Revelation 14:9-12—The Third Angel’s Message

9And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

11And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

12Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

What is the core content of the third angel’s message?

              The core content of the third angel’s message is summarized in two truths:  1) Jesus’ mediation in the most holy place and 2) the eternal authority of God’s law.

4SP 275.2—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.

When did Jesus send the third angel’s message?

              Jesus sent the third angel’s message when he began his new job in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary.  This job transfer occurred in 1844.

4SP 273.1—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 273.2—As foretold in the Scriptures, the ministration of Christ in the most holy place began at the termination of the prophetic days in 1844.

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?

              The third angel lit up the past by explaining what had really happened in 1844.  They had been expecting Jesus to back to earth to cleanse the sanctuary (Dan. 8:14).  But because of the third angel’s message, the believers realized that the sanctuary that was being cleansed was the one in heaven.  Instead of returning to this earth, Jesus had actually changed locations in His mediation (He went from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place).

              The third angel lit up the present by clarifying what Jesus was doing right now in the heavenly sanctuary and by drawing their attention to the law of God.  In discovering that God’s law (including the Sabbath commandment) was still binding, these believers saw how they needed to change their lives—how they needed to start keeping the law and living in the knowledge of Jesus new job.

              The third angel lit up the future by showing what Jesus will be doing in the Most Holy Place until the close of probation; this message also foretold the great “battle” that will progress between those who keep God’s law and those who don’t.  It predicts the final judgment that is sentenced on those who refuse to worship and obey God.

EW 254.2—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.

Why does the evangelical Christian world not accept the truth of Christ’s change of ministration from the holy place to the most holy place in 1844?

              If the evangelical Christian world would accept the truth about Jesus’ mediation in the Most Holy Place, they would have to accept the truth about importance of the seventh-day Sabbath.  Many of these Christians would rather keep Sunday as their day of worship.  For within the Most Holy Place is the Ark of the Covenant, and within the Ark are the Ten Commandments, and in these commandments is found the Sabbath commandment.

4SP 275.1—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.

4SP 273.3—They had by faith followed their High Priest from the holy to the most holy, and they saw him pleading his blood before the ark of God. Within that sacred ark is the Father’s law, the same that was spoken by God himself amid the thunders of Sinai, and written with his own finger on the tables of stone. 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…” [Ex. 20:8-11]

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

              The third angel’s message urges the importance of keeping God’s commandments.  He designed that by keeping His commands, we would know that we are made whole—that we have received the righteous of Christ. (1 John 2:3—And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments;  John 17:3—And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.)  When we keep the commandments and make God the Lord of our lives, it is to be evidence that we have been justified by faith.  Justification by faith is made evident when we obey God to the best of our ability.  In this way, the message of the third angel is synonymous with the message of justification by faith.

Review and Herald, April 1, 1890—Ev 190.3—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.”

Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 91-93. (1896)—Ev 190.4—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.

What is the purpose of the numbering system for the angels’ messages of Revelation 14?

              The numbering system is simply to show the chronological rise of the three messages.  After all three are proclaimed, they are to be given as one message.

GC 693 appendix—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.

How do the first, second, and third angels’ messages all blend into one?

              Each message builds upon the previous one.  The messages are like chapters in a continued story.  Each emphasizes the central motif of “the mediation of Christ and the perpetuity of the law of God” (4SP 275.2).

              The first angel’s message is a call to worship God (and in doing so, keep His commandments).  The reason being is that “the hour of his judgment is come” (Rev. 14:7).  This text is referring to Jesus’ new role of investigative judgment in the Most Holy Place.

              The second angel’s message gives a warning to those who reject first message—who reject God’s commandments and the truth of Jesus mediation during the judgment.  It briefly tells what happens to these people:  they become a part of fallen Babylon.

              The third angel’s message continues to describe in greater detail what will happen to those who reject the first and second messages.  It continues the theme of the importance of God’s commandments and Jesus’ work in the Most Holy.  It ends by saying:  “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God” (Rev. 14:12).  By emphasizing the commandments, this message directed the believers to the Most Holy Place, where the law is kept.

2SM 116.2—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.

GC 693.1—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.

4SP 275.2—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.

EW 260.1—…the third angel’s message, which shows the way into the most holy place.

EW 254.2—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.

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?

              The last part of the third angel’s message ends in these words:  “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12).  This message makes a striking contrast between those who worship the beast and those who worship God.  The first group obviously does not keep God’s commandments.  The later of the two groups, however, does.  The text does not say that they kept some of the commandments or a revised version of them.  No, the commandments mentioned here are the same ones that were spoken on top of Mt. Sinai.  “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Heb. 13:8).

              As attention is drawn to the commandments, the sanctuary comes to view.  In the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments were kept in the Most Holy Place.  Likewise, in the heavenly sanctuary, the original Law of God is stored in the Most Holy Place (Heb. 8:5).  The Law helped to direct believers’ attention to this compartment, which was Jesus new location in His ministry.

              As already mentioned, the three angel’s messages are to taken as one complete message.  The third angel’s message is to be understood in the context of the two previous messages.  This third message merely continues the theme of judgment (which is part of the closing work of atonement) talked about in the first angel’s message (“the hour of his judgment is come”).  By pointing to the Most Holy Place, the third message tells where the first message is fulfilled.  {“…Christ entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary to perform the closing work of the atonement…” (4SP 273.1).}             

EW 254.2—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.

4SP 273.2—As foretold in the Scriptures, the ministration of Christ in the most holy place began at the termination of the prophetic days in 1844. To this time apply the words of the Revelator, “The temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament.” [REV. 11:19]

4SP 273.3—They had by faith followed their High Priest from the holy to the most holy, and they saw him pleading his blood before the ark of God. Within that sacred ark is the Father’s law, the same that was spoken by God himself amid the thunders of Sinai, and written with his own finger on the tables of stone. 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.” [EX. 20:8]

Where is the “here” in Revelation 14:12: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God” “and their faith in Jesus.”

              The “here” mentioned in this verse most likely refers to the Most Holy Place.  When the early advent believers learned of the importance of God’s commandments and of Jesus new role in the Most Holy Place, “entered” by faith into the same compartment.  They did this by believing that Jesus was there ministering for mankind and also by living their lives in preparation for their day in judgment.  As also noted in the text, these believers were the ones following God’s commandments and having the “faith of Jesus.”

              This text also refers to anyone in our day that learns of God’s Law, decides to keep it, and follows Jesus into the Most Holy Place.

EW 254.1—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.

4SP 273.3—They had by faith followed their High Priest from the holy to the most holy, and they saw him pleading his blood before the ark of God.

What is the “action step[s]” for the third angel’s message?

