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Lesson 23: The Three Angels' Message
We saw in our last lesson how the Advent Movement arose just prior to the year 1844. While the Adventists believed that Jesus would come to our earth again at that time, they later learned that the 2300 year prophecy of Daniel pointed to the beginning of the judgment. The judgment marks a critical point in time; it is the beginning of the final events of earth's history.
The judgment is also the time when Jesus examines the life of each person claiming to be a believer. He determines if their actions line up with their claims. If they don’t, they will have no place in heaven and on the new earth. But for those who have genuine faith, Jesus offers His own blood as a ransom for the penalty of sin. Even though imperfect, a true believer stands in Jesus' perfect righteousness before God and is vindicated in the judgment. They have eternal life. Jesus will permanently erase the confessed sins of His people and place the responsibility of those sins on the head of Satan.
What should believers be doing at this time while Jesus is doing His ministry in the Most Holy Place in heaven? They should do what believers throughout history have always done: trust in Christ for their salvation, live a godly life and share their faith with all who will hear. The believers living in the last days however have an additional privilege and responsibility. The return of Christ and the end of the world must be announced to everyone. The believers themselves must be ready for Christ's coming so they can look upon His glory without being destroyed by the brightness of His coming. These issues require work and preparation. The messages of warning and mercy these believers carry are the most serious that the world has ever heard. The Bible tells us clearly what messages must be taken to the world. Those messages are so important that they are depicted as being carried by heavenly angels. In this lesson we will look at those messages contained in Revelation 14.
Q1.What is the first angel's message? Read Revelation 14:6, 7.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
God gives messages to Jesus, who in turn gives it to angels, who in turn give them to us.[1] The work of preaching the everlasting gospel to all nations is not done by angels directly but by people. Angels assist believers in this work, but the actual announcements are made by human beings. We already saw in previous lessons what the judgment is, when it began and what purpose it has. We saw that as the judgment proceeds in heaven, we are to do a corresponding work of cleaning the temple of God which is our bodies, from sin.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 says, "Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." God’s presence consumes sin.[2] Who can stand in His presence when He comes? Those who have done a work of purification in their own lives. Through the grace of God and their own efforts, they are conquerors in the battle with sin. While the investigative judgment is going on in heaven, while Jesus is cleansing the heavenly temple of sin, the believers are to be putting sin out of their lives on earth.
Malachi 3:4 says, "Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the LORD, as in the days of old, as in former years." Keep in mind when we read these prophecies that believers are spiritual Israel and the prophecies apply to those who believe. The believers at the end of time have a two-fold mission. As always, they are to proclaim salvation in Jesus to the whole world. In addition to this, they are working to prepare a people to meet Jesus when He comes. When Jesus finishes His work of mediation, the believers will stand before God without a mediator.
In the first angel's message we see that the judgment is part of the everlasting gospel.
Q2. What is the everlasting gospel? Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and John 3:16-18.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Q3. What other message accompanies the first angel's message and what is the source of that message? Read Revelation 14:7; Exodus 20:8-11 and Psalm 95:6.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
The Bible declares God worthy of worship because He is the Creator. The sign of His authority is the Sabbath. At the end of time special attention is given to the Sabbath truth that was covered up during the Dark Ages of papal supremacy. This is necessary because God will judge all according to His law. Those who are being reviewed in the judgment must fulfill the law of God in their lives. They cannot do that while they are willingly or ignorantly violating it. Therefore they must know the requirements of God. There must be a world-wide announcement of the truth of the Sabbath. The Advent movement was raised up by God to proclaim the three angels' message including the restoration of the Sabbath.
Q4. What is the message of the second angel? Read Revelation 14:8.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
At Babel the languages were confused because of man's rebellion against God.[3] The term "Babylon" comes from the word "Babel" and signifies confusion. "Babylon" is a term used in Revelation to designate various forms of false or apostate religion.
Q5. What other descriptions are made of Babylon in the book of Revelation? Read Revelation 17:4-6, 18.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Babylon is described as being a vile woman. She is a harlot and the mother of harlots. In the Bible, God's people are portrayed as married to Christ. In Hosea 2:19 we read, "I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy." Jeremiah wrote, "Return, O backsliding children," says the LORD; "for I am married to you." [4]In the New Testament Paul used the same symbolism when he wrote, "For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." [5]If God's people are unfaithful to Him it is portrayed in Scripture as a violation of the marriage vow (Ezekiel 16:8, 13-15, 32; Jeremiah 3:20). So in Scripture, a virtuous woman represents a pure church, a vile woman as an apostate church.
