~ The Prophetic Pattern of the Great Reformatory Movements of Bible History ~
The Prophetic Pattern of Great Reformatory Movements
Again and again I have been shown that the past experiences of God's people are not to be counted as dead facts. We are not to treat the record of these experiences as we would treat a last year's almanac. The record is to be kept in mind, for history will repeat itself.
Publishing Ministry, p. 175
"The work of God in the earth presents, from age to age, a striking similarity in every great reformation or religious movement. The principles of God's dealing with men are ever the same. The important movements of the present have their parallel in those of the past, and the experience of the church in former ages has lessons of great value for our own time."
The Great Controversy, p. 343
The Great Reformatory Movements of the past (Noah, Moses, Elijah, Cyrus, John the Baptist)
parallel the Great Reformation of our day, William Miller and Seventh-day Adventism.
There are seven "Waymarks" clearly evident and always in the same order in every great reform movement in Bible history, each with its own "Characteristics". You will notice that the Characteristics within a Waymark are not always in the same order, and that not all of the Characteristics appear in every "Waymark", but the "striking similarity" is clearly evident in every Great Reformatory Movement.
WAYMARKS
1. A Time of the End
2. First Message
3. Second Message
4. Third Message
5. A Work
6. Backsliding
7. Fourth Message
CHARACTERISTICS within the Waymarks: the Great Reformatory Movements Pattern
1. A Time of the End
A Prophecy is fulfilled
Men understand the fulfillment by running to and fro in God's Word
Unsealing of a prophetic message
The prophetic message relates to the message or the work of the upcoming period
The unsealed truth begins an escalating process of separation
2. First Message
Worldwide impact in the prophetic geographical setting
Spiritual Darkness or a "scattering" precedes reformation
A "gathering" is initiated
Associated with a Reformer or reform Message
Conviction of sin
Foundation is established
God "empowers" the message
A "life-or-death" Testing Process begins
3. Second Message
Local in the prophetic geographical setting
Enemies oppose the work or message (often a 3-fold enemy as a singular-singular-plural)
A call out of "Babylon"
God manifests His power to surge the message over the opponents
A glorification
The Temple is finished and cleansed
A Sealing
Life or Death decisions are made
4. Third Message
A "Door" closes, the "gathering" is completed, two groups are separated
A "Covenant" is established
The message culminates in a Judgment event
Followed by Disappointment
Often the number "7" shows
5. A work or duty is given to God's tested and faithful people
6. God's people backslide and stop doing the work
7. Fourth Message (Repeats aspects of the Second Message)
Troublous times
New call out of "Babylon"
New Repentance
New Restoration of God's power & Return to the "old paths"
New Judgment (this time on the "church")
Work finished
Jesus Comes
Noah & Tower of Babel
1. A Time of the End
A Prophecy is fulfilled: 120 years. Gen. 6:3
Darkness or "scattering": Man's thoughts were "only evil continually." Gen. 6:5
Unsealing of a prophetic message
Increase of knowledge re. near future: Methuselah, "when he dies, it shall come." Gen. 5:27
The unsealed truth begins an escalating process of separation
2. First Message
Worldwide impact in the prophetic geographical setting
Reformer or reform Message: Noah. Gen. 6:13
Conviction of sin
A "gathering" begins
Foundation is established
God "empowers" the message: Ark plans given to Noah. Gen. 6:14
Life-or-Death Testing Process begins: Noah builds & preaches. (PP 94)
3. Second Message
Local in the prophetic geographical setting
Enemies oppose: "worldly, honored, and wise men." (PP 95)
A call out of Babylon
God manifests His power to surge the message: Animals enter the Ark. Gen. 7:9
A glorification
The Temple is finished and cleansed
A Sealing
Life-or-Death decisions are made
4. Third Message
Ark Door closes, the "gathering" is complete, two groups are separated
Judgment event (7days waiting): Flood. Gen. 7:17
Covenant established: Rainbow. Gen. 9:9
Disappointment: Re. condition of the "new" earth. (PP 108)
5. Work given to God's people "Replenish" the earth. Gen. 9:1
6. Backsliding Tower of Babel. Gen. 11:4
7. Fourth Message (Repeats aspects of the Second Message)
Troublous times
New call out of Babylon
New Repentance & return to old paths: "Those that feared the Lord cried unto Him" (PP 123)
New restoration of God's power: Confusion of languages. Gen. 11:9
Work finished: Groups disperse according to their new languages.
