END
OF TIME SERIES
PART
TEN
THE LOUD CRY
The loud cry is the climax of the entire cluster of events that begins
with the successful urging of the national Sunday law, and ends at the
general close of probation. Yet, it leads to still another climax: the
fourth angel's message.
Because of the nature of the entire situation, the loud cry begins very
soon after the enactment of the national Sunday law.
As soon as the law is passed, professed and former Sabbath keepers are
the first to knowingly make their decisions, for or against God's holy
day. As one class receives the seal, the other receives the mark.
The class receiving the seal has had just that happen to them: they have
been sealed into the truth as the judgment in heaven accounts them worthy
of eternal life. Their sins are blotted out of the book of sin, their
names are retained forever in the book of life, and the Holy Spirit is
poured upon them-in order that they might be strengthened for a special
work: the giving of the loud cry to all the world.
(Keep in mind that not all are sealed at once or at the
same time. The sealing-reception of the latter rain -giving of the loud cry is a progressive work in the
lives of men and women throughout the planet, as the law is passed in
their nation, they learn and understand the issues, and make their
decision.)
For every heaven-sent message, there is a counterfeit. Satan's opposition
to the loud cry is a host of wonder-working activities, which we discussed
in considerable detail in an earlier study (The False Latter
Rain"). Apparent miracle-working of all kinds occurs, and heathen
deities apparently return. Demons take human form; to arouse and lead the
masses in demonstrations against the faithful.
In striking contrast, the faithful are presenting the final message to
a dying world-a message of God's love, as shown in a correct view of
righteousness by faith (Revelation 14:12), which may be summarized as
obedience by enabling faith in Christ to the law of God. That is the third
angel's message (Revelation 14:12), combined with a warning not to obey
the beast and keep its law of disobedience (Revelation 14:9-11). What
greater message of love is there than this: that we can be empowered by
God of love to obey Him and live clean lives? That is our last-day message
to the world! It is a message we should now be giving. .
The "loud cry" is not some disconnected activity; it is the
loud cry of the third angel. It is the climatic final giving of that
message (a message, which we are told, includes the messages of the
first and second angels.)
An entire world must rapidly and powerfully be told the truth about the
commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. They must be told that the
commandments must be kept and that it is the faith of Jesus which, alone,
can enable mankind to keep them.
Everyone, everywhere is having an opportunity to decide between the
truth of God and the fakeries of Satan. But then, suddenly, a powerful new
addition arrives: the fourth angel is sent from the throne of God with a
special assignment. It is his work to strengthen the message to come out
from Babylon -and give it fullest power. Only very rarely before in
human history has there been even a brief glimpse of this display of
divine power through the lives and words of men.
At some point in the swelling intensity of all this, Satan appears. One
statement in an earlier study (The False Latter Rain") indicated
that, in desperation, Satan finally personally appears to mankind as the
personated Christ (Last Day Events, 164:1). The present writer
leans toward the thinking that this appearance of Satan is his attempted
counterfeit of the fourth angel's work. But of this we can have no
certainty. But we do know that, at some point during the loud cry, Satan
will appear at various places throughout the world as a personated
Christ.
First comes the urging and enactment of the national Sunday law. Then
comes the sealing and latter rain (or the marking and false latter rain).
Then starts the loud cry (as Satanic manifestations intensify). Then the
fourth angel comes down to strengthen the loud cry -and swell it into a message of astounding power.
(Perhaps it is at this time, if not earlier, that Satan appears as a
counterfeit Christ.)
In this study, we will both the loud cry, and the powerful swelling of
that message by the fourth angel. It is of interest that there are a
remarkably large number of quotations on these two subjects. In the mind
of the One who inspired the Spirit of Prophecy, it was considered a very
important topic.
The sealing/latter rain/loud cry cluster should be of crucial concern to
us. It will be an accelerating display of mammoth divine power. When it is
ended, it is ended. There is no more probationary message from Heaven to
the world. As soon as the four angels return to heaven to report to Jesus
that their work is finished, the general close of probation occurs.
