The Power of the Message by T. E. BOWEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Aug 8, 1907

The Power of the Message

By T. E. BOWEN

T. E. BOWEN

THE first angel's message was based upon time. That dreadful “hour” of God's judgment, traced by true servants of God from the prophetic charts so unerringly, showing that time would end in 1844, moved men with mighty power. The whole world was stirred. Men and women in all walks of life, in all quarters of the globe, were discussing this question. Many truly believed, and turned to God with all their hearts, through repentance of sin, and were accepted of him. Those who did not thus make peace with heaven stood in awe, fearing that the things preached might be so, and no one felt sure that the end of the world would not come, until after the time set for it had passed. It all depended upon time. The message concerning the hour of God's judgment was true, and still is true; but the real test for men in 1844 was based upon literal time.

Another message followed—a most solemn warning to men not to disregard God's holy law. Connected with this message there is no test of time. But while this is true, there are, nevertheless, still greater tests of character accompanying the third and last message now going to the world than that of time in the first message of 1844.

Men and women are brought face to face with God's law. The inconsistency and futility of worshiping a power usurping the place of God, with its man-made traditions and laws, instead of worshiping the God who made heaven and earth in six days, resting the seventh, and keeping his words and commands, is also pressed home to the consciences of men in this message which follows the time message of 1844. It is, therefore, charged with a power stronger than any preceding it. It is to go everywhere, and end in triumph and power. Not having originated upon earth, but in heaven, no earthly power can stop it.

Of the time test of the first angel's message, and the inherent power of the third angel's message to do its work prior to Christ's coming, we read in “Early Writings,” page 64: “Time has not been a test since 1844, and it will never again be a test. The Lord has shown me that the message of the third angel must go, and be proclaimed to the scattered children of the Lord, but it must not be hung on time. I saw that some were getting a false excitement, arising from preaching time; but the third angel's message is stronger than time can be. I saw that this message can stand on its own foundation, and needs not time to strengthen it; and that it will go in mighty power, and do its work, and will be cut short in righteousness.”

But this is not all. Those who accept this message need look for no help outside the power coming from heaven, as it is doing its finishing work in the earth. All human help will be cut off. “In the last great conflict of the controversy with Satan, those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off.

Because they refuse to break his law in obedience to earthly powers, they will be forbidden to buy or sell. It will finally be decreed that they shall be put to death.”—“Desire of Ages,” page 122.

This time of trial and testing to God's children, which is just before us, is foretold by Jeremiah: “For thus saith the Lord: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? 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.” Chapter 30: 5-7.

Thus God brings the nations of earth, as well as his own people, to the mighty test of obedience to his law, through the third angel's message. But the blessed assurance from the Lord is, his people shall be “saved out of it.” Jacob was. That awful night of wrestling was the turning-point in his life. It was then God changed his name from a “supplanter” to “Israel,” or a “prince.” And so at the time of this final trial for God's people, this time of testing, Jesus actually comes, and delivers his people, taking them “out of” the earth itself to himself, from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.

And he has promised to cut this work “short in righteousness.” Blessed promise! but “who shall be able to stand?” is a question each will do well to take home to his own heart.