New Judgment (on the "Church"): Lightning destroys Tower. (PP 119)
Jesus (the Prince of Peace) Comes: "Companies" live in relative peace. (PP 123)
Moses & Golden Calf
1. A Time of the End
Prophecy fulfilled: 430 years. Gen. 15:13, Ex. 12:41
Darkness or "scattering": Egyptian bondage. Ex. 1:13
Unsealing of a prophetic message
Increase of knowledge re. near future: Burning Bush. Ex. 3
Begin process of separation
2. First Message
Worldwide impact in the prophetic geographical setting
Reformer or reform Message: Moses. Ex. 3
Conviction of sin
A "gathering" begins
Foundation is established
God "empowers" the message: Serpent-Rod. Ex. 4
Life-or-Death Testing Process begins: Circumcision. Ex. 4:25
3. Second Message
Local in the prophetic geographical setting
Enemies oppose: (3) Pharaoh, Magicians, Israelite officers. Ex. 5
A call out of "Babylon"
God manifests His power to surge the message: Plagues. Ex. 7-12
A glorification
The Temple is finished and cleansed
Life-or-Death decisions are made. God's people are sealed.
4. Third Message
A "Door" closes, the "gathering" is complete, two groups are separated
Covenant established: Blood on doorposts. Ex. 12:7
Judgment event: Passover or Death of firstborn. Ex. 12:29
7 days of unleavened bread: Ex. 13:6-7
Disappointment: Red Sea blocks escape. Ex. 14
5. Work given to God's people: Preparation to receive God's Law. Ex. 19:10-11
6. Backsliding: Golden Calf. Ex. 32:1-8
7. Fourth Message (Repeats aspects of the Second Message)
Troublous times
New call out of "Babylon"
New Repentance, return to "old paths": Levites side with Moses. Ex. 32:26
New restoration of God's power
New Judgment (on the "Church"): Levites execute apostates. Ex. 32:29
Work finished
Jesus Comes: Moses' atonement a type of Christ's. Ex. 32:30
Moses & Joshua (the long view)
1. A Time of the End
Prophecy fulfilled: 430 years. Gen. 15:13, Ex. 12:41
Darkness or "scattering": Egyptian bondage. Ex. 1:13
Unsealing of a prophetic message
Increase of knowledge re. near future: Burning Bush. Ex. 3
Begin process of separation
2. First Message
Worldwide impact in the prophetic geographical setting
Reformer or reform Message: Moses. Ex. 3
Conviction of sin
A "gathering" begins
Foundation is established
God "empowers" the message: Serpent-Rod. Ex. 4
Life-or-Death Testing Process begins: Circumcision. Ex. 4:25
3. Second Message
Local in the prophetic geographical setting
Enemies oppose (3): Pharaoh, Magicians, Israelite officers. Ex. 5
A call out of "Babylon": "Let My people go". Ex. 5:1
God manifests His power to surge the message: Aaron's rod swallows magician's rods. Ex. 7:12
A glorification: "I have made thee a god to Pharaoh" Ex. 7:1
The Temple is finished and cleansed
A Sealing (Life-or-Death decisions are made)
4. Third Message
A "Door" closes, the "gathering" is complete, two groups are separated
Covenant established: Passover. Ex. 12:29
Judgment event: Death of firstborn. Ex. 12:23
7 days of unleavened bread: Ex. 12:15
Disappointment: Red Sea blocks escape. Ex. 14
5. Work given to God's people Get out! (Go to Caanan.) Ex. 12:31
6. Backsliding 40 years of wandering. Num. 14:34
7. Fourth Message (Repeats aspects of the Second Message)
Troublous times
Enemies oppose (3, s-s-pl): Midian, Moab, Balaam (of children) Num. 22:4-5
New restoration of God's power: Balaam's 3+1 blessings Num. 23-24
New Judgment (on the "Church"): Baalpeor. Num. 25:5