- 1
TIMING
OF THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE
It is not possible to set a date for the occurrence of the loud cry, or
to determine time spans leading to or away from it. In addition, we should
not include time-setting in our presentation of that message (EW 72). This
message does not need time-setting in order to strengthen it (EW 75). It
must never be hung on time (1SM 188). God has never revealed a definite
time for the close of the last message (7BC 989-990; 1SM 191), for,
indeed, there are no more messages of any kind to be given by man that are
based on time (6BC 1052; 7BC 971; 1SM 188) and no man has a true message
of definite time (2SM 113). This is because no man is able to predict the
time of any future event (Ev 221). He cannot know definite time (6BC 1052;
Ev 221; 1 SM 188; 6T 440). See our tract study, Its No Time
for Time Excitement [PG-21], for many more quotations.
- 2
GOD'S PEOPLE IN THE OTHER CHURCHES
WILL BE CALLED OUT
God's
people are in all the churches.
"The
Lord has His representatives in all the churches. These
persons have not had the special testing truths for these last
days presented to them under circumstances that brought conviction to heart and mind; therefore they have not,
by rejecting light, severed their connection with God. "-
6 Testimonies, 70:4-71:0.
"Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exist in the churches which
constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ's true followers are still
to be found in their communion. " -Great Controversy, 390:1.
- 3
DURING THE CRISIS
- WHAT SHOULD GOD'S PEOPLE DO ON SUNDAYS?
The following passages indicate that, during the Sunday-law crisis, (1)
we should not, publicly, give others the impression that we are resting
on Sunday in honor of the Sunday sabbath. (2) We can quietly work in our
homes on that day. (3) We can quietly rest during part of that day, when
there is no likelihood we may be doing so to compromise our faith or exalt
the Sunday sabbath. But Sunday is a working day, not a sacred day of rest.
(4) The best plan is, in time of local or national crisis, to use Sunday
as an active missionary day -and spend it visiting and
giving Bible studies. These four points summarize what to do on Sunday during
the coming crisis.
We should not reverence the first day as though it were the Sabbath.
"We must take a firm stand that we will not reverence the first
day of the week as the Sabbath, for it is not the day that
was blessed and sanctified by Jehovah, and in reverencing Sunday we
should place ourselves on the side of the great deceiver. .
"When the law of God has been made void and apostasy becomes a
national sin, the Lord will work in behalf of His people."-3 Selected Messages, 388:3, 5.
During the Sunday law crisis, God's people should
refrain from open labor on the first day of the week.
"In regard to the Southern field, the work there must be done as
wisely and carefully as possible, and it must be done in the manner in
which Christ would work. The people will soon find out what you believe
about Sunday and the Sabbath for they will ask questions. Then you
can tell them, but not in such a manner as to attract attention to your
work. You need not cut short your work by yourself
laboring on Sunday.
"Refraining from work
on Sunday is not receiving the mark of the beast. . In places
where the opposition is so strong as to arouse persecution, if work is
done on Sunday, let our brethren make that day an occasion to do genuine
missionary
work. "-Last Day Events, 138:4-139:1.
We can use it for evangelistic and medical missionary work.
"At
one time those in charge of our school at Avondale inquired of me,
saying: 'What shall we do? The officers of the law have been commissioned
to arrest those working on Sunday.' I replied: 'It will be very easy to
avoid that difficulty. Give Sunday to the Lord as a day for doing
missionary work. Take the students out to hold meetings
in different places, and to do medical
missionary work. They
will find the people at home and will have a splendid opportunity to present the truth. This way of spending Sunday is
always acceptable to the Lord.' " - 9 Testimonies,
238:1.
We
can visit and hold meetings on that day.
"When
the practices of the people do not come
In conflict with the law of God, you may conform to
them. If the workers fail to do this, they
will not only hinder their own work, but they will place stumbling blocks
in the way of those for whom they labor, and hinder them
from accepting the truth. On Sunday there is the very best opportunity for
those who are missionaries to hold Sunday schools, and come to
the people in the simplest
manner possible, telling them of the
love of Jesus for sinners, and
educating them in the Scriptures. .
"The light that I have is
that God's servants should go quietly
to work, preaching the grand, precious truths of the Bible
-Christ and Him crucified, His love and infinite
sacrifice -showing
that the reason why Christ died is because the law of God is
immutable, unchangeable, eternal. The Sabbath must be taught in
a decided manner, but be cautious how you deal with
the Idol Sunday. A
word to the wise is sufficient. .
Refraining
from work
on Sunday is not receiving the
mark of the beast; and where
this will advance the interests of the
work, it should be done. We should not go out of our way to work on
Sunday." - Maranatha, 177:1-5.
