Time for the Loud Cry by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1903

Time for the Loud Cry

By G. B. Thompson

G. B. THOMPSON

THERE will be a period in the work of the third angel’s message known as the “loud cry.” The angel of Revelation 18 will descend to the earth with a heavenly commission to unite his voice with the third angel, and speedily close the work of the gospel in all the earth. Through the power of the Holy Spirit the fifteen hundred millions of earth’s inhabitants will hear the message, and the horrible drama of sin be ended.

We are in the time of the loud cry, and have been for a number of years. That the message is now to take on new power, and the prolonged controversy be speedily finished, must be apparent. The God who said to the proud waves of the mighty ocean, “Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further,” has decreed that time shall not continue beyond the bounds of a generation already hoary with age. This truth should burn into the soul of the remnant, and kindle their smoldering zeal into a flame.

There is a statement in “Early Writings,” in the chapter entitled the “Loud Cry,” which throws light upon the nearness of the end, and adds solemnity to the hour. Speaking of the loud cry, the writer says:—

“This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, joining 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. The light that was shed upon the waiting ones penetrated everywhere, and those in the churches who had any light, who had not heard and rejected the three messages, obeyed the call, and left the fallen churches. Many had come to years of accountability since these messages had been given, and the light shone upon them, and they were privileged to choose life or death.” — Page 138.

Some who oppose the spirit of prophecy try to make it appear that the Testimonies have failed because the end should have come many years ago in order to meet the specifications of some of the earlier ones. But here is a statement from one of the earliest Testimonies, which refutes this; for it states that after the three messages began, that some would grow up to “years of accountability” before the loud cry and the end would come. In fulfilment of this statement many have grown up. In the world and in our churches there are those who, when the third angel’s message began, were infants, but now are full-grown men and women, having reached the “years of accountability.” They are all about us. But let the solemn fact be noted that it is at the time when these have grown up to the “years of accountability,” that the loud cry is given. The Testimony said time would continue long enough from the beginning of the message before the loud cry was given for children to grow to “years of accountability.” It implies that it has done so. The same Spirit says that it is at the time when they have grown to years of accountability that the loud cry is given, and the work is finished in the earth. That the very limit has been reached is apparent, and delay can no longer be possible.

“Servants of God, endowed with power from on high, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, went forth to proclaim the message from heaven. Souls that were scattered all through the religious bodies answered to the call, and the precious were hurried out of the doomed churches, as Lot was hurried out of Sodom before her destruction.” — Id., page 139.

That the hours are freighted with extraordinary and solemn responsibilities is apparent.