The Loud Cry

How does the fourth angel relate to the third angel?

The third angel message swells into the loud cry, thus giving power to the third angel’s message.

The work of this angel comes in at the right time, and joins in the last great work of the third angel’s message, as it swells into a loud cry. And the people of God are fitted up every where to stand in the hour of temptation which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united in the message, and fearlessly proclaimed with great power the third angel’s message. {1SG 193.2}Angels were sent to aid the mighty angel from heaven, and I heard voices which seemed to sound every where, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues; for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, and joined it, as the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844. The glory of God rested upon the patient, waiting saints, and they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning, proclaiming the fall of Babylon, and calling upon God’s people to come out of her; that they might escape her fearful doom. {1SG 194.1}

What are the two parts to the Loud Cry?

1. Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues; for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
2. Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

In the last work for the warning of the world, two distinct calls are made to the churches. The second angel’s message is, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” And in the loud cry of the third angel’s message a voice is heard from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” {Mar 189.1}

What are the two parts to the final warning?

The Loud Cry and the Third angels message.

Angels were sent to aid the mighty angel from heaven, and I heard voices which seemed to sound every where, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues; for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, and joined it, as the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844. The glory of God rested upon the patient, waiting saints, and they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning, proclaiming the fall of Babylon, and calling upon God’s people to come out of her; that they might escape her fearful doom. {1SG 194.1}

What is the difference between “Babylon is fallen” in the second angel’s message of Revelation 14, as given in the summer of 1844, and “Babylon is fallen” in the Loud Cry of Revelation 18?

The call in Revelation 18 was to show that they had announced the Sunday law, and that they had gone too far.

“Her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:5

Babylon is become: “the habitation of devils,” “the hold of every foul spirit,” “and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”  Explain each of these elements.

The church has become a place where no Christian would want to stay. It is defiled and full of evil. God is warning His people that even though that cage looks cool on the outside, if you go inside you might get trapped.

They had chosen a ruler who chained them to his car as captive… Satanic agencies were incorporated with men. The bodies of human beings, made for the dwelling place of God, had become the habitation of demons. The senses, the nerves, the passions, the organs of men, were worked by supernatural agencies in the indulgence of the vilest lust. The very stamp of demons was impressed upon the countenances of men. Human faces reflected the expression of the legions of evil with which they were possessed. {DA 36.3} For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Matthew 23:27

List and explain the sins of Babylon, as stated in Revelation 18.

All Nation have Drunk of the Wine of the Wrath of her Fornication- So they have not followed God’s law, they instituting their own law (Sabbath) thus changing God’s law.   God denounces Babylon “because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” This means that she has disregarded the only commandment which points out the true God, and has torn down the Sabbath, God’s memorial of creation.  {7BC 979.5} The wine of Babylon is the exalting of the false and spurious sabbath above the Sabbath which the Lord Jehovah hath blessed and sanctified for the use of man, also [it is] the immortality of the soul. These kindred heresies, and the rejection of the truth, convert the church into Babylon. Kings, merchants, rulers, and religious teachers are all in corrupt harmony.  {2SM 68.2}”This wine of error is made up of false doctrines, such as the natural immortality of the soul, the eternal torment of the wicked, the denial of the pre-existence of Christ prior to His birth in Bethlehem, and advocating and exalting the first day of the week above God’s holy and sanctified day. These and kindred errors are presented to the world by the various churches, and thus the Scriptures are fulfilled that say, ‘For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’ It is a wrath which is created by false doctrines, and when kings and presidents drink this wine of the wrath of her fornication, they are stirred with anger against those who will not come into harmony with the false and satanic heresies which exalt the false sabbath, and lead men to trample underfoot God’s memorial.  {TM 61.3}

The Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication with her- They church and the state is mixing thus cause dangerous alliances, because the church will have the power of the state to institute the laws (Fornication). confederating with the kings and great men of the earth,…  {1MR 353.4}

The merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies- Mans heart is full with selfishness, always wanting what he wants. When selfish people are placed in power , they care only about their own personal gain. Extravagance in the use of means, selfishness, heresies, have taken the world captive. For centuries satanic agencies have been at work. Will they now give up without a struggle (MS 172, 1899)? {7BC 985.3}

When does Babylon’s sins reach unto heaven?

When the Sunday law is issued then Babylon’s sin would have reached heaven. God keeps a record with the nations. The figures are swelling against them in the books of heaven, and when it shall have become a law that the transgression of the first day of the week shall be met with punishment, then their cup will be full.–7BC 910 (1886).

Why does Revelation 18 say that Babylon receives the plagues?

Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people,  so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. (Revelation 18:4,5)

If you are honestly serving God, what difference does it make which church you belong to? [according to Revelation 18]

Serving God consist of following all of His commandments yet, in so many churches people follow what their heart tells them if God’s commandments get in the way of what they want to do.

Why are there only two distinct calls made to the churches?