So then, give evangelistic lectures, do medical missionary work, and
give Bible studies on that day, -but DO NOT hold or attend WORSHIP services on Sunday! We can assume
this would especially require us NOT to hold Sunday MORNING meetings.
(Bear in mind that an Easter sunrise service would be a Sunday morning
worship service.)
Obey God rather than men.
"The
people of God will recognize human
government as
an ordinance of divine appointment and will by precept and example
teach obedience to it as a sacred duty so long as its authority is exercised within its legitimate sphere. But when its
claims conflict with the claims of God we must choose
to obey God rather than men. The Word of God must be recognized
and obeyed as an authority above that of all human
legislation. 'Thus saith the Lord' Is not to be set aside
for a 'Thus saith the church or the state. ' The crown of Christ Is
to be uplifted above all the diadems of earthly potentates. "-Last Day Events, 142:1.
- 4
THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE WARNS AGAINST
THE MARK
The first part of the third angel's message (Revelation 14:9-11) is the
announcement of a fearful judgment to come upon those who will worship the
beast and his image (GC 594). It is combined with the second part (Revelation
14:12), which is declares that mankind can, by faith in Jesus Christ, obey
God's holy law.
The loud cry message is not about all the little trivia and
manufactured messages that people imagine that it comprises. It is the
third angel's message of Revelation 14:9-12, which includes the first and
second angels' messages of 14:6-8.
It is given to prepare a people to stand through the final conflict.
"To prepare a people to stand in the day of God, a great
work of reform was to be accomplished.
God saw that many
of His professed people were
not building for eternity, and in His mercy He was about to send a message
of warning to arouse them from their stupor and lead them to
make ready for the coming of the Lord.
"This
warning is brought to view in Revelation 14. Here is a threefold message represented
as proclaimed by heavenly beings and immediately followed by the coming of
the Son of man to reap 'the harvest of the earth.' " -Great Controversy, 311:2-3.
The sins of Babylon will be laid open.
"Heretofore those who presented the truths of the
third angel's message have often been regarded as mere alarmists. Their
predictions that religious
intolerance would gain control in the United States, that church and state
would unite to persecute those who keep
the commandments of God, have been pronounced groundless
and absurd. . But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely
agitated, the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be
approaching, and the third message will produce an effect which it could
not have had before.
"Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go
forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins
of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil
authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid
progress of the papal power-all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will
be stirred."-Great Controversy, 605-606.
- 5
THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE ALSO INCLUDES THE MESSAGE OF OBEDIENCE TO THE
FATHER'S LAWS BY FAITH IN THE SON'S ENABLING GRACE
The first part of the third angel's message is a warning not to receive
the mark (Rev 14:911). The second part is what to do in order not to receive the mark (Rev 14:12).
This second part is a clear statement of
righteousness by faith, which is obedience by faith in Christ's enabling
merits.
The
third angel's message is a message of righteousness by
faith in Christ (TM 91-93). It is, in verity, a message of justification
by faith (Ev 190; 1 SM 372; TM 92-93).
Keeping the commandments of God, through enabling faith in Jesus Christ
His Son.
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they
that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,"-Revelation
14:12.
It
is the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning
Saviour.
"The
time of test is just before us, for the loud cry of the third angel has
already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the
sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the
angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth."- 1 Selected
Messages, 363:0.
It
is a revelation of God's character.
"The
last message of mercy to be given to the world is a revelation of His
character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In
their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has
done for them,"- Christ's Object Lesson, 415:5-416:0.
It is a message of how deep the love of God is -that it can lift man out of the pit of sin. It is a
message of forgiveness and empowered obedience. It is the message of how
men and women can be restored to clean, pure sons and daughters of God.
"The message of Christ's righteousness is to sound from one end of the earth to the other to prepare the way of
the Lord. This is the glory of God, which closes the work of the third
angel." 6 Testimonies, 19:1.
Note: A careful study of Spirit of Prophecy statements on the topic of
"righteousness by faith" reveals that ninety-five percent of
them, in context, are speaking about obedience to the commandments of God
through faith in Christ's righteousness. The other five percent concern
forgiveness, without mentioning obedience. (If you question this, read
our compilation of every righteousness by faith quotation we could find
in the Spirit of Prophecy: Message of Minneapolis-Part 1-4 [FF
22-25], also included in our Inspirational
Tractbook.)
