We have seen that the anger of the nations is a distinct event, to occur during the sounding of the seventh angel, just before the pouring out of the vial, of God's unmingled wrath. The anger of the nations, extreme political excitement and hostile feelings among them, is one thing, and the fury of the Lord poured out upon them is, indeed, another thing.
The third angel [Rev. xiv, 9-12] threatens this wrath of God unmixed with mercy. When his voice of mercy, sweet mercy, shall cease to be heard, there being no Intercessor in heaven, the wrath of God will then fall upon the guilty sinner's head. Therefore the period for the anger of the nations is before the last plagues, during the message of the third angel. This being the period of the rise and progress of the third angel's message, we may look upon the present unsettled, and even angry, state of the nations as occurring in the order of God, and in fulfillment of his word.
But just what we may now expect will occur among the nations, may not be as easily determined. The third angel will, however, do his work, and the servants of God will be sealed; therefore the four angels will hold the four winds in check sufficiently, that this sealing work may be accomplished.
We understand that the third angel of Rev. xiv, 9-12, and the sealing angel of Chap. vii, 1-3, represent the same work, and apply to the present time. The work which they represent commenced in 1848; we mean, the present message there had its rise. The events of that year astonished the world. What a sensation all Europe felt at the sudden announcement, "France is a Republic!" The spirit of revolution, like a tornado, swept along through Europe, and overturned firm thrones of kingdoms. Political prophets53talked of all Europe being deluged in blood, and Doctors of Divinity prophesied the end of tyranny, and the reign of Republicanism, freedom and the millennium at once. But how mistaken. False prophets!—No millennium yet, no rivers of blood, and tyranny reigns. And was it not the fulfillment of the angel ascending with the seal of the living God, saying, "Hurt not [or hold the four winds] the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads," that hushed all to silence again? This is our solemn conviction.
This being the period for the fulfillment of the words of the prophet, "And the nations were angry," we may reasonably expect that not only the nations of Europe will make great preparations for war, and even advance to battle; but that our own nation, and all the nations of the earth, may become unsettled and angry. But at the same time the four angels will hold the four winds in check, so that the great slaughter will be prevented, till the servants of God shall be sealed.
Those who seek to discern the signs of the times may look upon the movements of the nations with the deepest interest. But to teach that the great time of trouble has actually commenced, and that the battle of that great day of God Almighty may now take place, would lead to a false and unhealthy excitement, narrow up the faith of those who should receive such a view as to the great work yet to be accomplished by the message of the third angel, and limit their efforts to do much for the salvation of others.
The anger of the nations is indeed a sign to the people of God that this is the sealing time, and that the great day of wrath hasteth greatly; while at the same time, the four winds being held in check by unseen hands forms a double sign that the last sealing work is being accomplished.
A mighty work is yet to be accomplished to bring out upon Bible truth, unite and prepare a people to stand in the day of wrath, and to be translated at the coming of Christ. The Lord forbid that any should get their faith shut up in a nut-shell. The work of the third message is not to be all done in a corner. The world must hear it; a few hearts here and there will feel its power, receive it and prepare. The "loud voice" will be heard, and the work be cut short in righteousness. But, brother, beware how you cease to labor, and wait for the work to move more rapidly before you take an active part in it. Danger, brother! Awake to your present duty! Be sure that you are indeed a Bible Christian now; that you keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
We venture to say that the reason why the work does not progress more rapidly is because so many who profess the truth are not real Bible Christians, therefore are not ready to move along with the work of the Lord, should it move rapidly. Arouse, dear brethren, and put on the whole armor of God. Enter upon the work with all the heart. Raise the standard of Bible holiness, and the Lord of hosts will go before you. He is inclining the ears of the people to hear the message, and if we hold our peace, their blood will be required at our hands. How solemn the third message!—awful announcement! and how fearful to hide it from the people in one's heart, or to carelessly consume that means which should be used to spread it.
The signs of the last days thicken around us. Iniquity abounds in the world and church, crimes are multiplied, spiritual wickedness is flooding the land, the spirits of devils are abroad working miracles, false reformations in abundance, and to this we may add, the nations are becoming angry. O church of Christ, arouse! arise! Get ready to work for God. Do your whole duty to perishing mortals, before the vials of God's unmingled wrath shall be poured out upon a ruined and lost world.