They first call was like an awaking and the second call was like an arousing. Like the angels that visited Lot, God was nudging his people to leave Babylon, but it got to the point where the angels had to pull  Lot and his family out of Sodom, God to is really urging His people to leave Babylon.

In the last work for the warning of the world, two distinct calls are made to the churches. The second angel’s message is, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” And in the loud cry of the third angel’s message a voice is heard from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” {Mar 189.1}

When is the Loud Cry suppose to be given?

Right Now

The message of the angel following the third is now to be given to all parts of the world. It is to be the harvest message. –Letter 86, 1900.  {LDE 208.1}

What is it that gives power to the Loud voice [Cry]?

The Latter Rain

At that time the “latter rain,” or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out.–EW 86 (1854). {LDE 186.4}

The Third Angel’s Message

What is the core content of the third angel’s message?]

The third angel’s message is the last chance given to God’s people to turn to God. It also covers aspect such as the work of Christ mediation and the fact that the law of God is not done away with. When Christ entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary to perform the closing work of the atonement, he committed to his servants the last message of mercy to be given to the world. Such is the warning of the third angel of Revelation 14. Immediately following its proclamation, the Son of man is seen by the prophet coming in glory to reap the harvest of the earth.  {4SP 273.1}

When did Jesus send the third angel’s message?

Jesus sent the third angel’s message after He began His work of atonement in the Most Holy Place. Here He gave God’s people the last warning that would be given to them. Christ entered the Most Holy Place in October 1844. When Christ entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary to perform the closing work of the atonement, he committed to his servants the last message of mercy to be given to the world. Such is the warning of the third angel of Revelation 14. {4SP 273.1}

How did the third angel light up the past, the present, and the future to the early advent believers after the passing of the time in 1844?

The early advent believers had been waiting and expecting the return of Jesus. They felt that God work of mediation was over, and that he was going to cease interceding on mans behalf. So the felt the no longer had to reach out to lost souls, but they were wrong. They were greatly disappointed because he did not come. The third angels showed them what went wrong. After the passing of the time of expectation, in 1844,
Adventists still believed the Savior’s coming to be very near; they held that they had reached an important crisis, and that the work of Christ as man’s intercessor before God had ceased.     Having given the warning of the judgment near, they felt that their work for the world was done, and they lost their burden of soul for the salvation of sinners, while the bold and blasphemous scoffing of the ungodly seemed to them another evidence that the Spirit of God had been withdrawn from the rejecters of His mercy. All this confirmed them in the belief that probation had ended, or, as they expressed it, “the door of mercy was shut.”–4SP, p. 268. {1BIO 256.4} They realized that their understand that Jesus was coming was false, and that he was only moving his line of ministry from the Holy to the Most Holy Place. Christ lead them to see what the closing work of the church was and that the finale message of warning was to be given to the world. Now they had a work to do and it was to spread this message to the world. As has been stated, Adventists were for a short time united in the  belief that the door of mercy was shut. This position was soon  abandoned. {1BIO 257.1} Some renounced their faith in their former reckoning of the prophetic periods, and ascribed to human or satanic agencies the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit which had attended the Advent movement. Another class firmly held that the Lord had led them in their past experience; and as they waited and  watched and prayed to know the will of God, they saw that their great High Priest had entered upon another work of ministration, and, following Him by faith, they were led to understand also the closing work of the church, and were prepared to receive and give to the world the warning of the third angel of Revelation 14. [SEE ALSO GC, PP. 428-432, FOR A SIMILAR STATEMENT.] –Ibid., pp. 271, 272. {1BIO 257.2}

Why does the evangelical Christian world not accept the truth of Christ’s change of ministration from the holy place to the most holy place in 1844?

They felt that the Sunday as a day of worship worked for them so why change, why go against what the have been doing all their life? Cchanging to them is worst then following God’s law.

Many and earnest were the efforts made to overthrow their faith. None could fail to see that if the earthly sanctuary was a figure or pattern of the heavenly, the law deposited in the ark on earth was an exact transcript of the law in the ark in Heaven, and that an acceptance of the truth concerning the heavenly sanctuary involved an acknowledgment of the claims of God’s law, and the obligation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Here was the secret of the bitter and determined opposition to the harmonious exposition of the Scriptures that brought to view the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. How hard men tried to close the door which God had opened, and to open the door which he had closed! But “He that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth,” had declared, “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” [REV. 3:7, 8.] Christ had opened the door, or ministration, of the most holy place, light was shining from that open door of the sanctuary in Heaven, and the fourth commandment was shown to be included in the law within the ark; what God had established, no man could overthrow.” {4SP 275.1}

How is the message of justification by faith the third angel’s message?

It is shown by Christ work in the Most Holy place. Through His atonement with us we are justified, but to be atoned or justified we must accept his sacrifice. “This message…presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ…All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent.”[Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 91-93. (1896) {Ev 190.4}]

If we keep God’s commandments, we can receive Jesus’ righteousness. The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders [E.J.] Waggoner and [A. T.] Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God.  {LDE 200.1}

What is the purpose of the numbering system for the angels’ messages of Revelation 14?