- 6
THIRD ANGEL POINTS MANKIND TO THE
MOST HOLY PLACE
Chapter 60 of Early Writings is entitled "The Third Angel's
Message." Three times in that chapter, on three different pages, we
are told that the third angel points those who accept his message to the
most holy place where Jesus is ministering for them. This is important!
It is crucial that, by faith, we enter the most holy place where our High
Priest is; there to fall at the feet of our Saviour, as we plead for
forgiveness. Arising, He shows us the unchanging law to be obeyed, and
we behold the mercy seat and our pleading Saviour who alone can strengthen
us to obey.
In the next section of this study, we will learn that the messages of all
three angels are included in the third. But the third angel points us to
the Sanctuary in heaven where Jesus ministers on our behalf before His
Father and the holy law, which is the basis of His throne and His holy
government. We need to understand all three messages, and it is in Jesus
and in the sanctuary message that we learn them best. The answers to all
mankind's problems are centered in that sacred place, for there we find
Jesus, the forgiving empowering Saviour; and there we find the moral law
which, in His strength, we must obey.
The
third angel's message, which was initially given from 1844 onward,
points those who accept it to the heavenly sanctuary where Jesus is
ministering on their behalf.
"As
the ministration of Jesus closed in the holy place, and He passed into the
holiest, and stood before the ark containing the
law of God, He sent another mighty angel with a third message to the
world. A parchment was placed in the angel's hand, and as he descended to
the earth in power and majesty, he proclaimed a fearful warning, with the
most terrible threatening ever borne to man.
"This message was designed to put the children of God upon their
guard, by showing them the hour of temptation and anguish that was before
them. Said the angel, 'They will be brought into close combat with the
beast and his image. Their only hope of eternal life is to remain steadfast.
Although their lives are at stake, they must hold fast the truth.'
"The third angel closes his message thus: 'Here is the patience of
the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith
of Jesus.' As he repeated these words, he pointed to the heavenly
sanctuary. The minds of all who embrace this message are directed
to the most holy place, where Jesus stands before the ark, making
His final intercession." -Early Writings, 254:1.
There are two distinct parts to the third angel's message: the first is
the warning to avoid receiving the mark (Rev 14:9-11); the second is the
means by which to obey God and avoid the
mark (Rev 14:12). In the
above passage, It Is clear that the
second part is the most important, for It Is repeated. In order to clarify
Its meaning, as he repeats Revelation 14:12 a second time, the third angel
points the listeners to the most holy place! In doing so, he is
fulfilling the prophecy of Revelation 11:19:
"And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen In
His temple the ark of His testament: and there were lightnings, and
voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail." (For
more on this Important subject, see Early Writings, 32,
42, 254-256; Great Controversy, 415, 433-435, 453-454; Patriarchs and
Prophets, 356; 1 Testimonies 76; and 2 Testimonies,
693. Of equal importance -and bearing directly on
this -is
Great Controversy, 423-425, and 432.)
The
third angel points the hearers to the heavenly sanctuary a second time.
After Jesus
opened the door of the most holy, the light of the Sabbath was seen, and
the people of God were tested, as the children of Israel were tested
anciently, to see if they would keep God's law. I saw the third angel
pointing upward, showing the disappointed ones the way to the holiest of
the heavenly sanctuary. As they by faith enter the most holy, they find
Jesus, and hope and joy spring up anew. . The third angel has lighted up
the past, the present, and the future, and they know that God has indeed
led them by His mysterious providence.
"It was represented to me that the remnant followed Jesus into the
most holy place and behold the ark and the mercy seat, and were captivated
with their glory. Jesus then raised the cover of the ark, and lo! the
tables of stone, with the ten commandments written upon them. They trace
down the lively oracles, but start back with trembling when they see the
fourth commandment among the ten holy precepts, with a brighter light shining
upon it than upon the other nine, and a halo of glory around it." -Early
Writings, 254:2-255:1.
Then the third angel points the faithful for a third time to the most
holy place in heaven.
"Many who embraced the third message had not had an experience in
the two former messages. Satan understood this, and his evil eye was
upon them to overthrow them; but the third angel was pointing them to the most holy place, and
those who had had an experience in the past messages were pointing them
the way to the heavenly sanctuary. Many saw the perfect
chain of truth in the angels' messages, and gladly received
them in their order, and followed Jesus by faith into the heavenly
sanctuary. These messages were represented to me as an anchor to the
people of God. Those who understand and receive them will be kept from
being swept away by the many delusions of Satan." -Early Writings,
258:2.
