Has the Angel come?

“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon 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. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice 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.” Revelation 18:1-4.

Revelation 18 deals with a number of topics such as: the loud cry, the latter rain, the third angel, the second angel, the other angel, and Babylon. There is much food for thought on these subjects in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy.

“The third angel’s message is to be given with power. The power of the proclamation of the first and second messages is to be intensified in the third. In Revelation, John says of the heavenly messenger who unites with the third angel: ‘I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice.1” Revelation 18:1, 2. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Volume 6, p. 60.

Why does the angel of Revelation 18 unite with the third angel? “We are in danger of giving the third angel’s message in so indefinite a manner that it does not impress the people. So many other interests are brought in that the veiy message which should be proclaimed with power becomes tame and voiceless.” Ibid., page 60.

The message became tame and voiceless. The angel of Revelation 18 is to aid, support, and strengthen the third angel’s message. This support was needed when the leadership and the membership became lukewarm, and legalistic. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17. To be spiritually naked means to lack the righteousness of Christ.

How is the message to be presented? “There must be no toning down of the truth, HO muffling of the message for this time. The third angel’s message must be strengthened and confirmed. The eighteenth chapter of Revelation reveals the importance of presenting the truth in no measured terms but with boldness and power. . . . There has been too much beating about the bush in the proclamation of the third angel’s message. The message has not been given as clearly and distinctly as it should have been.” Ellen G. White, Manuscript 16, 1900.

“The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel’s message as it swells to a loud cry.” Ellen G. White, Early Writings, page 277. Swelling is a gradual process, beginning small and expanding until it becomes a loud cry which is heard everywhere. The message gets louder and louder and intensifies in its effort to be clearly heard.

When was the time for the appearance of this angel? “The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth.” Ellen G. White Book / Selected Messages, p. 363. When was the revelation of the righteousness of Christ presented to God’s people? In 1888 at the General Conference the light from the angel of Revelation 18 began to shine. The angel came with a message of revival and reformation to prepare a people for the latter rain.

“If we would receive the light of the glorious angel that shall lighten the earth with his glory, let us see to it that our hearts are cleansed, emptied of self, and turned toward heaven, that they may be ready for the latter rain. Let us be obtaining a fitting up to join in the proclamation of the angel who shall lighten the earth with his glory.” Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, August 1, 1892. This heart cleansing must be done prior to the latter rain. In other words, the work of purification must be done today.

“The great reformatory movement must begin in presenting to fathers and mothers and children the principles of the law of God.” Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, page 119.The work of Reformation has to do with obedience to God’s law. Sister White wrote the following words: “The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. 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.” Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, pp. 91-92. The angel of Revelation 18 is today revealing the light of Christ our righteousness by pointing people to God’s law. It will be God’s church that proclaims the last message of hope to a dying world. “God has a church on earth who are lifting up the downtrodden law, and presenting to the world the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.” Ibid., p. 50. His people will be organized for service in rescuing the lost. “I tell you, my brethren, the Lord has an organized body through whom He will work.” Ellen G. White, This Day With God, p. 172. “We should all feel our individual responsibility as members of the visible church and workers in the vineyard of the Lord.” Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, p. 16.

The last church on earth will preach and obey all of God’s commandments. If a church keeps only nine commandments, it cannot be recognized as the REMNANT CHURCH. Always remember that the righteousness of Christ leads to obedience. Is there an organized body of believers who are today obeying the Lord? Of course. God has always had a people. They are described in Revelation 12:17: “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

In the 1800’s, the Lord called the Seventh Day Adventist Church to preach the last message of warning. As time went on, many believers had lost sight of Jesus. Very few were preparing themselves for the latter rain. Sister Ellen White wrote the following: “It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner.” Ellen G. White, Christian Service, p. 41. This was written after the 1888 Conference.

