“WHAT IS THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE?”
By C. P. B.
“WHAT is the Third Angel’s Message?” is a question which is often asked and which we will endeavor to answer briefly, but we trust simply, so that those not familiar with the subject may readily understand it. No Bible student needs to be more than reminded that the Scriptures teach the second coming of Christ, and the Third Angel’s Message has reference to that event. However we will not anticipate, but will, for the benefit of the casual reader of the word, dwell for a little upon the teaching of the inspired writings relative to the second advent. “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” This is a plain promise that Christ will come again; and that the apostles and early Christians so understood it, we have the fullest warrant from the epistles for believing. Referring to this very thing the apostle Paul says: “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Heb. 9 : 28. That Christ promised to come again, and that his coming was still future when the apostle wrote the epistle to the Hebrews, is placed beyond the peradventure of a doubt by the texts quoted, and they are but two of many that might be cited; but some may still question as to the manner of his coming, and while that is not vital to an intelligent answer of the question which we are discussing, we will cite a single text on the subject, namely, Acts 1:9-11, which reads as follows:— “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” This is so plain that it scarcely needs comment, and all must admit that it teaches the personal, bodily, and visible return of our Lord to this earth. In one respect, however, his return will be unlike his going; then only a few knew anything about it. Luke says: “And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” Luke 24: 50, 51. Only his friends saw him go, but Inspiration declares (Rev. 1:7) that when he returns “every eye shall see him,” not friends only, but “they also which pierced him.” And to the same intent the Lord himself said: “If they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth; behold, he is in the secret chamber; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matt. 24: 26, 27. These texts make it clear that the second advent will not be in a secret manner or in any way local, but that it will be world-wide. How this can be is not for us to say; it is enough for us to know that the Bible teaches that it will be so, and there we leave it, knowing that that which the Lord has promised, he is able also to fulfill. Having seen that the Scriptures teach the second personal, visible coming of our Lord, we are prepared to take another step in this investigation, namely, to inquire whether or not anything can be known as to the nearness of this event. This question might be answered in a very few words, or, rather, by a single text, but as it is a vital point we will examine it at greater length. Turning first to the 24th of Matthew, we have the testimony of our Lord himself that something can be known about the approach of his second coming. Replying to the question, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (verse 3), the Saviour gave certain signs, and said: “Now learn a parable of the fig-tree: When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Verses 32, 33. What these signs were, and whether or not they have been fulfilled, need not be discussed now; however that may be, the fact remains that the Saviour taught not only that his people might know when his coming was near, but that it would be their duty to know. It may be said that this is simply the construction which we place upon the Saviour’s words, but a sufficient reply to that is to show that the apostle, writing what is really an inspired comment upon these very words, presents the same idea. Addressing those who should live in the last days, the apostle says: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” 1 Thess. 5 : 1-5. It will be noticed that in this, Inspiration recognizes only two classes, namely, the “brethren” who “are not in darkness,” and who will not be overtaken as by a thief, and those who say, “Peace and safety,” who are in darkness, and upon whom sudden destruction cometh, showing clearly that they are neglecting a duty. That the words here recorded by the pen of Inspiration were not for those living in the apostle’s time, but for those who should live when the coming of the Lord should be near, is evident from the fact that in his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul told them plainly that the Lord would not come in their day. See 2 Thess. 2:1-8. We are now prepared for another step, namely, to show that not only do the Scriptures teach that the people of God will know when the second advent is near, but that they will teach the doctrine; yea, that God has laid upon his servants the duty of proclaiming the approach of the day of the Lord; and this will appear from several scriptures. Turning first to Joel 1:14, 15 and 2:1, we read: “Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord, Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand; and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.” “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” Here is a prophetic command to God’s ministers, or watchmen, to sound an alarm and say that the day of the Lord is near at hand, and of course it must apply when that event is near. That somebody will say that “the day of the Lord is near” is evident from 2 Peter 3 : 3, 4 : “Knowing this first,” says the apostle, “that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” Evidently some are saying that the Lord is coming; they are sounding the alarm prophesied of by Joel, and these scoffers rise up and oppose them, saying, “Where is the promise of his coming?” “We see no signs of any change;” “all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” Other texts might be cited on this point, but our limited space forbids. Thus far in our examination of this subject we have shown (1) that Christ will come again; (2) that his coming will be literal, personal, and visible; (3) that when he comes every eye shall see him; (4) that not only is it possible for his people to know when his coming is near, but that it is the duty of all to know; (5) that God’s ministers, or watchmen, are commanded to sound a warning of the approach of the day of the Lord, saying, “The day of the Lord cometh.” And that which we call the “Third Angel’s Message” is simply the third of a series of warnings, or more properly speaking it is part of a three-fold warning, which is to prepare those who will heed it for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and for the glorious change which awaits the righteous when he appears. Of this we shall speak more fully in another article. C. P. B.