Three times the third
angel points us to the second apartment of the heavenly Sanctuary. Our
salvation is to be found there. The final message to mankind is centered
there.
- 7
MESSAGES OF ALL THREE ANGELS WILL BE
COMBINED IN THE LOUD CRY
The third angel's message includes the messages of the first and second
angels.
The first angel's message proclaims two special truths which point
to the Creator: (1) The weekly climactic worship of the true God is to
take place on the Seventh day of the week, the memorial of Creation. (2)
All should acknowledge and worship the true God as the Creator; therefore
atheistic and evolutionary concepts are most blasphemous and terrible
evils.
The second angel's message is a powerful call to come out of the
apostate churches. The last part of the third angel's message identifies
those churches as the ones which do not, by faith in Christ, obey God's
commandments.
The third angel's message has two distinct aspects: (1) A most
terrible warning to shun the apostasy of the commandment-breakers, who
observe a false Sunday-sabbath. (2) An urgent call to repent and obey the
commandments of God by faith in the enabling merits of Jesus Christ.
Pages 436-439 of Great Controversy will provide you with
additional information regarding the three messages.
The three steps -the final messages to the world -need no imagined improvements.
"I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no
countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body.
God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps-the
first, second, and third angels' messages. Said my accompanying
angel; 'Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin
of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of
vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which
they are received.' I was again brought down through these messages, and
saw how dearly the people of God had purchased their experience. "-Early
Writings, 258:3-259:0.
The threefold message, accepted, results in perfect obedience to God's
law through Christ's enabling strength.
"These truths, as presented in Revelation 14 in
connection with 'the everlasting gospel,' will distinguish the church of
Christ at the time of His appearing. For as the result of the
threefold message it is announced: 'Here are they that keep the
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.' And this message is the last
to be given before the coming of the Lord." -Great Controversy, 453:3-454:0.
The messages are to be combined:
The three angels'
messages are to be combined, giving their threefold light to
the world. In the Revelation, John says, 'I saw another angel come
down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his
glory.' . . This represents the giving of the last and threefold "-7 Bible Commentary, 985/2:2.
- 8
EVENTS BEFORE THE LOUD CRY
(1)
The loud cry will begin after the mighty shaking in the church: The
following passages should be read carefully: EW 269-271; 5T 8082; 2 8M
380; 6T 400-401.
(2)
The loud cry will begin after the experience of blotting out of sins in
the investigative judgment. " 'And after these things I saw
another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and
the earth was lightened with his glory."- Manuscript 1, 1897.
(3)
The loud cry will begin before the sounding of the Revelation 18:2-4
angel: GC 389390 (Rev 17:12-13).
(4)
The loud cry will occur after the sealing/marking time begins. Here are
several statements establishing this latter fact:
The
marking command prompts the giving of the loud cry of the third angel.
"
'The beast with lamblike horns speaks with the voice of a dragon and
exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him.' Prophecy
declares that he will say to them that dwell on the earth 'that they
should make an image to the beast,' and that 'It will cause all,
both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark
in their right hand or in their foreheads; and that no man might buy
or sell, save he that had the mark or the name of the beast, or the number
of his name.' Thus Protestantism follows in the steps of papacy.
"It
is at this time that the third angel is seen flying In the midst
of heaven, proclaiming, 'If any man worship the beast or 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.'-'Here
are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.'
"Manuscript 51, 1899.
The marking order precedes the fourth angel's message.
"He causeth all both small and great, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.'
Not only are men not to work with their hands on Sunday, but with the
minds they are to acknowledge Sunday as the Sabbath. 'And that no man
might buy or sell, save he that had the mark or the number of his name.'
Those rejecting the first angel's message could not be benefited by the
second (EW 249, 260). The second angel's message was a warning that
Babylon had fallen (TM 59), and called the people out of Babylon (EW
241-243)-the nominal churches (EW 243). The popular churches rejected this
message (EW 237), and it was proclaimed far and wide in 1844 (LS 59). At
that time, it especially applied to the Protestant churches of America
which had rejected the Advent message proclaimed by the Millerites (GC
389). This message brought a large company came out of the fallen churches
(EW 238). Although first given in 1844 (GC 389), it did not reach its
complete fulfillment at that time (GC 389). This message has a past and present
application, and it is erroneous to think that it is entirely future (Ev
613). It is a most solemn message (CD 76) and a terrible denunciation (7T
140). It is given in connection with the first and third angel's messages
(CD 209).
