Jeff,
I have been re-reading A Word to the Little Flock this morning. James White writes on page 11: “The third angel’s message was, and still is, a WARNING to the saints to ‘hold fast,’ and not go back, and ‘receive’ the marks which the virgin band got rid of, during the second angel’s cry.’
“And has not the true message for God’s people, since the 7th month 1844, been just such a warning? It certainly has . . .”
In Spiritual Gifts, volume 1, chapter 25, there is a line of events that happened during the first and second angel’s messages, (and I might add that accepting the prophetic message from the messengers was a test.) It is very clear. Referring to the cry of the first angel she writes: “A glorious light then rested down upon these companies, to enlighten all who would receive it… Others resisted the light… The light passed away from them, and they were left in darkness.”
There was another test, just shortly afterwards: The second angel’s message was a test: “those who rejected the light pushed them… Then I heard a voice saying… ‘Come out…’ In obedience to this voice, a large number broke the cords… and leaving the companies that were in darkness, joined those who had previously gained their freedom.”
So, it is only logical to know, not assume, that when these messages are repeated, they are once again going to be a test. By some the gospel is considered to be the love message, separated from the prophetic word. So they have trouble with prophetic messages, because they dwell on the love of Jesus more then the justice of Jesus. Actually, they are hand in hand. LN.
Response
Sister LN,
Those in Adventism who insist that the message of the hour is the presentation of the gospel which Paul defines as the milk of God’s word (in Hebrews five and six) have – I believe – a limited understanding of what the third angel’s message is.
“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” Hebrews 5:12–6:3.
But when these very same men also insist that the prophetic word is not part of the gospel, it becomes evident that the gospel which these men present is detached from that presented in the book of Revelation. The prophetic word is part of the gospel and to teach otherwise is not only to deny the prophecies, but to present another gospel than is defined within God’s word. Jeff.
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