THE FOURTH ANGEL S MESSAGE The Three Advent Movements becomes the Latter rain Movement The three angels were the three successions of the events Advent movement in modern Christian history. The first angel message was proclaimed in 1843 AD by the Millerites movement or the advent movement in the history of North America when the judgment was announced as the second coming of Christ and it was given in Portland and in the city of Boston. 1 Though the movement had experienced disappointment and persecution but in no less sense it was God s message and it had tested the faith of the believers: The messenger said, I saw that God was in the proclamation of the time in 1843. It was His design to arouse the people and bring them to a testing point, where they should decide for or against the truth 2 These disappointments along with the Advent movement are God s way of His people for the final events, for the final works they have to do in warning the whole earth. The disappointment in 1843 was about reckoning of prophetic dates. The SOP explained: God tested and proved His people by the passing of the time in 1843. The mistake made in reckoning the prophetic periods was not at once discovered, even by learned men who opposed the views of those who were looking for Christ's coming. Scholars declared that Mr. Miller was right in his calculation of the time, though they disputed him in regard to the event that would crown that period. But they, and the waiting people of God, were in a common error on the question of time. 3 The second angel s message came after the trying hour and after the mistake in reckoning of the time prophecy in Daniel 8:14 was corrected through prayer and study and their hopes focused in the second coming of the Lord at the fall of 1844 and it transformed into the second movement to bear testimony against the fallen churches. The SOP explained their experience: Our hopes now centered on the coming of the Lord in 1844. This was also the time for the message of the second angel, who, flying through the midst of heaven, cried, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city." Revelation 14:8. That message was first proclaimed by the servants of God in the summer of 1844. As a result, many left the fallen churches 4 The churches generally rejected the second angel s message that cause the continual moral fall. 5 The midnight cry, the proclamation that Christ is coming was rejected by the fallen churches in 1 {Ev 84.1} 2 {EW 232.2} 3 {CET 50.2} 4 {CET 50.4} 5 {GC88 389.2}
North America in spite of the warning of the second angel s message though there were many companies of people accepted the message and bear testimony to them. 6 The preaching of the third angel s message joined with the two angels messages The expected time of the second coming of Christ did not happen as expected and created the great disappointment in the Advent movement. The people scattered and splintered into different groups and many went back to the old same life again but the faithful few found grace in God s sight as they studied and prayed together to find out the reason of the great disappointment. The Lord opened to them that Jesus went to the most Holy place in the heavenly sanctuary to do the work of investigative judgment. 7 In relation to this work, the third angel s message began through the work of this small group that transformed into the Seventh day Adventist movement with a clearer message of the three angels by which the world is to be tested; they (Revelation 14 messages) are the everlasting gospel and are to be sounded everywhere. 8 The message of the first and the second has to be enjoined together with the third angel s message. The SOP explains: The first and second messages [Revelation 14:6-8] 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. It is just as essential now as ever before that they shall be repeated to those who are seeking for the truth. By pen and voice we are to sound the proclamation, showing their order and the application of the prophecies that bring us to the third angel s message. There cannot be a third without the first and second.... 9 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 message of warning to the world. 10 "The Lord has a special message for us to bear to the world, even the third angel's message. The first and second angel's messages are bound up with the third. The power of the proclamation of the first and second messages is to be concentrated in the third. 11 The threefold message will be reinforced by the fourth angel: The fourth angel will give the final enlightenment and warning to the world. John the Revelator said, And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and 6 {EW 238.3} to {EW 238.4} 7 {1SM 125.1} 8 {CTr 342.5}( Manuscript 32, 1896 (Manuscript Releases, vol. 17, pp. 12-15)). 9 {CTr 338.3} 10 {Mar 173.4} 11 {GCB, January 1, 1900 par. 2}
the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Revelation 18:-1-4. Since the three angels messages are coming to a close, it will not be finished until it is joined by this fourth angel. The SOP explained: The fourth angel is the coming end-time Pentecostal experience that will change the dynamics of Christian experience and works. As the SOP said, Thousands of voices will be imbued with the power to speak forth the wonderful truths of God's word. The stammering tongue will be loosed, and the timid will be made strong to bear courageous testimony to the truth. 12 The power that of 1844 movement will again be revealed. The third angel's message will go forth, not in whispered tones, but with a loud voice. 13 This is the loud cry that will fill the whole earth with the knowledge of salvation... that the light of present truth will be seen flashing everywhere. 