THE LOUD VOICE OF THE THIRD ANGEL.
By James White
We are now entering upon an interesting subject; at least to us it is one of thrilling interest. For certain reasons, which we now design to give, we believe the third message will increase in strength, and close with far greater power than the first. We would first remark that it is said of the first message, and of the third, that they should be given with a "loud voice;" but of the second, it is not so declared. The first was given with energy and power, and produced great excitement upon the public mind; therefore it is said to be given with a loud voice. The second message, being local, given for the benefit of God's people who were looking for the second coming of his Son, is not said to be given with a loud voice. Fifty thousand believers in the speedy advent of Christ were brought out of the different churches under this message; but on others beside these it had but little influence. But of the third message it is said, "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice," &c. We shall conclude, then, that the third message will yet arrest public attention, be proclaimed with great energy and power, and produce great excitement, equal at least to that produced by the first message. But we solemnly believe that the work of the third angel will be far greater than the first. 1. Because of the nature of the message. How solemn!—how cutting!—how dreadful! It breaks upon the ear as follows:—"If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation," &c. It is true the first message relates to the judgment, and to the hour or period of the judgment; but it is not of so fearful import as the third. We believe the movement of the third angel will exceed that of the first, 2. Because of the work which it is to accomplish. The third message is to ripen the harvest of the earth. Let us take a view of the symbols of Rev. xiv, as arranged on our Pictorial Charts. The first three angels symbolize the people of God occupying three positions. What next? The Son of man on a white cloud, "having on his head a golden crown and in his hand a sharp sickle." See verse 14. Christ has then finished his work in the heavenly sanctuary, laid aside his priestly attire, and has on his kingly crown, and a sickle in his hand. It is evident then, that Christ's pleading for sinners, and the time of their probation closes with the work of the third message. While Christ is thus upon the white cloud, another angel, the fourth, comes out of the temple, "Crying with a loud voice to him that sat upon the cloud, "Thrust in thy sickle and reap, for the time is come for thee to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." This angel illustrates God's people as occupying a fourth position. But mark! This angel does not follow the other three with a message of warning to man; but is represented as "crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud," and illustrates the people of God offering an urgent, united prayer to the Son of man to thrust in his sickle, to destroy his enemies, to reap the harvest of the earth. It is the same as the day and night cry of the elect, of Luke xviii. This cry will be heard and the elect will be avenged speedily by the Son of man thrusting in his sickle and reaping the earth. Then the saints are delivered out of their trouble, which is called the time of Jacob's trouble in Jer. xxx, 7. But in all this work connected with the fourth angel there is not one offer of mercy to sinners, neither one prayer for their salvation; but one united cry goes up to Christ on the white cloud to destroy them. The petition is "Thrust in thy sickle and reap." The reason for this is given as follows: "For the harvest of the earth is ripe." The question now arises, What ripens the harvest of the earth? or what prepares men either to be translated to heaven, or to drink of the wine of the wrath of God? Answer. The third angel's message. Yes, the third message is yet to be proclaimed everywhere with tremendous power, sufficient to arouse all to a decision, a final decision. The message then will be a test to all men. The third message bears the law of God, but especially the trodden down Sabbath, on its front. Some may start back at the idea of the Sabbath and the law being a test. But we inquire, if the law of the great Jehovah is not a test to poor mortal men, what can be a test? Certainly, if it be not a test, there can be no such thing as a test, and we have no use for the word in our language. Prophetic times have been held by some as a test; but our difficulty with this position can be seen in the fact that some men, known to be vile, could understand the prophetic numbers as well as the most intelligent Adventist, and hundreds of holy men and women did not understand the prophecies, and some of them did not seem to possess intellect sufficient to understand them. But in the third message we have a test that all may comprehend. And how very consistent that just before the great God pours the vials of his unmixed wrath upon the wicked, he will test them by his law, which is so very plain and simple that all may know their duty in regard to it. The message bears the Sabbath in front. And how exceeding plain and definite is the fourth commandment guarding and enforcing the Sabbath! No one of the other nine is so explicit. Read the fourth commandment again, and notice; first, that we are commanded to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy; second, we are told that six days are given us to labor and obtain a livelihood, while the