By John Thiel, Third Angel’s Message, study 1, mp3

This is the first study on the third angel’s message.

Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 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. 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. 14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

This is the third angel’s message, and it is a very comprehensive one. It embraces an understanding not only of the beast and his image and the mark, but it also embraces the wrath of God, and the suffering of those who are to be destroyed by the wrath of God. It also identifies those who are faithful and it brings into focus the fact that after the third angel’s message has been given, it’s the coming of Jesus.

We have studied the first and the second angel’s messages. The first angel’s message was a powerful effect of the everlasting gospel that revealed to us, first of all, a deep appreciation of the Godhead, and then their work for our salvation. We came to know the Godhead in conjunction with the everlasting gospel. This has led us into an understanding that the gospel is an activity of entering into association with God, into an apprenticeship with Him. Jesus actually identifies that it is through the knowledge of the first angel’s message that salvation can take place:

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

This Is Life Eternal

Life eternal is the knowledge of God in His character of demonstrating His love in Jesus Christ and all that was connected with it. This is life eternal.

Firstly, the aspect of the first angel’s message that has to be taken into consideration is the timing, because in the first’s angel message, in Revelation 14:7, it says, The hour of God’s judgment is come. We identified then that that was since 1844, when the hour of God’s judgment commenced.

This message as it was given at that time and ever since has been basically rejected by the denominational Christian churches, and therefore the second angel’s message came into activity, as we studied it in Revelation 14:8, where it says, Babylon the great is fallen. The denominational churches that rejected this powerful message of the first angel were identified and announced as fallen.

In looking at Babylon, we learned that it refers not only to one body of fallen churches, but that it referred to Rome under its papal government, that it also referred to Babylon in its pagan condition, and that it also, and especially, referred to the Protestant USA that had fallen. We have seen the details of the many facets of Babylon. We understood that in Revelation 13 there was the beast and the image of the beast, which was Protestant America and Protestantism, and that they would do the same thing as the papacy.

The third angel points to the beast, the image of the beast, and the mark of the beast.

The Mark of the Beast

Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

That was the beast. According to Revelation 14:9, anyone who worships the beast will be destroyed by the wrath of God. This is the beast that is spoken of.

This beast embraces all the history of Daniel chapter 7, where Daniel also saw these different beasts coming out of the sea – the one like a leopard, the bear, the lion and the dragon. That was all comprehended in this beast. In other words, this beast is an accumulation of the history when it finally arrives in its papal presentation, because it says, I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed.

Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world

This is the particular situation that the third angel addresses. The whole world that worships the beast must be warned in reference to their worship because that’s going to cause their destruction. Then comes this other beast and the image of the beast:

Revelation 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. … 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

This is what the third angel’s message is addressing: The beast, the other beast with creates the image of the beast and causes all the world to worship the beast again, and then the mark of the beast.

Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

In this verse is the summary of chapter 13. What will happen to those?

Revelation 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; …

Babylon

This message, the first and the second angel’s messages leading to the third, is not just left by the angel as an information. These messages are given to press the minds of the people into making a decision. They need to pay attention to the everlasting gospel in the first angel’s message, they need to recognise that by rejecting that message they will become part of Babylon, that Babylon is part of the beast, and that the image of the beast and the mark of the beast are all wrapped up in that.

Ever since 1844, these angels have been proclaiming a message that is pressing people into making a decision in these last days.

Let us remember that the angels represent the people that proclaim this message and that are working in harmony with the universe of heaven. God is using those who understand this message to proclaim it so that the people will be pressed to make a decision, one way or another. Since the time of 1844, the people of God have to preach, not only the gospel and the result of rejecting it, but they have to do the same thing that Noah did. That’s what Jesus actually referred to in Matthew 24. It’s wonderful to preach the everlasting gospel, it’s wonderful to give the details of the plan of salvation, but that wasn’t all that these people needed to preach. Here Jesus makes a direct reference to the people under the three angel’s messages:

Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

In the days of Noah, he had to proclaim the plan of salvation. The ark was built to show them that if they wanted to they could go into the ark and be saved. But they rejected that message and Jesus said that this is exactly going to happen again. As in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of man. The third angel completes his message and then comes Jesus in the clouds.

One is Sealed and One is Not

The work of Noah is parallel to the work of the people of the three angels, and they have a message to proclaim as Noah did. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord has made him ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? In the days of Noah, there were faithful people who were presenting the message. It was Noah and his family. And the three angel’s message people equate with that scene.

The warning is, Be ready, because, as we studied in the first angel’s message with the sealing of the 144,000, one will be taken and the other left, while they’re still here on earth. One is sealed and the other is not. That is all part of the three angels’ messages scenario. The work of these people is to do more than preach the gospel.

There are Christians who believe that all we have to do is preach the gospel, but the gospel is connected in the three angel’s messages with this message of the third angel, which is the wrath of God that has to be displayed before people as well.

2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Peter summarises the fact that, as in the days of Noah, so it will be in the coming of Christ. The world perished by rejecting Noah’s message and in the last days those who have this message to proclaim must draw the people’s attention to Noah’s time, Look back at what happened there, this time it’s going to happen by fire. This is what the third angel is proclaiming. He says, Anyone who worships the beast and his image and receives his mark in his forehead, is going to burn. That is what he announced.

The Great Love and Wrath of God

Not only are the people of the three angels to reveal the great love of God in the everlasting gospel, but also the detail of His wrath.

God’s love speaks peace, comfort and salvation, and today Christianity just wants to hear that. The denominational churches don’t want to hear anything different. But the third angel’s message proclaims something that they are willingly ignorant of. They are willingly ignorant of the fact that the evidences of the flood are there, but they don’t want to know.

