The Last Warning–III

The third angel of Revelation 14 presents a much broader message than his predecessor. He warns the whole world against the worship of the beast and its image. Heaven uses these symbols to identify earthly governments. He also cautions humankind against receiving the mark of the beast by conviction or practice. Those who receive this mark will be punished with the seven last plagues.

This is a sealing angel. The result of the third angel’s message is revealed in the preparation of a people who possess the patience of the saints, keeps the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Those who faithfully die under the third angel’s message are called happy: “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth [when the message began to be preached]: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13).

The advent people in 1844 expected the Lord to return on October 22 of that year. He didn’t come to the earth but left the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary and moved to the most holy place to start the last phase of His intercession in behalf of those who trusted their salvation to Him. Studying His office in the heavenly temple, the faithful believers found the Law of God inside the ark, and the fourth commandment, the seventh day Sabbath.

Now they had to develop the patience of the saints, and expect Jesus coming after His work in the most holy place is finished. Through His marvelous grace they were made able to obey His commandments and to live by the faith of Jesus.

“The third angel’s message is the proclamation of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. The commandments of God have been proclaimed, but the faith of Jesus Christ has not been proclaimed by Seventh-day Adventists as of equal importance, the law and the gospel going hand in hand. I cannot find language to express this subject in its fullness.

“ ‘The faith of Jesus.’ It is talked of, but not understood. What constitutes the faith of Jesus, that belongs to the third angel’s message? Jesus becoming our sin-bearer that He might become our sin-pardoning Saviour. He was treated as we deserve to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins that we might take His righteousness. And faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely is the faith of Jesus.”1

We need to possess the “faith of Jesus” to develop the patience of the saints and to keep the commandments of God. Thus we are prepared to receive our Saviour in His soon coming. May the Lord give us this personal experience!