And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, (Revelation 14:6)
A new scene begins. Chronologically the events represented in this vision precede those represented by the vision of vs. 1-5.
Another.
Gr. allos, another of the same kind. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the omission of this word. Many angels have already been mentioned (chs. 1:1, 20; 5:2; 7:1; etc.), so that the designation “another” is not necessary.
Kindred.
Or, “tribe.”
Every nation.
The universality of the message is emphasized by this and the following phrases.
Dwell on the earth.
As indicated by the following phrases, a worldwide proclamation of the gospel is here envisioned.
To preach.
Gr. euaggelizō, “to proclaim good tidings,” a verb form related to euaggelion (see above). Compare the use of euaggelizō in Rom. 1:15; 10:15.
Gr. aiōnios (see on Matt. 25:41). The Scriptures elsewhere speak of the “glorious” gospel (2 Cor. 4:4; 1 Tim. 1:11), but only here is the word “everlasting” used in connection with the gospel of the grace of God. There is but one gospel to save men. It will continue as long as there are men to be saved. There never will be another gospel.
Midst of heaven.
The angel of ch. 8:13 was also seen flying through the midst of heaven. The area of flight indicates the worldwide nature of the angel’s work and message. The work grows and develops until it is brought to the sight and hearing of all mankind.
Angel.
This is a symbolic vision. The angel represents God’s saints engaged in the task of proclaiming the everlasting gospel, especially the features mentioned in this verse, at a time when the “judgment is come” (v. 7). It is, of course, also true that literal angels assist men in the task of proclaiming the gospel, but this is not the predominant idea here.