For 1260 years, from 538 to 1798, the Church of Rome had power over the Christian world. Rome is the "great city" mentioned in Revelation 17:18. The description of the purple, scarlet, gold, precious stones and pearls picture the wealth and worldly magnificence of that church. The Catholic Church is rightly described as being "drunk with the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus." Rome persecuted the true followers of Christ who dared to follow Scripture rather than the dictates of the papacy.
Babylon is also connected with the "kings of the earth." When God's people seek the support of secular governments to enforce their religious decrees this is also spiritual adultery. The union of religion and secular government brought persecution and the restriction of liberty of conscience. That is just what the papacy did throughout the Dark Ages.
Babylon is the mother of harlots and her daughters must symbolize the churches who cling to her doctrines and traditions instead of the Bible.
Q6. What is the condition of Babylon in the second angel's message? Revelation 14:8.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Babylon is fallen. This message follows the announcement of the judgment of 1844 mentioned in Revelation 14:7. Therefore the message of fallen Babylon takes place in the end time. Since the Catholic Church has been fallen for many centuries it cannot refer to that church alone. There is a call in Revelation 18:2-4, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!...Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues." Many of God's people are still in Babylon. Where can we find many of God's people at the present time? Without doubt many are found in the Protestant churches. Therefore Babylon must also include fallen Protestant churches. Many of the Protestant churches are following Rome's connection with the "kings of the earth." They seek the support of secular governments and other denominations and the world. They support Catholic doctrines and traditions. They all profess to get their doctrines from the Bible and yet they are fractured into many sects with conflicting creeds and theories. There is much confusion. So Babylon in Revelation is both the papacy and the Protestant churches that unite with Rome in opposition to the law of God and the teaching of the Scriptures. The fall of Babylon is not yet complete because she has not made all nations drink the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Q7. What is the third angel's message? Read Revelation 14:9-12.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
The third angel's message is one of the last given to mankind. It could not be more serious. It contrasts two groups. One group worships the beast and his image or receives the beast's mark. The other group keeps the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We see that the final crisis is not over politics but worship. Everyone should know who is the beast and what is his image and mark. We can understand already that the Sabbath is to be announced in the end time with particular emphasis. Since this is one of the commandments of God, it is a natural mark of the true believers. Without faith in Jesus, all outward demonstrations of obedience lack the love of God as the motivation factor and are valueless. So we see faith and obedience linked together.
Q8. After Jesus told the signs of His second coming to the disciples in Matthew 24, what did He compare His followers to be like in the last days? Read Matthew 25:1-13.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Jesus said the last-day church would be asleep. They need to be awakened! Jesus the bridegroom is coming! The three angels' message is to wake up and warn the church of her privilege and duty.
Shining Stars Series (Philippians 2:14-16)
"What !?" Mert shot up from his reclining position and knocked his empty tea-cup over on the folding table in front of him. "We have a test tomorrow? Over what chapters?" Mert's cell phone was glued to his ear as his friend Sefa explained. Mert ran his hand nervously through his hair. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"The whole of chapter 13 and 14 and on the last hand-out he gave on Friday," Sefa said. Then Sefa added, "Ah, you weren't there on Friday were you?"
"No, I cut class. I can't believe it. Did he announce the test on Friday? I never heard about it."
"Yes, he announced it on Friday but it is in your class syllabus. Didn't you look at it?"
Mert didn't answer the question but continued to bewail his situation. "I have only cut class twice during 4 years of college and it lands on the day when the teacher announces a test for the next class. I can't believe this is happening to me. What am I going to do? It's 9:30 already."
"Where did you go?" Sefa asked quietly.
"The weather was great and I just went to the cafe with Melisa. But knowing the reason of it doesn't help me now. I am not ready at all for this test. I don't even have the hand-out he gave. Sefa, you have to help me, I am in trouble."
"O.K. Come on over and I will help you out."
Mert dashed past his astonished mother explaining to her while he was putting his jacket and shoes on at the door. He caught the minibus just in time to get over to Sefa's place. “How did I get into this mess?” he thought to himself. “Just one time I cut class!”
Mert was a good student and had high hopes of getting a good job when he graduated. But he needed good grades for that. He studied with Sefa until the middle of the night. The next day Mert took the test and passed. When he saw the test results he was pleased. He came to Sefa and said, "You saved me, Sefa. I am so thankful you called me and told me about the test. I wasn't ready."
Jesus is coming again. In mercy, He sends a message to His followers who are not ready. Spiritually they are sleeping when they should be wide awake. The believers must announce to the world that Jesus is coming and prepare themselves and others for the event.
Q9. If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, would you consider yourself ready? Who or what could help you get ready?
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Call to commitment through prayer.
[1] Revelation 1:1.
[2] Hebrews 12:29.
[3] Genesis 11:9.
[4] Jeremiah 3:14.
[5] 2. Corinthians 11:2.