New Repentance, return to "old paths": Circumcision & Passover. Josh. 5
Repeats Second Message's call out of "Babylon": "put away the gods...in Egypt". Josh. 24:14
Work finished: "And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua", Josh. 24:31
Jesus Comes: "The grace of Christ wrought in their hearts." 2BC 1001
Joshua
1. A Time of the End
(4th Message characteristic = Troublous Times) Invading Canaan. Josh. 1-6
A Prophecy is fulfilled 40 years. Num. 14:34
Unsealing of a prophetic message Captain of the Lord's Host appears. Josh. 5:13
(The prophetic message relates to the message or the work of the upcoming period)
Escalating process of separation Canaanites aware of Israel's approach
2. First Message
Worldwide impact in the prophetic geographical setting All Canaanite nations
Spiritual Darkness or a "scattering" precedes reformation Wilderness wandering
Associated with a Reformer or reform Message Joshua
A "gathering" is initiated Spies contact Rahab
Conviction of sin Known as harlot
Foundation is established Book of the Law. Josh. 1:8
God "empowers" the message Circumcision & Passover reinstated. Josh. 5:2, 9-10
A "life-or-death" Testing Process begins
3. Second Message
Local in the prophetic geographical setting City of Jericho. Josh. 2
Enemies oppose the work or message King & guards
God manifests His power to surge the message over the opponents Spies hidden
A call out of "Babylon" Rahab asks for safety
A Sealing Rahab's family. 2:14
Life or Death decisions are made Stay indoors or die. 2:19
The Temple is finished and cleansed 3 days preparation to cross the Jordan. 3:2
Visual Test Israel crosses Jordan at flood stage. 3:15
A glorification Israel respects Joshua. 3:7, 4:14
4. Third Message
A "Door" closes, the "gathering" is completed, two groups are separated Rahab's family
A "Covenant" is established Red cord. 2:17
Often the number "7" shows 7 circles in 7 days. 6:14-15
The message culminates in a Judgment event Walls fall down. 6:20
Followed by Disappointment Ai. 7:4
5. A work or duty is given to God's people All the goods are God's. 6:19
6. God's people backslide and stop doing the work Achan. Josh. 7
7. Fourth Message (Repeats aspects of the Second Message)
Troublous times
New Restoration of God's power & Return to the "old paths"
New Judgment (this time on the "church") Achan. Josh. 7:25
Work finished Ai destroyed. Josh. 8
Jesus Comes Altar constructed, Law read and recorded. Josh. 8:30-35
Elijah & Elisha
1. A Time of the End
Darkness or "scattering": Jezebel's idolatry. 1 Ki. 16:31
Prophecy fulfilled
Unsealing of a prophetic message
Increase of knowledge re. near future
Begin process of separation
2. First Message
Reformer or reform Message: Elijah. (PK 120-121)
Conviction of sin: Ahab. 1 Ki. 18:18
A "gathering" begins: Prophets hidden. 1Ki. 18:4
Foundation is established
God "empowers" the message
Life-or-Death Testing Process begins: No rain. 1 Ki. 17:1
Worldwide in the prophetic geographical setting: Non-Israelite cities involved. 1 Ki. 17:9
3. Second Message
Local in the prophetic geographical setting: Only Israel involved. 1 Ki. 18:19
Enemies oppose: (3, s-s-pl) Ahab, Jezebel, Priests of Baal. 1 Ki. 17-19
A call out of "Babylon": "If the Lord be God, follow Him." 1 Ki. 18:21
God manifests His power to surge the message: Fire on Mt. Carmel. 1 Ki. 18:38
A glorification
The Temple is finished and cleansed
Life-or-Death decisions are made. God's people are sealed.