The midnight cry, sounded in 1844, was given near the close of the second
angel's message (EW 238), and was closely associated with it (LS 59),
and gave power to it (EW 238239, 277). Indeed, the midnight cry actually
united with the second angel's message (GC 402), and was not able to
benefit those who rejected it.
This message must be proclaimed a second time (GC 603; TM 59), and must
go to every continent and every island in the sea (Ev 19; GW 470). Not a
peg or pin of this message is to be removed (CW 26). It did not have a complete
fulfillment in 1844 (GC 389), and its perfect fulfillment is yet future
(GC 390).
13 - THE FOURTH ANGEL STRENGTHENS THE LOUD CRY
The
first angel's message was initially given by William Miller and his
associates from 1840 to 1844 (7BC 971; Ev 390; EW 232; GC 398, 611), and
the prophecy regarding it was fulfilled at that time (SR 356). It
announced the hour of God's investigative judgment (GC 311, 379). This
message continues to be given today and, by its call to worship the
Creator, points men to the true Sabbath (2SM 105). That call would also
include a denunciation of evolutionary teachings-which deny the existence
of the Creator. The first angel's message is linked to the messages of the
second and third angels (6T 17), and requires obedience to the law of God
(GC 436). That message must go to all people (GC 450), and be proclaimed
in the time of the end (TM 115).
There
cannot be a third angel's message without the second angel's message (CW
27), for the third angel's message is closely linked to it (7BC 980; CW
26,29-30; Ev 196; 8T 197).
The
message of the Second angel will be repeated during the loud cry, when
the message of the third angel is proclaimed (7BC 985; EW 277). But it will also be repeated -and mightIly strengthened -in the giving
of the message of the Revelation 18:1-5 message (GC 390; 7BC 985; EW 277;
2SM 116, 118; TM 59). The Revelation 18 angel will come to earth and
unite his voice with that of the second angel (7BC 983; GC 390). The
people will be given an urgent call to leave the Sunday-keeping churches
and unite with the remnant. The message will go to every nation, kindred,
tongue, and people (Ev 19; GW 470), and will be proclaimed to every
nation on earth (PK 187).
In
the previous study, we considered the nature and broad scope of the loud
cry of the third angel, prior to its strengthening by the fourth angel. In
this present study, we will turn our attention to what happens when the
fourth angel comes down and powerfully strengthens the second angel's
message. A power is added to the overall presentation which has a terrific
impact; an impact which continues on down to the general close of
probation.
-1
WORLD WILL FULLY AWAKEN WHEN
REVELATION 18 ANGEL STRENGTHENS THE LOUD CRY
1 - Babylon
has made all nations drink -by forcing
Sundaykeeping.
"Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that
exist in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of
Christ's true followers are still to be found In their
communion. "-Great Controversy, 390:1.
" She made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her
fornication' (Revelation 14:6-8). How is this done? By forcing men to
accept a spurIous sabbath." -
8 Testimonies, 94:2.
First, the law of God will be made void by the legislature, then the sins
of Babylon will have reached unto heaven. Then the Revelation 18 angel
will sound.
"When do her sins reach unto heaven [Revelation 18:2-5]? When
the law of God Is finally made void by legislation. "-Last Day
Events, 198:5.
"When the earth is lighted with the glory of the angel of Revelation
18, the religious elements, both good and evil, awake from their slumbers,
and the armies of the living God will take the field. "-7 Bible
Commentary, 983/1:2.
- 2 -
REVELATION 18 ANGEL REPEATS THE
SECOND ANGEL'S MESSAGE
1 - The
fourth angel's message is an amplification
of the second.
Thus the substance of the second
angel's message is again given to the
world by that other angel who lightens the earth with his
glory.
- 3 -
REVELATION
18 ANGEL'S MESSAGE WILL INTENSIFY LOUD CRY OF THIRD ANGEL
1
- The fourth
angel brings power -and an added message- to the final call.
These
messages all blend in one, to come before the
people in the closing days of this earth's history. All the world will
be tested, and all that have been in the darkness of error in regard to the Sabbath
of the fourth commandment will understand the
last message of mercy that is to be given to men.
"Our work is to proclaim the commandments of God and the testimony
of Jesus Christ." 2 Selected Messages, 116:2-3.