              If the two main themes of this message are the 1) mediation of Christ in the Most Holy Place and the 2) perpetuity of God’s Law, then the actions steps should be related to these core concepts.

              The third angel’s message is a call to 1) keep God’s commandments and 2) live our lives in the faith that Jesus has entered the Most Holy Place.

4SP 275.2—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.             

EW 254.2—I saw the third angel pointing upward, showing the disappointed ones the way to the holiest of the heavenly sanctuary.

4SP 273.3—They had by faith followed their High Priest from the holy to the most holy, and they saw him pleading his blood before the ark of God. Within that sacred ark is the Father’s law…

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

              The purposes of this warning are 1) to extend the mercy of Christ’s righteousness to all who are willing to accept it and 2) to warn those in Babylon of their impending doom if they refuse to follow Jesus.

4SP 273.1—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.

Ev 190.4—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.

GC 449.2—The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortals is contained in the third angel’s message. That must be a terrible sin which calls down the wrath of God unmingled with mercy. Men are not to be left in darkness concerning this important matter; the warning against this sin is to be given to the world before the visitation of God’s judgments, that all may know why they are to be inflicted, and have opportunity to escape them…

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

              God warns the world (through the third angel’s message) against receiving the mark of the beast.  No one will receive this mark until the times comes when the world has learned the truth, but refuse to follow it.  God does not punish without first warning and offering salvation.

              Just as keeping the seventh-day Sabbath is a sign showing who God’s people are (Eze. 20:20), when the time comes, observing the first day of the week will be the mark of the beast.

              Receiving the mark of the beast means to reject God’s commandments and persist in showing allegiance to the beast.  In essence, it is also rejecting Jesus mediation.  (How could someone expect to get the benefits of Christ’s mediation when they are breaking the commandments contained in the very same room in which He is working?)

7BC 979.12—The third angel’s message has been sent forth to the world, warning men against receiving the mark of the beast or of his image in their foreheads or in their hands.

Letter 31, 1898—7BC 979.11—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.

What is “the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation”?

              This “wine of the wrath of God” is obviously the punishment that God is forced to pour out on those who refuse to follow Him.  If we let the verse explain itself, we read further in Rev. 14:10 to discover that this “wine” includes the destruction of the wicked in hellfire.

              If we keep reading into the next chapter, we find out that this “wine” also refers to the seven last plagues which are poured out just before Jesus comes.  Notice the similar wording between Rev. 14:10 and Rev. 15:1—“wrath of God” and the idea of liquid.

Rev. 14:10—The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Rev. 15:1—And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. 

Rev. 16:1—Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”

How are those who receive the mark of the beast “tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever”?

              This text is referring to hell.  According to Rev. 20, hell is an event that occurs after the millennium and after the wicked are resurrected in the second resurrection.  Satan deceives these people one more time into attempting to take the holy city that has just come down from Heaven.  These verses describe what happens:

              “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Rev. 20:7-10).  (Notice the similar language between Rev. 14:10 and Rev. 20:7-10.)  This destruction is final and is known as the 2nd death.

              This destruction happens “in the presence of the holy angels, and…the Lamb” who are inside the city that the wicked surrounded.

What does it mean that “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever”? Give some Biblical support. You could also take a look at Jude 7 and Isa. 34:10,11.

              When the Bible says, “for ever and ever,” does it always mean “eternally”?  Let’s look at some other examples where this or a similar phrase is used in the Bible.

              Jonah 2:6–I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.

              Isaiah 34:10, 11–It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.  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.

                1 Samuel 1:22–But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.                  

                Jude 7–Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

                In the first text, Jonah said that he was in the belly of the great fish “forever.”  Yet the Bible goes on to say that this fish vomited him onto shore.  This word, “forever,” must (in this context) mean “until the time was finished or completed.”

                In Isaiah 34:10, 11 speaks of eternal fire.  But then it describes how various birds will come to live there.  Birds would not come to live in a furnace; they could not survive.  This “for ever” must not mean “eternal” in this text.

                The third text describes Hannah promising to take Samuel to the tabernacle, to stay there forever.  She did not intend for him to stay there for all of eternity.  This “for ever” simply means “until he dies.”

                Jude 7 says that Sodom and Gomorrha suffered the “vengeance of eternal fire.”  Are Sodom and Gomorrha still burning today?  Obviously not.  Therefore, this “eternal fire” must be a fire that lasts only as long as the people live, as long as is needed to do the job.

                Eternal fire is not eternal in the sense of going on through eternity.  Only it’s effects are eternal.

The fourth angel of Rev. 18 joins with the third angel of Rev. 14. It gives strength to what the third angel is saying. This fourth angel will join with what the third angel is already saying; these two united will spread a most important message all over the world. The third angel warns about what will happen to those in Babylon, and in Rev. 18, a way of escape is put forth (“Come out of her, my people”–Rev. 18:4).

1SG 193.2– 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.

1SG 194.1– This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, and joined it, as the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844.

What are the two parts to the Loud Cry?

 The Loud Cry consists of two parts: 1) an announcement of Babylon’s sins and, consequently, her fall and 2) a call to come out of Babylon.

Mar 189.1– And in the loud cry of the third angel’s message a voice is heard from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people…”

GC 604.1– 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.“

1SG 194.1– …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.

What are the two parts to the final warning?

 The final warning consists of 1) the Loud Cry (described in the previous question) and 2) the third angel’s message.

GC 604.1– 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. 

The second angel’s message in Rev. 14 was initially proclaimed in 1844 to a mostly American audience. The Loud Cry will be given just before Jesus returns and will be an extremely powerful worldwide movement. When the initial call was made, Babylon had just started falling; it had not yet reached to the depths at which its fall would be complete. During the time between the second angel’s message and the Loud Cry, Babylon has been sinking lower and lower; more and more corruptions have entered this entity. By the time the Loud Cry is given, Babylon will have completely fallen; she is now “the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird” and “her sins have reached unto heaven” (Rev. 18:2, 5). The latter verse is referring to the time when it will be against the law to keep God’s commandments (specifically the Sabbath commandment).

(The fall of Babylon will be complete (according to Rev. 18:2-3) when “all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” (Rev. 18:3). This wine is the false doctrines taught by the churches in Babylon (such as the holiness of Sunday). This text will be fulfilled when there is a worldwide law against keeping God’s commandments.)

Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 401. (1900) {Ev 693.2}– Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord.

1SG 195.1– I saw that the third message would close with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry.

1SG 193.2– 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.

GC 390.2– Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6-12, the church will have fully reached the condition foretold by the second angel, and the people of God still in Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion. This message is the last that will ever be given to the world; and it will accomplish its work. When those that “believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:12), shall be left to receive strong delusion and to believe a lie, then the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it, and all the children of the Lord that remain in Babylon will heed the call: “Come out of her, My people” (Revelation 18:4).

