In preparing kids for a series of televised episodes on the three angels' messages, I have written a simplified version of Revelation's three-fold alert. Intended for children in third through fifth grade, the language may be helpful to those who want a quick "hack" on the three angels' messages. Feel free to share!
Summary of Three Angels’ Messages
All passages are from the International Children’s Bible
The three angels’ messages are found in Revelation 14. God sent these special messages because He loves us. He wants His children to know that He is fair, true, and holy. The messages are a “heads up” for what will happen before Jesus’ second coming.
FIRST ANGEL. PART ONE. The angel said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him praise. The time has come for God to judge all people.” Revelation 14:7, first part, ICB
The word “fear” in the Bible does not mean to be afraid. It means to respect and honor and worship.
The Bible has a special timeline that shows that Jesus entered the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844. At this time, He began ministering as our High Priest to make our record clean. “Christ entered the Most Holy Place only once—and for all time. His sacrifice was his own blood. He entered the Most Holy Place and set us free from sin forever.” Hebrews 9:12.
We give God glory for the judgement because:
He makes our record clean!
He will put an end to everything that is not fair
FIRST ANGEL. PART TWO.
Worship God. He made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water. Revelation 14:7, second part, ICB
The second half of the First Angel’s Message tells us God is our Creator.
The First Angel’s Message and the Sabbath commandment (4th) contain the same wording.
We worship God on the 7th day of the week to honor Him as the Maker of our world.
SECOND ANGEL
Then the second angel followed the first angel and said, “She is destroyed! The great city of Babylon is destroyed!” Revelation 14:8, first part
The word Babylon in the second angel’s message is a symbol.
In ancient Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar took a little bit of truth (head of gold) and mixed in lies (Made the entire image of gold.) He took what God said and tried to do things his way. Then Babylon fell.
We can look at ancient Babylon as an example of what happens when truth and lies are mixed together. Before Jesus comes, religious and political leaders will band together to take a little bit of truth (trying to sound religious) and mix in lies. They will try to force people to worship on the first day of the week and break the seventh day Sabbath.
THIRD ANGEL
A third angel followed the first two angels. This third angel said in a loud voice: “It will be bad for the person who worships the beast and his idol and gets the beast’s mark on the forehead or on the hand. . . . This means that God’s holy people must be patient. They must obey God’s commands and keep their faith in Jesus.” Revelation 14:10, 12
The third angel is speaking in symbols also.
The mark on the forehead and hand are not real marks. They are symbols of using your mind and hands to break God’s commandments.
We must use our mind and hands to follow all of God’s commandments, including the Sabbath commandment.
Jesus will help us to be patient and have faith.
He will come in the clouds to take us home.
SUPER SIMPLIFIED VERSION.
Angel One. Jesus has already won the battle.
Angel Two. Satan’s side is going down.
Angel Three. Keep your faith in Jesus and stay on the winning side!