seventh day God has reserved to himself as his holy day, and that we must not labor on that day; third, the reason for the institution is given as follows:—"For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it." This commandment is so definite, and the duty required by it so very plain, that all may fully understand their duty respecting it. Those who really cannot understand it, may rest easy that they will have no accounts to settle at the bar of heaven, for God does not keep accounts with idiots. The reason why many do not understand the Sabbath question is not because they cannot, but because they do not wish to understand it. They seem to have no difficulty in understanding the other nine, notwithstanding the duties enjoined by them are not so plainly defined. But when they come to the fourth, where God has been so very particular to define our duty, they hesitate, say they cannot see their duty, and finally fall under a popular influence to break the law of God. Will not God be avenged on such a people as this? But the third message will be proclaimed with a loud voice, and honest men and women will be gathered by it, and prepared to stand on mount Zion, while those who reject it will be worthy of God's wrath. This message will terminate with great power and glory. 3. Because its closing work is symbolized by the advent of an angel clothed with light and glory, and crying "mightily with a strong voice" to the children of men. Rev. xviii, 1-4. This mighty angel joins the third angel in the last closing work as will be seen in the fact that both angels do their work just before the plagues are poured out. The angel of Rev. xviii, 1-4, gives a warning to escape the plagues. The third angel of Rev. xiv, is also a warning to escape the wrath of God which is shown in chap. xv, 1, to be the seven last plagues. Both occupy the same period of time, and both symbolize the same great work, or each symbolize different parts of the same great work, preparatory to the plagues. We are now in the time of the third message, and the preparatory work for the loud cry of this message is going on. The work of the angel of chap. xviii, is future, for it is a message to escape the last plagues, and will introduce the loud cry of the third message. With this view we get an exalted idea of the extent and power of the closing work of the message. Rev. xviii, 1, 2: "And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven having great power, and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Notice the terms which express the greatness of the work. The angel has "great power," the "earth was lightened with his glory," he "cried mightily with a strong voice." Be assured, dear reader, this glorious message will forget its feebleness soon; for the angel is to have great power, and cry "mightily" with a "strong voice." This work will not be finished up in a corner; for the earth is to be lightened with his glory. The subject before us is of thrilling interest. If our views are true, is it not time for us to look these great facts square in the face, and be making up our minds and laying our plans for a vast work? Where are we now? is a natural and important inquiry. We are in the time of the third message, but the loud cry of the message is future. The first and second messages are in the past; but we have all the truth of those messages in the third. The second178message announcing the fall of Babylon was given fifteen years since, yet what was true of Babylon's fall in 1844, is true also in 1860. But Babylon has since her fall been filling up with spirits of devils (spirit manifestations), and unclean birds (popular converts), preparing the way for the message of Rev. xviii, 1, 2, declaring not only her fall, but her corruptions since her fall. The present then, is the time of preparation for the loud cry. The great truth of the message is being brought out and made plain. And now God is rolling upon his people the weight and importance of the subject of perfect unity of sentiment and spirit. He is making his people one according to the Bible standard of unity. When they shall fully reach that standard, then, and not till then, will he trust them with the loud cry. When the church shall stand united perfectly in spirit and sentiment, then they can take care of the thousands in Babylon and the world yet to be brought out by the loud cry. God will not suffer them to be brought out to be scattered, confused and destroyed by discordant sentiments and spirits. Here is the Bible standard of unity. Says Christ, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone; but for them also which shall believe on me through their word: that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." John xvii, 17-21. Says Paul, "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. xv, 5, 6. "Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment." 1 Cor. i, 10. Says Peter, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous." 1 Peter iii, 8. "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." Chap. v, 5, 6. The work of Bible union is well begun among us, and is progressing gloriously. Thank God for a religion that will convert both heads and hearts, so that we may be perfectly united in mind, judgment and spirit. Those who are seeking for perfect union on Bible truth are gathering with Christ, and preparing for the loud voice of the third angel. Those who are stupid to the subject are in danger, while those disposed to act independently of the church please Satan, wound their brethren, and are preparing for a fall.