GC 389.2– 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. Not yet, however, can it be said that “Babylon is fallen,… because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She has not yet made all nations do this.

2SM 68.2– The wine of Babylon is the exalting of the false and spurious sabbath above the Sabbath which the Lord Jehovah hath blessed and sanctified for the use of man, also [it is] the immortality of the soul. These kindred heresies, and the rejection of the truth, convert the church into Babylon. Kings, merchants, rulers, and religious teachers are all in corrupt harmony.

GC 389.3– The Bible declares that before the coming of the Lord, Satan will work “with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness;” and they that “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved,” will be left to receive “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11. Not until this condition shall be reached, and the union of the church with the world shall be fully accomplished throughout Christendom, will the fall of Babylon be complete. The change is a progressive one, and the perfect fulfillment of Revelation 14:8 is yet future.

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

“a cage of every unclean and hateful bird”– This phrase refers to the menagerie of corruptions and falsehoods that have crept into the churches of Babylon under the pretense of truth.1SG 193.2–

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.

Jer. 5:27–As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. 

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

The sins of Babylon are 1) allowing “foul spirits” to come make their residence in her [Rev. 18:2], 2) fornicating [Rev. 18:3], 3) and glorifying herself and living extravagantly (Rev. 18:7].

Allowing “foul spirits” to make their residence in her– Satan cannot live in anyone who lets God control their lives. But, evidently, Babylon did let God take full control of her life; thus, Satan was able to gain a foothold.

Fornicating– Although the text makes it sound like the ones who are actively sinning are the “nations” and the “kings of the earth,” it also makes it clear that Babylon also sinning. Notice this phrase: “wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Obviously, Babylon is just as guilty as the others (even more so, for she is the one offering “fornication” to the world).

The word “fornication” means to commit adultery. Babylon causes many to “commit adultery” against God by enticing them with the wine of false doctrine.

7BC 985.4– What is that wine?–her false doctrines. She has given to the world a false sabbath instead of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and has repeated the falsehood that Satan first told to Eve in Eden–the natural immortality of the soul. Many kindred errors she has spread far and wide, “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.“

Glorifying herself and living extravagantly– 1 Corinthians says that true love “seeketh not her own” (1 Cor. 13:5). God is the embodiment of this love ["God is love" (1 John 4:16)]. But instead of becoming like Jesus, Babylon has lived selfishly.

 According to Rev. 18, Babylon’s sins reach unto heaven when its fall is complete–when “all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” (Rev. 18:3). When the wine of false doctrine and false worship is exalted throughout the world in place of God’s Law, Babylon’s sins reach unto heaven. This is accomplished through legislation.

2SM 68.2– The wine of Babylon is the exalting of the false and spurious sabbath above the Sabbath which the Lord Jehovah hath blessed and sanctified for the use of man, also [it is] the immortality of the soul. These kindred heresies, and the rejection of the truth, convert the church into Babylon. Kings, merchants, rulers, and religious teachers are all in corrupt harmony.

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

ST, December 15, 1909 par. 13– How much means is expended for things that are mere idols, things that engross time and thought and strength, that should be put to a higher use. How much money is wasted on expensive houses and furniture, on selfish pleasures, luxuries, and unwholesome food. How much is squandered on gifts that benefit no one. For things that are needless, often harmful, professed Christians today are spending more, many times more, than they spend in seeking to rescue souls from the tempter. 

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

The truth is that honestly serving God is so much more important that what church you belong to. However, Rev. 18 admonishes those in the churches of Babylon to come out. Since this harvest message is worldwide, everyone will have the opportunity to accept the truth and come out. Thus, those who are honestly serving God will come out of Babylon and become a part of God’s commandment keeping church. In this round-about way, it does matter which church you belong to.

Both calls focus on fallen Babylon and invite people to “come out of her.” There are only two distinct calls given because there are only two distinct events in the fall of Babylon. The first call (the second angel’s message) announced the beginning of Babylon’s fall. The second call (the Loud Cry) will announce the completion of Babylon’s fall.

When is the Loud Cry suppose to be given?

 The Loud Cry is to be given just before Jesus comes back and shortly after Sunday keeping becomes a worldwide law.Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 401. (1900) {Ev 693.2}– Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord.

EW 271 (1858). {LDE 186.5}– An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.”

(To clarify that the “refreshing from the presence of the Lord” is the Holy Spirit, let’s take a look at two parallel texts:

 Acts 3:19– Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Acts 2:38– Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Notice that each have the same components: a call to repent and a promise of getting rid of sins. From this we can conclude that the final component of each verse is referring to the same thing.)

Review and Herald, June 18, 1901. {Ev 697.1}– When the Message Is Finished.–It [the coming of the Lord] will not tarry past the time that the message is borne to all nations, tongues, and peoples. Shall we who claim to be students of prophecy forget that God’s forbearance to the wicked is a part of the vast and merciful plan by which He is seeking to compass the salvation of souls?

GC 389.2– Not yet, however, can it be said that “Babylon is fallen,… because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She has not yet made all nations do this.

GC 390.2– Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6-12, the church will have fully reached the condition foretold by the second angel… 

It has been noted that Adventist institutions (colleges and universities) are getting cozy with Darwin and his cohorts.  Naturalistic evolution is being taught in science classes.  The reality of this dilemma is being enshrouded under the cloak of “unity in love to our Lord” (Randal Wisbey, President of La Sierra University).

This news should not come as a shock, for situations such as this are predicted by the Bible.  2 Peter 3:5 says, “They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water.”

Is the Adventist church evolving? Are some within it joining, little by little, with the mainstream worldview concerning origins?  Why should the church even have to deal with a problem such as this?  Isn’t the Bible clear enough?

Why is naturalistic evolution arising in the Adventist church?

First of all, there must be a growing distrust in the Bible.  The Bible is very clear in how it describes the creation of this world. Genesis 1-2 talks of how God created the world in six literal days.  Evolution does not fit into this picture.

Satan is working feverishly to get the church to join with the world.  If he does this, he has succeeded.  Along with distrust in the Bible, many are gradually joining with the world in their ideologies.

The issue of evolution arises also because of an ignorance of the character of God and a lack of being transformed to its likeness.  God’s character is revealed through the Ten Commandments.  (SC 60—The law of God is an expression of His very nature.)  In Exodus 20:11, the fourth commandment admonishes us to keep the Sabbath because “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.” If we would study the character of God (which is revealed in His law) and apply what we learned, the dilemma of evolution would not be present in the church.  Those who question the creation story are, in essence, questioning God’s character.