2 Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

And the world was destroyed by a flood.

Isaiah 30:9 That this [is] a rebellious people, lying children, children [that] will not hear the law of the LORD: 10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

“We don’t want to hear what the third angel’s message is proclaiming. We just want to hear the first angel’s message. But if the first angel’s message is a judgment hour message, then no, we don’t want to hear that either. And then, to say that because we don’t want to hear it we are Babylon? We don’t want to hear those messages.” Of course, the third angel’s message is even worse, Don’t speak to us those things, we want to hear smooth things. They are willingly ignorant.

Jeremiah 6:13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one [is] given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 14 They have healed also the hurt [of the daughter] of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace.

This is the condition of the denominational churches. They want to hear smooth things. Even the prophets and the priests all deal falsely. This is a picture for our time. While people are damaged by sin, they have healed the hurt of the daughter of God’s people slightly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when really there is no peace.

Ezekiel 13:10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and [there was] no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered [mortar]: 11 Say unto them which daub [it] with untempered [mortar], that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend [it]. … 16 [To wit], the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and [there is] no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

This is willing ignorance. The message for these last days is comprehensive in the three angel’s messages, and the third angel proclaims something which they don’t want to hear. The people of God who are preaching the three angels’ messages need to preach more than just smooth messages. They need to preach everything that is contained there. The people of God must present the third angel’s message, and it is ours then to examine and to understand it so that we can join the ranks of that angel.

World powers will place a stranglehold (Rev. 13) upon us to do what the world expects of us, and if we don’t do it, we will be under threat of death and threat of embargoes. At such a time, when this strangle hold comes upon the people of this planet in the time of the three angels, there is a counter-motion from God’s people, the exact opposite: It is Revelation 14:9-10, the third angel.

Through the beast and his image, the mark of the beast is being caused to be placed upon the people of the planet, and there comes a message that says, If you do that … Can you see the kind of pressure that is upon God’s people, and upon the people who should come out of Babylon at this time? There is the stranglehold from the world, and there is the threat against the ones that create the stranglehold and that submit to it. It’s a real intense time, and people just want to keep on drifting along, when really it is so intense. In such an intense time as this, there is a call to conquer the stranglehold and to gain a victory.

Here is the special blessing, the special benefit placed upon those people who will heed the three angel’s messages:

Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

This is a special time of great intensity, and there is a requirement of gaining the victory of that stranglehold. These people who come through this time are specially blessed; because he causes the whole world to worship the beast and the image of the beast and to receive the mark. The whole world is the arena where the victory needs to be gained.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.

Peer Pressure

Our battle is against the beast, his image and the mark of the beast, but it’s going to be a world influence. It won’t just be an influence where we have to resist the papacy and Protestant USA. It’s going to be what they are going to cause the whole world to do. Under these messages we need to overcome the peer pressure syndrome. This is the challenge of these three angels’ messages. That is why there is special mention made under the third angel’s message of the people who proclaim it and of those who heed that message and do overcome. They are clearly identified in the message itself:

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

This is the introduction to our series on the third angel’s message. We will go right into the detail of the kind of interplay that is mentioned in the third angel, the detail of the wrath of God in relation to involvement with the predominating influence of the world.

This is the very message that has been written down in detail for the people who are under it:

The three angels of Revelation 14 represent the people who accept the light of God’s messages and go forth as His agents to sound the warning throughout the length and breadth of the earth. Christ declares to His followers: “Ye are the light of the world.” To every soul that accepts Jesus the cross of Calvary speaks: “Behold the worth of the soul: ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.'” Nothing is to be permitted to hinder this work. It is the all-important work for time; it is to be far-reaching as eternity. The love that Jesus manifested for the souls of men in the sacrifice which He made for their redemption, will actuate all His followers. {5T 455.2}

That’s what the first angel’s message was stimulating us to do.

But very few of those who have received the light are doing the work entrusted to their hands. There are a few men of unswerving fidelity who do not study ease, convenience, or life itself, who push their way wherever they can find an opening to press the light of truth and vindicate the holy law of God. But the sins that control the world have come into the churches, and into the hearts of those who claim to be God’s peculiar people. Many who have received the light exert an influence to quiet the fears of worldlings and formal professors. {5T 456.1}

Peace, peace? They are willingly ignorant. They don’t want to hear it. That is even relevant to those who are meant to be preaching these messages.

There are lovers of the world even among those who profess to be waiting for the Lord. There is ambition for riches and honor. Christ describes this class when He declares that the day of God is to come as a snare upon all that dwell upon the earth. This world is their home. They make it their business to secure earthly treasures. They erect costly dwellings and furnish them with every good thing; they find pleasure in dress and the indulgence of appetite. The things of the world are their idols. These interpose between the soul and Christ, and the solemn and awful realities that are crowding upon us are but dimly seen and faintly realized. {Ibid.}

Dimly seen and faintly realised, even in the very ranks of those who are proclaiming the three angels messages. Therefore our study is to arouse not only the people that are in Babylon but also those that are meant to be giving this message. What is meant with giving this message? We are not to sit on our lees and to make the world our home. This is the last scene of this world’s history, and this has been going on since 1844. Every time I read these kinds of statements I think, If that was relevant for the people back from 1844 onwards, how relevant is it for us now in the year 2008? It’s just right on the very cusp of the breaking point. There is no time to study ease.

It is now time to focus our whole attention upon pushing forward with this message in our daily life, in our specific spiritual outreach that we make through our church activities, through our individual work among the people, so that the third angel’s message will be sounded to warn everyone who could still arouse and come out from underneath this terrible stranglehold that is actually catching the world.

We will continue point by point in this series so that every detail of the third angel will be clearly comprehended and we can live according to what we study there.

Amen.