The Seven Seals

~Revelation 6~

All these seals spoken of in Revelation 6 reveal the state and condition of the Church.  These seals, which began at the beginning of Christianity, extend all the way to the end of time.

Disclaimer: The contents in this essay may not agree with your standards – but they are the standards I believe are true and are also the standards that I was brought up with. I’m not saying your analysis and assumptions are wrong or that they are contrary to the true interpretation; rather I’m saying that if I give sufficient support for this certain explanation, it will be just as sound as your teachings.

Seal 1:

Rev. 6:2 – Revelation 6:2 -    “And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.“

This first horse represent the church of the first century. This seal was opened before the period of 1844, proven here in GC414: “The holy places of the sanctuary in heaven are represented by the two apartments in the sanctuary on earth. As in vision the apostle John was granted a view of the temple of God in heaven, he beheld there “seven lamps of fire burning before the throne.” Revelation 4:5. He saw an angel “having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” Revelation 8:3. Here the prophet was permitted to behold the first apartment.”

The color white represents purity. the Christians who had that simple trust and faith in the baptism of the Spirit, represent that white purity and cleanliness of Jesus Christ. This church separated themselves from the world, and accepted God’s message of salvation. (Luke 9:23). So because of their fervent desire to serve God, He blessed this church with much power to share the gospel to lands far away. The Crown that was given to him that sat on thehorse, denotes victory. Those who “die to self” will receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). “Conquering and to conquer” was the “motto” of the first century church. Victory prevailed no matter what the circumstances. Even through trials and persecutions, the disciples of God during first century, had loyalty and integrity for their master. Deliverance was present every where they journeyed, and that is why their message was spread throughout the world (Rom. 1:8). Yet it was not by physical power or force that they prevailed, it was “by His spirit” (Zech. 4:6). Therefore nothing stronger could have been able to explain the condition of the church at that time, than  that they went “conquering and to conquer.”

Seal 2:

Rev. 6: 4 – “And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”

This Horse represents the Protestant Churches that rejected the 3 angels message at 1844. This Red horse church moved  from being blessed by God (White horse) to being under a curse.                                                                                This period in time represents the triumph of paganism. The color Red means Blood. Matthew says, “His blood be on us and on our children.” Christ’s blood is on them because they had rejected His message. The gospel of God brings peace to the earth; but when man fails to thoroughly understand His teachings correctly, it brings a sword. They didn’t have a solid relationship (marriage) with God; and that relationship (marriage) equals  peace. Therefore, because they chose to reject a marriage with God, they were unable to  share the message of peace. Ellen white makes this statement more clear in one of her writings. “The gospel is a message of peace,They hate the purity which reveals and condemns their sins and they persecute and destroy those who would urge upon them its just and holy claims. It is in this sense – because the exalted truths it brings occasion hatred and strife – that the gospel is called a sword.” DA47 “Christianity is a system which, received and obeyed, would spread peace, harmony, and happiness throughout the earth. The religion of Christ will unite in close brotherhood all who accept its teachings, It was the mission of Jesus to reconcile men to God, and thus to one another. But the world at large are under the control of Satan, Christ’s bitterest foe. The gospel presents to them principles of life which are wholly at variance with their habits and desires, and they rise in rebellion against it.” GC46.2

Seal 3:

Rev 6:5-6 - “And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.“

Black is the absence of light; and light is equivalent to truth, therefore this horse has no light of truth within itself. This horse represented a still greater departure from the truth than that of the Red horse in seal 2. Ellen White states, “Angels are holding the four winds, represented as an angry horse seeking to break loose, and rush over the face of the whole earth, bearing destruction and death in its path. . . .” 3SM409.1. The balances held by the one sitting on the horse are in fact, false balances. When man reject God as their Judge, they immediately become self – appointed judges to other men. This “Apostate Church”, searches out a man to take the place of God (Rom. 2:1). They put themselves in God’s place – therefore doing what God does, which is to weigh man’s deeds and wrongdoings. (Jas. 4:11). This situation sounds so familiar to Satan’s previous situation, when He attempted to exalt himself Higher than the Most High (Isa. 14:13-14).

This “Judge” who symbolizes the rising protestant churches, says “a measure of wheat for a penny, and three measure of barley for a penny;” But the divine command is “…see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” Man may judge the outward appearance, but God knows the heart. The oil, symbolizing God’s grace, and the wine, the emblem of His atoning blood and the inner spiritual life, cannot be touched or judged by man’s feeble knowledge.

Seal 4:

Rev. 6:8 – “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”

This horse represented a more prominent departure from the gospel compared to the preceding horse.  This period of time, that was a part of the Dark Ages, was when the church of Christianity was totally replaced by papacy. The sword, hunger, and death, all symbolize the cruel ways in which the “civil powered church” put an end to those who would not pledge their allegiance elsewhere other than to God’s standards.  Through starvation, and “games” including wild beasts killing Christians to entertain audiences , were ways in which they were put to death. So because they would not conform to the prescribed religion put forth by the Pagan Church, torture was established to exert confession. yet again through this inhuman dealings with mortals and so called ordinances and rules, God  was there. no matter what the circumstances, God shielded His chosen children:

Seal 5:

Rev. 6: 9-11 – “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”

God will not forget those who died and suffered under His name, but they will be engraved in the book of life (Psa. 34:15). Men such as Huss and Jerome, Ridley, and many others are examples of those who suffered for God’s sake. And still others such as Galileo Galleli , who were exterminated because of their integrity for God was deemed dangerous by the false balances held by the one sitting on the previous pale horse.

The question is asked, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” When John, in his vision, saw the white robes of righteousness, He saw that they were prepared for those who gave their lives for the spreading of truth. And heaven has a home for them, and those men who died for the sole purpose of spreading the gospel were replaced by even more fervent supporters for truth.  “By defeat they conquered…Said a Christian, expostulating with the heathen rulers who were urging forward the persecution: You may “kill us, torture us, condemn us  …Your injustice is the proof that we are innocent… the blood of Christians is seed” GC41.3

Seal 6:

Rev. 5:12 – “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;”

This earthquake is doubtless the Lisbon earthquake of 1755.  it shook the whole earth being felt as far as Greenland and the northern regions of Africa. But it was to be followed by the darkening of the sun and moon, and the falling of the stars (vs. 13).  there has been a number of earthquakes in history where the darkening of the sun was apparent, but there was a considerably different and distinct earthquake an darkening of the sun to show a sign of the time (Luke 21:25).

In the bible, there are different passages that talk about the darkening of the sun, moon, and stars as signs of the last days.  the descriptions given by these different writers,  are particular indicators of their time and occurrence. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,” etc. (Matt.24:29).  This so called “tribulation” is the “abomination of desolation, which began at the establishment of the papacy, 538 AD. Now this continued 1260 more years, stopping at 1798 AD. But as it says in the Holy Word, “…except those days be shortened there should no flesh be saved (Mark 13:20).  therefore this abating of the papacy was at 1776 AD. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened and the moon shall not give here light.” Thus the day prophesied to be darkened is to be looked for some time after 1776.                     Now Mark 13:24 shows a clue in which the location of this time is to come. “In those days, after the tribulation…” etc. This is within the 1260 year period, or before 1798, and after 1776, “The sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light.” On may, 19, 1780,  there was a dark day that correlates with the descriptions given in Matthew and Mark.                                                             Now this Moon turning to blood is prophesied By Joel and John, and those who saw it said that when the moon rose, it was a blood – red ball in the heavens.                                                                                                                                                     The stars falling from the heavens is also recorded by John. There was a definite falling of stars in history that marked November 13, 1833.  The stars fell in every direction just “as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” (Rev.6:13).

