Open Book Test for Second Term

Daniel 2 questions:

1. Name the four kingdoms of the image that are symbolized by the gold, silver, brass, and iron.

Gold is Babylon, Silver is Medo-Persia, Brass is Greece, and Iron is pagan Rome.

2. How many kingdoms total are there in the image?  What is the difference between the feet and the rest of the image?

There are 4 kingdoms: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.

The feet are the divided kingdoms of iron and clay, symbolizing Pagan Rome and Christianity which become mixed together before the Second Coming.

3. What is the common thread that runs through the whole image?

Each section in the image is a succeeding kingdom in history, allowed by God to rule in the world as the leading power. This image depicts the war between the laws of men and the law of God through this metaphor of the image and the stone.

4. What two things does the iron and clay each symbolize? [two things for iron; two things for clay]

Iron is a kingdom or state – system of paganism. Clay is the church or system of Christianity.

5. Who does the feet of iron and clay represent?  What parallels are there in Revelation?

Iron represents Pagan Rome, the Statescraft and Clay represents Christianity, the Churchcraft. Combining them makes an Apostate Church.

The parallels in Revelation for the feet are connected with the Scarlet colored leopard-like beast in Revelation 17. This beast symbolizes the Papacy who tries to claim supreme power over God’s Law and seeks to make the entire world follow his rules.

6. Who do the toes of iron and clay represent?  What parallels are there in Revelation?

The parallels for the toes are connected with the Lamb-like Beast in Revelation 13. This beast symbolizes Protestant America where the church is mixed with the state.

7. Why are the two entities in question 5 and question 6 both pictured as iron and clay?

Because both entities are a mixture of church and state where the government is run by the religious leaders. They will use the power of the state to accomplish what they desire. They are both partly strong and partly weak. Some are self-sufficient and some are relying on God for their strength. Religious and political system mixed together.

8. Name the two systems of the papacy.

The systems of paganism and Christianity.

9. Who are “these kings” talked about in Daniel 2:44? Where else in the Bible is there a parallel to “these kings” pictured in this verse?

The kings that are ruling during the time of the toes, being in Europe the Old World and Romanism the New World. They are the 10 kingdoms on the Leopard-like beast and the little horn immerges from the midst of them. They date pre-538 and the little horn is from 538-1798.

The parallels are Daniel 7:24 and Revelation 17:12, 14.

10.  Who is the “they” of Dan. 2:43? Who is “the seed?”  HOW does “they” mingle themselves with “the seed?”

“They” refers to the apostate Protestants. The “seed” refers to the promise of Abraham’s seed. Christ was a direct descendent of Abraham. They mingle when God’s people are still found in Babylon. There are still various churches professing the Protestant faith. At the end of time, there is a call for God’s people to come out and separate themselves. But until then, they are still found distributed throughout other churches.

11. What two things does the stone represent?

It symbolizes God’s law and also Jesus.

Daniel 7 questions:

1. Name the four kingdoms that the four beasts of Daniel 7 symbolize?

Lion = Babylon

Bear = Medo-Persia

Leopard = Greece

Great and Terrible = Pagan Rome

2. What is the difference between Daniel 7:8 and Daniel 8:9?

Verse 7:8 is decreasing the place of the Little Horn’s rising. Verse 8:9 is decreasing the origin or roots of the Little Horn.

3. What are some characteristics that Daniel 7 talks about that you could point out that demonstrates that the little horn represents the papacy?

1)      He will speak great things against the Most High.

2)      He will think to change times and [the] law.

3)      He will wear out the saints of the Most High and they will be given into his hand for a certain time.

4. This all describes things that the pope has done and contains to uphold in the papacy.

Fill in the blank:  “The prophecies present a succession of events leading down to the Opening of the Judgment. This is especially true of the book of Daniel.”   How is this demonstrated in Daniel 7?

Daniel 7 starts with the prophecy that includes the kingdom of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Then it describes how the pope rises out of Rome, changing laws and history as he exercises power. Then in verse 10 it describes Jesus sitting on His throne. This is the Investigative Judgment.

