And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, (Revelation 14:9)
See on ch. 13:14. The conjunction “and” identifies the worshipers of the beast with those of the image. A further conjunction identifies these worshipers with those who receive the mark. The beast and the image are united in their aims and policies and in their demand that men receive the mark of the beast. Hence, one who worships the beast also worships the image and is a bearer of the mark.
The beast.
That is, the beast described in ch. 13:1-10 (see comment there). The second beast solicits the worship of men for the first beast (see on ch. 13:12). It should be noted that this warning will have ultimate force only after the healing of the deadly wound (see on ch. 13:3), and the formation of the image to the beast (see on v. 14), when the mark of the beast becomes an issue (see on v. 16). As preached today, the third angel’s message is a warning concerning issues to come, a warning that will enlighten men as to the issues involved in the developing struggle and enable them to make an intelligent choice.