They are numbered in the order the came. The three messages are but one threefold message. They are three only in the order of their rise. But having risen, they go on together and are inseparable.  {GC 693 appendix}

How do the first, second, and third angels’ messages all blend into one?

The second and third angels’ message were sent with the first angel to follow him, thus blending there message together in order of succession. THE IDEA IN REVELATION 14:8, 9 IS NOT SIMPLY THAT THE SECOND AND THIRD ANGELS FOLLOWED THE FIRST IN POINT OF TIME, BUT THAT THEY WENT WITH HIM. THE THREE MESSAGES ARE BUT ONE THREEFOLD MESSAGE. THEY ARE THREE ONLY IN THE ORDER OF THEIR RISE. BUT HAVING RISEN, THEY GO ON TOGETHER AND ARE INSEPARABLE.  {GC 693.1}

How can you show that the mediation of Christ and the perpetuity of the law of God are the truths of the third angel’s message?

We see the importance of the Most Holy place because this is the place Jesus works  His final work of atonement, but only through faith in Christ will we able to obtain patience to stand up during time of trouble. “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12 Not only do we to have faith but we must keep God’s commandments. Including the fourth. The Spirit of God impressed the hearts of these students of his word. The conviction was urged upon them, that they had ignorantly transgressed the fourth commandment by disregarding the Creator’s rest-day. They began to examine the reasons for observing the first day of the week instead of the day which God had sanctified. They could find no evidence in the Scriptures that the fourth commandment had been abolished, or that the Sabbath had been changed; the blessing which first hallowed the seventh day had never been removed. They had been honestly seeking to know and do God’s will, and now, as they saw themselves transgressors of his law, sorrow filled their hearts. They at once evinced their loyalty to God by keeping his Sabbath holy.  {4SP 274.1}

Where is the “here” in Revelation 14:12: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God” “and their faith in Jesus.”

Here is the Most Holy Place were the saints are brought.

“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 for all those for whom mercy still lingers and for those who have ignorantly broken the law of God.” {EW 254.1}

What is the “action step[s]” for the third angel’s message?

Jesus’ intersession on our behalf and His cleansing power, is what gets us into the Most Holy place. In seeing the great sacrifice made for us, we should follow the law set out for us. Even though Jesus has made it possible to be at His marriage, we have to follow the requirement laid out by God for to enter. This would be to follow God’s laws. The bible tells the story of the man who was invited to the wedding feast and was given a wedding garment, but he did not put on the wedding garment. He was given the opportunity that he could enter (Jesus grace covering him in the form of the garment) but he was not willing to follow the instruction need to enter (God’s law). (Matthew 22)

What are the two purposes for the warning against the beast and his image contained in the third message?

The warning against the best was given because, those who followed after the beast went directly against God’s word, thus causing them to fall in to judgment. A direct example is the Sabbath, those who followed after the beast changed this to Sunday in direct disobedience to God so the will receive judgment for their deeds.

John was called to behold a people distinct from those who worship the beast and his image by keeping the first day of the week. The observance of this day is the mark of the beast (Letter 31, 1898).  {7BC 979.11}

If the light of truth has been presented to you, revealing the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and showing that there is no foundation in the Word of God for Sunday observance, and yet you still cling to the false sabbath, refusing to keep holy the Sabbath which God calls “My holy day,” you receive the mark of the beast. When does this take place? When you obey the decree that commands you to cease from labor on Sunday and worship God, while you know that there is not a word in the Bible showing Sunday to be other than a common working day, you consent to receive the mark of the beast, and refuse the seal of God.  {7BC 980.1}

The second is that an stirring or arousing of the awfulness of the events to come. It telling that they should be getting ready for the trials that would befall. “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.” {EW 254.1}

What does it mean to receive the mark of the beast?

The Sabbath was set up as a test, proving wether one would be loyal to God, or not.  When the time comes that man will decree that Sunday is a holy day, we will have to decide wether we will follow God and his commandment to worship him on the Seventh day or wether we will follow after the beast.

John was called to behold a people distinct from those who worship the beast and his image by keeping the first day of the week. The observance of this day is the mark of the beast (Letter 31, 1898).  {7BC 979.11} If the light of truth has been presented to you, revealing the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and showing that there is no foundation in the Word of God for Sunday observance, and yet you still cling to the false sabbath, refusing to keep holy the Sabbath which God calls “My holy day,” you receive the mark of the beast. When does this take place? When you obey the decree that commands you to cease from labor on Sunday and worship God, while you know that there is not a word in the Bible showing Sunday to be other than a common working day, you consent to receive the mark of the beast, and refuse the seal of God.  {7BC 980.1} To receive this mark means to come to the same decision as the beast has done, and to advocate the same ideas, in direct opposition to the Word of God. {7BC 979.12}

What is “the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation”?

“The wine of the wrath of God” is the seven last plaques which will be poured out on those who followed after the best and his image.