5. What is the connection between the beast and the horn in Daniel 7:11?

The horn and the beast both refer to the papacy and the pope. The pope spoke great words, but at the second coming, the beast (pope) will be slain and destroyed.

6. That is the kingdom talked about in Daniel 7:13,14?  What is the “status” of this kingdom in this verse?

The Kingdom of Grace. Status: it was being established at that time when Jesus started work in Holy Place.

7. How could you demonstrate from this chapter that the four beasts are four kingdoms and not four kings?

In Daniel 7:17 it mentions great beasts which are 4 kings. In Daniel 7:23 it explains how the beasts equal kingdoms that are on the earth. So, this shows that kings = kingdoms.

8. Which kingdom is given to the saints in verses 18, 22 and  27?

It is God’s Kingdom of Glory.

9. How long does the little horn “bother” the saints?

For a time and times and the dividing of times. 538-1798 = 1260 days (1260 years).

10. Who are the ten horns of Daniel 7:24?

The 10 European Countries

11. What is the “time, times and dividing of time?”  Identify some other passages of scripture that are referring to the same “time, times, and dividing of time?”

It was the time which the saints were persecuted by the papacy from 538-1798.

Time = 360 days

Times = 720 days

½ of Times = 180 days

—————————-

1260 days (1260 years)

Verse: Revelation 12:14 “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.”

Daniel 8 questions:

1. Identify the ram and the he goat of Daniel 8.  How can you demonstrate that the ram is referring to the same power as the bear of Daniel 7? How can you demonstrate that the he goat is the same as the leopard of Daniel 7?

Ram: Medo-Persia (Daniel 8:3)

He Goat: Grecia (Daniel 8:5)

Medo-Persia: In Daniel 7:5 the bear had raised itself up on one side. In Daniel 8:13 the ram had two horns and one horn was higher than the other. In Daniel 8:20 it states that the horns on the ram are “Media and Persia”.

Grecia: In Daniel 7:6 it says that the Leopard-like beast had 4 heads and dominion was given to it. In Daniel 8:5 it says that the he goat has a notable horn between his eyes and when he was strong (vs. 8), the horn was broken. Out of it came up 4 notable horns (like the leopard’s 4 heads). Both 4 heads and 4 horns represent the 4 generals that arose from the king who dies and divided Europe into 4 parts.

2. Who is the notable horn of the he goat?  The four notable horns?

The horn was the king of Grecia who was a powerful ruler of Europe. But one day he died and his kingdom was divided amongst his 4 generals into 4 parts for them to rule over.

3. Who is the host and stars being referred to in Daniel 8:10?  Who is the prince of the host in verse 11?

Stars and Host = God’s saints, the church of Christ.

Prince of Host = Jesus

4. What is the “daily” being talked about in verse 11?  How does the little horn take away the “daily?”

The daily is the Daily Mediation (continual or constant mediation). Christ is continually mediating on our behalf in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary. (He is the Daily Sacrifice so that we may be saved from our sins, giving sinners His righteousness to cover our unrighteousness.

At the beginning of the Dark Ages, the papacy increased in power and faith no longer rested in Christ, but transferred to the pope. The people trusted in the pope instead of Christ to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Thus, the little horn accomplished his task in trying to remove the “daily” sacrifice of Christ.

5. Explain verse 12.

The Daily Sacrifice is Christ’s continual mediation on our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary to replace our unrighteousness with his righteousness. People replace Christ by “reason of transgression,” desiring to forget God, but still appearing to remember Him. Truth is cast to the ground. People wanted to be saved by their merits and saved in their sins.

6. What two elements does the vision include, according to verse 13?  What is the vision that is sealed up?

1) The Daily

2) The Transgression of Desolation

The Vision that was sealed is the 2300 Day Vision

7. What is the “transgression of desolation” talked about in verse 13?  What passage in the Bible could you use to support your answer?

It is the sin that Adam committed in the Garden of Eden by eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. By one man’s sin, all the human race has to suffer the consequences and results of sin.

Romans 5:14, 15 “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.”

8. What period of time does the vision apply to, according to Daniel 8?

“The 2300 Day Vision” applied to the Time of the End.

