The Closing Messages of the Gospel

THE great plan of the gospel of human salvation is progressive in its accomplishment; and the two great, leading events of it—the first and second revelations of Christ—were, according to the promises of prophecy, to be heralded in their approach by special proclamations. Before the first manifestation of Christ, John the Baptist came as the "messenger" foretold by Malachi, Chap. 3:1, and as the "voice of one crying in the wilderness," as predicted by Isaiah, Chap. 40:3.

In like manner the second coming at hand is to be proclaimed in the fulfillment of three successive and harmonious messages, foretold under the symbols of three angels flying in the midst of heaven. Rev. 14:9-12. These angels, or messengers, symbolize proclamations of truth to be made through the agency of men, the same as the "voice" of Isaiah, and the "messenger," or angel of Malachi. Those were fulfilled by the preaching of a man; these also will be accomplished by human instrumentality. They are messages of the "everlasting gospel," the preaching of which Jesus committed to chosen men, Saying, "And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matt. 28:20. To the end of the world he will have men to preach his gospel. Thus it is proved conclusively that the closing messages of the gospel will be preached by men, and not by angels from Heaven; though these always have, under God, the oversight of His work on earth.

THE FIRST MESSAGE.

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Rev. 14:6, 7.

This is a special message of the everlasting gospel, a proclamation of the time for the session of the judgment. As the clerks in our courts announce the opening of the session to all interested, crying, "Hear ye! hear ye!" etc., so God determined that the time when his judgment should begin should be proclaimed to the inhabitants of the earth.

The gospel was first announced to our first parents, that the seed of the woman should crush the head of the serpent. Abraham, and afterward David, were cheered with the glad tidings that of their descendants should come the Christ, the Redeemer of the world. John the Baptist was entrusted with a message of the gospel; but it was not given to him to announce the hour of judgment come; but to proclaim that in the fulfillment of God's gracious purpose the promised Redeemer and King was at hand. The apostles preached the gospel. Their message was the good news that Christ had died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, that he was buried and rose again, as also it had been promised in the Scriptures, and that remission of sins could be obtained through him and him alone. But they did not preach the hour of God's judgment come; but, in reference to this they could only say that God had "appointed a day in which" he would "judge the world in righteousness" by Jesus Christ. Acts 17:31. They placed the time of the judgment in close connection with the coming and kingdom of Christ,—"Who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom." 2 Tim. 4:1.

It was reserved for the servants of God to make the proclamation of the hour of judgment at the proper time. When the appointed time is at hand the message must be proclaimed.

Men are yet upon probation when this announcement is made; and it is not the last merciful warning to men; for the third angel's message is addressed to mankind while on probation. It calls upon all to choose between the worship of the beast, and the keeping of the commandments of God. Hence the time and work of the judgment begins before the second coming of Christ.

The books are opened and an investigation is made on which it is decided who are to have a part in the first, or "better resurrection." See Luke 20:35. Then Christ comes and that resurrection takes place. Men are first judged, and then rewarded. But the saints are to be "recompensed at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:14. When Christ comes he brings this reward; for "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump," they are raised from the dead, changed to immortality, and thus enter upon the reward of eternal life. 1 Cor. 15:52. They must have been judged before this; hence the decision must be made who shall have part in this first resurrection and the kingdom of God before the coming of Christ and the resurrection. "The rest of the dead" do not "live again" till the "resurrection of damnation," which takes place a thousand years afterward. See John 5:29. Rev. 20:4-6.

The beginning of the judgment is described in Dan. 7:9-14. "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, [or placed], and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool; his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and come forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." Vs. 9, 10.

The scene of this judgment is in Heaven. The Ancient of Days, the Father, occupies the throne, and the Son of man comes—not to the earth, but—to the Ancient of Days, and is brought near before him. The saints in general are not there, for they have not yet been raised from the dead. Those who stand before the throne are angels, as may be seen by Rev. 5:11, where the same number "round about the throne" are said to be angels.

That this judgment scene transpires in Heaven before the advent of Christ, is further proved from the fact that the beast, the great antichristian power on earth, is not yet slain, but is afterward destroyed as the result of the decision of this judgment. Said the prophet, "I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake; I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame." Now the Apostle Paul says that this wicked power shall be destroyed by the brightness of the Lord's coming. 2 Thess. 2:8.

Again, during this session of judgment the Son of man receives his kingdom. But in the parable of the nobleman going into a far country to receive a kingdom, Christ represents himself as receiving the kingdom before his return to earth to reward his faithful servants and slay his enemies. Luke 19:12-27. Therefore the proof is abundant that the investigative judgment sits, and eternal decisions in regard to men are made, while men are here on earth, still in a state of probation. And the fact that this session of judgment is out of sight of men upon earth, makes it the more proper and necessary that the proclamation should here be made, "The hour of his judgment is come."