen, that great city.”  Again, to some, this message will bring great relief and joy as they will be gathered to join Christ in His kingdom. Again, those who rejected Christ won’t be gathered to join Christ – there will be weeping and gnashing of the teeth (Matt. 22:13).

Babylon is fallen

What is meant by the message that Babylon has fallen?  We know that ancient Babylon fell to the Persians.  So, does this mean that Babylon will return and exist again at that time?

Some do believe that a new city will exist and will take on the name of Babylon by that period of time.  It could be something that the Antichrist will do at that time, as he will view himself as a king or emperor.  You see, the Antichrist will have many that will follow him and serve him as if he is a god (2 Thess. 2:3-4).

The use of Babylon here could also be used figuratively rather than literally.  What would Babylon figuratively represent?  Sin.  As we see the angel say, Babylon has made all nations, “drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” – this speaks of sin.  Whether you want to think of this Babylon as a literal city or a figurative representation of sin, the angel’s proclamation is of its defeat being at hand.  

This proclamation will bring joy to those saints who will have suffered in the sin of that and the pains of that time.  This proclamation will make those who enjoyed living in the sin of that day sad.  Why?  Because the proclamation is about their defeat.

Judgment by the Son of Man

In Matthew 25:31-32, Jesus said that when He returns and establishes His kingdom, all nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them as a shepherd separates His sheep from goats.  Again, let’s understand that not everyone will be permitted to have a part in the Millennial Kingdom.  Who will or won’t be permitted to enter the Millennial Kingdom?

In Revelation 14:9-10, a third angel in this passage will say with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.”

During the days of the great tribulation, there will be many who will literally sign their body and their soul over to “the beast” and his image.  Those who don’t give their soul to the Lord will be lost to Him and not permitted entrance into His kingdom, not on earth nor in heaven.  They will, sadly, face an unforgivable ending and suffer for eternity (Rev. 14:10-11).

The Beast and His Citizens

So, who is the beast that so many will be willing to lose their soul for?

Revelation 13:1, John said, “Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.”  

Now, I believe that most of you will believe you know who is being spoken of in Revelation 13:1.  If you answered that this beast is Satan, then you will have answered correctly. Satan is the father of sin, in Jesus’ own words (John 8:43-44).  Satan was the first to sin and blaspheme the Lord, and he wears his blasphemy like a crown – he is proud of his sin.

Now, for you to fully understand what’s taking place in Revelation 14, you must understand Daniel’s vision of these days.  In Daniel 7:1-8, Daniel shared his vision about the four beasts.  The four beasts of Daniel’s vision represented four kingdoms/empires – Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome.  

Now, we would say that all of those empires have fallen as none of them are in existence today.  Yes, as I mentioned earlier, Babylon fell to Persia, Persia fell to Greece, and Greece fell to Rome.  Historically, we would say that Rome “fell” by consuming itself.

However, in Daniel’s vision, the fourth beast’s end didn’t come until after the tribulation.  Daniel 7:11, “I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.”  Now, this beast that Daniel watched being slain was the fourth beast – the kingdom (empire), rather than Satan.  

With that being said, let me draw your attention to the horn that spoke pompous words as he watched the destruction of the fourth beast.  This horn is of great significance for us.  

Daniel watched the rising of this horn as he saw it rise from the fourth beast.  Daniel 7:8, “I was considering [the ten horns of the fourth beast], and there was a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots.  And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.”

Now, let’s return to the book of Revelation because John also saw this same scene.  Revelation 13:11-12, “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.  And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose dead wound was healed.”

It should be very clear who this second beast is and who the horn was that Daniel saw in his vision.  The second beast is the Antichrist, the son of perdition, the man of sin (2 Thess. 2:3).  The Antichrist will have the appearance of Christ (two horns like a lamb), but his words will be like that of the dragon (Satan).  The Antichrist will even drive those he deceives into following him to worship the first beast – Satan.

Again, more clarity is made to reveal that the first beast is Satan.  The phrase, “whose dead wound was healed”, speaks to Christ having already defeated Satan and overcome sin.  However, the Lord will permit this final effort of Satan; God will permit the rising of the Antichrist, but only for a short period.  Babylon will fall, and as Daniel saw in his vision, the Antichrist will watch as his empire falls when Christ returns.

A Proclamation of Victory

Our lesson closes out with a voice from heaven telling John to write, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”  John then heard the Spirit say, “Yes, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them (Rev. 14:13).”

You see, to some, this chapter of Revelation covers the proclamation of victory and great joy.  I suppose the thought of one man’s victory being another man’s defeat is what is in mind throughout this chapter.  Now, one does not have to be on the losing side as God’s arms are wide open to welcome you home.

By the time of the Millennial Kingdom, those of the church age will have been married to Christ and rejoiced in the kingdom.  Even those tribulation saints lost in the day of the great tribulation will have made it to their everlasting home.  Then when Christ comes again, those living tribulation saints will be welcomed to inherit the Millennial Kingdom.

Again, I repeat, this victory and joy is something that everyone can participate in!  You don’t have to be excluded from the kingdom!  Though the Antichrist is not present today, his spirit is already in the world and moving – don’t be deceived.  Nothing is awaiting those who choose Satan over the Lord, and the devil knows that.  As David said, I encourage you to taste and see that the Lord and His promises are good.