Since 1755, we have been living under the sixth seal. the signs show that time of Jesus is “nigh at hand, even at the door.” Some will find His coming as a blessing worth waiting for,  and yet some will find it a despairing time. There is now a time of probation. the dates, 1755, 1780, 1833, are so clearly marked that we must not forget. May we all be able to stand in the last day as the we encounter these times once again very soon.

“The great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

The Sealed Book

~Revelation 5~

Rev. 5:1 – “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.”

Now first of all, we need to know who this “he” is that is holding the book. And from what we can gather from context and previous relating verses in the book of Daniel, we can conclude that this “he” is speaking of the Ancient of Days (or God the Father):

Dan 7:9-10 – “I (Daniel) beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit…A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times then thousand stood before him; the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”

In Daniel 12:4, it also speaks of a book that is sealed to till the time of the end: “Daniel 12:4  But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. “

But to see that these verses in Daniel actually relate to the verse in  Revelation is shown in the spirit of prophecy. “Revelation following Daniel, as giving fuller light on the subjects dealt with in Daniel…they both relate to the same subjects.” (TM117.2). So here it is saying that both Daniel and Revelation have similar topics, thus we can make conclusions with both books in mind.

Now why is this book sealed and what is it being sealed? According Daniel 8:13,14,17 26, the sealed part of this book is the 2300 day vision.  So knowing about that the 2300 day vision stops at the time of the end), we can see that this sealing process stops at the time of the end also. and we’ll see later on that the unsealing process starts at 1844 till the second coming of Jesus.

Revelation 4:1,2 … “a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.  And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.”

These verses in Revelation are related to this whole subject of the sealed book. the door is opened in the Most Holy Place because this is taken place during the time of the end.  And this throne in Revelation, doesn’t it sound familiar to the verses in Daniel 7 when we were trying to find out who was holding this book?

Daniel 7:9-10 – “I (Daniel) beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit…”

Now about this door being opened, Revelation 3:7-8 talks about the “door” to the Most Holy Place was opened during the era of the church of Philadelphia. This Church was named “the Church of the Second Advent Awakening.” The final atonement and the judgment takes place in the Most Holy Place,  therefore this time period happens during the large part of the redemption plan.

To know how this sealed book fits in the redemption plan, we need to see what the redemption plan is. It starts all the way back at the the fall of man, through to the time of the end, past the marriage ceremony and the investigative judgment, and ends at the second coming. It is the plan that God created to save man from eternal death by sending His son to die in our stead(John 3:16). Now seeing that this sealed book is sealed until the end of the 2300 days, it starts to be unsealed from the 1844 till the second coming. 1844 is when the cleansing of the sanctuary begins so therefore the unsealing process starts at the first cleansing of the sanctuary. W

we’re past 1844 at this point and time in history, so the book must be unsealed if it begins the unsealing process at 1844, correct? So then what does that mean? Well, the investigative judgment  of the wicked starts during this time period.  At this time, the wicked are being judged and after a time, the judgment of the righteous will commence, and Jesus’ coming will finally happen.

Open Book Test



Daniel 2 Questions:

Name the four kingdoms of the image that are symbolized by the gold, silver, brass, and iron.

Babylon, Medio-Persia, Greece, and Rome.

How many kingdoms total are there in the image?  What is the difference between the feet and the rest of the image?

4 kingdoms, the feet represent Paganism and Christianity together unlike the other main four kingdoms that all point solely towards paganism. It also was two “kingdoms” during one period of time.

What is the common thread that runs through the whole image?

Paganism, the essence of which is creature worship.

What two things does the iron and clay each symbolize? [two things for iron; two things for clay]

Iron symbolizes kingdom or state, and also the system of paganism. Clay represents the church and also the system of Christianity.

Who does the feet of iron and clay represent?  What parallels are there in Revelation?

The feet of iron and clay represent the Beast. In Revelation 16:13, 19; 19:20, it symbolizes the Scarlet colored leopard like beast.

Who does the toes of iron and clay represent?  What parallels are there in Revelation?

The toes of iron and clay represent the False Prophet. In Revelation 12, 13 and 17, it symbolizes the Lamb like beast who had ten horns on sixth head (AKA the United States).

Why are the two entities in question 5 and question 6 both pictured as iron and clay?

They were mixed within each other. “The mingling of church craft and statecraft is represented by the iron and the clay” {4BC 1168}. The ideological system was the combining of paganism and Christianity, and the structural system was the Religious/ political church / state. This was the mixing of iron and clay.

Name the two systems of the papacy.

Ideological system and the Structural system.

Who are “these kings” talked about in Daniel 2:44? Where else in the Bible is there a parallel to “these kings” pictured in this verse?

They represent the toes of the feet mentioned in Daniel 2:42. It is the kings who will be in power while God is setting up a everlasting kingdom in heaven.  They are the ones who mingle with the seeds of men, yet not cleave to each other. Another part in the Bible that relates to this would be in Revelation 17:12, 14

Who is the “they” of Dan. 2:43? Who is “the seed?”  HOW does “they” mingle themselves with “the seed?”

They are also represented by the toes of the divided fourth kingdom that is being partly strong and partly broken. The seed is the seed of Abraham who are heirs according to the promise.

What two things does the stone represent?

The stone represents the Law of God and it is also a symbol of Jesus Christ, the one and only foundation stone.

Daniel 7 Questions:

Name the four kingdoms that the four beasts of Daniel 7 symbolize?

Babylon, Medio Persia, Greece, Rome

What is the difference between Daniel 7:8 and Daniel 8:9?

The location of the little horns rising was in Europe.

What are some characteristics that Daniel 7 talks about that you could point out that demonstrates that the little horn represents the papacy?

In verse 25 it gives characteristics of the little horn that match the characteristics of the papacy today. The Pope has changed God’s laws (specifically the Sunday law)

Fill in the blank:  “The prophecies present a succession of events leading down to the ___________________________________________. This is especially true of the book of Daniel.”   How is this demonstrated in Daniel 7?

Opening of the Judgment. It states directly after the introduction of the fourth terrible beast in Daniel 7, “that the judgment was set and the books were opened”. Dan 7:10. Also it states that the same horn made war with the saints until the Ancient of day came to Judge the earth (v.22) this is when he comes to begin the investigative judgment.

What is the connection between the beast and the horn in Daniel 7:11?

The Horn spoken of was the same horn which rose among the other horns of the beast. So this horn in verse 11 is on the now slain beast.

What is the kingdom talked about in Daniel 7:13,14?  What is the “status” of this kingdom in this verse?