Rev. 15:1 ¶ And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon Egypt when God was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of God’s people.   {GC 627.3}

How are those who receive the mark of the beast “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”?

At this point in time, Christ has finished his work of atonement for mankind. Before this the wrath of God poured out to man was channeled the saving blood of Christ, but know God’s wrath is poured out without mercy to those who received the mark of the beast.

These plagues are not universal, or the inhabitants of the earth would be wholly cut off. Yet they will be the most awful scourges that have ever been known to mortals. All the judgments upon men, prior to the close of probation, have been mingled with mercy. The pleading blood of Christ has shielded the sinner from receiving the full measure of his guilt; but in the final judgment, wrath is poured out unmixed with mercy.  {GC 628.2}

Also, after the millennium those who had followed after the beast would receive punishment in full. The would be burned in the lake of fire in front all the angels and Christ.

(Rev. 20:14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Rev. 20:15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

What does it mean that “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever”? Give some Biblical support. You could also take a look at Jude 7 and Isa. 34:10,11.

In greek the phrase “for ever and ever” is most literally translated as “unto ages of ages”. This would show that this torment would cover a period of time, but still it would be momentary. In Jude the example of Sodom and Gomorrah is used. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7) But in this example Sodom and Gomorrah is not burning still, so it was used as figurative language. Another thought is that, in saying that “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever” God could be showing John that sin would not rise again. In the beginning he had told Adam and Eve what would happen if the partook in sin. So in saying that people would burn forever could show that sin and all who partook in it would be put down for ever. What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. Nahum 1:9

The Second Angel’s Message

When was the second angel’s message given?

The second angel’s message was given in the summer of 1844.   The second angel’s message of Revelation 14 was first preached in the summer of 1844, and it then had a more direct application to the churches of the United States, where the warning of the judgment had been most widely proclaimed and most generally rejected, and where the declension in the churches had been most rapid. But the message of the second angel did not reach its complete fulfillment in 1844. The churches then experienced a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal of the light of the advent message; but that fall was not complete. As they have continued to reject the special truths for this time they have fallen lower and lower. Not yet, however, can it be said that “Babylon is fallen,… because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She has not yet made all nations do this. {Mar 171.1}

Whom did the second angel’s message have a more direct application to?

The second angel’s message was directed to the churches in the United States, because there reception to the message was the worst. Not yet, however, can it be said that “Babylon is fallen,… because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She has not yet made all nations do this. The spirit of world conforming and indifference to the testing truths for our time exists and has been gaining ground in churches of the Protestant faith in all the countries of Christendom; and these churches are included in the solemn and terrible denunciation of the second angel. But the work of apostasy has not yet reached its culmination.  {GC 389.2}Why was the second angel’s message given?

This message was given because the first angel’s message was not heeded. As the churches refused to receive the first angel’s message, they rejected the light from heaven and fell from the favor of God. They trusted to their own strength, and by opposing the first message placed themselves where they could not see the light of the second angel’s message. But the beloved of God, who were oppressed, accepted the message, “Babylon is fallen,” and left the churches. {EW 237.2}

What were the consequences to the churches when they rejected the first angel’s message?  [A how problem]

They could not partake in the marriage. Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel’s message, which shows the way into the most holy place.

What is the “action step” of the second angel’s message?

Only those who heeded the first angel’s message can take part in the second angel’s message. The second angels message was telling the to get out from the churches, to remove themselves from those erroneous influences. But the beloved of God, who were oppressed, accepted the message, “Babylon is fallen,” and left the churches. {EW 237.2}

When was the climactic closing up of the second angel’s message?

IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING OCTOBER 22, 1844

What was the Midnight Cry?

“Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!”

When was the Midnight Cry given?

After the second angels message to give it a push.

What was the purpose of the Midnight Cry?

The midnight cry was the power behind the second angel’s message. It gave the second angel’s message a sense of urgency. Those entrusted with the cry made haste, and in the power of the Holy Spirit sounded the message, and aroused their discouraged brethren. This work did not stand in the wisdom and learning of men, but in the power of God, and His saints who heard the cry could not resist it. The most spiritual received this message first, and those who had formerly led in the work were the last to receive and help swell the cry, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!” {EW 238.2}.

For those who had received the first angel’s message, how did the Midnight Cry prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary?

The Midnight Cry prepared people to enter with Jesus by faith by making them feel there need of a spiritual life, and by helping them grow in there spiritual life. It help them see where the need to be and not where they were. In every part of the land, light was given upon the second angel’s message, and the cry melted the hearts of thousands. It went from city to city, and from village to village, until the waiting people of God were fully aroused. The message was heart-searching, leading the believers to seek a living experience for themselves. They knew that they could not lean upon one another.

Just as Jesus cleansed the temple both at the beginning and at the end of His public ministry, so in the last work for the warning of the world, two distinct calls are made to the churches. What are the two distinct calls to the churches, and when are these two calls made?

