The Greatest Religious Movement of the Ages; Another Pentecost Due
By G. W. Reaser
What Was Christ's Relationship to the 1844 Movement?
THIS movement, when fully understood, was the definite announcement to the world that Christ, in the year 1844, entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, and that the investigative judgment began upon the cases of those whose names were written in "the book of life;" or, as expressed by the hymn writer,—
"To plead his blood for saints,
And make a last remembrance of their sins." Was it not fitting that when Christ was about to enter upon his last work of judging the subjects of his kingdom, he should send special announcement of the fact to the world in the greatest religious movement, the most far-reaching revival that the world's history had recorded up to that time? The Relationship of Our Advocate to the Threefold Message
During the entire period of Christ's ministry in the most holy place in the sanctuary in heaven,—which session constitutes the judgment, with the law of God as the standard by which men are judged,—God has had a message heralded to the world, proclaiming the judgment in session, and that his law is the standard of this judgment. The threefold message of Revelation 14 is such a declaration. How close the relationship then between the work which Christ is doing in his sanctuary service and the message which is now being proclaimed in all the earth! Jesus' Relationship to the World's Last Revival
As before noted, connecting with the 1844 movement without delay, there began a threefold, world-wide religious movement (Rev. 14:6-12), which will culminate in the greatest, the most important reformation and revival of all the ages. See Rev. 18:1-5. And what will be Christ's relationship to the last revival, the final Pentecost of earth's history? The movement symbolized by the mighty angel of Revelation 18, is Heaven's announcement to the world that Christ is about to leave the mercy-seat forever, that the angel of mercy will soon take his final departure, that the door of the ark of safety will promptly close to all eternity, shutting without all impenitent sinners. And is it not like our God, and in perfect keeping with his character, and in harmony with his past dealings with our race, that just before the curtain finally drops on human probation there will be sent to the world the mightiest, heaven-inspired revival movement of all the ages? Does not justice demand this very thing? And such will be the climax, the zenith of power of the threefold message, when that other mighty angel comes down from heaven and adds his "strong voice" to the "loud voice" of the third angel, with the result that the earth will be lightened with glory. Rev. 18:1, 2. As we are depending on "the sure word of prophecy" for our guide, it may not be out of place to remark that absolutely no other movement now in earth than the threefold message can consistently claim preannouncement by prophecy, as God's special work on earth for our day. As Peter said of the Pentecost movement, "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel," so, with all confidence and assurance, we can say of the threefold-message movement, "This is that which was foretold by Christ, through his servant John." Referring to this last Spirit-filled movement, we read in "Great Controversy," pages 610-612: "When the final warning shall be given, it will arrest the attention of . . . leading men through whom the Lord is now working, and some of them will accept it." "The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening." These are the times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord just before he sends Jesus. "Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from Heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers. . . . The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. . . . Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. . . . Truth is more precious than all besides." This mighty Pentecost will leave all those unsaved without excuse when, immediately following, probation will close. Referring again to the last great Pentecostal movement, the same writer says: "Representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God's people. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen, even as was manifested before the great day of Pentecost. . . . Thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the Word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God." —Testimonies, Vol. IX, page 126. God is always prepared with human agencies to fulfil his prophetic word. Moses was raised up to be a mighty deliverer when hope seemed to fade into utter hopelessness. Our Father never forgets his promises nor his people. Cheer up, wayworn pilgrim; the exercise of "long patience" in waiting for God to set his hand to the task of finishing his work will soon be rewarded. Only remain true to the message a little while, and then, if spared to live, you will both see and feel the full manifestation of his power; and the next experience "which God hath prepared for them that love him," will be to stand complete in Christ in that blessed presence where there is fulness of joy forevermore.