9. How long was the vision going to be sealed?

Until the time of the end, “for many days.” It applied to the distant future, until the end of the 2300 days, at 1844.

10. ☻BONUS! Explain verse 8:23 “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.”

“In the latter time of their kingdom” is talking about when the Jews were come to the height, and beginning to decline.

“When the transgressors are come to full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up” is talking about when the Jews had come to the height of their wickedness, God had Antiochus persecute them. Antiochus is known by historians to be full of subtilty.

11. Where in Daniel 2 can you find a similar phrasing that is found in Daniel 8:25:  he shall be “broken without hand?”

Daniel 2:34 – “cut out without hands.”

Daniel 9 questions:

1. What does the word “determined” mean?

It means “to cut off”.

2. How are seventy weeks of Daniel 9 connected to the 2300 days of Daniel 8?

They both started in 457 B.C. with the command to rebuild Jerusalem. But 70 weeks end at Stephen’s stoning and 2300 days end in 1844.

3. What was the starting point for the seventy week period? Give a scripture verse for support for your answer.

457 B.C. – Command for Jerusalem to be rebuilt.

Daniel 9:25 mentions that the 70 weeks begin with the command to restore Jerusalem.

4. What does “Messiah” mean?

“The Anointed One”. The Messiah is Jesus.

5. Why does Daniel 9:25 say “seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks” instead of just saying threescore and nine weeks?

7 Weeks: from 457 to 408 B.C. was the time of the end of the New Testament writings.

Three Score and Two Weeks: from 408 B.C. to A.D. 27, at Jesus’ baptism, were the Silent Years of Biblical history in which there is no Biblical record of what happened during that time. :

6. What does it mean when verse 27 says “in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease?

The earthly sanctuary sacrifice of the lamb in the temple was done away with because Jesus fulfilled it when He was sacrificed on the cross. The temple’s curtain was ripped from top to bottom, symbolizing that we no longer have to use the sanctuary process to have forgiveness.

7. What event is connected to the end of the seventy weeks?

Stephen’s stoning in A.D. 34.

8. Explain what it means in verse 27:  “he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week?”

There was an extra “week” after Jesus’ crucifixion until Stephen’s stoning that was an extra probation time for the Jews to accept Jesus and the true gospel He was teaching. Afterwards, the gospel went to the Gentiles.

BONUS QUESTIONS FOR THE INSIGHTFUL!!

1. Who is “the prince that shall come” talked about in verse 9:26?

Titus, the Roman leader.

2. What does this mean in verse 9:26:  “the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary?”

The Romans, under the conduct of Titus, destroyed Jerusalem and the sanctuary within by miseries and desolations of war because God decreed that they destroy the place and the people.

3. Who are “the desolate” referred to in verse 9:27?  What is “that determined” that “shall be poured upon the desolate?”

“The desolate” is Israel who was destroyed by the Romans.

“That determined” is a spirit of slumber, which God has determined to pour on the desolate nation, until the time draws near, when all Israel shall be saved.

Re-Do Bonus Questions:

1. Who is “the prince that shall come” talked about in verse 9:26?

He is the Messiah, Jesus.

2. What does this mean in verse 9:26:  “the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary?”

The “people of the prince” are the Jews, God’s people. The city and sanctuary that are destroyed is Jerusalem and the holy temple within the city. It was destroyed by the Romans who came through. The Jews would not accept the true gospel which Christ presented so they were let go by God and their city left desolate.

3. Who are “the desolate” referred to in verse 9:27?  What is “that determined” that “shall be poured upon the desolate?”

“The desolate” are the Jews who were left desolate after the destruction of Jerusalem. “That determined that is poured upon the desolate” is the fate of the city which was prophesied by Christ when talking with the disciples, “One stone will not be left upon another.”

(I’m still not totally sure about my answers, but I’m trying my best to understand it by myself.)