4. Third Message
A "Door" closes, the "gathering" is complete, two groups are separated
Covenant established
Judgment event: Execute False Prophets. 1 Ki. 18:40
7 prayers of Elijah: 1 Ki. 18:43
Disappointment: Elijah flees from Jezebel. 1 Ki. 19:1-4
5. Work given to God's people: Elijah anoints next generation of players. 1 Ki. 19:15-16
6. Backsliding: Ahab saves enemy Ben-Hadad but allows death of neighbor Naboth. 1 Ki. 20-21
7. Fourth Message (Repeats aspects of the Second Message)
Troublous Times: Ongoing wars with Syria. 1 Ki. 22:3
New call out of "Babylon": Micaiah 1 Ki. 22:28
New Repentance & Return to the "old paths"
New restoration of God's power: Elisha's ministry. 2 Ki. 2-13
New Judgment (on the "Church"): (7 x 6 = 42) youths torn by she-bears. 2 Ki. 2:24
Work finished
Jesus Comes: Elisha's ministry a type of Christ (PK240); Elijah's of the 144,000 (PK227)
Cyrus & Ezra-Nehemiah
1. A Time of the End
Darkness or "scattering": Babylonian Captivity. 2 Chron. 36:20
Prophecy fulfilled: End of 70 years. Jer. 25:12
Unsealing of a prophetic message
Increase of knowledge re. near future: Daniel understands the time by "books" Dan. 9:2
Begin process of separation: Daniel prays for the restoration of Israel. Dan. 9:3
2. First Message
Reformer or reform Message: Cyrus' 1st Decree (538 BC) Ezra 1:2; 2 Chron. 36:23
Worldwide in prophetic geographical setting: "all the kingdoms of the earth" Ezra 1:3
God "empowers" the message: Christ as Michael influences Cyrus. Dan. 10:1,13
Conviction of sin
A "gathering" begins: "them whose spirit God had raised" Ezra 1:5
Foundation is established: Temple foundation laid. Ezra 3:11
Life-or-Death Testing Process begins
3. Second Message
Local in the prophetic geographical setting: Darius' 2nd Decree re. Temple (519 BC) Ezra 5, 6
Enemies oppose: (3, s-s-pl) Tatnai, Shetharboznai & Apharsachites (520 BC). Ezra 5:6
A call out of Babylon
God manifests His power to surge the message: Esther
A glorification
The Temple is finished and cleansed. God's people are sealed: Ezra 6:15
Life-or-Death decisions are made: Jews who didn't go faced death decree. (PK 600)
4. Third Message
A "Door" closes, the "gathering" is complete, two groups are separated
Covenant established
Judgment event: Artaxerxes' 3rd Decree, national sovereignty returned to Jews. Ezra 7:13,21
7th year of the king: (457 BC) Ezra 7:8 (2300 years begin)
Disappointment: Few Jews return. (PK 612)
5. Work given to God's people: Finish rebuilding Jerusalem. Ezra 7
6. Backsliding: Artaxerxes' 20th year (445 BC) work still not done. Neh. 1:1-3 (PK 669)
7. Fourth Message (Repeats aspects of the Second Message)
Troublous times: Samaritans oppose (448 BC) Ezra 4:23
New call out of "Babylon"
New Repentance: Nehemiah, 1:4ff; Leaders, 9:1, 10:1ff (PK 675)
Enemies oppose: (3, s-s-pl) Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arabian. Neh. 2:19
New restoration of God's power: Artaxerxes' 4th Decree (444 BC) Neh. 2:8-9; Enemies defeated. 6:16
New Judgment: Temple cleansed again. Neh. 13:8
Return to "old paths" & Work finished: 7th day Sabbath & marriage reforms enforced. Neh. 13
Jesus Comes: Malachi predicts coming of John the Baptist & Christ. Mal. 3:1
John the Baptist & Christ
1. A Time of the End
Darkness: "superstitions and traditions of professed interpreters" (FCE 238-9)
Prophecy fulfilled: 490 years. Dan. 9:24-25, Mk. 1:14-15
Unsealing of a prophetic message
Increase of knowledge re. near future: Shepherds, Simeon, Anna, Herod, Magi, boy Jesus
Begin process of separation
2. First Message
Worldwide in the prophetic geographical setting: "all the country about Jordan" Lk. 3:3
Reformer or reform Message: John the Baptist. Mt. 3:1-4
A "gathering" is initiated: "Then went out to him..." Mt. 3:5
Conviction of sin: "...and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." Mt. 3:6
Foundation is established
God "empowers" the message: Dove & Voice at Jesus' baptism. Mt. 3:16-17
Life-or-Death Testing Process begins: Jesus in the wilderness. Mt. 4:1
3. Second Message
Local in the prophetic geographical setting: Pharisees and Sadducees. Mt. 3:7
A call out of "Babylon": "who hath warned you to flee...?" Mt. 3:7
Enemies oppose: (3) Herod, Herodias, Salome. Lk. 3:19, Mt. 14:6-11
A glorification: The Transfiguration. Mt. 17
God manifests His power to surge the message: Triumphal Entry. Mt. 21:9
Temple cleansed: [Jesus] "cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple" Mt. 21:12
A Sealing
Life or Death decisions are made
4. Third Message
A "Door" closes, the "gathering" is complete, two groups are separated
Covenant established: Last Supper: Footwashing-Communion.