The kingdom of Grace. In these verses, the kingdom receives its completion.

How could you demonstrate from this chapter that the four beasts are four kingdoms and not four kings?

In Dan. 7:23, it states plainly that kings equal kingdoms. Not individuals “… the forth beast shall be the fourth kingdom…”

Which kingdom is given to the saints in verses 18, 22 and 27?

God’s everlasting kingdom.

How long does the little horn “bother” the saints?

In the coalition of verses 21-22, it states that the little horn will “bother” the saints UNTIL the Ancient of Days came”. So all the way up the opening and initiating of the investigative judgment will the little horn bother the saints.

Who are the ten horns of Daniel 7:24?

They are ten different kingdoms in Europe that will arise.

What is the “time, times and dividing of time?”  Identify some other passages of scripture that are referring to the same “time, times, and dividing of time?”

The 1260 day period, also know as the Dark Ages (538-1738). A reference could be to Daniel 12:7.

Daniel 8 Questions:

Identify the ram and the he goat of Daniel 8.  How can you demonstrate that the ram is referring to the same power as the bear of Daniel 7? How can you demonstrate that the he goat is the same as the leopard of Daniel 7?

Daniel 8:20

Who is the notable horn of the he goat?  The four notable horns?

The notable horn on the He goat is symbolized as the first great Grecian king, Alexander the Great. (Dan. 7:11, 24-25) the four notable horns were the four Macedonian (or Hellenistic) kingdoms into which Alexander’s empire was divided.

Who is the host and stars being referred to in Daniel 8:10?  Who is the prince of the host in verse 11?

Stars are the saints of God according to this verse.

What is the “daily” being talked about in verse 11?  How does the little horn take away the “daily?”

It is talking about the daily meditation. “Instead of trusting in the Son of God forgiveness of sins and for eternal salvation, the people looked to the pope…” so the pope was the one who the people wanted as their mediator… and this is how he took away the “daily”.

Explain verse 12.

There was a turning away from God because the people stopped the daily sacrifice. The horn was successful in everything it did. The word “daily” in this verse means perpetual or continual mediation (Ex 29:38, 39, 42). The word was misinterpreted since 1844, and other views have been embraced, and darkness and confusion have followed.

What two elements does the vision include, according to verse 13?  What is the vision that is sealed up?

The daily and 2. The transgression of desolation. The vision of the evenings and mornings.

What is the “transgression of desolation” talked about in verse 13?  What passage in the Bible could you use to support your answer?

This term covers both pagan and papal systems of false religion in conflict with the religion of God.

What period of time does the vision apply to, according to Daniel 8?

It concerns the time of the end, or the “distant future”

How long was the vision going to be sealed?

Two thousand and three hundred days.

Explain verse 23.

Latter time is after the division of Alexander’s empire had existed for some time. The “transgressors” means “sins” in Greek versions, a translation that may be obtained form the Hebrew by a change in the Masoretic pointing. The phrase, “come to full” could be a reference to various nation, or possibly specifically the Jews, Filling up the cup of their iniquity. “Dark sentence”, or known in Hebrew as chidoth, meaning enigmatic statements. Another viewpoint could mean “ambiguous speech” or “double dealing”. To “stand up” means to means to assume power.

Where in Daniel 2 can you find a similar phrasing that is found in Daniel 8:25:  he shall be “broken without hand?”]

Dan 2:45

Daniel 9 Questions:

What does the word “determined” mean?

To cut off

How are seventy weeks of Daniel 9 connected to the 2300 days of Daniel 8?

The 70 weeks are “cut off” of the 2300 day period, meaning that the 70 weeks are a part of the 2300 day period.

What was the starting point for the seventy week period? Give a scripture verse for support for your answer.

Year 457… Acts 8:4,5;22:21

What does “Messiah” mean?

The anointed one, divine empowerment to accomplish the task or office, God ultimate chosen one.

Why does Daniel 9:25 say “seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks” instead of just saying threescore and nine weeks?

The natural method of calculating these weeks is to consider tem consecutive: the 62 weeks begin where the 7 weeks end. These divisions are components of the 70 weeks mentioned in verse 24: 7+62+1+70.n for the one week seen on verse 27

What does it mean when verse 27 says “in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease?

In the spring of A.D. 31, Christ died on Calvary. The veil of the temple was ripped in half, showing that the sacredness and significance of the sacrificial service had departed. This was the time for the earthly sacrifice and oblation came to a stop.

What event is connected to the end of the seventy weeks?

The stoning of Stephen (this is also when the gospel went to the gentiles).

Explain what it means in verse 27:  “he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week?”

He shall enter into a strong and firm covenant with the many for one week (seven years). For seven years after the savior entered His ministry, the gospel was to be preached to the Jews; for three and a half years by Christ, and then by the apostles was it to be preached.

BONUS QUESTIONS FOR THE INSIGHTFUL!!:

Who is “the prince that shall come” talked about in verse 26

The Romans?

What does this mean in verse 26:  “the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary?”

The whole destruction of the temple and the city fell into the hands of the Romans.

Who are “the desolate” referred to in verse 27?  What is “that determined” that “shall be poured upon the desolate?”

The desolator, who would eventually be destroyed, could be Satan.

The Loud Cry

 How does the fourth angel relate to the third angel?

Answer: the third and fourth angel’s messages will unite and become two in one, while the fourth will uplift and shine more light upon the message of the third.

Support: I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. They were descending to earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to earth, and unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which went before and followed after this angel, penetrated every where, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great 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. The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is again given, with the addition of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time, and joins in the last great work of the third angel’s message, as it swells into a loud cry. And the people of God are fitted up every where to stand in the hour of temptation which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united in the message, and fearlessly proclaimed with great power the third angel’s message. {1SG 193.2}

  What are the two parts to the Loud Cry?

Answer: the two parts of the Loud Cry would be the announcement of the fall of Babylon, and the calling of God’s people out of Babylon.

Support: The glory of God rested upon the patient, waiting saints, and they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning, proclaiming the fall of Babylon, and calling upon God’s people to come out of her; that they might escape her fearful doom. {1SG 194.1}

  What are the two parts to the final warning?

Answer: The first part is that Babylon is fallen and God knows her iniquities (“her sins have reached unto heaven”). The second part is that God still has people in Babylon that need to come out before the plagues begin.

 

Support:  Of Babylon, at the time brought to view in this prophecy, it is declared: “Her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:5. She has filled up the measure of her guilt, and destruction is about to fall upon her. But God still has a people in Babylon; and before the visitation of His judgments these faithful ones must be called out, that they partake not of her sins and “receive not of her plagues.” Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. ” In connection with his message the call is heard: “Come out of her, My people. These announcements, uniting with the third angel’s message, constitute the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth. {GC 604.1}

 What is the difference between “Babylon is fallen” in the second angel’s message of Revelation 14, as given in the summer of 1844, and “Babylon is fallen” in the Loud Cry of Revelation 18?  [Hint: what caused the fall of Babylon in 1844?]

Answer: The first proclamation in 1844 marked the beginning of the Day of Atonement. The second, which is the Loud Cry is given in the last days of earth’s history.