The Loud Cry

1.  How does the fourth angel relate to the third angel?

The two messages unite and the Loud Cry gives power and force to the third angel’s message. (1SG 193.2) It was an addition to the third angel’s message to give a final call to God’s people to come out of Babylon to escape her doom. (1SG 194.1)

“Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to earth, and unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message… I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united in the message, and fearlessly proclaimed with great power the third angel’s message.” {1SG 193.2}

“This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, and joined it, as the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844. The glory of God rested upon the patient, waiting saints, and they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning, proclaiming the fall of Babylon, and calling upon God’s people to come out of her; that they might escape her fearful doom.” {1SG 194.1}

2.  What are the two parts to the Loud Cry?

1) The fourth angel came down from heaven crying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” – Revelation 18: 2.

2) A voice from heaven was heard saying, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” – Revelation 18:4.

“Of Babylon, at the time brought to view in this prophecy, it is declared: “Her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:5. She has filled up the measure of her guilt, and destruction is about to fall upon her. But God still has a people in Babylon; and before the visitation of His judgments these faithful ones must be called out, that they partake not of her sins and “receive not of her plagues.” Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. In connection with his message the call is heard: “Come out of her, My people.” These announcements, uniting with the third angel’s message, constitute the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth.” {GC 604.1}

3.  What are the two parts to the final warning?

1) Revelation 18:1-9 (The Loud Cry)

2) The third angel’s message

“Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. In connection with his message the call is heard: “Come out of her, My people.” These announcements, uniting with the third angel’s message, constitute the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth.” {GC 604.1}

4.  What is the difference between “Babylon is fallen” in the second angel’s message of Revelation 14, as given in the summer of 1844, and “Babylon is fallen” in the Loud Cry of Revelation 18?  [hint: what caused the fall of Babylon in 1844?]

The message of “Babylon is fallen” from Revelation 14 was given in the summer of 1844. At this time, the Protestant Churches had fallen in that they had rejected the first angel’s message and turned away from God. They had rejected His commandments and did not keep the Sabbath day holy. The message in Revelation 18 in the Loud Cry is pertaining to the time when the Protestant Churches join with the world in keeping the Sunday Law when it is inforced.  (7BC 985.3) (1MR 353.4)

“Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel’s message, which shows the way into the most holy place.” {EW 260.1}

“Extravagance in the use of means, selfishness, heresies, have taken the world captive”… {7BC 985.3} …”confederating with the kings and great men of the earth.” {1MR 353.4}

5.  Babylon is become: “the habitation of devils,” “the hold of every foul spirit,” “and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”  Explain each of these elements.

The habitation of devils: the churches have opened the door to the inhabitation and doctrines of demons, accepting doctrines that are not of Christ, but of the devil. (GC 603.2) Also, the individual members of the churches have demons dwelling within their hearts, working with supernatural agencies.

The hold of every foul spirit: the members of the churches do not have the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patients, self-control, ect.). They possess fruits that come from Satan and the results of sin, such as pride, anger, love of self, worry, hate, envy, ect. The people do not have the spirit of Christ in their hearts, only the spirits that result from a heart filled with sin and self-love.

A cage of every unclean and hateful bird: the people in the church are represented by unclean and hateful birds. Their language and that which they put into their bodies is unholy and against God’s will. They defile themselves with things of the world. Jeremiah 12:9 says, “Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her.” Their lives are speckled, not clean and acceptable to God.

“A belief in spiritual manifestations opens the door to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and thus the influence of evil angels will be felt in the churches.” {GC 603.2}

“Satanic agencies were incorporated with men. The bodies of human beings, made for the dwelling place of God, had become the habitation of demons. The senses, the nerves, the passions, the organs of men, were worked by supernatural agencies in the indulgence of the vilest lust. The very stamp of demons was impressed upon the countenances of men. Human faces reflected the expression of the legions of evil with which they were possessed.” {DA 36.3}

6.  List and explain the sins of Babylon, as stated in Revelation 18.

The first sin is that “all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Babylon has become a leader for other nations in leading them away from God, to transgress God’s law. She proposed the Sunday Law and all nations followed her ruling obeying the law.