Finally, evolution has become a problem because we have not been studying and proclaiming the three angel’s messages as we should be.  The first angel’s message gives the call:  “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” (Revelation 14:7).  This verse obviously parallels Exodus 20:11 which parallels the Genesis account.  It is very clear that we, as the mouthpieces of these last-day messages, are to be proclaiming that God is the Creator.  The three angel’s messages do not give room for naturalistic evolution.  It is our duty to courageously stand up for the truth and to be careful that God is not removed from the creation story, however subtle the attacks may be.

What should be done about this dilemma?

This is a hard question, as many have strong opinions regarding the issue.  But whatever the actions that are taken, they must be carried out in love.  Although Jesus was sometimes very firm in his denouncement of sin, love was always at the root of His intentions.  Just as Jesus took decisive action, we must also firmly deal with this problem, as it strikes at the very foundation of the Bible (and thus our church’s beliefs).

I believe that a committee of knowledgeable teachers, scientists, and pastors should be formed by the General Conference to investigate the dilemma thoroughly.    When clear evidence is found that teachers (or other staff) are supporting naturalistic evolution at Adventist schools, the committee should discuss the matter with them privately.  They should meet with the teachers in question, allowing them to express their point of view, but yet reminding them of their high calling.  If the professors then refuse to abide by the church’s standards, dismissal is the only option.  We cannot have information supported that goes contrary to the Bible.  Think of what it would be like if professors started incorporating Buddhist or Hindu beliefs into our Bible classes.  In the same way, we cannot have teachers endorsing the theory of evolution.

The second angel’s message was given, for the first time, in the summer of 1844.  Nevertheless, we should be continuing to preach this message today.  The second major proclamation of this message will occur just before the 2^nd Coming.

EW 304.1—THE SECOND ANGEL’S MESSAGE HAD ITS INITIAL SOUNDING EARLY IN THE SUMMER OF 1844… 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…

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

The second angel’s message was most directly given to those living  in 1844 (esp. those who lived in America).  I will divide these people into two groups:  1) those who rejected the first angel’s message and 2) those who accepted the first angel’s message and proclaimed the second angel’s message.  The second message directly applied to the first group in that it called them out of “Babylon.”  Because of their rejection of the first message, “Babylon” would now fall.  The second angel’s message also applied to the second group in that they were the ones proclaiming the message.

GC 389.2–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.

4SP 232.1—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.

Why was the second angel’s message given?

The second angel’s message was given to warn those in Babylon of their danger in rejecting the first angel’s message.  When they realized the peril of being in Babylon, many chose to leave.  They left the churches that rejected the first angel’s message.

The second angel’s message was also given to prepare people for the third angel’s message, which would “show the way into the most holy place.”  Without an acceptance of the first and second messages, one could benefit from the third.  (The Midnight Cry, which was associated with the second angel’s message, also prepared them to accept the truths about the Most Holy Place and Jesus’ new ministry.)

4SP 232.1—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.

EW 237.2—But the beloved of God, who were oppressed, accepted the message, “Babylon is fallen,” and left the churches.

EW 304.1—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 260.1–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.

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

The consequences of rejecting the first angel’s message are:  1) Becoming part of spiritual Babylon, 2) Falling morally, 3) Falling from God’s favor, and 4) Being unable to discern the truths in the following messages that revealed the ministry of Jesus in the Most Holy Place—thus, missing out on His ministration.

1MR 302.2—These kindred heresies, and the rejection of the truth convert the church into Babylon.

GC 389.2—The churches then experienced a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal of the light of the advent message;

EW 237.2—As the churches refused to receive the first angel’s message, they rejected the light from heaven and fell from the favor of God. They trusted to their own strength, and by opposing the first message placed themselves where they could not see the light of the second angel’s message.

EW 260.1—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.

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

The “action step” of the second angel’s message was to come out of Babylon—to come out of the churches that rejected the first angel’s message.

EW 237.2—But the beloved of God, who were oppressed, accepted the message, “Babylon is fallen,” and left the churches.

This “action step” is seen more clearly in the light of the Midnight Cry.  The Midnight Cry was closely associated with the second angel’s message; it stated, “…go ye out to meet Him!”  Evidently, they were “in” someplace that they were supposed to leave.  The people who hear the second angel’s message are supposed to “go out” of Babylon to meet Jesus.

EW 238.1 and 2—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!”  This was the midnight cry, which was to give power to the second angel’s message.

When was the climatic closing up of the second angel’s message?

EW 304.1—THERE WAS A CLIMACTIC CLOSING UP OF THE SECOND ANGEL’S MESSAGE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING OCTOBER 22, 1844.

What was the Midnight Cry?

The Midnight Cry is recorded in Matthew 25:6—“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”

When was the Midnight Cry given?

The Midnight Cry was given shortly before October 22, 1844, but yet sometime after the beginning of that summer.

EW 238.1 and 2—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!”  This was the midnight cry…

EW 304.1—THE SECOND ANGEL’S MESSAGE HAD ITS INITIAL SOUNDING EARLY IN THE SUMMER OF 1844…THERE WAS A CLIMACTIC CLOSING UP OF THE SECOND ANGEL’S MESSAGE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING OCTOBER 22, 1844.

What was the purpose of the Midnight Cry?

The Midnight Cry was a powerful message that sought to arouse, encourage, and prepare God’s people for the important truths that would be revealed.  This included finding a real relationship with Jesus and finding the truth about Jesus’ mediation in the Most Holy Place.  The Midnight Cry led the believers to search their hearts and get “right” with God.  It also gave strength to the second angel’s message in that it 1) emphasized the coming “out” part of that message and it 2) gave them a reason to come out (“Behold, the Bridegroom cometh”).

EW 238.3—It went from city to city, and from village to village, until the waiting people of God were fully aroused…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 238.2—This was the midnight cry, which was to give power to the second angel’s message. Angels were sent from heaven to arouse the discouraged saints and prepare them for the great work before them.

EW 260.1—…the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary.

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?

The Midnight Cry caused many to strive to really know Jesus—to have a personal relationship with Him.  It caused them to experience religion for themselves—not just to take it at someone else’s word.  This Cry helped them to become firmly grounded in their faith in Jesus.

Although the early advent church members misinterpreted the meaning of the Midnight Cry (they thought it meant that Jesus was coming back in 1844), it alerted them that something important was happening.

When Jesus did not come when they expected Him to, it was only those who were firmly grounded in their faith that did not give up.  Because of the Midnight Cry, which had stimulated their religious experience, God’s people persevered to search deeper for the truth about what really happened in 1844.  This led them to discover the truths about Jesus and His mediatorial work.  In 1844, instead of cleansing an earthly sanctuary, Jesus had moved into the Most Holy Place to cleanse the heavenly sanctuary.  By learning of Jesus new location, these people were able to “go” with Jesus into the Most Holy Place and benefit from His intercession there.

