p. 20 | Untitled article

Publishing Committee · Saratoga Springs, N. Y. · Sep 2, 1851

THE ANGELS OF REV. XIV—No. 2.

Having, as we think, clearly shown, by way of introduction, that the thirteenth chapter of Revelation, and the first five verses of the fourteenth chapter are one connected chain of past, present and future events, beginning with the Papacy, and reaching into the future, to the complete redemption of the 144,000, when they shall stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb, we will now notice another chain of events, symbolized by a series of angels proclaiming messages. This chain begins with the sixth verse of the fourteenth chapter, where the former chain ends.

In this chapter six angels are introduced, five of them having sayings or cries. The messages of the first three angels are directed to those living on the earth. And as literal angels are not sent to preach the gospel to the inhabitants of this world, we must conclude that these angels and their messages are symbols, representing three distinct messages of Bible truth to be proclaimed by God’s called and chosen servants. That John in vision saw literal angels in heaven, and heard their voices, is evident; but the fulfillment of the prophecy must certainly be on earth, where the messages were needed to bring out, and to perfect the church of Christ, preparatory to his second coming. The fact that the position of the Son of man upon the great white cloud, with his most kingly crown and sharp sickle, ready to reap the harvest of the earth, is the next link in this prophetic chain, is strong evidence that these three proclamations relate to the Second Advent, and that they immediately precede it.

These three angels are the same in character, though their messages differ, and each symbolize a distinct proclamation to be given by God’s servants in this mortal state, prior to the Second Advent.

These angels follow each other. It is expressly stated in reference to the second angel, "And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen." Also, of the third it is said, "And the third angel followed them." The first angel delivers the burden of his message and then gives place to the second who follows. The second gives his important message, and gives place to the third, who finishes his work and retires from the field before the "Son of man" is seen on the great white cloud with his sickle, ready to reap the harvest of the earth.

All classes of Advent believers have been ready to admit that the first of these three angels symbolized the proclamation of the second coming of Christ and the judgment, that has been given, especially in this country, and has called out a people who profess to be looking for Christ. As this view, which has been so universally adopted, is the only consistant view that can be taken of this subject, we feel in duty bound to adhere to it. But when this view of the first angel is taken, we are naturally led to look for two other distinct messages to be given to the people of God, in fulfillment of the sayings of the second and third angels. Those who admit that the message of the first angel has been given, to be consistent, should not teach that it lasts to the coming of the Lord; for in so doing they give no place for the two that follow. To say that the second and third messages are to be given after Christ comes, is too gross an absurdity to be advanced by any one. Then, if the first message is to last unto the coming of Christ, two important links of this prophetic chain are taken out and laid aside.

To say that these three messages are to be given at the same time, is as absurd as to teach that the seven angels of Revelation all sound at once. "Order is heaven’s first law." But what perfect confusion would be caused in the church of Christ, if the messages of these three angels, so unlike each other, should be proclaimed with loud voices at the same period of time!

We do not say that the "everlasting gospel" has ceased to have effect upon all, for some are now embracing the doctrine of the speedy coming of the Lord, who have not been identified with the Advent people in the past movements. But that the burden of the message of the first angel is in the past, let the facts in the case testify. We have only to compare the present state of the Advent cause with the past, say from 1840 to 1844, to see that the special flight and proclamation of the first angel is in the past. Neither do we say that the message of the second angel, setting forth the fallen state of the various sects, with the call to leave them, cannot now be obeyed by those honest children of the Lord who find themselves bound by sectarian creeds. But when we compare the wonderful movement under the second angel in 1844, when the entire Advent body, with very few exceptions, came away from the several churches, with what has been done since that time in this respect, we shall not fail to see that the burden of the second angel is in the past, and that its place was prior to our great disappointment in 1844. The following from the "Voice of Truth Extra," in Dec. 1844, relative to the first two angels of Rev. xiv, expresses the faith of the Advent body at that time, with very few exceptions.