Judgment event: The Cross.
Disappointment: Disciples.
Jesus "rests" on the 7th day: Sabbath.
5. Work given to God's people: "...so send I you" Jn. 20:21
6. Backsliding: "Gone Fishing" Jn. 21:3
7. Fourth Message (Repeats aspects of the Second Message)
Troublous times
New Repentance: Peter, Jn. 20:15ff; Disciples unify. Acts 2
New call out of "Babylon": "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." Acts 2:40
New Restoration of God's power & Return to the "old paths": Pentecost.
New Judgment (on the "Church"): Ananias & Sapphira & Destruction of Jerusalem, 70 AD.
Work finished: Gospel "preached to every creature ... under heaven" Col. 1:23
Jesus Comes: Patmos. (19MR 40-41)
Adventism : Millerites & 144,000
1. A Time of the End
Spiritual Darkness or a "scattering" precedes reformation: Papal "Dark Ages"
Prophecy fulfilled: End of the 1260 years in 1798. (Dan. 7:24, 12:7; Rev. 11:2,3,9,11; 12:6)
Men understand the fulfillment by running to and fro in God's Word
Unsealing of a prophetic message: Dan. 8:14 (GC 324)
Increase of knowledge re. near future: End of 2300 years in 1844. (GC 327)
Begin process of separation
2. First Message (1st Angel's time) Rev. 14:6
Reformer or reform Message: William Miller. (GC 317)
Worldwide in the prophetic geographical setting: "missionaries ...in all the world" (GC 368)
A "gathering" is initiated: "His preaching was calculated to arouse the public mind" (GC 331)
Conviction of sin: "His work tended to arouse the conscience" (GC 331)
Foundation is established: 3 Angel's Messages of Rev. 14
God "empowers" the message: Rev.10: "book" open re. Islam's fall, 8/11/40. (GC 335)
Life/Death Testing Process begins: 7 Thunders = Millerite time, sweet/bitter. Rev. 10:9-10
3. Second Message (2nd Angel's time) Rev. 14:8
Local in the prophetic geographical setting: "...the churches of the United States" (GC 389)
Enemies oppose: "The churches in general closed their doors" (GC 376, 402)
A call out of "Babylon": "Babylon is fallen, is fallen..." Rev. 14:8
God manifests His power to surge the message: 1843 chart. (GC 392)
A glorification: the "Midnight Cry" (GC 398)
The Temple is finished and cleansed. God's people are sealed.
Life-or-Death decisions are made
4. Third Message (3rd Angel's time) Rev. 14:9
"Door" closed in the Holy Place. The "gathering" is completed, two groups are separated.
Judgment event: Oct. 22, 1844
Disappointment: Oct. 23, 1844
A "Covenant" is established: "And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign" Eze. 20:20
7th day Sabbath restoration begins.
5. Work given to God's people: "Thou must prophesy again [to the world]" Rev. 10:11
6. Backsliding: Laodicea. Rev. 3
7. Fourth Message (150+ years later. 4th Angel's time) Repeats Second Message) Rev. 18
Troublous times: End Time "anger of the nations" Rev. 11:18 (EW 36)
Enemies oppose: (3, s-s-pl) Beast (Papacy), False Prophet (USA), Dragon (U.N.), Rev. 16:13
New call out of "Babylon": "Come out of her, My people." Rev. 18:4
New Repentance & Return to the "old paths": Rev. 3:19 Before "Image" is formed. (7BC 976)
New Restoration of God's power & Work finished: 4th Angel "Latter Rain / Loud Cry" Rev. 18
New Judgment (on the "Global Church" Modern Rome): 7 Last Plagues.
Jesus Comes: Jesus Comes!
Clarification:
In order to clarify the overlapping aspects of the Great Reformatory Movements list given before as it applies to the Millerites and the 144,000; apply the truth that in this 3 + 1 sequence (meaning the 3 Angels plus the 4th Angel), the 4th Angel's message is a repeat of the 2nd Angel's message that "Babylon is fallen".
"Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, "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." Rev. 18:2. The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844."