14 The love of Christ and of the brethren will be manifested and this will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. 15 And this manifestation will lighten the whole world and the proclamation by the Advent movement (1840-44) are to be exceeded by the mighty movement under the last warning of the third angel. 16 This is the latter rain 17 for the closing work of the gospel as fulfillment of the prophecy. The world is being led to take stand The work of the three angels messages is to warn the inhabitants of the world that Christ is coming again with power and great glory. 18 These angels will be joined by the fourth one to warn the world against the false doctrines that Babylon spreads and accepted all over the world. The SOP says: The prophet says, "I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power: and the earth was lightened with glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils." This is the same messages that was given by the second angel. Babylon is fallen, "because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." What is that wine? --Her false doctrines. She has given to the world a false Sabbath instead of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and has repeated the falsehood that Satan first told to Eve in 12 {GW92 383.3} 13 {Ev 693.4} Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 252. (1885) 14 {Ev 694.1} Review and Herald, Oct. 13, 1904. 15 {LHU 211.6}Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 400, 401. 16 {Mar 20.1} 17 {Mar 20.2} 18 {RH, December 6, 1892 par. 15}
Eden,--the natural immortality of the soul. Many kindred errors she has spread far and wide, "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." 19 When the fourth angel comes Satan will counteract its work but this will lead to the final events before Jesus comes, by this reason the inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take their stand. 20 The disappointment due to rejection of the righteousness by faith message Tree angels messages are the three series of warnings, the successions of movements among of the people of God in the time of the end, and the series of successes and disappointments in their hopes and works. The disappointment in the third angels was and is due to the rejection of the Holy Spirit s work and not with the prophetic interpretation of when is the second coming of the Lord but of the coming of the latter rain to refresh the church. The rejection of the righteousness by faith given in 1888 to the church at general conference in Minneapolis 21 was the sin that hindered the church to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to finish the work because they disappointed the Lord. Many are hoping to be filled with the Holy Spirit to become efficient in God s work but will be disappointed due to indifference and laziness. As the SOP said, But the latter rain will never refresh and invigorate indolent souls, that are not using the power God has already given them. Spiritual laziness will not bring us nearer to God. There must be energy and zeal as well as devotion and personal piety, woven into all our works. 22 The work is given to be done today in order to receive the third angel s blessings which is the coming of the Holy Spirit as latter rain and that is to do our part which is the purification of our soul from every defilement. 23 The SOP said, I was shown that if God's people make no efforts on their part, but wait for the refreshing to come upon them and remove their wrongs and correct their errors; if they depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third angel, they will be found wanting.-- 24 Those who make no decided effort, but simply wait for the Holy Spirit to compel them to action, will perish in darkness. You are not to sit still and do nothing in the work of God. 25 The disappointment to have a revival is due to the unconverted state of the people in the church for they have not fully surrendered their hearts to God. The SOP explained, That time 19 Ibid (continuation) 20 {Mar 20.3} 21 {1888 913.2} 22 {ST, December 9, 1886 par. 10} 23 {Ev 701.4} 24 1T 619 (1867). {LDE 195.1} 25 ChS 228 (1903). {LDE 196.1}
will never come. There are persons in the church who are not converted, and who will not unite in earnest, prevailing prayer. We must enter upon the work individually. We must pray more, and talk less. 26 The problem of stagnant spiritually will cause to miss the latter rain: Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it. 27 It is by making use of the early rain, by allowing and cooperating with the Holy Spirit to sanctify the soul will receive the latter. Those who neglect this will be disappointed. We may be sure that when the Holy Spirit is poured out, those who did not receive and appreciate the early rain will not see or understand the value of the latter rain. 28 The counsel is: If so, let us cleanse the soul temple, and prepare for the showers of the latter rain. The refreshing from the presence of the Lord will never come to hearts filled with impurity. May God help us to die to self, that Christ, the hope of glory, may be formed within! I must have the Spirit of God in my heart. I can never go forward to do the great work of God, unless the Holy Spirit rests upon my soul. "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." The day of judgment is upon us. O that we may wash our robes of character, and make them white in the blood of the Lamb! 29 The consummation of the three angels messages The fourth angel s message repeated the second angel s message and expanded it giving the final warning to Babylon for they reject the three angels messages. This message will be given with the voice of Christ for the final call to His people who are still with Babylon and a final warning to the world: 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; and it will accomplish its work. When those that believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness, [2 Thessalonians 2:12.] shall be left to receive strong delusion, and to believe a lie, then the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it, and all the children of the Lord, that remain in Babylon, will heed the call, Come out of her, my people. [Revelation 18:4.] 30 26 1SM 122 (1887). {LDE 195.2} 27 TM 507 (1897). {LDE 195.4} 28 TM 399 (1896). {LDE 195.3} 29 {RH, April 21, 1891 par. 11} 30 {GC88 390.2}