There was no spiritual improvement in the 1890’s. The 1888 Conference did not produce a revival and reformation among the people. How was the message of Christ our Righteousness received? Was the angel of Revelation 18 accepted or rejected? Here is the clear answer from the pen of inspiration: “The perils of the last days are upon us. Satan takes the control of every mind that is not decidedly under the control of the Spirit of God. Some have been cultivating hatred against the men whom God has commissioned to bear a special message to the world. They began this satanic work at Minneapolis. Afterward, when they saw and felt the demonstration of the Holy Spirit testifying that the message was of God, they hated it the more, because it was a testimony against them. They would not humble their hearts to repent, to give God the glory, and vindicate the right. They went on in their own spirit, filled with envy, jealousy, and evil surmisings, as did the Jews. They opened their hearts to the enemy of God and man. Yet these men have been holding positions of trust, and have been molding the work after their own similitude, as far as they possibly could. . . .” Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, pp. 79-80. “There was a time when this work was made necessary, because our own people opposed the work of God by refusing the light of truth on the righteousness of Christ by faith.” Ibid., p. 401.

This sad, startling fact has been confirmed by George R. Knight in the book, A Brief History of Seventh-Day Adventists. He writes: “Jones and Waggoner’s Christ-centered message received a mixed response among the participants at the conference. Some of the Adventist leadership accepted it, but most rejected both the men and the message.” In harmony with Knight’s report of the 1888 Conference, another Adventist author writes, “The message has never been received, nor proclaimed, nor given free course as it should have been in order to convey to the church the measureless blessings that were wrapped within it.” A. Daniells, Christ Our Righteousness, p. 47. How sad that this truth-filled message of justification by faith was never accepted collectively by the church.

What happened in 1901 at the General Conference Session?
“At the General Conference, held in Battle Creek in 1901, the Lord gave His people evidence that He was calling for reformation. Minds were convicted, and hearts were touched; but thorough work was not done. If stubborn hearts had then broken in penitence before God, there would have been seen one of the greatest manifestations of the power of God that has ever been seen. But God was not honored. The testimonies of His Spirit were not heeded. Men did not separate from the practices that were in decided opposition to the principles of truth and righteousness, which should ever be maintained in the Lord’s work.” Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, pp. 97

What was the outcome of the 1909 General Conference? “During the General Conference of 1909 a work should have been done in the hearts of those in attendance that was not done. Hours should have been given up to heart searching, that would have led to the breaking up of the fallow ground of the hearts of those who were at the meeting. This would have given them insight to understand the work so essential to be done by them in repentance and confession. But, though opportunities were given for confession of sin, for heartfelt repentance, and for a decided reformation, thorough work was not done.” Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Book 2, pp. 400-401.

In 1913 the last call for a revival and reformation came to the church. “Men of clear understanding are needed now. God calls upon those who are willing to be controlled by the Holy Spirit to lead out in a work of thorough reformation. I see a crisis before us, and the Lord calls for His laborers to come into line. Every soul should now stand in a position of deeper, truer consecration to God than during the years that have passed.” Ibid., p. 400.

“I have been deeply impressed by scenes that have recently passed before me in the night season. There seemed to be a great movement—a work of revival—going forward in many places. Our people were moving into line, responding to God’s call. My brethren, the Lord is speaking to us.

v Shall we not heed His voice? Shall we not trim our lamps, and act like men who look for their Lord to come? The time is one that calls for light bearing, for action.” Ibid., p. 402. The prophesied Reformation must occur before the latter rain. IT MUST BE IN EXISTENCE TO PREPARE A PEOPLE FOR THE LATTER RAIN.

Since the message of Christ our Righteousness in 1888 was rejected by the leadership, the other angel returned in the form of a well-defined prophesied test. World War I was definitely predicted by Ellen G. White. The church became divided. About 2% of the Adventists in Europe were faithful during the crisis of World War I. The persecuted understood the message of Revelation 18. Righteousness within their hearts led them to obedience.

The last phase of the angel of Revelation 18 will take place during the latter rain. At this time, there will be miracles, signs and wonders. (See Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, p. 126). A call from heaven will be made to come out of Babylon. The faithful will respond to God’s voice. “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” John 10:16.

“I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people will be called out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth. Satan knows this; and before the loud cry of the third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth may think that God is with them. He hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But the light will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant.” Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 261. All those who leave the fallen churches, will then take their stand with the remnant who are keeping all the commandments of God (only one remnant).

“The question of most vital importance for this time is, ‘Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will unite with the angel in giving the message of truth to the world? Who will receive the light that is to fill the whole earth with its glory?'” Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, November 5, 1889.
AMEN