"We are doubtless near that auspicious hour when the harvest of the earth will be reaped, as described in Rev. xiv, 14-16. The history of God's people in this mortal state, as given in that chapter, before being glorified, is nearly complete. The everlasting gospel, as described in verses 6 and 7, has been preached unto every nation, kindred, tongue and people; saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come, and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. No case can be more clearly demonstrated with facts than that this message has been borne to every nation and tongue under heaven, within a few past years, in the preaching of the coming of Christ in '43 or near at hand. Through the medium of lectures and publications, the sound has gone into all the earth, and the word unto the ends of the world.

"The fall of Babylon, as described in verse 8, has been proclaimed throughout the length and breadth of the land. The spiritual death, and the deep corruption of the churches which constitute Babylon, together with her own often repeated lamentations, and acknowledgments, and the fact that God’s people have actually come out of her, prove beyond all contradiction that this message has been given and had its effect. This work is done. This angel has flown. Babylon, the nominal church, is fallen. God’s people have come out of her. She is now the 'synagogue of Satan.' Rev. iii, 9. 'The habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and cage of every unclean and hateful bird.' Rev. xviii, 2."

Those who are giving the warning message of the third angel have followed down the simple chain of prophecy contained in the fourteenth chapter of Revelation. While the first message was being given, our eyes were holden that we did not see the second, and so in relation to the third, while the second was being given. Now we see the third message as clearly as we saw the former ones. In fact, we are able to define our position with much more clearness than ever before, for this reason, we can now see the several links of the prophetic chain contained in this chapter.

To avoid the natural and reasonable conclusion that the third message is to be given, and that we are now entering the time of the angel's loud voice, efforts are being made to show that the Advent people have been entirely mistaken in their application of the first and second angels of this prophetic chain.

Henry Jones, in an article in the "Advent Harbinger," labored to show that the three angels of Rev. xiv, 6-12, would be heard after Christ was seen coming in the clouds of heaven. We are of the opinion that he will have to enjoy this view alone, or nearly so, for certainly but few, if any, can be found who will adopt a view so absurd. Really, we should think it would be too late to dispatch three angels, with each a different message, "to preach unto them that dwell on the earth," after Christ is seen coming in the clouds of heaven.

On the other hand, C. Stowe, in an article published in the "Advent Herald," labors hard to remove the bounds, and carry the messages of the three angels back to the 12th, 14th and 16th centuries, to the days of Waldo, Wickliffe and Luther. But as the history produced does not at all fit the prophecy, we think the view nearly as absurd as that which places the three messages after Christ is seen coming.

We will here give extracts from a "Tract on Prophecy," published by J. V. Himes, entitled, "Our Specific Work."

"The proclamation of an everlasting gospel—'The hour of his judgment is come,'—(Rev. xiv, 6, 7.)—is the leading advent proclamation."

'The facts, summed up, are these. John, looking into the distant future—gazing upon the theatre of the final conflict, sees a messenger—a minister of an everlasting gospel, by through mid-heaven, with a special, elevated, joyous, public proclamation, requiring haste and extraordinary energy in the delivery. The proclamation contains a fact, and a command founded upon that fact. 1. The fact—'The hour of his judgment is come.' 2. The command—'Fear God,' &c. These are the elements of this special commission. The work of this symbol agent is thus clearly defined—no terms more specific."

"Does this messenger symbolize a class of teachers? Such has been the general understanding of expositors. Mr. Wesley and Dr. Benson so interpret the passage. On this point there is a great unanimity. It is plain from the fact that it is said to preach. That class of people is modern. Mr. Wesley and Dr. Benson make this messenger symbolize the Protestant reformers in the days of Luther. With their views agree a mass of expositors. This commission, however, cannot be Luther’s."

"That body must exist everywhere, and, in its character and in the nature of its work, it must agree with the symbol messenger. They must agree as face to face in a mirror. Can such a body be found? The proclamation above stated has been heard. The world can bear testimony to this. The cry, 'The hour of his judgment is come,' sounded through all Christendom. The multitudes heard, and scoffed, or trembled. By what body of believers was this proclamation made? Not by those who taught that that judgment was a thousand years in the future! No church which holds to the doctrine of a spiritual reign can be that body, as the elements of their proclamation plainly contradict those elements above stated. Such a body now existing can be found alone among those who constitute the Advent believers in Europe and America."