Support: Babylon the great 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. The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is again given, with the addition of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time, and joins in the last great work of the third angel’s message, as it swells into a loud cry. And the people of God are fitted up every where to stand in the hour of temptation which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united in the message, and fearlessly proclaimed with great power the third angel’s message. {1SG 193.2}

 Babylon is become: “the habitation of devils,” “the hold of every foul spirit,” “and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”  Explain each of these elements.

Answer: the habitation of demons implies the practicing of spiritism in the church. The cage of every unclean and hateful bird implies the corruption entering the church since 1844. These birds can also mean the literal destruction of ungodly people in the last days.

Support: As the teachings of spiritualism are accepted by the churches, the restraint imposed upon the carnal heart is removed, and the profession of religion will become a cloak to conceal the basest iniquity. A belief in spiritual manifestations opens the door to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and thus the influence of evil angels will be felt in the churches.  {GC 603.2} The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is again given, with the addition of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. {1SG 193.2} 
Isa. 34:11-15 But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness. ¹² They shall call the nobles thereof to the kingdom, but none shall be there, and all her princes shall be nothing. ¹³ And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls. ¹⁴ The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest. ¹⁵ There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.

 

  List and explain the sins of Babylon, as stated in Revelation 18.

Answer: The teaching of false doctrines: false Sabbath, etc. causing the kings of the earth to commit fornication with her: leading the world from the truth of God’s law.

Support: The fallen denominational churches are Babylon. Babylon has been fostering poisonous doctrines, the wine of error. This wine of error is made up of false doctrines, such as the natural immortality of the soul, the eternal torment of the wicked, the denial of the pre-existence of Christ prior to His birth in Bethlehem, and advocating and exalting the first day of the week above God’s holy and sanctified day. These and kindred errors are presented to the world by the various churches, and thus the Scriptures are fulfilled that say, ‘For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’ It is a wrath which is created by false doctrines, and when kings and presidents drink this wine of the wrath of her fornication, they are stirred with anger against those who will not come into harmony with the false and satanic heresies which exalt the false sabbath, and lead men to trample underfoot God’s memorial.  {TM 61.3}

When do Babylon’s sins reach unto heaven?

Answer: Her sins will reach heaven when the laws of God will be replaced by the laws of man (Sunday blue laws, legalizing same-sex marriages, etc.)

Support:  When do her sins reach unto heaven [Rev. 18:2-5]? When the law of God is finally made void by legislation.–ST June 12, 1893.  {LDE 198.5}

Why does Revelation 18 say that Babylon receives the plagues?

Answer: Babylon has filled her cup of iniquities and God knows them, therefore God’s judgment will fall on them and their destruction is sure.

Support: Of Babylon, at the time brought to view in this prophecy, it is declared: “Her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:5. She has filled up the measure of her guilt, and destruction is about to fall upon her. But God still has a people in Babylon; and before the visitation of His judgments these faithful ones must be called out, that they partake not of her sins and “receive not of her plagues.” Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. ” In connection with his message the call is heard: “Come out of her, My people. These announcements, uniting with the third angel’s message, constitute the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth. {GC 604.1}

 

If you are honestly serving God, what difference does it make which church you belong to? [According to Revelation 18]

Answer: the doctrines that we believe affect our behavior and salvation. The

Support:  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thess. 2:10

 

Why are there only two distinct calls made to the churches?

Answer: I believe that the first message was directed towards the church (God’s professed people), while the second is to the people of God outside the church. The judgment of God begins in the church and then spread to the world.

Support: Matt 22: 2-10 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, ³ And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. ⁴ Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. ⁵ But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: ⁶ And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. ⁷ But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. ⁸ Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. ⁹ Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. ¹⁰ So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

 

When is the Loud Cry supposed to be given?

Answer: The Loud Cry is to be given now as the “harvest message” to be proclaimed to all the people of the earth.

Support:  The message of the angel following the third is now to be given to all parts of the world. It is to be the harvest message. –Letter 86, 1900.  {LDE 208.1}

What is it that gives power to the Loud voice [Cry]?

Answer: The fourth angel gives light and power to the Loud Cry. This greater light gives a greater power because there will be more light

Support: The question has been asked me, “Do you think that the Lord has any more light for us as a people?” I answer that He has light that is new to us, and yet it is precious old light that is to shine forth from the Word of truth. We have only the glimmerings of the rays of the light that is yet to come to us. {1SM 401}

Third Angel’s Message

Question: What is the core content of the Third Angel’s Message?

Answer: It was to show the world Jesus Christ as the bearer of all our sins. Because of our wandering from God, the third angel’s message was to inspire people to give their lives to Him and be brought back to His likeness. also that whenever we worship the beast (and his image), we are rejecting the law that God set out for us to follow, which is the keeping of the seventh day sabbath.

Support: This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure. –Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 91-93. (1896) {Ev 190.4} Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, “It is the third angel’s message in verity.”– Review and Herald, April 1, 1890.  {Ev 190.3} John was called to behold a people distinct from those who worship the beast and his image by keeping the first day of the week. The observance of this day is the mark of the beast (Letter 31, 1898).  {7BC 979.11}`

Question: When did Jesus send the Third Angel’s message?

Answer: It was during the ending time of the work of atonement, which was when Jesus was moving from the Holy Place into the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary. Afterward, when the message was given to His people and was in progress, the second coming is seen by John in a vision.

support: When Christ entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary to perform the closing work of the atonement, he committed to his servants the last message of mercy to be given to the world. Such is the warning of the third angel of Revelation 14. Immediately following its proclamation, the Son of man is seen by the prophet coming in glory to reap the harvest of the earth.  {4SP 273.1}

Question: How did the third angel light up the past, the present, and the future to the early advent believers after the passing of the time in 1844?

Answer: By them making a mistake, it allowed God to show them their fault and allowed them to understand Christ’s ministration. finding there their mistake (past), gave them confidence and put them on the right path (present) for the future.

Support: After Jesus opened the door of the most holy, the light of the Sabbath was seen, and the people of God were tested, as the children of Israel were tested anciently, to see if they would keep God’s law. I saw the third angel pointing upward, showing the disappointed ones the way to the holiest of the heavenly sanctuary. As they by faith enter the most holy, they find Jesus, and hope and joy spring up anew. I saw them looking back, reviewing the past, from the proclamation of the second advent of Jesus, down through their experience to the passing of the time in 1844. They see their disappointment explained, and joy and certainty again animate them. The third angel has lighted up the past, the present, and the future, and they know that God has indeed led them by His mysterious providence. {EW 254.2}

Question: Why does the evangelical christian not accept the truth of Christ’s change of ministration from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place in 1844?

Answer: The whole of our faith is based on the heavenly sanctuary  By them not being able to understand and follow through withe the original sanctuary model, they cannot understand the mediation of Christ from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary, which is all contained and embodied in the original sanctuary.

