This is an introduction to the Three Angels Messages, but it should be pointed out that Sister White said that the Three Angels Messages will be present truth as long as probation shall last, and so we will start out with a quote about Present Truth. These first two quotes point out some very important aspects of the Sanctuary Message and the Three Angels Messages. More quotes demonstrating that the Three Angels Messages are one of the primary features of the Sanctuary message will be provided as this article progresses.
Present Truth
There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is “present truth” that the flock needs now. I have seen the danger of the messengers running off from the important points of present truth, to dwell upon subjects that are not calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul. Satan will here take every possible advantage to injure the cause. {EW 63.1}
All of the truths that are in the Bible are indeed precious, but Sister White says that running off from the important parts of “Present Truth,” is indeed dangerous. She is clearly stating thatt the the Church will neither have Unity nor Sanctification if they do not dwell upon Present Truth. It is indeed DANGEROUS!
Please note that in the last sentence of the previous quote Sister White says that Satan himself here will take every advantage to injure the cause. What cause is she speaking of? Of course it is the cause of God which is to save souls. Souls will be lost because the preachers are preaching precious truth instead of present truth and by doing so they are doing the work of Satan.
Isaiah 56:10-12
10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
What is Present Truth Perfectly Calculated to Do?
But such subjects as the sanctuary, in connection with the 2300 days, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, are perfectly calculated to explain the past Advent movement and show what our present position is, establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to the glorious future. These, I have frequently seen, were the principal subjects on which the messengers should dwell. {EW 63.2}
In the above quote Sister White states that the Present Truth is perfectly calculated to do four things.
1.) Explain the past Advent movement. (We must be able to explain the past experience of the Adventist people.)
2.) Show what our present position is. (We must be able to present our present position.
3.) Establish the faith of the doubting. (People will be able to see the hand of God in these truths.)
4.) Give certainty to the glorious future. (Without the embracing and digesting of the Three Angel’s Messages, we have no certainty of salvation.)
What are the 4 Things Sister White Says the Church is to Dwell Upon?
Sister White establishes 4 things that the Church should dwell upon. First let’s look at what it means to dwell:
Dwell: (definition from Dictionary.com)
1.) To live or stay as a permanent resident; reside.
2.) To live or continue in a given condition or state:
3.) To linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech, or writing (often followed by on or upon):
Obviously Sister White is telling the Church that we are to continually be living, lingering over, emphasizing, thinking, talking, writing, presenting and studying the 4 subjects she listed in the quote.
And what are the subjects she listed in the quote which we are to dwell upon?.
1.) The Sanctuary message in connection with,
2.) The 2300 day prophesy.
3.)The commandments of God,
4.) And the faith of Jesus.
Now I don’t know about you, but in my 24 years of attending the Seventh Day Adventis Church I have hardly ever heard any of these subjects being taught, talked about or preached from the pulpit. I admit I have heard these subject being taught and preached about, but it is indeed very, very rare. Mostly the subject of the Love of Jesus is what is presented in every conference Chruch surmon I have attended. Indeed it is precious and it is indeed truth, but Sister White says that it is not calculated to unite the flock nor sanctify the soul. It is indeed dangerous. The sleeping saints must to wake up. I’m sure these things are being taught in some churches somewhere, but I have certainly not heard it in the Churches I have attended.
The Third Angel’s Message is Present Truth
The truth for this time, the third angel’s message, is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, meaning with increasing power, as we approach the great final test…. The present truth for this time comprises the messages, the third angel’s message succeeding the first and the second. The presentation of this message with all it embraces is our work. We stand as the remnant people in these last days to promulgate the truth and swell the cry of the third angel’s wonderful distinct message, giving the trumpet a certain sound. Eternal truth, which we have adhered to from the beginning, is to be maintained in all its increasing importance to the close of probation. The trumpet is to give no uncertain sound…. {9MR 291.1}
I have clearly seen the position and importance of the testimonies in the work of the third message, and have prized them highly, and have designed ever to conform to their teachings. But I have not given them that reflection and attention I should. I have not read them over and over in order to keep their teachings fresh in my mind, as I should. {2BIO 426.2}
In the above quote the spirit of prophesy says that the testimonies are connected to the Three Angels Messages in an important way and that we are to read the testimonies over and over to keep thier teaching fresh iin our minds.
