The Final Message

Other than the God given namesake represented directive to keep the Sabbath, there is nothing that distinguishes the 7th Day Adventist Church more than the fact that they have been given the final and most fearful message ever given to men. That message is the 3rd Angel’s message. Why did Ellen White say it was such a fearful message? ( I would be remiss not to mention the Health Message which, among other components of, plays a leading role in the final message ) It was because those who take the upon themselves the Mark of the Beast will fall into the hands of the living God. The Bible spells out this fearful message in Revelations 14:10-11:

Great Controversy 1888 Edition pg. 449 par. 2 The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortal is contained in the third angel’s message. {GC88 449.2}

Revelation 14:10-11
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Hebrews 10: 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Notice that verse 10 says that the wrath of God will be poured out without mixture, or in other words without mercy mixed in. Currently we are living within the time period know as the dispensation of Grace. Our ever patient God’s wrath and judgements are administered with a mixture of mercy and grace. What a terrible day it will be when God’s wrath is no longer mixed with mercy and grace, but it poured out without mixture?!

An even more fearful thing to understand is that those who give the final message will be held to an even stricter judgement and standard of perfection than those who were not given the privilege of that light in preparation of that solemn message. Those who give the final message that fall short of the standard that Jesus laid before us will be in the gravest of danger.

Luke 12:47-48
47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

This does not mean that we are safe if we neglect to study the Word of God and/or the Spirit of Prophesy. On the contrary, Ellen White said that we will be held accountable for that which we could have known if we had studied diligently to the extent that God had provided us opportunity. I do not have a quote, but I will find it and provide it here when I do. Nevertheless, a measure of grace has been provided for those who were are ignorant through no fault of their own.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

The words “winked at” in Acts 17:30 are translated from a Greek word that means overlooked. This is really just a restatement of Luke 12:48 from a different perspective which says, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” We are not held to account for things that we are unaware of through no fault of our own as strictly as we are held to account for the light which we have been given. Nevertheless, even the children of Israel were required to make a sin offering for the sins of ignorance. So sins of ignorance are not excused, but the penalty may not be as harsh.

As we are privileged with greater light, an even higher responsibility is placed upon us. Why is this so? We have all heard of the manifold grace of God! Right? His mercies endure forever! The natural tendency for human reasoning would say that one who does much service for God deserves a small break here and there for minor infractions, but this is not so.

Even in the world those who are higher up bear greater responsibility. When something goes wrong in our military, the highest ranking officer who participated in, or had knowledge of any action is sought out and held to a greater degree of responsibility than his subordinates. When a corporation begins to fail, more than anyone the CEO is held responsible. We all know what the old adage, “The Buck Stops Here” means. Let’s take a look at what Ellen White said about such a consequence.

Review and Harold, June 20, 1882 par. 17 Good qualities, superior talents, are a curse rather than a blessing, when they are not consecrated to God. The greater the gifts, the more dangerous their influence to lead away from Christ. Those who present to others the solemn, searching truths for this time, should exemplify these truths in their own life. To preach what we do not practice, is but to confirm sinners in their impenitence. The most earnest exhortations to walk in the light will be unheeded, if the speaker himself neglects to follow the light which Christ has given. {RH, June 20, 1882 par. 17}

If we present ourselves as servants of the Lord bearing the light of Jesus Christ disregarding even one of the divine precepts we put ourselves in a very dangerous position (see note below regarding this principle). We are playing the part of Judas. According to the previous quote by doing so we are in danger of causing people to loose their salvation. Jesus paid the highest price in the universe to save the sinner. If He paid such a high price for them, then what price will His servant have to pay who confirmed sinners in their impenitence? This is in fact very Satanic in nature. That is why Jesus said that those who say they are Jews but are not are the synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 2:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

In other words Jesus was saying they were liars, phony and hypocrites. Just like their leaders the Pharisees their were many who were Jews in name only. They were nominal Adventists. As disciples of Christ we must make a true assessment when counting the cost.

Luke 14:28-30
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

All who decide to become a disciple of the Lord Jesus must not only realize what it means to forsake all, but they must actually be ready, willing and able to make the great sacrifice He is calling them to. Meaning that they must actually “do” the Word of God. Let the idea of “actually doing the Word” sink in, for God blesses the doers of the word, and those who do not “do” the Word of God are deceiving themselves: {James 1:22-25} {Luke 11:28}

If you would like to see the Biblical principles which reveal the dangerous position we put ourselves in by disregarding even one of God’s divine principals, please read the following article: Man Shall Live by Every Word of God.