Support: Many and earnest were the efforts made to overthrow their faith. None could fail to see that if the earthly sanctuary was a figure or pattern of the heavenly, the law deposited in the ark on earth was an exact transcript of the law in the ark in Heaven, and that an acceptance of the truth concerning the heavenly sanctuary involved an acknowledgment of the claims of God’s law, and the obligation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Here was the secret of the bitter and determined opposition to the harmonious exposition of the Scriptures that brought to view the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. How hard men tried to close the door which God had opened, and to open the door which he had closed! But “He that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth,” had declared, “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” [REV. 3:7, 8.] Christ had opened the door, or ministration, of the most holy place, light was shining from that open door of the sanctuary in Heaven, and the fourth commandment was shown to be included in the law within the ark; what God had established, no man could overthrow.  {4SP 275.1}

Question: How is the message of justification by faith the third angel’s message?

Answer: It is by faith that we are to accept and the seventh day sabbath and the ministration of Christ. the pardon of sin is Justification by faith, and by accepting this pardon and having faith, we are essentially accepting the mediation of Christ.

Support: Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, “It is the third angel’s message in verity.”– Review and Herald, April 1, 1890.  {Ev 190.3}

Question: What is the purpose for the numbering system for the angel’s messages of Revelation 14?

Answer: they are all in order of their rise. and in order of their events that take place and are proclaimed. the first, being about the creator, the second is about the fallen world, and the third is judgment upon the followers of the beast and his image. but after they have all risen, they go together as a threefold message.

Support:The three messages are but one threefold message. They are three only in the order of their rise. But having risen, they go on together and are inseparable.  {GC 693 appendix}

Question: How does the first, second, and third messages all blend into one?

Answer: the first message is about the law of God, the second is God’s true kingdom, and the third is the judgment to take place. these all three point to on creator God and one God to worship. These three messages, though they are presented at different times and assembled in order, are all merge into a threefold message. When all the messages are given, they combine and become three in one.

Support: A THREEFOLD MESSAGE.–REVELATION 14:6, 7 FORETELLS THE PROCLAMATION OF THE FIRST ANGEL’S MESSAGE. THEN THE PROPHET CONTINUES: “THERE FOLLOWED ANOTHER ANGEL, SAYING, BABYLON IS FALLEN, IS FALLEN. . . . AND THE THIRD ANGEL FOLLOWED THEM.” THE WORD HERE RENDERED “FOLLOWED” MEANS “TO GO ALONG WITH,” “TO FOLLOW ONE,” “GO WITH HIM.” SEE HENRY GEORGE LIDDELL AND ROBERT SCOTT, GREEK ENGLISH LEXICON (OXFORD: CLARENDON PRESS, 1940), VOL. 1, P. 52. IT ALSO MEANS “TO ACCOMPANY.” SEE GEORGE ABBOTT-SMITH, A MANUAL GREEK LEXICON OF THE NEW TESTAMENT (EDINBURGH: T. AND T. CLARK, 1950), PAGE 17. IT IS THE SAME WORD THAT IS USED IN MARK 5:24, “JESUS WENT WITH HIM; AND MUCH PEOPLE FOLLOWED HIM, AND THRONGED HIM.” IT IS ALSO USED OF THE REDEEMED ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND, REVELATION 14:4, WHERE IT IS SAID, “THESE ARE THEY WHICH FOLLOW THE LAMB WHITHERSOEVER HE GOETH.” IN BOTH THESE PLACES IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE IDEA INTENDED TO BE CONVEYED IS THAT OF “GOING TOGETHER,” “IN COMPANY WITH.” SO IN 1 CORINTHIANS 10:4, WHERE WE READ OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL THAT “THEY DRANK OF THAT SPIRITUAL ROCK THAT FOLLOWED THEM,” THE WORD “FOLLOWED” IS TRANSLATED FROM THE SAME GREEK WORD, AND THE MARGIN HAS IT, “WENT WITH THEM.” FROM THIS WE LEARN THAT THE IDEA IN REVELATION 14:8, 9 IS NOT SIMPLY THAT THE SECOND AND THIRD ANGELS FOLLOWED THE FIRST IN POINT OF TIME, BUT THAT THEY WENT WITH HIM. THE THREE MESSAGES ARE BUT ONE THREEFOLD MESSAGE. THEY ARE THREE ONLY IN THE ORDER OF THEIR RISE. BUT HAVING RISEN, THEY GO ON TOGETHER AND ARE INSEPARABLE.  {GC 693.1}The first, second, and third angels’ messages are all linked together.  {2SM 117.2} Thus the substance of the second angel’s message is again given to the world by that other angel who lightens the earth with his glory. These messages all blend in one, to come before the people in the closing days of this earth’s history.   {2SM 116.2}

Question: How can you show that the mediation of Christ and the perpetuity of the law of God are the truths of the third angel’s message?

Answer: those who ally themselves with the beast and his image cannot be saved through mediation. the perpetuity of God’s law embodies the whole government of heaven, and the third angel’s message which goes against the non followers of heaven, is about the steadfast law of God which has never changed.

Support: Not one command has been annulled; not a jot or tittle has been changed. While God gave to Moses a copy of his law, he preserved the great original in the sanctuary above. Tracing down its holy precepts, the seekers for truth found, in the very bosom of the decalogue, the fourth commandment, as it was first proclaimed: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 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.” [EX. 20:8-11.]  {4SP 273.3}Those who had accepted the light concerning the mediation of Christ and the perpetuity of the law of God, found that these were the truths brought to view in the third message. {4SP 275.2}They find nothing there informing them that the Sabbath has been abolished, or changed to the first day of the week. The commandment reads as when spoken by the voice of God in solemn and awful grandeur upon the mount, while the lightnings flashed and the thunders rolled; it is the same as when written with His own finger on the tables of stone: “Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” They are amazed as they behold the care taken of the Ten Commandments. They see them placed close by Jehovah, overshadowed and protected by His holiness. {EW 255.1}

Question: Where is the here in Revelation 14:12: ” Here is patients of the saints”, here are they which keep the commandments of God” ” and their faith in Jesus?”

Answer: the “here” in Revelation 14:12, is meaning the Most Holy Place within the Heavenly sanctuary. This is because God’s people who keep His commandments are with him in the marriage to take place. This marriage that is to come is held in the Most Holy Place, therefore, “here” is in the Most Holy Place.

Support: {16MR269.2}

Question: What is the action step[s] for the third angel’s message [in other words, how do I apply this to my own life]?

Answer: It is showing us to examine who we are following concerning spiritual life: if we are on God’s side or the side of the antagonist. it is inferring that we need to have God cleanse us from all unrighteousness and that we need to die daily by giving ourselves and our sins to Jesus for him to bear.

Support: This is the great day of atonement, and our Advocate is standing before the Father, pleading as our intercessor. In place of wrapping about us the garments of self-righteousness, we should be found daily humbling ourselves before God, confessing our own individual sins, seeking the pardon of our transgressions, and cooperating with Christ in the work of preparing our souls to reflect the divine image. Unless we enter the sanctuary above, and unite with Christ in working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, we shall be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and shall be pronounced wanting (MS 168, 1898).  {7BC 933.14}. The third angel closes his message thus: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” As he repeated these words, he pointed to the heavenly sanctuary. The minds of all who embrace this message are directed to the most holy place, where Jesus stands before the ark, making His final intercession for all those for whom mercy still lingers and for those who have ignorantly broken the law of God. This atonement is made for the righteous dead as well as for the righteous living. It includes all who died trusting in Christ, but who, not having received the light upon God’s commandments, had sinned ignorantly in transgressing its precepts.  {EW 254.1}

Question: What are the two purposes for the warning against the beast and his image contained in the third message?