The final message is to warn the world in accepting the errors in which Babylon led them to drink and commit fornication or spiritual adultery with her: The prophet says, "I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils" (Revelation 18:1, 2). This is the same message that was given by the second angel. Babylon is fallen, "because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Revelation 14:8). What is that wine?--her false doctrines. She has given to the world a false sabbath instead of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and has repeated the falsehood that Satan first told Eve in Eden--the natural immortality of the soul. Many kindred errors she has spread far and wide, "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9). 31 The Success to be brought by the Fourth Angel Success in proclaiming the gospel depends on submission and obedience to the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The SOP said: Those who have held the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end will be wideawake during the time that the third angel's message is proclaimed with great power. 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. The earth will be filled with the knowledge of salvation. So abundantly will the renewing Spirit of God have crowned with success the intensely active agencies, that the light of present truth will be seen flashing everywhere. 32 When publications of the gospel materials being faithfully done and scattered around the world by the humble servants of the Lord, they will see conversions in many places takes place: God will soon do great things for us, if we lie humble and believing at His feet....more than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications. 33 The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is 31 {2SM 118.1} 32 RH, Oct. 13, 1904. (See Ev 694.) 33 Review and Herald, Nov. 10, 1885. {Ev 693.3}
more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord's side. 34 Christ s final call the world will be with the fourth angel s message: The end-time call of Christ will then be heard throughout the world as final call to His people come out of Babylon. The record says, And I heard another voice 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. Revelation 18:4, 5. This call leads to the close of probation. The Close of probation will come after the latter rain s effect, the glory of the Lord which will surround the world in comparison with the darkness of Babylon in this will lead everyone to choose their loyalty. It is God s leading in His program on how to accomplish finishing this work of judgment. (See Revelation 18:1-24). There is no excuse in spurning the message in which God will not be blamed why people will not be saved. Their choices is their judgment toward God and their judgment toward God will be their reward their judgment to themselves that God will pronounce to them as the final verdict (Matthew 7:1, 2). Revelation 18 points to the time when the initial judgment will be given as the result of rejecting the threefold warning and in Revelation 19:2 declares the righteous judgment that will fall on Babylon. It says, For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. Babylon influences the world to war against God as in Jeremiah 51:7-9 says, Babylon [hath been] a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed. We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up [even] to the skies The SOP explains the conditions that will take place in the fallen church when they will reject the final warning message. 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; and it will accomplish its work. When those that "believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:12), shall be left to receive strong delusion and to believe a lie, then the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it, and all the children of the Lord that remain in Babylon will heed the call: "Come out of her, My people" (Revelation 18:4). 35 The second angel s message will be repeated for the final warning and the final call of God s people to come out from the fallen church, from Babylon: 34 {Mar 20.4} 35 {GC 390.2}
When Jesus began his public ministry, he cleansed the temple from its sacrilegious profanation. Among the last acts of his ministry was the second cleansing of the temple. So 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." 36 The Fourth Angel: Final Call for Righteousness The righteousness of God will be demonstrated fully by words and action through the fourth angel and will lay bare, showing forth the contrast with the hypocrisy, with the wickedness of the world and their sins. His righteousness will be fully declared and those who accept and surrender to the message will acquit God from their accusations and blame and will confess that they are the ones who are the sinners and is worthy to be condemned but by God s mercy they will be forgiven and be converted and will bear the glory of heaven. In these events God s law, His character will be magnified in the lives of His people and it will lighten the earth: The whole earth is to be lightened with the glory of God's truth. The Lord will not close up the period of probation until the warning message shall be more distinctly proclaimed. The trumpet must give a certain sound. The law of God is to be magnified, its claims must be presented in their true, sacred character; that the people may be brought to decide for or against the truth. Yet the work will be cut short in righteousness. The message of Christ's righteousness is to sound from one end of the world to the other. This is the glory of God which closes the work of the third angel. 