We saw in our last lesson how the Advent Movement arose just prior to the year 1844. While the Adventists believed that Jesus would come to our earth again at that time, they later learned that the 2300 year prophecy of Daniel pointed to the beginning of the judgment. The judgment marks a critical point in time; it is the beginning of the final events of earth's history.
The judgment is also the time when Jesus examines the life of each person claiming to be a believer. He determines if their actions line up with their claims. If they don’t, they will have no place in heaven and on the new earth. But for those who have genuine faith, Jesus offers His own blood as a ransom for the penalty of sin. Even though imperfect, a true believer stands in Jesus' perfect righteousness before God and is vindicated in the judgment. They have eternal life. Jesus will permanently erase the confessed sins of His people and place the responsibility of those sins on the head of Satan.
What should believers be doing at this time while Jesus is doing His ministry in the Most Holy Place in heaven? They should do what believers throughout history have always done: trust in Christ for their salvation, live a godly life and share their faith with all who will hear. The believers living in the last days however have an additional privilege and responsibility. The return of Christ and the end of the world must be announced to everyone. The believers themselves must be ready for Christ's coming so they can look upon His glory without being destroyed by the brightness of His coming. These issues require work and preparation. The messages of warning and mercy these believers carry are the most serious that the world has ever heard. The Bible tells us clearly what messages must be taken to the world. Those messages are so important that they are depicted as being carried by heavenly angels. In this lesson we will look at those messages contained in Revelation 14.
Q1.What is the first angel's message? Read Revelation 14:6, 7.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
God gives messages to Jesus, who in turn gives it to angels, who in turn give them to us.[1] The work of preaching the everlasting gospel to all nations is not done by angels directly but by people. Angels assist believers in this work, but the actual announcements are made by human beings. We already saw in previous lessons what the judgment is, when it began and what purpose it has. We saw that as the judgment proceeds in heaven, we are to do a corresponding work of cleaning the temple of God which is our bodies, from sin.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 says, "Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." God’s presence consumes sin.[2] Who can stand in His presence when He comes? Those who have done a work of purification in their own lives. Through the grace of God and their own efforts, they are conquerors in the battle with sin. While the investigative judgment is going on in heaven, while Jesus is cleansing the heavenly temple of sin, the believers are to be putting sin out of their lives on earth.
Malachi 3:4 says, "Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the LORD, as in the days of old, as in former years." Keep in mind when we read these prophecies that believers are spiritual Israel and the prophecies apply to those who believe. The believers at the end of time have a two-fold mission. As always, they are to proclaim salvation in Jesus to the whole world. In addition to this, they are working to prepare a people to meet Jesus when He comes. When Jesus finishes His work of mediation, the believers will stand before God without a mediator.
In the first angel's message we see that the judgment is part of the everlasting gospel.
Q2. What is the everlasting gospel? Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and John 3:16-18.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Q3. What other message accompanies the first angel's message and what is the source of that message? Read Revelation 14:7; Exodus 20:8-11 and Psalm 95:6.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
The Bible declares God worthy of worship because He is the Creator. The sign of His authority is the Sabbath. At the end of time special attention is given to the Sabbath truth that was covered up during the Dark Ages of papal supremacy. This is necessary because God will judge all according to His law. Those who are being reviewed in the judgment must fulfill the law of God in their lives. They cannot do that while they are willingly or ignorantly violating it. Therefore they must know the requirements of God. There must be a world-wide announcement of the truth of the Sabbath. The Advent movement was raised up by God to proclaim the three angels' message including the restoration of the Sabbath.
Q4. What is the message of the second angel? Read Revelation 14:8.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
At Babel the languages were confused because of man's rebellion against God.[3] The term "Babylon" comes from the word "Babel" and signifies confusion. "Babylon" is a term used in Revelation to designate various forms of false or apostate religion.
Q5. What other descriptions are made of Babylon in the book of Revelation? Read Revelation 17:4-6, 18.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Babylon is described as being a vile woman. She is a harlot and the mother of harlots. In the Bible, God's people are portrayed as married to Christ. In Hosea 2:19 we read, "I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy." Jeremiah wrote, "Return, O backsliding children," says the LORD; "for I am married to you." [4]In the New Testament Paul used the same symbolism when he wrote, "For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." [5]If God's people are unfaithful to Him it is portrayed in Scripture as a violation of the marriage vow (Ezekiel 16:8, 13-15, 32; Jeremiah 3:20). So in Scripture, a virtuous woman represents a pure church, a vile woman as an apostate church.