“Babylon is fallen is fallen”, and “Come out of her my people” THE THREE ANGELS COME PROMINENTLY BEFORE THE WORLD AGAIN JUST BEFORE THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST. These calls were made in 1844, among the days of the early advent church. “THE SECOND ANGEL’S MESSAGE HAD ITS INITIAL SOUNDING EARLY IN THE SUMMER OF 1844 IN THE CALL TO THE ADVENT BELIEVERS TO COME OUT OF THE NOMINAL CHURCHES THAT HAD REJECTED THE PROCLAMATION OF THE FIRST ANGEL’S MESSAGE.” {EW 304.1}

Why are there only two distinct calls made to the churches?

God was giving his people the ample chance of make the right choice, by removing themselves from the church.  Jesus cleansed the temple twice in his line of ministry, this was to remove evil which prevailed in the temples courts. These two distinct calls were given to show that this earth reached its lowest point of degradation and it must be cleansed.

God has given the messages of Revelation 14 their place in the line of prophecy and their work is not to cease till the close of this earth’s history.–EGW’88 804 (1890). {LDE 198.6}Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6-12, the church will have fully reached the condition foretold by the second angel, and the people of God still in Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion. This message is the last that will ever be given to the world.–GC 390 (1911). {LDE 199.1} [Rev. 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. . . . {LDE 199.2} 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. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these.–GC 603, 604, 606 (1911). {LDE 199.3}

When Jesus began His public ministry, He cleansed the Temple from its sacrilegious profanation. Almost the last act of His ministry was to cleanse the Temple again. So in the last work for the warning of the world, two distinct calls are made. The second angel’s message, and the voice heard from heaven, “Come out of her, My people, . . . for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.”–Letter 1f, 1890, p. 6. (To “Brethren in Responsible Positions,” November 1890.) {4MR 242.1}

The First Angels Message

Who gives the first angel’s message?

The message was given to God’s people.

The fourteenth chapter of Revelation outlines the work that is to be done by the people of God just before the second advent of our Savior. Three messages are there represented, which must go to all the inhabitants of the world.  {ST, January 25, 1910 par. 1}

We as God’s people should have accepted the light of God and we should be sharing it to everyone we meet. Christ declared to His followers, “Ye are the light of the world.” To every soul that accepts Jesus, the cross of Calvary speaks: “Behold the worth of the soul. ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.’” Nothing is to be permitted to hinder this work. It is the all-important work for this time, and it is to be far-reaching as eternity.  {ST, January 25, 1910 par. 5}

When was the first angel’s message first given?

It was given in 1843-44 and it must continue to be given today. The first and second messages were given in 1843 and 1844, and we are now under the proclamation of the third; but all three of the messages are still to be proclaimed. – Manuscript 32, 1896.  {CW 26.2}

Where did the prophecy of the first angel’s message have its most direct fulfillment?

The warning message was directed to America. It had be come the center piece of the advent movement,  and the most direct fulfillment would happen there. The message is given to us as Seventh-day Adventist. To William Miller and his colaborers it was given to preach the warning in America. This country became the center of the great advent movement. It was here that the prophecy of the first angel’s message had its most direct fulfillment. The writings of Miller and his associates were carried to distant lands. Wherever missionaries had penetrated in all the world, were sent the glad tidings of Christ’s speedy return. Far and wide spread the message of the everlasting gospel: “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” {GC 368.1}

Why was the first angel’s message given?

It was given as a wake up call to the church tell them that, God’s judgment is coming and that we need to be ready for it.  Why are the messages of Revelation fourteen given? Because the principles of the churches have become corrupted. . . . [Rev. 14:6-10 quoted.]  {7BC 979.1} The first angel’s message of Revelation 14, announcing the hour of God’s judgment and calling upon men to fear and worship Him, was designed to separate the professed people of God from the corrupting influences of the world and to arouse them to see their true condition of worldliness and backsliding. In this message, God has sent to the church a warning, which, had it been accepted, would have corrected the evils that were shutting them away from Him. Had they received the message from heaven, humbling their hearts before the Lord and seeking in sincerity a preparation to stand in His presence, the Spirit and power of God would have been manifested among them. The church would again have reached that blessed state of unity, faith, and love which existed in apostolic days, when the believers “were of one heart and of one soul,” and “spake the word of God with boldness,” when “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 4:32, 31; 2:47. {GC 379.1}

How does the first angel’s message announcing “the hour of His judgment is come, “ a part of the gospel?

It’s telling God’s people that His judgment is coming and that we need to separate ourselves from the corrupt influences of the world. We should all so be aware of the true condition of the world and how far the slide from God’s original plan. The gospel is glorious because it is made up of His righteousness. It is Christ unfolded, and Christ is the gospel embodied. {MS 44, 1898.  7BC 907} The announcement, “The hour of His judgment is come,” points to the closing work of Christ’s ministration for the salvation of men. It heralds a truth which must be proclaimed until the Saviour’s intercession shall cease and He shall return to the earth to take His people to Himself. The work of judgment which began in 1844 must continue until the cases of all are decided, both of the living and the dead; hence it will extend to the close of human probation.  {GC 435.2}While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14. {GC 425.1}That men may be prepared to stand in the judgment, the message commands them to “fear God, and give glory to Him,” “and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” The result of an acceptance of these messages is given in the word: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”  In order to be prepared for the judgment, it is necessary that men should keep the law of God. That law will be the standard of character in the judgment.   {GC 435.2}

What were the consequences to the churches when they rejected the first angel’s message?