EW 238.3—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.

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?

The first call is found in the second angel’s message:  “Babylon is fallen, is fallen…”  It was given in the summer of 1844.

The second major call is given when the angel of Revelation 18 gives the loud cry.  This angel takes up the message that the second angel had proclaimed and admonishes the “Babylonians” to “come out of her, my people…” .  Although the messages of these angels are to be given all through the time from 1844 onward, this loud cry will be proclaimed in a prominent distinct call just before Jesus returns.

RH Dec. 6, 1892—7BC 985.5—When Jesus began His public ministry, He cleansed the temple from its sacrilegious profanation. Among the last acts of His ministry was the second cleansing of the temple. So 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”

(The loud cry is what the angel of Rev. 18 proclaims:  “Come out of her my people.”)

EW 304.1—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.”

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

The two distinct calls are given near the beginning and the end of Jesus ministration in the Most Holy Place.  The first was given to lead people to get serious about Christianity because of the intensity of the times in which they were living—Jesus was now beginning one of the last jobs in the salvation of men.  The last warning is given to let people know that time is running out; shortly, there will no longer be a chance to come out of Babylon because Jesus will no longer be ministering for us in the Most Holy Place.  Although these messages are supposed to be given all through Christ’s mediation in the Most Holy, there are no distinct calls between the first and the last because no major change of events (relating to the heavenly sanctuary) happen during this time.

The first angel represents the true followers of Jesus living during the end of time.  These people accept the truth given to them and then share it with rest of the world.

ST, January 25, 1910 par. 5—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.

We know that the three angels’ messages have to do with the end of time because the text (Rev. 14:7) says, “…for the hour of His judgment has come…”  If we look at the 2300 day prophecy of Dan. 8:14, we can gain hints as to when this judgment begins.  Starting at the “commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem” (Dan. 9:25) in 457 B.C., the 2300 day prophecy takes us to the year 1844.  If you connect the dots of Dan. 8:9, 14, Dan. 7:24-25, and Dan. 7:9, you will discover that the investigative judgment happens sometime after the little horn’s reign (which ended in 1798). It, in fact, began in 1844.

GC 435.2—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.

When was the first angel’s message given?

This message was first proclaimed during the years of 1843-1844.

Manuscript 32, 1896.{CW 26.2}—The first and second messages were given in 1843 and 1844…

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

GC 368.1—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.

Why was the first angel’s message given?

Rev. 14:7 tells us, “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.”  This message was given to prepare people for the judgment.  Preparation for the judgment includes keeping God’s commandments and separating from sin.

GC 435.2—That men may be prepared to stand in the judgment, the message commands them to “fear God, and give glory to Him,” “and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”…In order to be prepared for the judgment, it is necessary that men should keep the law of God.

7BC 979.1—Why are the messages of Revelation fourteen given? Because the principles of the churches have become corrupted . . .

GC 425.1—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 379.1—The first angel’s message of Revelation 14…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.

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

Before we determine the answer to the question, we must identify what the “gospel” is.

MS 44, 1898.  {7BC 907}—The gospel is glorious because it is made up of His righteousness. It is Christ unfolded, and Christ is the gospel embodied.

MS 49, 1898.  {7ABC 458.2}—Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel…

The gospel is Jesus and how we can come to be like Him.

The judgment is what prepares us for the Final Atonement, in which we are made one with God.

Manuscript 163, 1897.  {7ABC 471.4}—…the atonement, the at-one-ment, with God…

The judgment is part of the gospel because it prepares us for the Atonement, in which we will be united with Jesus (the gospel).

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

When the churches rejected the first angel’s message, they rejected the opportunity to prepare for the judgment.

When this message was rejected by the churches, God rejected them.  They became part of fallen Babylon.

4SP 232.1—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.

In rejecting the first angel’s message, these churches placed themselves under the same judgment as those who crucified Jesus.

EW 260.1—Many look with horror at the course of the Jews in rejecting and crucifying Christ…But God who reads the hearts of all, has brought to the test that love for Jesus which they professed to feel. 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. 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.

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

The first angel’s message gave a call to worship God and keep his commandments.  But when people did not obey this admonition, there was a need for a warning—an announcement of the impending doom.  This warning was announced by the second angel:  “Babylon is fallen, is fallen…”

4SP 232.1—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.

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

The first angel’s message called for the keeping of God’s commandments.  Jesus said in Matt. 5:18, For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

So, as long as heaven and earth are still here, God’s commandments are still valid.  Obviously, these commandments are still binding today.

Rev. 14:7 says that “the hour of his judgment is come.”  This judgment is still proceeding today and will continue to do so until Jesus stops His mediation for man.  Because of this, the first angel’s message is still relevant right now.

GC 435.2—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.

The first angel’s message is a message that we are supposed to proclaim to the world to prepare people for Jesus’ 2^nd Coming.

16MR 40.2—The first message is to be repeated proclaiming the second advent of Christ to our world.

ST, January 25, 1910 par. 1—The fourteenth chapter of Revelation outlines the work that is to be done by the people of God just before the second advent of our Saviour. Three messages are there represented, which must go to all the inhabitants of the world.

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

When you read the text, you discover that this message is mainly composed of commands to do something.  The angel says, “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. 14:7).

These are the expected actions:  1) Fear God, 2) Give glory to Him, and 3) worship Him who created everything.

To fear and worship God, you need to treat God as if He is really God; you honor Him, try to like Him, and obey His commands.  When you do these things you give glory to Him.

The first angel’s message is really a call to follow God and keep His commandments (including the Sabbath commandment) but to forsake what the world commands you to do.  It’s a package deal:  when we truly worship God by keeping His commands, we work on getting rid of sin in our lives.

GC 435.2—The result of an acceptance of these messages is given in the word: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”  In order to be prepared for the judgment, it is necessary that men should keep the law of God. That law will be the standard of character in the judgment.

GC 425.1—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.

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?

In order to answer the question, we will clarify what the perceived meaning was and what the actual content is.  In the 1840’s, the early advent church perceived the message to be announcing the imminent return of Jesus in the year 1844.  The actual content of the message urges people to worship God because of the coming judgment.

Both the perceived meaning and the actual content relate to our union with Christ.  The judgment is followed by the Final Atonement or the Marriage.  In the Marriage, those who have accepted God’s salvation—those who pass the judgment—are united with Jesus.  It is a total, spiritual union.  When Jesus comes the 2^nd time, we will be united with Him in a more tangible way—a physical union.

