‘And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven having an eternal Gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people, for he says with a great voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, for the hour of His judgment is come, and worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters”.'
The message is specific, ‘the hour of His judgment is come'. There will be delay no longer (Revelation 10:6). The fact that he has eternal good news or an eternal Gospel, good news that spans from beginning to end and on into eternity, in contrast with the message of the beast, may suggest that there is yet hope for these people, the earth-dwellers, if only they will repent, a message to all nations from which none is excluded. It is the last call. As such it must be seen as prior to the resurrection described above, and it would appear covers the brief period between the destruction of Babylon and the final Battle. Once the resurrection has taken place only judgment awaits the unrepentant.
This parenthesis is remarkable. Even at the last God appeals to men. Even while glory and judgment is being described God fits in a plea and warning to respond before it is too late. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
The call is for submission to God before it is too late, to respond to Him in awed fear, to give Him the glory due to His name, and to worship Him rather than the beast. This terminology is used as a deliberate comparison with their attitudes to the beast. They fear the beast and give him glory (Revelation 13:3-4). But in contrast with the beast here is the One Who made Heaven and earth and sea. All is His and under His control. Therefore let them rather fear Him and give Him glory. Though beasts may have arisen from sea and earth, yet sea and earth are His not theirs. Let them therefore worship the source of all things
The creation of heaven, earth and sea parallels Revelation 10:6, but here is added ‘fountains of waters' i.e. fresh water sources. Thus He Who created the heaven and earth and sea also created the fountains of waters, the life-source for men. The reference to fountains of waters may include a spiritual reference and compare with Revelation 7:17; Revelation 22:1 and be a hint that life is still available for those who will repent (but compare Revelation 8:10; Revelation 16:4). He is the source of both kinds of life. The only question now is whether their hearts are too hardened to respond, and, sadly, that is what the passage suggests.
‘Those who dwell on earth'. The verb used for ‘dwell' here is different from elsewhere and literally means ‘sit' (kathemai). We can compare the similar use in Luke 21:35 where it relates to surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life in the light of the coming judgment at the end of the age. Thus it may have special reference to their casual attitude and worldly behaviour.
‘Fear God'. It is ‘the whole duty of man' to ‘fear God and keep His commandments' for ‘God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing whether it be good or whether it be evil' (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Compare also Exodus 18:21; Psalms 66:16; Ecclesiastes 8:12; Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:5; Acts 10:2; Acts 10:22; Acts 10:35; Acts 13:16; Acts 13:26; 2Co 7:1; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:12; Colossians 3:22 from which it is apparent that the fear of God is closely connected with obedience and a desire for purity. God is fearsome because He is holy (Revelation 15:4). Thus those who seek Him will seek purity.
‘And give Him glory' (compare Revelation 4:9), for the giving of glory to Him is the sign of a pure heart (Psalms 29:2). It symbolises obedience and openness before God (Joshua 7:19; Malachi 2:2). It should be done before it is too late (Jeremiah 13:16; Malachi 2:2).