To them was given the second angel’s message “Babylon is fallen”. When the churches spurned the counsel of God by rejecting the Advent message, the Lord rejected them. The first angel was followed by a second, proclaiming, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” [REV. 14:8] This message was understood by Adventists to be an announcement of the moral fall of the churches in consequence of their rejection of the first message. The proclamation, “Babylon is fallen,” was given in the summer of 1844, and as the result, about fifty thousand withdrew from these churches. {4SP 232.1}

How does the first angel’s message influence the second angel’s message?

It shows that they have fallen from the truth and now they had fallen to was a place that was corrupt. The first angel was followed by a second, proclaiming, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” [REV. 14:8] This message was understood by Adventists to be an announcement of the moral fall of the churches in consequence of their rejection of the first message. The proclamation, “Babylon is fallen,” was given in the summer of 1844, and as the result, about fifty thousand withdrew from these churches. {4SP 232.1}

How is the first angel’s message still relevant today?

It wake us up to the reality of how short time is, and that God judgment will soon come. Dear brethren, the Lord is coming. Lift up your thoughts and heads and rejoice. Oh, we would  think that those who hear the joyful news, who claim to love Jesus, would be filled with joy unutterable and full of glory. This is the good, the joyful news which should electrify every soul, which should be repeated in our homes and told to those whom we meet on the street – what more joyful news can be communicated! Caviling and contention with believers and unbelievers is not the work God has given us to do.  {2SM 381}

What is the “action step “for the first angel’s message.

God gave us the message, and it is up to us to be prepared for the hour of his judgment.  The only way we will be prepared is if we accept God speaking to  us through His Word. In order to be prepared for the judgment, it is necessary that men should keep the law of God.  That law will be the standard of character in the judgment. {GC 435.2}

How does the perceived first angel’s message fit together with the actual content of the first angel’s message?

In 1884, they said that the first angels message was all about Jesus is second coming, and how the need to share it, but the message is really not about that. It is about the gospel touching our hearts so that we will be pure before God when we are compare to His perfect law

Division of Revelation 14 and 18

Division 1

Section 1 – Revelation 14:1-5

In the first section we see that Jesus is standing with the 144 thousands. The music beginnings to play, and heaven is going wild. Jesus stands before all the angels, the four beast, and 24 elders, and He is presenting before God his treasure. He is giving a first fruit of his hard labor. God evaluates them and he finds them pure and clean.

Section 2 – Revelation 14:6-12

We enter into a change in the scene. The angel begins to speak to the people on earth and his messages are their to tell where people will fall in. Whether the will be on the good side with Jesus, or the bad side with Satan.

Section 3 – Revelation 14: 13-20

We enter upon the third scene and here we see Jesus is coming to earth in all his glory and with all the angels. His has come to reap what He sowed. He came to get those he died for. He was harvesting.

Division 2

Section 1 – Revelation 18:1-8

This scene begins with another angel with a message. His message was that God people should remove themselves from things of this world (Babylon). Its state of corruption has surpassed anything seen before and anything seen now.

Section 2 – Revelation 18:9-24

In this scene there is a lamentation of the fall of Babylon. I cry from the kings and merchants goes up. They were said because such a beautiful city, that made them prosperous, had to be destroyed. Yet there was not only lamentation, there was also rejoice from the apostles and prophets because God was avenge them through the destruction of Babylon.

The Seven Seals

White horse represents the wedding garment that church receives at the garment.

The red, black, and pale horses represent the stages to which the protestant church fall into

There in His open hand lay the book, the roll of the history of God’s providences, the prophetic history of nations and the church. Herein was contained the divine utterances, His authority, His commandments, His laws, the whole symbolic counsel of the Eternal, and the history of all ruling powers in the nations. In symbolic language was contained in that roll the influence of every nation, tongue, and people from the beginning of earth’s history to its close. {9MR 7.2}

As we begin reading the book that Jesus is unsealing, we see that in the first seal there is a white horse. The first question is what does that horse represent? In Songs of Solomon, Solomon is comparing a woman to a horse. (Song of Solomon 1:9) “I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.” We also know that in prophecy that a women is referred to as a church. So if we use the transitive property in math, which states that A equals B and B equals C therefore A must equal C, we see that the women referred to by the horse in Solomon must be linked to a church. So this horse is referring to a church. The next question is what does the white have to do with the horse? The white shows that the church is going to the marriage and it is receiving the wedding garment need to enter. It also shows that it is covered by the righteousness of Christ. Rev. 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. God has called His church in this day, as He called ancient Israel, to stand as a light in the earth. By the mighty cleaver of truth, the messages of the first, second, and third angels, He has separated them from the churches and from the world to bring them into a sacred nearness to Himself. He has made them the depositaries of His law and has committed to them the great truths of prophecy for this time. Like the holy oracles committed to ancient Israel, these are a sacred trust to be communicated to the world.  {5T 455.2}