Manuscript 163, 1897.  {7ABC 471.4}—The whole world needs to be instructed in the oracles of God, to understand the object of the atonement, the at-one-ment, with God.

The judgment is the process that determines who is able to “attend” the Marriage and thus, who is able to go to Heaven when Jesus comes.  The judgment extends very close to the 2^nd Coming.  It is the “closing work” that Jesus does in the plan of salvation.  The 2^nd Coming is the actual, physical redeeming of His people.

GC 435.2—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 perceived meaning caused a great revival in the church as people prepared for Jesus to come back.  This purification of the church (even though the meaning of the message was misunderstood) was what God wanted to happen during the judgment.

GC 425.1—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.

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5T 310—…the thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character.

The character is comprised of thoughts and feelings (or desires) that are a part of our in-born nature. Traits are strengthened or added to the character by making a habit of them.

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had perfect characters. But when they ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, their characters became defective. Instead of having the character of God, they now had the character of the Tempter—a “bent to evil.” (Ed 26, 29)

Remember that it is thoughts and feelings that make up the character. Thus, a character becomes defective when the thoughts and feelings become defective. At the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, our first parents’ thoughts and feelings were tinted with self-exaltation; they became defective. Their characters became corrupted, obtaining a “bent to evil,” which is a desire for selfishness.

From that point on, humans have passed their selfish character on to their children. And here we are today, with the character of Satan and a bent to selfishness. At conception, our parents pass on to us their genes, including this bent to evil.

CT 192—They have inherited the defective characters of their parents…

E.G. White Letter 68, 1899—The inheritance of children is that of sin.

Whether you like it or not, you are born with a defective character.

But now that we are stuck with this selfish character, what are we to do? Through Christ’s strength, it is our job to build our characters.

MH 452.1—Character building is the work, not of a day, nor of a year, but of a lifetime…Without continual effort and constant activity, there can be no advancement in the divine life, no attainment of the victor’s crown.

A new character can be formed by making a habit of new thoughts and feelings.

COL 356—Thus actions repeated form habits, habits form character.

As you train yourself to think unselfish thoughts instead of selfish ones, the work of building a character will go forward. But this job is not easy.

4T 496—In the human heart there is natural selfishness, which can only be overcome by most thorough discipline and severe restraint; and even then it will require years of patient effort and earnest resistance. God permits us to experience the ills of poverty, and places us in difficult positions, that the defects of our characters may be revealed and their asperities be smoothed away.

CG 161.4—Strength of character consists of two things – power of will and power of self-control.

In order to build our character, we must use the tools that God gives us.

4T 606.2—Every faculty in man is a workman that is building for time and for eternity. Day by day the structure is going up, although the possessor is not aware of it. It is a building which must stand either as a beacon of warning because of its deformity or as a structure which God and the angels will admire for its harmony with the divine Model. The mental and moral powers which God has given us do not constitute character. They are talents, which we are to improve, and which, if properly improved, will form a right character.

The tools that are used to improve our character are the faculties/powers/talents with which God has entrusted us. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our duty is to strengthen and develop these faculties so that they may do a proper job. It is these faculties—these “mental and moral powers”—that build our character. If not trained properly, they will not build a proper character.

Although there is definitely a job that we must do in the formation of our character, there is one procedure that we ourselves cannot do. We are unable to change our desires (our feelings). The only one who can accomplish this for us is God. He is the only one who can bring a transformation of the heart.

When the time comes for the investigative judgment, we “bring” our character—our life’s work—to be judged. But even after all we have done to build our character, it is as “filthy garments” (Zech. 3:1) because we still have a bent to evil. Ever since the Fall in Eden, we have had this natural tendency towards sinning. At the investigative judgment, even though God has helped us to develop our character, this sinful nature is still embedded within us. We do not yet have sinless characters.

In the Old Testament, the sins of the people were transferred to the sanctuary (during the daily work) where they remained until the Day of Atonement (the yearly work). On the Day of Atonement, the sanctuary was cleansed of its accumulated sins. The Israelites could start life anew with a clean slate. Today, Jesus is in the Heavenly Sanctuary. Each day, when we ask God to forgive us, our sins are transferred to the Heavenly Sanctuary during the “daily” work our High Priest. It is only on the Final Day of Atonement that the record of our sins and corrupted characters is totally destroyed. When we “bring” our character to the judgment, it is decided whether or not we will enjoy the benefits of the Final Atonement. If we have been living in the Spirit—developing our characters, we will be cleansed by the Atonement. The Final Atonement, or the Marriage, is where the “bent to evil” is taken away. It is here that we become sinlessly perfect; it is here that our characters stop being defective.

The Marriage is necessary to follow God’s law to the utmost. It takes away the feelings (desires) for selfishness. If we are to live during the time of trouble, after the close of probation when Jesus stops mediating, we must have already been cleansed at the Marriage.

If you believe that the Marriage is not necessary—that you arrive at the judgment with an already perfect character, you indulge in the idea that all we have to do is develop the good that exists within us. These ideas are spiritualistic or pantheistic in nature.

8T 291—These theories [pantheistic theories], followed to their logical conclusion, sweep away the whole Christian economy. They do away with the necessity for the atonement and make man his own savior. [words supplied]

Even if we develop our character with the help of Jesus, there is nothing we ourselves can do to get rid of our sinful nature. We can be living a sinless life, yet still have sinful tendencies. As long as our record of sin is on the books of Heaven (even though they may be covered with the blood of Jesus), our character is not perfect. This record of sin is removed at the Final Atonement.

Revelation 14

Section 1 – Rev. 14:1-5 – “The 144 Thousand”

Section 2 – Rev. 14:6-13 – “The Three Angels: Warnings and Encouragements for  Pre-advent People”

Section 3 – Rev. 14: 14-20 – “The Harvest”

Revelation 18

Section 1 – Rev. 18:1-8 – “The Announcement: Babylon Falls and Receives Her Plagues

Section 2 – Rev. 18:9-24 – “The Earth Laments Over Babylon”

Rev. 4:1—

“After this”—By looking at “this” in the previous chapters, we will obtain clues that will help us interpret chapters 4 and 5. In the first three chapters of Revelation, there are no references to sanctuary furniture (in the part describing the vision), except for the seven candlesticks in Rev. 1:13 and 1:20. At first, one might presume that this is referring to the seven golden candlesticks in the Holy Place. But Rev. 1:20 explains what these lamps are: “…the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” Jesus was walking between the candlesticks, showing that His presence was with His people. Since these churches were located not in Heaven, but on earth, chapters 1-3 occur on this earth (or at least outside the sanctuary). This is supported by the fact that, in Rev. 4:1, John is told to “Come up, hither” to the sanctuary.