2
- The second
angel's message is repeated and added to by fourth.
"[Revelation 18:1-2,4, quoted.] This
scripture points forward to a time when the announcement
of the fall of Babylon, as made by the second
angel of Revelation 14 (verse 8), is to be repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions
which have been entering the various organizations that constitute
Babylon, since that message was first given, in the summer of 1844 . . These announcements, uniting with the
third angel's message, constitute the final warning to be given to the
inhabitants of the earth. .
"I
saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and
again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important
event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned
to descend to the earth, to unite his
voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great
power and glory were imparted to the
angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The
light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried
mightily, with a strong voice, 'Babylon the great is fallen, is
fallen." -Early
Writings, 277.
2
- The fourth angel will lighten the whole earth,
"The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third angel's
message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. "-Great Controversy, 611:1.
- 4
LOUD CRY MESSAGE WILL HAVE GREAT
POWER AND WORLDWIDE EXTENT
The
loud cry will be a great light shining, amid earth's deepening darkness.
"Amidst
the deepening shadows of earth's last
great crisis, God's light
will shine brightest, and the song of
hope and trust will be heard In clearest and loftiest strains.
"-Education, 166:7.
8 - It will go to every city and town.
"During the loud cry the church, aided by the
providential interpositions of her exalted Lord, will diffuse the
knowledge of salvation so abundantly that light will be communicated
to every city and town. "- Evangelism, 694:1.
"In every city In America the truth is to be proclaimed. In every country of the world the
warning message is to be given."-Last Day Events, 208:3.-
9 - It will be accompanied by great power, and will go
to all the world.
A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here foretold."
-Great Controversy, 611:1.
10 - Floods of power will be poured out.
"Floods of spiritual power are to be poured forth upon those prepared to receive
it." -8 Testimonies, 46:1.
11 - It will fully accomplish its objective.
"This prophecy [Joel 2:28] received a partial fulfillment in the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost; but it will reach its full accomplishment in
the manifestation of divine grace which will attend the closing work of
the gospel." Great Controversy, IX:3 (Introduction).
12 - The message will go to every part of the world.
"In heathen Africa, in the Catholic lands of Europe and of South
America, in China, in India, in the islands of the sea, and in all the
dark corners of the earth, God has in reserve a firmament of chosen ones
that will yet shine forth amidst the darkness, revealing clearly to
an apostate world the transforming power of obedience to His law. Even
now they are appearing in every nation, among every tongue and people; and
in the hour of deepest apostasy, when Satan's supreme effort is made to
cause "all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,"
to receive, under penalty of death, the sign of allegiance to a false rest
day, these faithful ones, "blameless and harmless, the sons of God,
without rebuke, " will "shine as lights in the world." The
darker the night, the more brilliantly will they shine.-- Prophets and
Kings, pp. 188, 189.
In contrast to those who keep the commandments of
God and have the faith of Jesus, the third angel points
to another class, against whose errors a solemn and fearful warning is uttered:
'If any man worship the beast and his Image, and receive his
mark.' "-Great Controversy,
438:1.
"The special characteristic of the beast, and therefore of his image, is the breaking of God's
commandments."-Great Controversy, 446:1.
"In the issue of the contest all Christendom will be divided into two
great classes-those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of
Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his Image and
receive his mark. Although church and state will unite their power to
compel 'all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond'
(Revelation 13:16), to receive 'the mark of the beast,' yet the people
of God will not receive It."
-Great Controversy, 450:1.
"The
spirit of the papacy [is] the spirit of conformity to worldly
customs, the veneration for human traditions above the commandments
of God that is permeating the Protestant
churches and
leading them on to do the same work of Sunday exaltation which the
papacy has done before them."-Great Controversy, 573:1.
"Jesus,
looking down to the last generation, saw the world involved in a
deception similar to that which caused the destruction of Jerusalem. The
great sin of the Jews was their rejection of Christ; the great sin of the Christian world would be
their rejection of the law of God, the foundation of His government
in heaven and earth." -Great Controversy, 22:2.
"The last great conflict between
truth and error is but the final struggle of the long-standing controversy concerning the law of God. Upon
this battle we are now entering-a battle between the laws of men and the precepts of Jehovah." Great Controversy, 582:2.
The Crisis that began the great controversy is the one that will end
it. You and I will have a part in that crisis! Will our decision be on
God's side? Will we vindicate His perfect law? Or wi |