"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, the same
shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:9-12
This is the Third Angel’s Message, as it would stand separated from the other two.
But, in fact, it cannot be regarded as separate, and cannot be made to stand apart as if it alone were a single, separate message to the world; for the very first words concerning it are: "The third angel followed THEM."
Thus, by the very first words of the message itself we are referred not only to the one, but to the two which preceded it.
And the Greek word translated "followed" signifies not following apart, nor only following, but "following with," to follow "as a consequence of something which had gone before."
Thus, as to persons, the third angel follows with the two which have preceded; and his message, as a thing, follows as a result, or consequence, of the two which have gone before.
Of the second one also it is written: "And there followed another angel."
As with the third angel following him, so it is with the second angel following the first. And of the first one it is written: "And I saw another angel fly," etc.
This is the first in this series of three.
There follows with him another; and the third angel follows with them. There is a succession in the order of their rise; but, when the three have in succession risen, then they go on together as one." A.T. Jones