“a door was opened”—If the previous setting was outside the sanctuary, this door would naturally be the door into the first apartment, the Holy Place. But in order to know for sure, we must look for more definite clues. In Rev. 4:5, we see the seven golden candlesticks: “…and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” Later in Rev. 8:3, we see the alter of incense: “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense…” These two pieces of furniture are located in the Holy Place (Ex. 26:35 and Ex. 31:11). To determine which apartment Rev. 4:1 is referring to, we must look at clues that obviously relate to this verse. We cannot use clues concerning the book of Rev. 10 to interpret the book of Rev. 5. We cannot assume that these books are the same unless Rev. 4-5 is set in the Most Holy Place. And so far, the two pieces of furniture mentioned give evidence that Rev. 4-5 is in the Holy Place. Ellen White further supports this conclusion:

GC 414.3-415—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 of the sanctuary in heaven…

The “door that was opened” was the door to the Holy Place.

“voice…of a trumpet”—This same voice was heard in Rev. 1:10, 11. Verse 11 says that this voice belongs to the “Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” From Rev. 1:13, 17, we can conclude that Jesus is the owner of this trumpet-like voice.

RH, May 16, 1899 par. 9—But though separated from his brethren, he was visited by Christ, whom he had not seen since the ascension. “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,” he writes, “and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. . . . I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore.

Verse 2:

“throne”—Now we find ourselves in the sanctuary. But isn’t the “throne” always in the Most Holy Place? Not necessarily. There are many texts which allow for the idea of a moving throne.

Ex. 29:42—This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

Eze. 10:4—Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house…

Eze. 10:18, 19—Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them…and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.

“one sat on the throne”—Rev. 5:6, 7 describes the Lamb coming to take “the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.” The Lamb is Jesus and the one on the throne is God the Father.

Rev. 5:1—

“written within and on the backside”—This is an idiom that means that this book (or scroll) is written on both sides—the front and the back.

Verse 3:

“no man”—Not even God the Father could open this book. Jesus was the only one who was worthy because of His death on the cross (Rev. 5:9). Not even His Father could give Him the authority to open the book. (Contrast this with the judgment scene of Dan. 7:13, 14 where the Father is able to give Jesus authority.)

Verse 6:

“Lamb”—The Lamb is Jesus.

Is. 53:7—He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Jn. 1:29—The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Verse 12:

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain”—After Jesus rose from the dead, he went back up to Heaven to minister in the Holy Place (Heb. 9:11, 12, 24).

Heb. 9:12—“…by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place…”

Just as the priest entered into the Holy Place after making a sacrifice (Lev. 4:4-6), Jesus entered the Holy Place after making the ultimate sacrifice. This fits with the idea that Rev. 4-5 happens in the Holy Place. After Jesus sacrificed His life as the true Lamb of God, He returned to heaven where the angels, beasts, and elders honor Him by proclaiming, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” These creatures give us a clue about what Jesus did just before Rev. 4-5.

What is the “book”?

What is this “book” that Rev. 5 makes such a big deal about? Why is it so important?

20MR 197.1—We ask John what he saw and heard in the vision at Patmos, and he answers: “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. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.”

20MR 197.2—There in His open hand lay the book, the roll of the history of God’s providences, the prophetic history of nations and the church. Herein was contained the divine utterances, His authority, His commandments, His laws, the whole symbolic counsel of the Eternal, and the history of all ruling powers in the nations. In symbolic language was contained in that roll the influence of every nation, tongue, and people from the beginning of earth’s history to its close.

20MR 197.3—The destiny of every nation was contained in that book.

DA 313.3—In the book of God’s providence, the volume of life, we are each given a page. That page contains every particular of our history; even the hairs of the head are numbered. God’s children are never absent from His mind.

TMK 89.2—The past is contained in the book where all things are written down. We cannot blot out the record, but we can learn many things if we choose. The past should teach us its lessons.

The book of Rev. 5 is called the “roll of the history of God’s Providences.” In it is found everything about God: His character, His plans, etc. It contains the entire history of this world, starting at Creation and extending all the way to its end. The details of every human’s life are also found in this book. It is a history book plus much more!

Contrast this book, which contains the history of all humans (both good and evil), with the investigative judgment, which deals only with the professed people of God.

GC88 480.1—In the typical service, only those who had come before God with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin-offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the day of atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative Judgment, the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God.

The following quote reveals the main theme of the book:

GCB, Oct. 1, 1899 par. 5— He leads them up to the higher grade, unfolding before them the treasures of eternity. He opens before them the volume of his providence, and bids them, as far as possible, take in the whole revelation. He tells them that in this book is written the name of every individual, that in the page assigned each individual is written every particular of his history, even to the numbering of the hairs of the head. He leads the human agent to think of the love of God manifested by giving his only begotten Son to die for the world. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The primary theme of this book is God’s amazing love; it tells the story of redemption. The “volume of his providence” shows how each member of the Trinity has worked, throughout the ages, to save mankind. It tells of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made so that we could have salvation. In the plan of Redemption, Jesus is the central figure. This is why the Lamb is so important when it comes to opening this book.

We have seen how the book of Rev. 5 includes a history of the past, but it also consists of the present as well as the future.

Eph. 2:6 says, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Although this will be fulfilled completely when we go to Heaven, even now Jesus makes us to “sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” By faith, we can sit on the thrones with the 24 elders and proclaim with every creature, “Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever” (Rev. 5:13).

The book also includes the future.

RH, July 11, 1912 par. 13 and 14—As they look upon the souls they sought to win to Christ, and see them saved, eternally saved, monuments of God’s mercy and of a Redeemer’s love, there ring through the arches of heaven shouts of praise and thanksgiving. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests. . . . Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory and blessing.” (Rev. 5:9-12 quoted)

Rev. 5:13—And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

The time will come when “every creature” in the entire universe confessed that God is just—that Jesus worthy. This will occur at the judgment of the wicked, which occurs after the millennium.

RH, June 4, 1895 par. 6—The time will come when all will praise him. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests. . . .” (Rev. 5:9-10 quoted)

The book of Rev. 5 is the history of redemption. It is a record of the great controversy. It travels from the first meeting, in which the Trinity discussed what to do if man fell, all the way to the end of the millennium, when the wicked are destroyed and the universe is restored.

Dan. 9:23—Now listen, so you can understand the meaning of your vision.

This has to be referring to the last vision that Daniel received (which was in Daniel 8).

Daniel 9 talks of a 490 day prophecy.

