14:9And another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand,

And another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice,

A third, distinct angel makes this warning with a LOUD voice (to overcome the "noise" of the world and the BEAST worshipping).

This angel gives a choice (most solemn - this verse), the choice's consequence (most awful - next verse), and the resultant duration (most final - verse 11).

THE CHOICE:

"If anyone

  1. WORSHIPS THE BEAST and HIS IMAGE, and

    We have seen this before in Revelation 13:3-8!

    Worship is a decision which is active and overt. This is much like a person who "loves this actor or actress" and "has to see that movie because so-and-so is in it". But when one considers what they are worshipping, compare this to what Paul writes in Romans 1:18-25.

  2. RECEIVES A MARK on his forehead or upon his hand,

    Check out Revelation 13:16-17.

    This is the overt part: the MARK will be visible and once a person takes it, their doom (next verse) is sealed forever (verse 11). To those people remaining on the earth at the time when this verse takes place, the alternative (Matthew 10:28) doesn't matter anymore. They feel they have to WORSHIP the BEAST to SURVIVE (Luke 9:23-27). Believers know it's a COMMITMENT to 'take up their cross DAILY' to walk with God.