The second seal there is a red horse. Well since we know what the horse represents, a church, we should ask ourselves the next question, “What does the red have to do with the horse? Well the red refers to the state in which Christianity was declining. By this time it was so bad that their had to be a difference made, thus showing the change from white to red. This second period of this red horse fell between the time of John the Revelator and Constantine. During this time of progressive digression many of Paul’s writings were left out thus leading to Greek/Roman Christianity and out of this leads the elementary forms of Catholicism. Then Constantine began to bring in a form a Christianity that was a mix of church and state. Through this bond peace was taken from the earth.

When the third seal was opened there was a black horse. What does the black represent? It represents the rapid digression and corruption of the church. They had moved from the state of white to the complete opposite, black. This shows a distinct age of darkness for the church. The period between the establishing of Christianity with Constantine and 538 A.D. with the establishment of the papacy, is know for it many errors and horrible superstitions that sprang up in the church. The balance in the rider’s hand refers to the balance between religious and civil power and how they would be untied in their executive decisions.

When the fourth seal was opened there was a pale horse. What does the pale represent? Well pale denotes a sickly or blighted appearance. So this horse brings on a deathly era. This era contains numerous persecutions thus leading to death for many. The Bible states that the riders name is Death and Hell. This shows to what extent this rider went and how it seemed that the church was being over taken by evil. This happened to fall in the period where the Roman Catholic Church began to rule with an un rebuking, unrestrained, and very strong persecuting power. This period from 538 A.D. and going to the work of the reformers, showed how corrupted the papal power was, and how far the had fallen since the time of the apostles. The power, to kill with the sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth, was given to the papacy, and it was definitely used, because many martyrs died during this period.

The fifth seal was opened and from under the altar came the cries from the martyrs who were killed for spreading God’s word and the testimony of Jesus. The were crying out so that their blood be avenged. And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. (Genesis 4:10) They were victims of the papal blood thirst oppressions, and they were crying to God for vengeance just as Abel’s blood cried out to the ground. So, after all those martyrs had died, many reformers began to arise. They began to prove that the Roman Catholic Church had many fallacies, and they undermined their teachings. This was the white robes received by them, because it proved that their martyrdom had not gone in vain. There were those who standing up for what they died for.

They sixth seal is a change from the figurative speech used by John so far in the other seals. The sixths seal uses literately language. Now we enter the period of the time of the end. This seal begins talking about different event that will happen. These events have been fulfilled. The great earthquake happened on November 1, 1755, in Lisbon. This earthquake extends for an area of almost 4 million square miles. The sun becoming as black as sackcloth happened, May 19, 1780. This unusual event struck fear into the hearts of those who experienced it. This goes along with Luke 21:26 “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken”.

The seventh seal represents the actual return of Jesus, and Him talking us to heaven to live with Him. We can be thankful that God loves us enough to go through all the trouble to save us.

The Book

The book of Revelation 5 is a sealed book containing prochecies of Daniel concerning the last days.This book became on sealed in 1798. But since 1798 the book of Daniel has been unsealed...  {GC 356.2} When the book was opened, the proclamation was made, ‘Time shall be no longer.’ {17MR 6.3} So the book of Daniel which contains the prophecies is explained by the book of Revelation.“The books of Daniel and the Revelation are one. One is a prophecy, the other a revelation; one a book sealed, the other a book opened.”  {MS 59,1900. 7BC 971}

We find the setting of the Book in Revelation 5 in Revelation 4. It takes place in the Most Holy place because that were the marriage and the judgment take place. Here God the father is sitting on the throne and this book that is sealed can only be open by one person. Jesus is that one person who can open this book. The angels and the elders our exclaiming to John how the Lamb is worth to open the book.

Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

When it says that the book is written within it means it written in our hearts, and when it is written on the backside, it refers to the time in which the book is fulfilled. So, we must be experiencing a decisions whether they are for Christ our not. Yet these decisions will not be all made at the same time. “Many will honestly search the Word for Light as those in the past have searched it; and they see light in the Word. But they did not pass over the ground in their experience, when these messages of warning were first proclaimed. Not having had this experience, some do not appreciate the value of the truths that have been to us as waymarks, and that have made us as a peculiar people what we are.”   {2SM 110.4}

If we look at the different aspects of this book, we see that the prophecies of Daniel 8:14 are fulfilled and that the messages of the book are unsealed. ( Three angels’ message) Also how do we respond to the unsealed messages, and how does our record look like in the end? “In the book of God’s providence, the volume of life, we are each given a page. That page contains every particular of our history; even the hairs of the head are numbered. God’s children are never absent from His mind.”  {DA 313.3}  “The past is contained in the book where all things are written down. We cannot blot out the record, but we can learn many things if we choose.” {TMK 89.2}

Connecting the aspect with the opening of the book we see that the prophecies of Daniel are fulfilled with the start of the investigative judgment. The way we respond to those message will reveal the state of our heart, and when the record book is opened our decisions based off what our action exhibited will be called to judgment.

