The Three Messages

WHOEVER will read attentively the proclamations embraced in the fourteenth chapter of Revelation, cannot fail to notice their vast importance. At whatever period in the history of the church these proclamations are made, from their very nature they must constitute the great theme of interest for that generation. Whenever the angels of this chapter are commissioned by God to announce to the nations of the earth that the hour of his Judgment is come, or to proclaim the fall of Babylon, or to utter against the worshipers of the beast the most dreadful threatening which the Bible contains, no man can disregard their work, or treat their warnings as non-essential, except at the peril of his soul. If it were merely possible that these warnings were addressed to ourselves, it would become us to examine this subject with serious attention. But if this point can be proved by decisive testimony, it is certain that we cannot too carefully attend to the warnings here uttered.

It was but a few years since, that all Advent believers were united in applying this prophecy to the present generation. But in the period of trial that has followed their disappointment, many of them have, to a great extent, lost sight of their original faith. A considerable number now contend that these angels are to utter their voices of warning in the future age; that is, in a period subsequent to the second advent. Another class attempt to show that they had their fulfillment many ages in the past—the first angel beginning in the days of the apostles, the second, in the time of Luther, and the third, at a period somewhat later.

As proof that these angels belong to the future age, the fact is adduced that John saw them flying through the midst of heaven immediately after having seen the Lamb stand upon Mount Zion with the 144,000. As the latter event is future, it is concluded by them that the angels of this prophecy must be future also. If it were a fact that the events predicted in the book of Revelation were there given in consecutive order, there would be some force to this argument. But it is evident that that book is made up of many distinct views, usually introduced by the expression, "And I saw," or something of that kind, as in Rev. 14:6. The series of events, which begins in chap. 12, with the dragon, evidently extends through the work of the beasts in chap. 13, and ends with a view of the remnant in their glorified state, Rev. 14:1-5, upon Mount Zion. Then begins a new series of events with the angel of chap 14:6.

The following reasons forbid the application of this prophecy to the future age:—

1. This view would make the angel with the everlasting gospel to every nation, kindred, and tongue, an angel from heaven with another gospel, Gal. 1:8, for the apostolic commission extended only to the harvest, which is the end of the world. Matt. 28:19, 20; 24:14; 13:24-30, 36-43. Paul participated in this commission, 1 Tim. 1:11, and he thus declares its import: that God "now commandeth all men everywhere to repent; because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness." Acts 17:30, 31. The apostolic commission extended only to the end—the day in which God shall judge the world by Jesus Christ. A gospel preached in that day would be another gospel than that preached by Paul, and one that has no Saviour in it. This would indeed show that the angel of Rev. 14:6, 7, was the very being on whom rests the curse of Paul in Gal. 1:8.

2. The second angel announces the fall of Babylon Verse 8. After this proclamation a voice is heard from Heaven, Saying, "Come out of her, my people." Rev. 18:1-4. That the absurdity of placing this transaction after the second advent may be seen, please read 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. It is there plainly stated that at the coming of Christ, his people shall all be caught up to meet him in the air, and thenceforward be forever with the Lord. Will the Lord take his people to Babylon when he comes? Never. He says, "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you. I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also." John 14:2, 3. Then the Lord will not have occasion to call his people out of Babylon after the second advent; for from that time onward they are to be forever with him.

3. Let us now see whether the third angel's message can be applied to the future age with any propriety. Those who will compare Rev. 14:9-12; 13:11-17, will see at once that the warning voice of the third angel relates to the fearful scene when the two-horned beast is to act its part in oppressing the saints of the Lord. But if the third angel's proclamation relates to the period which follows the second advent, then the work of the two-horned beast must also transpire in the future age. And what a scene must the future reign of the saints present, if Rev. 13:11-17, is to be fulfilled in that time! But by turning to Rev. 20:4-6, it will be seen that the period for the triumph of the beast and his image, and for the reception of his mark, precedes the thousand years' reign of the saints. And when the reign of the saints commences, the triumph of the beast is past.

The beast doubtless represents the papal power. Rev. 13:1-10; Dan. 7:8, 20, 21, 25, 26. But by turning to 2 Thess. 2, we learn that the papacy is to be destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming. Further, we learn from Rev. 19:19-21, that the final overthrow of the beast and false prophet, or two-horned beast, takes place in the battle of the great day of God Almighty, in immediate connection with the second advent. By these plain testimonies we establish the fact that the beast will be destroyed at the second advent. Therefore we ask, What danger will there be that men will worship the beast at a time when there will be none for them to worship? God will never send an angel to warn men against the worship of the beast when the beast does not exist.

The language of verse 12, "Here is the PATIENCE of the saints" is sufficient of itself to overthrow the application of these messages to the future age. The following scriptures clearly teach that the patience of the saints refers to the present time, and not to the period of their future glorious reward. "Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise." Heb. 10:36. "In your patience possess ye your souls." Luke 21:19. "Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." James 5:7. Will the saints have need of patience in the kingdom of God? Will they have to possess their souls in patience after they have received the promise, even life everlasting? 1 John 2:25. It is tribulation that worketh patience. Rom. 5:3; James 1:2, 3. Are the saints in tribulation after they are made immortal, and crowned with everlasting joy? No, never. Isa. 25:8, 9; 35:10; Rev. 7:13-17. But the saints are in their patience when the third angel's message is given. Hence that message does not belong to the future age.

But verse 12 concludes thus: "Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." It is evident that this refers to the period when the remnant are keeping the commandments of God, while exposed to the wrath of the dragon, Rev. 12:17, and that it does not refer to the period when the commandment-keepers shall have entered in through the gates into the holy city, Rev. 22:14; and that it refers to the period when the saints are living by faith, Heb. 10:38, 39, and not to the period when they shall have received the end of their faith, the salvation of their souls. 1 Pet. 1:9.

But verse 13, which pronounces a blessing on the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth, that is, from a point of time as late, at least, as the third angel's message, presents a testimony which cannot be evaded. It demonstrates that this part of John's vision relates to a period prior to the first resurrection; for the saints cannot die after being made immortal. 1 Cor. 15:51-56. Our Lord testifies that they can die no more, but are equal unto the angels, and, are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Luke 20:36. If any are still disposed to locate these angels' messages in the day of God itself, let them carefully read the following scriptures: Matt. 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-30; Gen. 7:21, 22; Luke 21:35; Ps. 2:6-9; Rev. 2:26, 27; 19:11-21; 22:11, 12; 2 Thess. 1:6-10.