Answer: the first purpose is wake people up to reality while the second is persuading us to receive God and reject the beast.

Support: As the ministration of Jesus closed in the holy place, and He passed into the holiest, and stood before the ark containing the law of God, He sent another mighty angel with a third message to the world. A parchment was placed in the angel’s hand, and as he descended to the earth in power and majesty, he proclaimed a fearful warning, with the most terrible threatening ever borne to man. This message was designed to put the children of God upon their guard, by showing them the hour of temptation and anguish that was before them. Said the angel, “They will be brought into close combat with the beast and his image. Their only hope of eternal life is to remain steadfast. Although their lives are at stake, they must hold fast the truth.”   The third angel closes his message thus: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” As he repeated these words, he pointed to the heavenly sanctuary. The minds of all who embrace this message are directed to the most holy place, where Jesus stands before the ark, making His final intercession for all those for whom mercy still lingers and for those who have ignorantly broken the law of God. This atonement is made for the righteous dead as well as for the righteous living. It includes all who died trusting in Christ, but who, not having received the light upon God’s commandments, had sinned ignorantly in transgressing its precepts.  {EW 254.1}

Question:  What does it mean to receive the mark of the beast?

Answer:  To receive the mark of the beast means to come to the same conclusions as the beast and to strive for the same ideas which oppose the laws of God. The mark signifies that we have chosen to follow the teachings and directions of Lucifer. As it will become a very large predicament in the last days, the followers of the beast (satan) will not stand for the right, while the people of God will keep his Holy Day  undefiled.

Support:  John was called to behold a people distinct from those who worship the beast and his image by keeping the first day of the week. The observance of this day is the mark of the beast (Letter 31, 1898).  {7BC 979.11}

Question: Identify the following element and how they relate to each other: (1) fully ripe grapes (2) winepress (3) God’s wine (4)God’s wrath (5) [Babylon's own] cup (6) trodden without the city (7)blood came out of the city.

Answer: the fully ripe grapes are the people who are living in the last days that are ready to be given their sentence. the wine-press is the place where they will be punished (hell fire). God’s wine and God’s wrath are interchangeable, seeing that they both have the same meaning, which is his passion or anger against the evil people. Babylon’s cup is the world which has exceeded its mark of iniquity. trodden without the city is the slaughtering of satan’s follower’s, and the blood coming out of the city is their iniquity and their sinful-selves. these all relate in showing the wrath of God upon the followers of the beast and their punishment during the judgment.

Support: ?

Revelation 14 & 18 Outline

Revelation 14

I.   14:1- 5. The 144,000, also known as the first fruits of unto God and to the Lamb.

II.  14:6 -12.  The three angel’s messages

III.  14:13 – 20.  the first part of this sequence of verses is talking about the special resurrection to take place. The Time of the end will then take place and Jesus will Come Back to earth for the second time and also when he takes the bad people to “cast it into the great wine press of the wrath of God.” This period is towards the end of the time of trouble.

Revelation 18

I.  18:1- 8. The Final Warning, which the Loud Cry and the third angel’s message is associated with.

II.  18:8-24. – the time of the end and what is going to happen.

Second Angel’s Message and the Midnight Cry

Question: When was the second angel’s message given?

Answer: the first proclamation of the second angel’s message was during the summer of 1844.  It was when the believers of the advent movement were called to emerge from the churches that rejected the message of the first angel

Support: THE SECOND ANGEL’S MESSAGE HAD ITS INITIAL SOUNDING EARLY IN THE SUMMER OF 1844 IN THE CALL TO THE ADVENT BELIEVERS TO COME OUT OF THE NOMINAL CHURCHES THAT HAD REJECTED THE PROCLAMATION OF THE FIRST ANGEL’S MESSAGE. AND WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT THE SECOND ANGEL’S MESSAGE CONTINUES TO BE PRESENT TRUTH, THERE WAS A CLIMACTIC CLOSING UP OF THE SECOND ANGEL’S MESSAGE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING OCTOBER 22, 1844. WHEN THE MESSAGES OF THE THREE ANGELS COME PROMINENTLY BEFORE THE WORLD AGAIN JUST BEFORE THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST, THE ANGEL OF REVELATION 18:1 JOINS IN THE PROCLAMATION OF THE SECOND ANGEL IN THE MESSAGE THAT “BABYLON IS FALLEN.” “COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE.” {EW 304.1}

Question: Who did the second angel’s message have a more direct application to?

Answer: The United States, which was where the judgment was proclaimed the most extensively and where the warning was most broadly rejected, was where the second angle’s message had its most direct application towards.

Support: The second angel’s message of Revelation 14 was first preached in the summer of 1844, and it then had a more direct application to the churches of the United States, where the warning of the judgment had been most widely proclaimed and most generally rejected, and where the declension in the churches had been most rapid. But the message of the second angel did not reach its complete fulfillment in 1844. The churches then experienced a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal of the light of the advent message; but that fall was not complete. As they have continued to reject the special truths for this time they have fallen lower and lower. {GC 389.2}

Question: Why was the second angel’s message given?

Answer: the second angel’s message was given to the Adventists as an announcement of the moral fall of the churches that rejected the message of the first angel. To the people who abided to the significance of the second message, the Lord gave them the Holy Spirit to withdraw from the corrupt churches.

Support: When the churches spurned the counsel of God by rejecting the Advent message, the Lord rejected them. The first angel was followed by a second, proclaiming, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” [REV. 14:8] This message was understood by Adventists to be an announcement of the moral fall of the churches in consequence of their rejection of the first message. The proclamation, “Babylon is fallen,” was given in the summer of 1844, and as the result, about fifty thousand withdrew from these churches. {4SP 232.1}

Question: What were the consequences to the churches when they rejected the first angel’s message?  [A how problem]

Answer: Because of the church’s decision of rejection towards the first message given, the Lord rejected them. The church experienced a moral fall because of their rejection and has fallen much lower since this incident.

Support: As the churches refused to receive the first angel’s message, they rejected the light from heaven and fell from the favor of God. But the beloved of God, who were oppressed, accepted the message, “Babylon is fallen,” and left the churches. {EW 237.2} The churches then experienced a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal of the light of the advent message; but that fall was not complete. As they have continued to reject the special truths for this time they have fallen lower and lower. {GC 389.2}When the churches spurned the counsel of God by rejecting the Advent message, the Lord rejected them. The first angel was followed by a second, proclaiming, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” [REV. 14:8] {4SP 232.1}

Question: What is the “action step” of the second angel’s message?

Answer: The implied meaning of the second angel’s message which is to be carried out is for the people of God to come out of corrupted and degraded churches that declined the message of the first angel’s message.