The unsealing of the book has allowed for the prophecies to be fulfilled. Will we be ready at the judgment? Will we have made the right decision?

Character

What makes a defective Character?

When we think of this question many things might enter our mind, but we should go to the root of the question. First how do we build character. Well our thoughts and our action build our character. So therefore by repeatedly having bad thoughts and actions we build a defective Character. “If the thoughts are wrong the feelings will be wrong, and the thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character.” {5T 310}

When does one start having a defective character, and when does one stop having it?

We are born with a defective character because we are tainted with sin. This defect in character will be removed at marriage when our spot and blemishes are removed.

What processes start/stop a defective character?

The process was started by sin and now we live with its effects. Herditary traits and cultivated sin can be passed down from generation to generation. If we continue to think bad thought we will continue commit bad action thus leading to a defective character. The result of the eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil is manifest in every man’s experience. There is in his nature a bent to evil, a force which, unaided, he cannot resist.  {Ed. 29} But through God’s grace we can overcome this defect. If we enter the progressive conversion stage we begin a day to day process of a life time. In this time we battle lifes trials with christ help and thus we begin to think good thoughts, causing good action. At the marriage we will overcome complete, because God would have made us perfect.

How does one build a character?

Through the Holy Spirit help we begin to think less selfishly and act less selfishly, and we start acting more like Christ. So we just enter the progressive conversion stage.

Who are the workmen that do the job?

Our mental and moral power our workmen each fighting toward a perfect character.“Every faculty in man is a workman that is building for time and for eternity. Day by day the structure [character] is going up, although the possessor is not aware of it. It is a building which must stand either as a beacon of warning because of its deformity or as a structure which God and the angels will admire for its harmony with the divine Model.” {4T 606.2}

What aspects of the building are we unable to do, and who does them?

We have to put our full effort into wanting to become better, but only God can change the mind and heart of men, if we let him. “Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life. There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness.” {SC 18,19}

Why is it necessary to go to the Marriage before the time of trouble?

If you didn’t go through the marriage you would be unprepared for the time of trouble, because you would not be perfect for investgative judgement.  So we need to go throught the marraige so that God can remove our spot and blemishes.

How could your understanding of character make you a part of those who believe in spiritualistic theories?

If you believe that you could be saved through your own works you could be part of those who believe spiritualistic theories. “These theories, followed to their logical conclusion, sweep away the whole Christian economy. They do away with the necessity for the atonement and make man his own savior.”  {8T 291}

Daniel 9 points

The beginning of the 2300 day prophecy marked the command to rebuild Jerusalem. The command was issued by Cyrus in 457 B.C. to the Jews, so that they could return to Jerusalem, if the chose to, and rebuild the city and the temple. “…the decree of Artaxerxes for the restoration of
Jerusalem, which formed the starting point for the period of the 2300
days, went into effect in the autumn of the year 457 B.C….  Reckoning
from the autumn of 457, the 2300 years terminate in the autumn of
1844.”  {GC 398.4} Dan 9:25  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

Dan 9:24  Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

The cleansing of the sanctuary happens at the end of the 2300 days, so by subtract in 457 from 2300 we get 1844. 2300-457=1844. There is a difference between the Jewish and Roman calendar. When the Jewish calendar begins the Roman calendar is in spring. So since the decree went forth in fall it would be fufilled in the fall of 1844.

Dan. 8 points

(Dan. 8:10,11) And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. Host = God’s people 1) God’s people are the star host. (Dan. 12:3) And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. The prince of the host = Jesus (Revelation 22:16) I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host Satan is the fallen stars, and he went up against Jesus so that he could become like God. Going back to the little horn, we can see the correlation between these two situations and how Satan is trying to reach the place of God. Wicked people are wandering stars. (Dan. 8:10) 2) The little horn stamps on God’s people by teaching false doctrine. This turns people away from Christ. By stamp on them by depleting there food source, by feeding them something besides Christ (Dan. 8:12) And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. 3) The papacy has a lot of power because people like the two option given them by the papacy. Either they get saved by their merit or the get saved in their sins. There were a lot of people who joined the papacy in being against the daily. They daily work was there to get rid of sin, but by them being against the daily they would be against progressive conversion or the process of getting rid of sin. 4) Vision = daily or transgression of desolation 5) Vs.14 The cleansing of the sanctuary is on the day of atonement. Here we remove all selfish thoughts from our heart. Through God’s help and earnest work on our part we can over come. 6) V s. 23 “when the transgressors are come to the full” Satan has fulfilled his purpose of making the first day of the week the Sabbath, through the papacy. 7) Vs. 25 “broken without hand” Law broke the papacy regime because they did not follow the law