Notice also that Sister White said she needed to read them over and over. That is because the Testimonies were not her Testimony, but they are the Testimony of Jesus Christ. They didn’t come from her, but she herself needed to learn them by reading them over and over so they would be fresh in her mind. –>
I then saw the third angel. Said my accompanying angel, “Fearful is his work. Awful is his mission. He is the angel that is to select the wheat from the tares, and seal, or bind, the wheat for the heavenly garner. These things should engross the whole mind, the whole attention.” {EW 118.1}
Why is the Third Angel’s work so fearful? It is as the angel told Sister White says, his mission is to select the tares from the wheat and the tares will be burned. It applies both to the Adventist and the unbeliever. To the Adventist it means that the Third Angel’s Message must be learned so they can give the message or they will be lost. We will come back to that point further on in the discussion. To the unbeliever it means those who reject the Third Angel’s Message will also be lost all the same.
The 3rd Angel’s Message cannot be separated from the 1st & 2nd
Early Writings pg 258.3
I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps—the first, second, and third angels’ messages. Said my accompanying angel, “Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.” {EW 258.3}
First of all the above quote shows that God gives His approval to the people who stand firm on the foundational principals of the Adventist message. Secondly it shows that those foundational principals include the Three Angels Messages, and that each one of those messages are a necessary part of the Adventist foundational message. The Third Angel’s Message cannot be preached without the first and the second. Another important component of this quote is the use of the word pin. Pins were used in the construction of the Levitical Sanctuary. The use of the word pin in this quote signifies that the Three Angel’s Messages are part of the Sanctuary message. Pins, in the design, also seem to be one of the least significant parts of the Sanctuary, signifying that even the least part of the Sanctuary messages is indispensable, let alone the First and Second Angel’s message. Finally the destiny of souls depends on the manner in which they are received. If even one aspect of the Three Angel’s Messages is misunderstood souls will be lost.
The 3rd Angel’s Message is a Preeminent part of the Sanctuary Message
Many who embraced the third message had not had an experience in the two former messages. Satan understood this, and his evil eye was upon them to overthrow them; but the third angel was pointing them to the most holy place, and those who had had an experience in the past messages were pointing them the way to the heavenly sanctuary. Many saw the perfect chain of truth in the angels’ messages, and gladly received them in their order, and followed Jesus by faith into the heavenly sanctuary. These messages were represented to me as an anchor to the people of God. Those who understand and receive them will be kept from being swept away by the many delusions of Satan. {EW 256.2}
All Three Messages and the Application of the Prophesies are Still to be Proclaimed
Once again the following quote is using connecting Sanctuary language (peg or pin) to the Three Angels Messages, no one has authority to make the slightest change to any of them, all three messages are still to be proclaimed and repeated and the simple fact that you cannot have a Third Angel’s message without the first or second. It is just as logical as saying that you can’t have a third century without having a first and second century.
The proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages has been located by the word of Inspiration. Not a peg or pin is to be removed. No human authority has any more right to change the location of these messages than to substitute the New Testament for the Old. The Old Testament is the gospel in figures and symbols. The New Testament is the substance. One is as essential as the other. The Old Testament presents lessons from the lips of Christ, and these lessons have not lost their force in any particular. The first and second messages were given in 1843 and 1844, and we are now under the proclamation of the third; but all three of the messages are still to be proclaimed. It is just as essential now as ever before that they shall be repeated to those who are seeking for the truth. By pen and voice we are to sound the proclamation, showing their order, and the application of the prophecies that bring us to the third angel’s message. There cannot be a third without the first and second. {CW 26.2}