The Faith I Live By, p.335 (emphasis supplied.)
Other linking statements:
The Loud Cry of the 4th Angel joins the 3rd Angel as the Midnight Cry joined the 2nd Angel (EW 277-278)
Both are empowered by the Holy Spirit (Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p.429)
Both illustrate the parable of the Ten Virgins (R&H Aug. 19, 1890)
Both are cleansing messages (2SM 118)
Both are testing messages (9T 228)
Repetition of the Millerite time during the development of the 144,000 is evident in Scripture.
Rev. 10:1-3 applies to both times because two passages of Daniel (8:14 & 11:40-45), were opened or unsealed at separate times (roughly in the 1830's and the 1990's).
Rev. 10:4-6 applies to the Millerite time.
Rev. 10:7-11 applies to the 144,000 time.
Clarification Quotes
19 MR 40-41
In the days of the early Christians, Christ came the second time. His first advent was at Bethlehem, when He came as an infant. His second advent was at the Isle of Patmos, when He revealed Himself in glory to John the Revelator, who "fell at His feet as dead" when he saw Him. But Christ strengthened him to endure the sight, and then gave him a message to write to the churches of Asia, the names of which are descriptive of the characteristics of every church.
EW 36
At the commencement of the holy Sabbath, January 5, 1849, we engaged in prayer with Brother Belden's family at Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and the Holy Ghost fell upon us. I was taken off in vision to the most holy place, where I saw Jesus still interceding for Israel. On the bottom of His garment was a bell and a pomegranate. Then I saw that Jesus would not leave the most holy place until every case was decided either for salvation or destruction, and that the wrath of God could not come until Jesus had finished His work in the most holy place, laid off His priestly attire, and clothed Himself with the garments of vengeance. Then Jesus will step out from between the Father and man, and God will keep silence no longer, but pour out His wrath on those who have rejected His truth. I saw that the anger of the nations, the wrath of God, and the time to judge the dead were separate and distinct, one following the other, also that Michael had not stood up, and that the time of trouble, such as never was, had not yet commenced. The nations are now getting angry, but when our High Priest has finished His work in the sanctuary, He will stand up, put on the garments of vengeance, and then the seven last plagues will be poured out.
I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus' work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay
the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob's trouble. Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the voice of God. The 144,000 triumphed. Their faces were lighted up with the glory of God.
7BC 976
Tested by the Image.--The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. . . . [Rev. 13:11-17 quoted.] . . .
This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed. All who proved their loyalty to God by observing His law, and refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. Those who yield the truth of heavenly origin and accept the Sunday sabbath, will receive the mark of the beast (Letter 11, 1890).
Apostasy and National Ruin.--When the Protestant churches shall unite with the secular power to sustain a false religion, for opposing which their ancestors endured the fiercest persecution; when the state shall use its power to enforce the decrees and sustain the institutions of the church--then will Protestant America have formed an image to the papacy, and there will be a national apostasy which will end only in national ruin (ST March 22, 1910).
4SP 429-430
The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here brought to view. The Advent movement of 1840-44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in this country there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be far exceeded by the mighty movement under the loud cry of the third message. The work will be similar to that of the day of Pentecost. Servants of
God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, hasten from place to place to proclaim the warning from Heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the message will be given. Miracles are wrought, the sick are healed, and signs and wonders follow the believers. Satan also works with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Thus the inhabitants of the earth are brought to take their stand.
The message will be carried, as was the midnight cry of 1844, not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God.
RH, August 19, 1890
I am often referred to the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise, and five foolish. This parable has been and will be fulfilled to the very letter, for it has a special application to this time, and, like the third angel's message, has been fulfilled and will continue to be present truth till the close of time. In the parable, the ten virgins had lamps, but only five of them had the saving oil with which to keep their lamps burning. This represents the condition of the Church. The wise and the foolish have their Bibles, and are provided with all the means of grace; but many do not appreciate the fact that they must have the heavenly unction. They do not heed the invitation, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest...."
2SM 118
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" (Rev. 14:8). 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" (Rev. 18:4, 5).--The Review and Herald, Dec. 6, 1892.
9T 228
He will purify His church even as He purified the temple at the beginning and close of His ministry on earth. All that He brings upon the church in test and trial comes that His people may gain deeper piety and more strength to carry the triumphs of the cross to all parts of the world.