Support: Furthermore, in the eighteenth chapter of the Revelation the people of God are called upon to come out of Babylon. {GC 382.3}THE SECOND ANGEL’S MESSAGE HAD ITS INITIAL SOUNDING EARLY IN THE SUMMER OF 1844 IN THE CALL TO THE ADVENT BELIEVERS TO COME OUT OF THE NOMINAL CHURCHES THAT HAD REJECTED THE PROCLAMATION OF THE FIRST ANGEL’S MESSAGE. {EW 304.1}

Question: When was the climactic closing up of the second angel’s message?

Answer: Previous to the date October 22, 1844, the closing of the second angel’s message initiated its starting time. Before the second coming of Christ commences, the three angel’s messages will be revealed yet again.

Support: THERE WAS A CLIMACTIC CLOSING UP OF THE SECOND ANGEL’S MESSAGE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING OCTOBER 22, 1844. WHEN THE MESSAGES OF THE THREE ANGELS COME PROMINENTLY BEFORE THE WORLD AGAIN JUST BEFORE THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST, THE ANGEL OF REVELATION 18:1 JOINS IN THE PROCLAMATION OF THE SECOND ANGEL IN THE MESSAGE THAT “BABYLON IS FALLEN.” “COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE.” SEE THE CHAPTER “THE FINAL WARNING” IN THE GREAT CONTROVERSY, PAGES 603-612.  {EW 304.1}

Question: What was the Midnight Cry?

Answer: the essence of the Midnight Cry, which was for the purpose of giving power to the second angel’s message, was the encouragement of saints that Jesus is to come.  It is found in Matt. 25:6, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” The angels set out to encourage and support the discouraged Christians that the Bridegroom is to come and that they were to go and meet him. This was the essence of the Midnight Cry.

Support: Near the close of the second angel’s message, I saw a great light from heaven shining upon the people of God. The rays of this light seemed bright as the sun. And I heard the voices of angels crying, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!”  {EW 238.1}

Question: When was the Midnight Cry given?

Answer: When the closing o the second angel’s message was initiated, which was in the summer of 1844, the midnight cry was announced.

Support: Near the close of the second angel’s message…I heard the voices of angels crying, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!”  {EW 238.1}

Question: What was the purpose of the Midnight Cry?

Answer: the main purpose of the Midnight Cry was to give supremacy and authority to the second angel’s. Those people assigned to spread the message swiftly went to accomplish their mission to encourage the disheartened brethren. The Lord gave these people the Holy Spirit in order to broaden this message promptly and successfully.

Support: This was the midnight cry, which was to give power to the second angel’s message. “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!” Those entrusted with the cry made haste, and in the power of the Holy Spirit sounded the message, and aroused their discouraged brethren. This work did not stand in the wisdom and learning of men, but in the power of God, and His saints who heard the cry could not resist it. The most spiritual received this message first, and those who had formerly led in the work were the last to receive and help swell the cry, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!” {EW 238.2}

Question: For those who had received the first angel’s message, how did the Midnight Cry prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary?

Answer: the message was given to lead the ones who believed the message, to pursue an existing and obtainable familiarity of God’s truth for themselves. It was for the followers of this first message to examine their own character and disposition

Support: In every part of the land, light was given upon the second angel’s message, and the cry melted the hearts of thousands. It went from city to city, and from village to village, until the waiting people of God were fully aroused. In many churches the message was not permitted to be given, and a large company who had the living testimony left these fallen churches. A mighty work was accomplished by the midnight cry. The message was heart-searching, leading the believers to seek a living experience for themselves. They knew that they could not lean upon one another. {EW 238.3}Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel’s message, which shows the way into the most holy place. I saw that as the Jews crucified Jesus, so the nominal churches had crucified these messages, and therefore they have no knowledge of the way into the most holy, and they cannot be benefited by the intercession of Jesus there. Like the Jews, who offered their useless sacrifices, they offer up their useless prayers to the apartment which Jesus has left; and Satan, pleased with the deception, assumes a religious character, and leads the minds of these professed Christians to himself, working with his power, his signs and lying wonders, to fasten them in his snare. Some he deceives in one way, and some in another. He has different delusions prepared to affect different minds. Some look with horror upon one deception, while they readily receive another. Satan deceives some with Spiritualism. He also comes as an angel of light and spreads his influence over the land by means of false reformations. The churches are elated, and consider that God is working marvelously for them, when it is the work of another spirit.”   {EW 260.1}

Question: Just as Jesus cleansed the temple both at the beginning and at the end of His public ministry, so in the last work for the warning of the world, two distinct calls are made to the churches. What are the two distinct calls to the churches, and when are these two calls made?

Answer: there are two separate calls that were directed to the church. The first call is the second angel’s message which was given before and is to be given now as the “harvest message”. the second call would be the third angel’s message which is calling us (God’s people) to come away from the corrupted church and have nothing to do with them.

Support:

The message of the angel following the third is now to be given to all parts of the world. It is to be the harvest message. –Letter 86, 1900.  {LDE 208.1} In the last work for the warning of the world, two distinct calls are made to the churches. The second angel’s message is, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” And in the loud cry of the third angel’s message a voice is heard from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” {Mar 189.1}

Question: Why are there only two distinct calls made to the churches?

Answer:  In the spirit of prophecy, Mrs. White portrays a thorough association between Christ’s cleansing and the calls to the churches. Christ cleansed the sanctuary during the beginning of his work, showing the starting point of his mission; and then he cleansed it once again marking the end of his work. There was a first call ( the second Angel’s message) to the churches in the beginning of Christ’s work calling God’s people out of Babylon and showing the starting fall of the corrupted churches. The very last call, showing the ending fall of the churches, was to tell people that the time is running out before the coming of Jesus; therefore there will be no more calls to be announced afterward to warn us of his coming.

First Angel’s Message

Question: who does the first angel symbolize (who gives the First message)?

Answer: there are two groups of people with whom the first angel symbolizes. the first group would represent mainly the advent movement that took place back  1843-1844 including William Miller and his associates. the other group would be us, God’s people who are living in the last days to go and present the commission that he gave to us the World.  We, His messengers are to act in accord with the message given by spreading a threefold message (first,second and third), and worshiping and abiding by his truth.

Support: These three angels represent the people who accept the light of God’s messages, and go forth as His agents to sound the warning throughout the length and breadth of the earth. {ST, January 25, 1910 par. 5}

Question: When was the first angel’s message first given?

Answer: the first angel’s message was given by William Miller and his colleagues during the anticipated arrival of Christ in the late 1830’s and early 1840’s.

Support: The first and second messages were given in 1843 and 1844, and we are now under the proclamation of the third; but all three of the messages are still to be proclaimed. . 1896.  {CW 26.2} Far and wide spread the message of the everlasting gospel: “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” {GC 368.1} The work of judgment which began in 1844 must continue until the cases of all are decided, both of the living and the dead; hence it will extend to the close of human probation.  {GC 435.2} WHILE WE UNDERSTAND CLEARLY THAT THE MESSAGES OF THE FIRST AND SECOND AND THIRD ANGELS ARE MESSAGES THAT HAVE THEIR APPLICATION TODAY, WE RECOGNIZE ALSO THAT IN THEIR INITIAL PROCLAMATION THE SOUNDING OF THE FIRST ANGEL’S MESSAGE WITH ITS DECLARATION THAT “THE HOUR OF GOD’S JUDGMENT IS COME” IS LINKED WITH THE PROCLAMATION OF THE EXPECTED ADVENT OF CHRIST IN THE 1830′S AND EARLY 1840′S. {EW 304.1}

Question: Where did the prophecy of the first angel’s message have its most direct fulfillment?

