The Time of the Third Angel
Page 128
1.
We have shown that the First Angel's Message refers to the solemn
proclamation of the immediate second advent; consequently the period of
patience here brought to view must be the same as that which in many
scriptures is located immediately preceding the second advent. A few text
must suffice as examples: "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which
hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that after ye
have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little
while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just
shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure
in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them
that believe to the saving of the soul. " Heb. 10:35-39.
"Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the
husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long
patience for it, until he receive the early and later rain. Be ye also patient;
stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not
one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned; behold, the Judge
standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken
in the name of the Lord, or an example of suffering affliction and of
patience. " James 5:7-10. Page 129
"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for
him, and he will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will
be glad and rejoice in his salvation. " Isa. 25:9.
There may be a certain sense
in which all the precepts of the Saviour may be called the commandments
of God; that is, if viewed as proceeding from the sovereign authority of the
Father; but when the commandments of God are spoken of in distinction
from the testimony of faith of Jesus, there is but one thing to which
reference can be made; viz. , the commandments which God gave in person,
- the ten commandments. See John 15:10: "If ye keep my commandments,
ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments,
and abide in his love. And thus we find the law of God, which he
proclaimed in person, referred to in the New Testament as the
"commandments of God, " or as the "commandments. " Page 130
"And they returned and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the
Sabbath-day according to the commandment. " Luke 23:56.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not
come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and
earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be
fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments
and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of
heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall he called
great in the kingdom of heaven, " Matt. 5:17-19.
"Honor thy father and thy mother; which is the first commandment with
promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the
earth. " Eph. 6:2, 3.
"But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the
commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying,
Honor thy father and mother; and he that curseth father or mother, let him
die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It
is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his
father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye have made the
commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. " Matt. 15:3-6. Page 131
It is a fact beyond dispute that the fourth commandment, some ages since,
was changed from the rest-day of the Lord to the pagan festival of Sunday.
This change was made in express contradiction of the Holy Scriptures,
which everywhere recognize the seventh day as the only weekly Sabbath of
the Lord. It was accomplished by the great apostasy, which Daniel predicted
should "think to change times and laws. " This power is essentially the same
as the beast which was to be worshiped by all the world. And it is a fact of
deep interest that this commandment, which has been so long trodden down,
is now being vindicated, and the people of God are striving to keep it with
the other nine. Page 132
The period between our Lord's entrance into the holiest of all to cleanse the
Sanctuary (Heb. 9:23) and complete his great work of ministration, and the
close of that period as marked by the seven angels' coming out of the
Temple to pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. (Rev. 15:5,
6), we understand to be the period of the saints' patience. It is the days of
the voice of the seventh angel in which the mystery of God is being
finished; that is, the period when human probation is brought to a close. Page 133
The seven last plagues are the wine of the wrath of God,
poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation. We have already
seen that they are not inflicted until the work of mercy for man is
accomplished. The third angel warns us respecting this outpouring of the
exterminating wrath of God, and consequently gives the latest message of
mercy. The mystery of God, or work of salvation for sinful men, (Eph. 3) is
finished in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he begins to
sound (Rev. 10); and as the third angel has the last warning of mercy before
the vials of God's wrath are poured out, it follows that it must be given in
the days when the seventh angel begins to sound. It is likewise evident that
the conclusion of the work of our great High Priest in the heavenly
Sanctuary must also take place in the days when the seventh angel begins to
sound; for it is then that the mystery of God is finished. Page 134 In this period the warning
of the third angel is given, that every one who has an ear to hear may escape
the vials of the wrath of God; and in this period, also, the Saviour completes
his work in the Sanctuary in heaven. This being accomplished, the vials of
the wrath of God are poured out upon the defenseless heads of the wicked.
We think, therefore, that the evidence is conclusive that the present is the
time for the warning of the third angel. A false fulfillment of prophecy
cannot occur at the time when the true should be expected. It is certain that
one of the commandments of God has long been trodden down by the beast,
and that in this thing almost the whole world has wondered after the beast.
