I saw the necessity of the messengers, especially, watching and checking all fanaticism wherever they might see it rise. Satan is pressing in on every side, and unless we watch for him, and have our eyes open to his devices and snares, and have on the whole armor of God, the fiery darts of the wicked will hit us. 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}
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}
Of greatest significance in the first paragraph of the quote above is the sentence that says, “There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is “present truth” that the flock needs now.” It is saying that “precious truths” are not perfectly calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul. So what is calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul? The answer would be present truth is calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul. So what is present truth? The answer is provided in the second paragraph of the quote above.
In the second paragraph of the quote above it says that the following 4 subjects, 1.) the Sanctuary message in connection with 2.) the 2300 days, 3.) the commandments of God and 4.) the faith of Jesus are perfectly calculated to accomplish the following four things: 2.) explain the past Advent movement, 2.) show what our present position is, 3.) establish the faith of the doubting and 4.) give certainty to the glorious future. Please pay special attention to the first thing that these messages are calculated to accomplish which is explain the past Advent movement because the ability to explain the past Advent movement is a very prominent part of the Three Angel’s message.
In addition Sister White says that she had frequently seen that these were the principal subjects on which the messengers should dwell. So if this is the subject that the messengers are supposed to dwell upon, then clearly the Advent message is designed to be able to explain the past Advent experience, explain our present position, establish the faith of the doubting and give certainty to the glorious future. I know that sounds like a repetition, but this is to show that this is clearly the purpose of our message.
So let’s take a closer look at what our message is calculated to do. Let’s look at the last two parts first which are establish the faith of the doubting and give certainty to a glorious future. These two parts are something we have no control over, because only the Holy Spirit can convict the hearts of the doubting and only by God’s grace will we have certainty of a glorious future. On the other hand, explaining the past Advent experience and showing what are present position is are something we can have an active part in. In order to accomplish this duty we have been give four messages to dwell upon and they are the Sanctuary in connection with the 2300 days, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
The following quote shows that the Sanctuary message comes from the Third Angel’s message. From that we can conclude that the Third Angel’s message is part of the principal messages which the messengers should dwell upon and obviously the Third Angel’s message is a very prominent part of the past Advent movement.
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}
So if these are the principal messages which the messengers should dwell upon, then why are they not the primary message which is being given in the mass majority of SDA churches today? First of all let’s take a look at what messages are primarily being given in the church today. In almost every church the message of the grace of Christ and love are the principal subject upon which the messengers dwell upon. The grace of Christ is a very precious truth, but it is not calculated to unite the flock nor sanctify the soul. The very first sentence in the first quote reveals that when we stray from the principal subject that the messengers should dwell upon, then the result is fanaticism, and Satan will here take every possible advantage to injure the cause.
In the quote below notice that both the Parable of the Ten Virgins and the Three Angel’s Messages will continue to be present truth until the close of time.
1.) When the third angel’s message is preached as it should be, power attends its proclamation, and it becomes an abiding influence. 2.) It must be attended with divine power, or it will accomplish nothing. 3.) I am often referred to the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise, and five foolish. 4.) 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. 5.) In the parable, the ten virgins had lamps, but only five of them had the saving oil with which to keep their lamps burning. 6.) This represents the condition of the Church. 7.) 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. 8.) They do not heed the invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 9.) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 10.) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” {RH August 19, 1890, par. 3}
The sentences in the above quote have been numbered for ease of reference. Every sentence in the above quote is of great import such as the first two which say that the Third Angel’s Message must be attended with divine power, or it will accomplish nothing, and, although it is very important that we must keep this point fresh in our minds, it is not the focus of this article. So please do not discount those extraneous parts of the quote which are not the focus of this article, because they are very essential to salvation.
The third and fourth sentence are the highlight of this article. They say that the Parable of the Ten Virgins has been and will be fulfilled to the very letter. In the following quote below, it says that the Parable of the Ten Virgins is an illustration of the experience of the Adventist people. So in other words, the experience of the Adventist people will be repeated to the very letter. Another highlight of the quote above is that both the parable of the 10 virgins and the Three Angel’s Messages will be present truth till the close of time.
The parable of the ten virgins of Matthew 25 also illustrates the experience of the Adventist people.In Matthew 24, in answer to the question of His disciples concerning the sign of His coming and of the end of the world, Christ had pointed out some of the most important events in the history of the world and of the church from His first to His second advent; namely, the destruction of Jerusalem, the great tribulation of the church under the pagan and papal persecutions, the darkening of the sun and moon, and the falling of the stars. After this He spoke of His coming in His kingdom, and related the parable describing the two classes of servants who look for His appearing. Chapter 25 opens with the words: “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins.” Here is brought to view the church living in the last days, the same that is pointed out in the close of chapter 24. In this parable their experience is illustrated by the incidents of an Eastern marriage. {GC 393.2}
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” {GC 393.3}
The coming of Christ, as announced by the first angel’s message, was understood to be represented by the coming of the bridegroom. The widespread reformation under the proclamation of His soon coming, answered to the going forth of the virgins. In this parable, as in that of Matthew 24, two classes are represented. All had taken their lamps, the Bible, and by its light had gone forth to meet the Bridegroom. But while “they that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them,” “the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” The latter class had received the grace of God, the regenerating, enlightening power of the Holy Spirit, which renders His word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. In the fear of God they had studied the Scriptures to learn the truth, and had earnestly sought for purity of heart and life. These had a personal experience, a faith in God and in His word, which could not be overthrown by disappointment and delay. Others “took their lamps, and took no oil with them.” They had moved from impulse. Their fears had been excited by the solemn message, but they had depended upon the faith of their brethren, satisfied with the flickering light of good emotions, without a thorough understanding of the truth or a genuine work of grace in the heart. These had gone forth to meet the Lord, full of hope in the prospect of immediate reward; but they were not prepared for delay and disappointment. When trials came, their faith failed, and their lights burned dim. {GC 393.4}
“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.” By the tarrying of the bridegroom is represented the passing of the time when the Lord was expected, the disappointment, and the seeming delay. In this time of uncertainty, the interest of the superficial and halfhearted soon began to waver, and their efforts to relax; but those whose faith was based on a personal knowledge of the Bible had a rock beneath their feet, which the waves of disappointment could not wash away. “They all slumbered and slept;” one class in unconcern and abandonment of their faith, the other class patiently waiting till clearer light should be given. Yet in the night of trial the latter seemed to lose, to some extent, their zeal and devotion. The halfhearted and superficial could no longer lean upon the faith of their brethren. Each must stand or fall for himself. {GC 394.1}