Dan. 9:24—Seventy weeks [490 days] are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city…

The word “determined” means “cut off”. Therefore, 490 days were “cut off”. But what were they cut off from? The last time prophecy that was mentioned (besides the 490 days) is the 2300 day prophecy in chapter 8. Thus, the 490 days must be cut off from the 2300 days. Both prophecies begin at the same time. As a result, if we find the starting point of the 490 days, we will know the starting date of the 2300 days. Daniel 9:25 gives us a clue.

Dan. 9:25—Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem…

This command was given in its most complete form by King Artaxerxes in the year 457 B.C.

[NOTE: In Bible prophecy, one prophetic day equals one literal year. (Num. 14:34)]

If we subtract 457 from 2300 to get the ending date, we come up with A.D. 1843. However, this calculation assumes a Year 0. Because there was no Year 0, our ending date will be 1844 instead.

Artaxerxes’ command was given in the fall of 457 B.C. The 2300 days (years) start in the fall of 457 B.C. and end in the fall of 1844.

[NOTE: The ancient calendar (from which this prophecy is based) started and ended in the spring. (This is opposed to ending in the winter, as it does today.) However, in this instance, it does not effect the ending date of the prophecy.  Whether or not the year starts in the spring or the winter, the fall will always be included in that same year.]

But can we get more specific than the “fall of 1844”? Daniel 8:14 talks about what happens at the end of the 2300 day prophecy.

Dan. 8:14—And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

This is referring to the start of the Final Atonement that happens in the heavenly sanctuary. In the Old Testament, the earthly sanctuary also got cleansed. This happened once a year on a certain date. The following verse explains when this happened.

Lev. 16:29—On the tenth day of the seventh month…

If the earthly sanctuary is a model of the heavenly one (Heb. 8:15), then it is logical to conclude that the Final Atonement would start on the same day as the Old Testament Day of Atonement. If one were to take into account the differences between the ancient calendar and our modern calendar, the “tenth day of the seventh month” would fall on October 22.

Thus, the date of October 22, 1844 was calculated to the ending date of the 2300 day prophecy.

God has always been the same and will always be the same ( James 1:17, Heb. 13:8). His Law can be summed up in two words: unselfish love.

Jn.14:10—I seek not my own will, but the will of Him that sent me.

Ed. 154.3—Unselfishness, the principle of God’s kingdom…

DA 19.2—It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love. In the light from Calvary it will be seen that the law of self-renouncing love is the law of life for earth and heaven; that the love which “seeketh not her own” has its source in the heart of God; and that in the meek and lowly One is manifested the character of Him who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto.

The three members of the Trinity have always been seeking to do the will of others. Their characters are that of unselfishness. They receive from others only so that they might give something back. They demonstrate this in their relationship with humans as well as their relationship with each other. For example, in John 17:1, 4-5 we see this exchange going on; God the Father gives glory to Jesus, but then Jesus gives it right back.

1 John 4:16—And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

1 Corinthians 13:4, 5—Love…does not seek its own…

Clearly, God is a God of unselfish love.

But there is another law at work within our universe: the law of self. Satan is the originator of this law.

Is. 14:12, 13—How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.

DA 21.3—In heaven itself this law was broken. Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be first in heaven. He sought to gain control of heavenly beings, to draw them away from their Creator, and to win their homage to himself. Therefore, he misrepresented God, attributing to Him the desire for self-exaltation. With his own evil characteristics he sought to invest the loving Creator. Thus he deceived angels. Thus he deceived men. He led them to doubt the word of God, and to distrust His goodness.

Satan wanted to be God. He wanted to exalt himself. Notice what a stark opposite this is to the Law of God (selfishness vs. unselfishness).

God’s Law of unselfishness is demonstrated by the Circuit of Beneficence.

DA 21.2—Through the beloved Son, the Father’s life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all. And thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the character of the great Giver, the law of life.

Remember that each member of the Trinity takes only to give in return. God intended us to act in the same way. If one would follow God’s Law, the “law of life”, he would be obeying the Circuit of Beneficence. The circuit starts at God, the Father and “Source of all”. He gives life, “through the Son”, to His creatures. We, in return, give our “praise and joyous service, a tide of love” to God through Jesus.

In contrast to the Circuit of Beneficence, Satan’s law also has a circuit. However, this circuit is broken. Satan, who tried to exalt himself to be like God, has put in a system of creature worship. Instead of taking to give, the creature exalts himself to be in place of the Creator. This circuit is broken because it is lopsided. There is no taking to give.

The Circuit of Beneficence has many advantages over the Broken Circuit. It allows us to experience more fully the unselfish love that God has for us. It is only when we are following God’s plan that we are truly happy. By understanding the Circuit of Beneficence, we also understand how we pass the judgment. At the judgment, our characters are judged against the character of God, which is His Law, which is unselfishness. If we have, by God’s grace, completed our part in the Circuit of Beneficence, we will pass the judgment by Christ’s substitution and receive His righteousness at the Marriage of God and His people. Satan, however, claimed that God was self-exalting. This would imply that the exaltation of self is not sinful. If one believes this lie, they would come to the judgment, exalting self. They would expect the character of God (by which they are judged) to be selfish, making it desirable to have that sinful attribute.

The Broken Circuit is rampant in our world. It is demonstrated in the “aspirations of the mind” as well as “religious services.”(YI April 8, 1897 par. 4) Sinful man has come to believe that he can achieve anything; nothing is impossible. This would be true if said in this way, “With God, nothing is impossible.” By believing that man can improve on his own, people are actually exalting themselves (the creature) to the place of Creator. The Broken Circuit is also demonstrated in “Christian” religious services. When the focus of the worship services shifts from God to the worshippers, or when we try to impress others by how “Christ-like” we are, we are putting the creature in the place of Creator. The belief in salvation by works also finds its roots in creature worship.

Romans 1 talks about this substitution of the creature for the Creator.

Rom. 1:25—Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

The following verses paint a very ugly picture of what creature worship does to humans. They become degraded and engage in practices such a homosexuality.

Rom. 1:29—Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity…

The next verses go on and on, listing off many, many evil attributes. Words appear such as “haters of God”, “inventors of evil things”, “unmerciful”, and those who find “pleasure” in sin. Many forms of creature worship are tamed down; you would never expect that it would end in such degradation. Yet, it is Satan’s plan to introduce into our lives these characteristics. Creature worship has this debasing nature simply because it is contrary to God’s original plan.

An interesting point of interest is that both Christianity and spiritualism believe that humans are a creature of progression—that we should be progressing toward the Godhead. However, there are major differences in the beliefs. Christians believe that God is sinless and that we progress to be sinless, as He is. Spiritualists claim that sin is not actually bad. Their progression leads to becoming “gods” that still possess a sinful nature. Recall how these different views of God affect how one would prepare for the judgment (see paragraph above that begins with “The Circuit of Beneficence has many advantages…”).