This commandment, as well as all the others, is now being vindicated, that
the remnant may be prepared for their final conflict with the dragon. May
God interest the hearts of all his people in this work.
Page 135 Thus, "the faith of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27) must refer to the
precepts and doctrines of the gospel. "The faith" to which a multitude of the
priests were obedient (Acts 6:7), which was resisted by Elymas, the sorcerer
(Acts 13:8), which was committed to the apostles for the obedience of all
nations (Rom. 1:5). which Paul testifies that he had kept (2 Tim. 4:7), and
which is to be earnestly maintained, as once delivered to the saints (Jude 3),
must refer, we think, to the precepts and doctrines of the everlasting gospel.
That the faith of Jesus is used in this sense in Rev. 2:13, we think cannot be
denied. "Thou holdest fast my name, " says Jesus, "and hast not denied my
faith. " That this is the sense in which it is used in Rev. 14:12, is further
evident from the fact that it is spoken of as being kept in the same manner
that the commandments of God are kept.
1.
First of all we would mention holy living. God has committed to our trust
the most precious truths, and he holds us responsible for the light with
which we are intrusted. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. " Matt.
5:16. The sanctifying effect of the truth must be witnessed in us by others, if
we would do them good. Especially must we watch unto prayer.
Watchfulness and prayer are mighty weapons with which to resist the Devil.
Their importance may be seen from the following scriptures: Page 135 "Praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints. " Eph. 6:18. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it
shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened
unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth;
and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. " Luke 11:9, 10. "If any man
offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the
whole body. " James 3:2. "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye
therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. " 1 Pet. 4:7. "But I say unto you,
That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in
the day of Judgment; for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy
words thou shalt be condemned. " Matt. 12:36, 37.
2. Growth in grace. It is greatly to be feared that the importance of this is
too much lost sight of. If we would be final overcomers and stand upon
Mount Zion, we must be daily overcoming the great foe of our souls. The
long-suffering of God is meant for our salvation. Let us most faithfully
improve the gracious opportunity now granted us to perfect holiness in the
fear of the Lord. Page 137
3. The duty of searching the Scriptures. This is solemnly enjoined by our
Lord. John 5:39. Without this, we cannot obey the precept of Peter. "Be
ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the
hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. " 1 Pet. 3:15. The sword of the
Spirit, the word of God, is an important part of the armor which God has
prepared for us. Eph. 6. It is certain that events before us are such that every
person will be tested. If the truth of God is understood, appreciated, and
loved by us, we must examine the Scriptures for ourselves. If it is not loved,
the time is not distant when we shall be sifted out. Everything is before us
to deceive and lead astray. The spirits of evils are about to perform the most
extraordinary miracles. They will do this, professing to be the spirits of our
departed friends. Hence the great importance of a thorough knowledge of
the Bible doctrine of the sleep of the dead. The Lord would not have us
ignorant concerning them which are asleep.
4. The duty of sacrificing to sustain the cause of God. There is no plainer
duty in the Scriptures. Ourselves, our time, our means, all that we have, all
that we are, belong to God alone. Those who go out to preach the word of
God are called upon to make the greatest sacrifice. Page 138
5. The duty of waiting and watching for our Lord's return. Let this ever be
our position, and let all our words and acts be in accordance with our
profession, that the end of all things is at hand. "Watch ye, therefore; for ye
know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or
at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you
sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. " Mark 13:35-37.
"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a
thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not
of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let
us watch and be sober. " 1 Thess. 5:4-6. "And unto them that look for him
shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. " Heb. 9:28. "Let
your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like
unto men that wait for their Lord, when he shall return from the wedding;
that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find
watching; verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to
sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. " Luke 12:35-37. Page 139
The first and second proclamations of Rev. 14 are
in the past, and the warning voice of the third angel is now addressed to us;
the fearful scenes of Rev. 13:13-17 are about to open upon us; and last of
all, the seven last plagues are soon to be poured out upon those who,
regarding the decree of the beast more than the warning of the third angel,
shall be found worshiping the beast and his image, and possessing his mark.
