The Angel Flying in Midheaven

Also known as: The Angel with the Eternal Gospel, The Midheaven Angel, The First Angel of Revelation 14, The Angel Proclaiming the Eternal Gospel

The angel whom John sees “flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth — to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6–7). With a loud voice he calls all humanity to “fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come,” and to worship the Creator of heaven and earth. He is the first of three angels of Revelation 14; the two who follow announce the fall of Babylon and warn against worshiping the beast. Unlike most of the Apocalypse’s angels this one is not an agent of judgment but a herald — his message a last, universal invitation to repentance even as the judgment nears. The “eternal gospel” is no new revelation but the timeless proclamation of God’s kingdom and His claim upon every creature; Orthodox reading sees the angel reinforcing, not replacing, the Church’s own preaching of the Gospel to all nations. Flying at “midheaven,” the zenith of the sky, he proclaims to the whole world at once. Scripture gives him no name, and the tradition assigns him none.