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The next consideration must be the relation which this great system has to those who
are spoken of as "every nation", &100: As the A.V. stands, the gospel is addressed.
1. To them that dwell upon the earth.
2. To every nation, &100:
But the word epi which occurs in the phrase "upon the earth" is repeated in the next
sentence, "and upon every nation". With 17: 15 as our authority we can positively say
that the meaning is that those same ones who are said to SIT upon the earth, are also said
to SIT upon every nation, &100:, for the very enumeration comes in 17: 15. The beast of
13: 7 received authority over (epi) every tribe, and people, and language and nation.
This was the extent of Nebuchadnezzar's dominion. His herald addressed the King's
command to "people, nations, and languages" (Dan. 3: 4, 7). The very strangeness of
the expression, namely that of "languages" being "commanded" to fall down and worship
Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, is a connecting link with Rev. 14:
Babylon and all that it means will SIT upon the very earth and its peoples. The scene
on the plains of Dura will be re-enacted. The image of the beast takes the place of the
golden image of Nebuchadnezzar, and death is the penalty, as before, for disobedience.
The very throne of God is usurped. The creator Himself is denied. That throne is
described in chapter 4:, where we found our first occurrence of the word "sit". There
too heaven's worship goes up to God as "Creator" (4: 11). Soon evolution and kindred
theories will have done their work. The whole of Science and Philosophy will have
become enslaved by their teaching, and God Himself will be scientifically reduced to a
cypher. Then the Man of Sin will mount the throne. Then the false prophet will demand
universal worship of the beast and his image, and then will go forth the "everlasting
gospel".
We are sufficiently acquainted with the meaning and usage of aiōn and aiōnios to
obviate the necessity of enlarging upon them here. The words mean, "an age, that which
has to do with an age", and this gospel announced from heaven by an angel is peculiarly
fitted for the awful time of Babylon's last grasp for Godless power. Unlike the gospel of
the Kingdom, or the gospel of Grace, it does not call for repentance or for faith, but
simply to "Fear God". Do any of the oppressed nations, tribes, languages and peoples,
hearken to this elemental message? Turn to chapter 15: There a company are seen who
have overcome the beast, his image and his mark, and sing unto the Lord as to the King of
the Ages saying:--
"Who shall not FEAR Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy Name? for Thou only art holy:
for all nations shall come and worship before Thee, FOR THY JUDGMENTS are made
manifest" (verse 4).
This is an echo of the evangel that saved them:--
"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" (14: 7).