For 1260 years, from 538 to 1798, the Church of Rome had power over the Christian world. Rome is the "great city" mentioned in Revelation 17:18. The description of the purple, scarlet, gold, precious stones and pearls picture the wealth and worldly magnificence of that church. The Catholic Church is rightly described as being "drunk with the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus." Rome persecuted the true followers of Christ who dared to follow Scripture rather than the dictates of the papacy.
Babylon is also connected with the "kings of the earth." When God's people seek the support of secular governments to enforce their religious decrees this is also spiritual adultery. The union of religion and secular government brought persecution and the restriction of liberty of conscience. That is just what the papacy did throughout the Dark Ages.
Babylon is the mother of harlots and her daughters must symbolize the churches who cling to her doctrines and traditions instead of the Bible.
Q6. What is the condition of Babylon in the second angel's message? Revelation 14:8.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Babylon is fallen. This message follows the announcement of the judgment of 1844 mentioned in Revelation 14:7. Therefore the message of fallen Babylon takes place in the end time. Since the Catholic Church has been fallen for many centuries it cannot refer to that church alone. There is a call in Revelation 18:2-4, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!...Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues." Many of God's people are still in Babylon. Where can we find many of God's people at the present time? Without doubt many are found in the Protestant churches. Therefore Babylon must also include fallen Protestant churches. Many of the Protestant churches are following Rome's connection with the "kings of the earth." They seek the support of secular governments and other denominations and the world. They support Catholic doctrines and traditions. They all profess to get their doctrines from the Bible and yet they are fractured into many sects with conflicting creeds and theories. There is much confusion. So Babylon in Revelation is both the papacy and the Protestant churches that unite with Rome in opposition to the law of God and the teaching of the Scriptures. The fall of Babylon is not yet complete because she has not made all nations drink the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Q7. What is the third angel's message? Read Revelation 14:9-12.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
The third angel's message is one of the last given to mankind. It could not be more serious. It contrasts two groups. One group worships the beast and his image or receives the beast's mark. The other group keeps the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We see that the final crisis is not over politics but worship. Everyone should know who is the beast and what is his image and mark. We can understand already that the Sabbath is to be announced in the end time with particular emphasis. Since this is one of the commandments of God, it is a natural mark of the true believers. Without faith in Jesus, all outward demonstrations of obedience lack the love of God as the motivation factor and are valueless. So we see faith and obedience linked together.
Q8. After Jesus told the signs of His second coming to the disciples in Matthew 24, what did He compare His followers to be like in the last days? Read Matthew 25:1-13.
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Jesus said the last-day church would be asleep. They need to be awakened! Jesus the bridegroom is coming! The three angels' message is to wake up and warn the church of her privilege and duty.
Shining Stars Series (Philippians 2:14-16)
"What !?" Mert shot up from his reclining position and knocked his empty tea-cup over on the folding table in front of him. "We have a test tomorrow? Over what chapters?" Mert's cell phone was glued to his ear as his friend Sefa explained. Mert ran his hand nervously through his hair. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"The whole of chapter 13 and 14 and on the last hand-out he gave on Friday," Sefa said. Then Sefa added, "Ah, you weren't there on Friday were you?"
"No, I cut class. I can't believe it. Did he announce the test on Friday? I never heard about it."
"Yes, he announced it on Friday but it is in your class syllabus. Didn't you look at it?"
Mert didn't answer the question but continued to bewail his situation. "I have only cut class twice during 4 years of college and it lands on the day when the teacher announces a test for the next class. I can't believe this is happening to me. What am I going to do? It's 9:30 already."
"Where did you go?" Sefa asked quietly.
"The weather was great and I just went to the cafe with Melisa. But knowing the reason of it doesn't help me now. I am not ready at all for this test. I don't even have the hand-out he gave. Sefa, you have to help me, I am in trouble."
"O.K. Come on over and I will help you out."
Mert dashed past his astonished mother explaining to her while he was putting his jacket and shoes on at the door. He caught the minibus just in time to get over to Sefa's place. “How did I get into this mess?” he thought to himself. “Just one time I cut class!”
Mert was a good student and had high hopes of getting a good job when he graduated. But he needed good grades for that. He studied with Sefa until the middle of the night. The next day Mert took the test and passed. When he saw the test results he was pleased. He came to Sefa and said, "You saved me, Sefa. I am so thankful you called me and told me about the test. I wasn't ready."
Jesus is coming again. In mercy, He sends a message to His followers who are not ready. Spiritually they are sleeping when they should be wide awake. The believers must announce to the world that Jesus is coming and prepare themselves and others for the event.
Q9. If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, would you consider yourself ready? Who or what could help you get ready?
A.____________________________________________________________________________
Call to commitment through prayer.
[1] Revelation 1:1.
[2] Hebrews 12:29.
[3] Genesis 11:9.
[4] Jeremiah 3:14.
[5] 2. Corinthians 11:2.