Answer: it was in America that the prophecy had its most direct fulfillment where William Miller and his associates were preaching the gospel warning during the great advent movement. This was where the foretelling of the first angel was given in entirety.

Support: To William Miller and his colaborers it was given to preach the warning in America. This country became the center of the great advent movement. It was here that the prophecy of the first angel’s message had its most direct fulfillment. Far and wide spread the message of the everlasting gospel: “Fear God and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” {GC 368.1}

Question: Why was the first angel’s message given?

Answer: The message that the first angel gives says that the hour of his judgment has come. This entails that we as the last generation, are to be set apart from the worldly pressure and influence that it offers. This message is calling on us to respect and love the one and only true God.

Support: The first angel’s message of Revelation 14, announcing the hour of God’s judgment and calling upon men to fear and worship Him, was designed to separate the professed people of God from the corrupting influences of the world and to arouse them to see their true condition of worldliness and backsliding. In this message, God has sent to the church a warning, which, had it been accepted, would have corrected the evils that were shutting them away from Him. The church would again have reached that blessed state of unity, faith, and love which existed in apostolic days, when the believers “were of one heart and of one soul,” and “spake the word of God with boldness,” when “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 4:32, 31; 2:47. {GC 379.1}

Question: How is the first angel’s message announcing “the hour of His judgment is come,” a part of the gospel?

Answer: This question is really saying, “how is the Marriage apart of the gospel?”  To find this answer, we need to look at the gospel first. there are three parts to the gospel: the justification stage, which is when Jesus came and died for us and where we must come and confess our sins before Him. The second stage would be the sanctification stage which is where we grow up in our Christian walk and gain victory over sin, and the third stage is the perfection stage, which is taking part now as we perfect our character…then  the marriage ceremony to come, which we are to have a part in when he moves into the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary. the gospel has been preached from the beginning, but this part of the gospel was only to be given during the time of judgment. So this message, being apart of the everlasting gospel, is to be announced only in the last days.

Support: It is declared to be a part of the “everlasting gospel;” and it announces the opening of the judgment. The message of salvation has been preached in all ages; but this message is a part of the gospel which could be proclaimed only in the last days, for only then would it be true that the hour of judgment had come. This is especially true of the book of Daniel. But that part of his prophecy which related to the last days, Daniel was bidden to close up and seal “to the time of the end.” Not till we reach this time could a message concerning the judgment be proclaimed, based on the fulfillment of these prophecies. But at the time of the end, says the prophet, “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Daniel 12:4. {GC 355.3}

Question: What were the consequences to the churches when they rejected the first angel’s message?

Answer: as a result of the church’s action in rejecting the news of Jesus’ coming, the Lord, in turn, rejected himself from them. The announcement of the fall of Babylon was because of this rejection.

Support: Instead of receiving the message with gladness, they declared it to be a delusion. They hated those who loved His appearing and shut them out of the churches.    {EW 260.1}When the churches spurned the counsel of God by rejecting the Advent message, the Lord rejected them. The first angel was followed by a second, proclaiming, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” [REV. 14:8] This message was understood by Adventists to be an announcement of the moral fall of the churches in consequence of their rejection of the first message. The proclamation, “Babylon is fallen,” was given in the summer of 1844, and as the result, about fifty thousand withdrew from these churches. {4SP 232.1}

Question: How does the first angel’s message influence the second angel’s message?

Answer:  Although the first message seems entirely different than the second, they actually go in perfect harmony together. The first proclaimed message was of the hour of judgment. The second was about the fall of Babylon. These two compared show those who profess to love Jesus but derided the message of the hour of judgment given, are the reason of the fall of Babylon (which is the moral fall of the churches).

Support: All heaven watched with the deepest interest the reception of the first angel’s message. But many who professed to love Jesus, and who shed tears as they read the story of the cross, derided the good news of His coming. The first angel was followed by a second, proclaiming, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” [REV. 14:8] This message was understood by Adventists to be an announcement of the moral fall of the churches in consequence of their rejection of the first message.

Question: How is the first angel’s message still relevant today?

Answer: the first angel’s message is to be given yet again in the time of judgment that is to come. The first angel’s message is relevant today because it charges us to check our characters and to share God’s love through our example. It is just as crucial now as ever before because they shall be repeated to those who are seeking for the truth

Support: The first message is to be repeated proclaiming the second advent of Christ to our world.  {16MR 40.2} we are to sound the proclamation, showing their order, and the application of the prophecies that bring us to the third angel’s message. –Manuscript 32, 1896.  {CW 26.2}

Question: What is the “action step” for the first angel’s message?

Answer: The first angel’s message is calling upon men to fear and worship Him in order that we might be saved. We are to cleanse and purify ourselves from the ways of the world and set a standard and an example that shows God’s character so others may be convicted and inspired to follow.

Support: the Lord is coming. This is the good, the joyful news which should electrify every soul, which should be repeated in our homes and told to those whom we meet on the street – what more joyful news can be communicated! {2SM 38} ‘Go ye into the entire world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.’”. That law will be the standard of character in the judgment. {GC 435.2} there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14. {GC 425.1} worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Verses 6, 7. {GC 355.1}

Question: How does the first angel’s message, as it was perceived during the advent movement of 1840-1844, fit together with the actual content of the first angel’s message?

Answer: the work of judgment that started in 1844 is to continue to the closing work of Christ’s intercession for us. When William Miller first was given the vision of preaching the first message he believed it to be significance to the cleansing of the sanctuary on earth, when really it was speaking of the heavenly sanctuary. He misunderstood the message as Jesus coming in 1844 instead of Jesus moving into the Most Holy place in the heavenly sanctuary.  Jesus started his work of judgment in the year of 1844 which is when he moved into the Most Holy Place, and will end during the time of probation when our intercession between us and God the father will be cut off.

Support: The announcement, “The hour of His judgment is come,” points to the closing work of Christ’s ministration for the salvation of men. It heralds a truth which must be proclaimed until the Saviour’s intercession shall cease and He shall return to the earth to take His people to Himself. The work of judgment which began in 1844 must continue until the cases of all are decided, both of the living and the dead; hence it will extend to the close of human probation.  {GC 435.2}

While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14. {GC 425.1} The message itself sheds light as to the time when this movement is to take place. It is declared to be a part of the “everlasting gospel;” and it announces the opening of the judgment. The message of salvation has been preached in all ages; but this message is a part of the gospel which could be proclaimed only in the last days, for only then would it be true that the hour of judgment had come. Daniel was bidden to close up and seal “to the time of the end.” Not till we reach this time could a message concerning the judgment be proclaimed, based on the fulfillment of these prophecies. But at the time of the end, says the prophet, “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Daniel 12:4. {GC 355.3}