Who among us will be able to meet the fearful test between the warning of
the third angel and the decree of the beast? Let him that thinketh he
standeth, take heed lest he fall.
The situation of the church when the decree goes forth that all shall worship
the image of the beast on pain of death, will be precisely that of the three
Hebrew worthies whom Nebuchadnezzar commanded to worship the
golden image. Read carefully Dan. 3. God saved them by direct
interposition. He has promised thus to interpose for his people; but it will
not be until the time of trouble, such as never was, has fully opened upon
the world.
-
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth
for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as
never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time
thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. Daniel 12:1
"Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is
even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. " Jer. 30:7.
"Oh that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me
secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and
remember me! Job 14:13. "When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips
quivered at the voice; rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in
myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up onto the
people, he will invade them with his troops. " Hab. 3:16. "And the Lord
said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him,
though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.
Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"
Luke 18:6-8. Page 141
"And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that had
gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and
over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of
God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of
the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty;
just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. " Rev. 15:2, 3.
Glorious indeed will be the triumph of the saints! Reader, may it be your lot
to join in singing that song of victory upon the sea of glass.
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HERE IS THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS
"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from
the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them
that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou
hast, that no man take thy crown. " Rev. 3:10, 11.
"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but
one, that is God; but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He
saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not
commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Honor thy father and thy mother, and Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself. " Matt. 19:17-19.
"What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known
sin but by the law; for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou
shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in
me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law, sin was dead. For I
was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin
revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I
found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment,
deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore, the law is holy; and the
commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made
death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death
in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become
exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold
under sin. " Rom. 7:7-14.
Thanks be to God that he is preparing the remnant for their
final conflict with the dragon, and for admittance through the gates into the
holy city. Rev. 12:17; 22:14. The vindication of the fourth commandment in
opposition to the Sabbath of the apostasy, and the preaching of all the
commandments of God, is a striking testimony that the present is the period
of the saints' patience, and of the warning of the third angel.
Besides the fact of the termination of the 2300 days, which marks the
opening of the Temple in heaven, the anger of the nations is an important
testimony that we are now in the days of the voice of the seventh angel.
Rev. 11:18. The present time is, therefore, the proper period for the last
message of mercy to perishing men; and it is marked by the actual
presentation of that voice of warning, and of the commandments of God,
and the faith of Jesus.
The reason why the third woe, or seven last plagues, does not commence at
once when the seventh angel begins to sound, is the fact that a period of
days is occupied in finishing the mystery of God.
The world itself
was made by him. John 1. He had ample power, therefore, to perform every
miracle which he wrought. There is but one other thing to which this term
can refer; viz. , the precepts and doctrines of our Lord, as recorded in the
New Testament.
"
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the Devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist, steadfast in the
faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren
that are in the world. " 1 Pet. 5:8, 9.
"BUT growth in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. " 2 Pet. 3:18. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without
which no man shall see the Lord. " Heb. 12:14. "But as He which hath
called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is
written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. " 1 Pet. 1:15, 16.
All are not called to do
this; but those who are not, if they love Christ and the truth, will gladly
sustain those who are thus thrust out . Let not the cause of truth suffer for
the means to sustain it. Read Rom. 12:1; 2 Cor. 8; Luke 12:33, 34; 1 John
2:15; Matt. 6:19-34.
6. Finally, let us indeed be Bible Christians. Let the commandments of God
and the faith of Jesus be the continual rule of our lives, and the governing
principle of our conduct. May the great Head of the church help us all to
perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord.
Finally, we see the unclean spirits preparing for the great battle. We see the
preparation for the law which shall compel all men to observe Sunday. We
see the papal power awakening to declare itself infallible, and to claim anew
the power to rule over the kingdoms of the earth. We hear the voice of
alarm of the third angel, and we already see many thousands in response to
his warning turning to the observance of God's commandments. These
things are striking signs of the great day of God now just before us.
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