37 The revelation of the Righteousness of Christ will be the time of testing The test of loyalty of the whole earth is coming. The world has to make decision for eternity. The church of God has to be tested; everyone will be tested by the revelation of God s righteousness. In fact the revelation of Christ s righteousness is here already: The time of test is just upon 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. 38 36 {RH, December 6, 1892 par. 16} 37 {GCDB, January 28, 1893 par. 27} 38 {7BC 984.6} (RH Nov. 22, 1892)
The test message be proclaimed the Sabbath In the revelation of Christ s righteousness, the symbol, the sign of His righteousness which is the Sabbath must be proclaimed. That by the work of creation and redemption through Christ God reveals His righteousness in Christ. This is the message that we have to give with definite voice. The SOP says: "We are in danger of giving this message in so indefinite a manner that it does not impress the people." 39 The message should be sharpened and focused to prepare God s people for the test of faith: "So many other interests are brought in that the very message which should be proclaimed with power becomes tame and voiceless. At our camp-meetings a mistake has been made. The Sabbath question has been touched upon, but has not been presented as the great question, the test for this time. 40 The enemies of God will give their definite aim in enforcing their false Sabbath to get rid of God s people. In this situation God s people should face the giant as David did. Lies will not stand against the truth. The enemies of God works based on deceptions but the fourth angel s message will reveal their works: While Satan Works the Angel of Revelation 18 Proclaims His Message.--This false sabbath is to be enforced by an oppressive law. Satan and his angels are wide awake and intensely active, working with energy and perseverance through human instrumentalities to bring about his purpose of obliterating the knowledge of God. While Satan is working with his lying wonders, the time has come [that was] foretold in the Revelation, when the mighty angel that shall lighten the earth with his glory will proclaim the fall of Babylon and call upon God's people to forsake her 41 The Final Reaping After the Three Angels Messages Proclaimed In Revelation 14:13-20, the reaping comes after the three angels messages. An angel with a loud voice commanded the one that sits on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. This is the reaping of the good ones and another angel that has the sickle was commanded to harvest the vines of the earth. The gathering of those who are strayed will be brought back to the church by God s people will do a saving effort to save the lost: Many Backsliders Will Return.--When the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd's voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together, and present to the enemy a united front.... The love of Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we 39 {GCB, January 1, 1900 par. 3} 40 {GCB, January 1, 1900 par. 4} 41 {3SM 406.3}
have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord. 42 It is by the daily consecration to the Lord that leads the soul to ripening in perfection of righteousness: Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work... Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ. 43 The only way we can be ready for the ripening of the Christian character is our daily consecration to God: Day by day the sanctifying influence of the Spirit of God almost imperceptibly leads those who love the ways of truth toward the perfection of righteousness, till finally the soul is ripe for the harvest, the life-work is ended, God gathers in his grain. There is no period in the Christian life when there is no more to learn, no higher attainments to reach. Sanctification is the work of a life-time. First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear, then the ripening and the harvest; for when the fruit is perfect, it is ready for the sickle. 44 REFLECTION-APPLICATION Let the SOP sum up on how we will participate with these great prophetic movements that will finish the mystery of God: Let every one who claims to believe that the Lord is soon coming, search the Scriptures as never before; for Satan is determined to try every device possible to keep souls in darkness, and blind the mind to the perils of the times in which we are living. Let every believer take up his Bible with earnest prayer, that he may be enlightened by the Holy Spirit as to what is truth, that he may know more of God and of Jesus Christ whom He has sent. Search for the truth as for hidden treasures, and disappoint the enemy. The time of test is just upon 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. For it is the work of every one to whom the message of warning has come, to lift up Jesus, to present Him to the world as revealed in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelations of the prophets, as unveiled in the lessons given to His disciples and in the 42 {Ev 693.2} Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 401. (1900) 43 {SC 70.1} 44 {2SP 244.1}
wonderful miracles wrought for the sons of men. Search the Scriptures; for they are they that testify of Him. 45 45 {1SM 362.4}