The second sin was that “the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her.” She has committed adultery by leaving Christ and finding another love; she has united with the leaders of the earth. She has made close associations and ties to the world, committing fornication with those in the world. (GC 388.2)

The third sin is that “the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” This pertains to Babylon’s luxurious living, only looking to glorify herself and make her look good in the sight of her followers. She put herself on a pedestal to be looked upon in awe; in contrast is the true life of a Christian that is to be that of humility and service to others. Christ never exalted Himself, but made Himself low and humble, drawing all attention away from Himself and directed it towards His Father.

“The great sin charged against Babylon is that she “made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” This cup of intoxication which she presents to the world represents the false doctrines that she has accepted as the result of her unlawful connection with the great ones of the earth. Friendship with the world corrupts her faith, and in her turn she exerts a corrupting influence upon the world by teaching doctrines which are opposed to the plainest statements of Holy Writ.” {GC 388.2}

7.  When do Babylon’s sins reach unto heaven?

They reach heaven when legislation makes the law of God void and they say it’s unnecessary to keep its commandments.

“When do her sins reach unto heaven [Rev. 18:2-5]? When the law of God is finally made void by legislation.–ST June 12, 1893. ” {LDE 198.5}

8.  Why does Revelation 18 say that Babylon receives the plagues?

Because she lived a life of delicious living, exalting and glorifying her own self instead of pointing the glory to God. She lived a self-centered life instead of tending to the needs of others. She made herself as a queen instead of a humble servant and thought nothing evil should come to her because of her high position.

Revelation 18:7, “How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.”

9.  If you are honestly serving God, what difference does it make which church you belong to? [according to Revelation 18]

When the Protestant churches have their complete fall and accept the Sunday Law, God’s people will have to leave these churches to escape the judgement that will come upon the church. If they remain within the rebelling churches, they will be partaking of the wrath that is to fall upon Babylon when she disobeys God’s law and worships on Sunday. It is very important to belong to a church that keeps all of God’s commandments instead of just the ones that are convenient to them.

10.  Why are there only two distinct calls made to the churches?

The first message, “Babylon is fallen,” was to the Protestant churches who had rejected the fist angel’s message and shut out the Holy Spirit. The second call, “Come out of her my people,” was a warning to God’s followers within those churches to come out so that they would not partake in her iniquity. But this message was not completely fulfilled in 1844. Its fulfillment is still to happen in the coming future when she “makes all the nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” The work of apostasy will be complete when she declares that all nations uphold the Sunday Law. (GC 389.2) After the complete fulfillment of the message, God will come to gather His people and judgment will fall upon the churches.

“The second angel’s message of Revelation 14 was first preached in the summer of 1844, and it then had a more direct application to the churches of the United States, where the warning of the judgment had been most widely proclaimed and most generally rejected, and where the declension in the churches had been most rapid. But the message of the second angel did not reach its complete fulfillment in 1844. The churches then experienced a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal of the light of the advent message; but that fall was not complete. As they have continued to reject the special truths for this time they have fallen lower and lower. Not yet, however, can it be said that “Babylon is fallen…because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She has not yet made all nations do this. The spirit of world conforming and indifference to the testing truths for our time exists and has been gaining ground in churches of the Protestant faith in all the countries of Christendom; and these churches are included in the solemn and terrible denunciation of the second angel. But the work of apostasy has not yet reached its culmination.”  {GC 389.2}

11.  When is the Loud Cry supposed to be given?

The Loud Cry is to be given now, in our present time, to the churches to call God’s people out of Babylon before judgment falls upon her.

“The message of the angel following the third is now to be given to all parts of the world. It is to be the harvest message. –Letter 86, 1900.”  {LDE 208.1}

12.  What is it that gives power to the Loud voice [Cry]?

The latter rain will give power to the loud cry. The Holy Spirit will come down upon God’s people, giving them new power to proclaim the final gospel message to the entire world right before the second coming and to give them strength to endure the time of trouble that will come just prior to the second coming.

At that time the “latter rain,” or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out.–EW 86 (1854).” {LDE 186.4}

Third Angel’s Message

1. What is the core content of the Third Angel’s Message?

The mediation of Christ and the perpetuity of the law of God. (4SP 275.2) Christ is ministering for us in the most holy place an our hearts and minds are pointed to the heavenly sanctuary. (EW 254.1) Also, the keeping of God’s commandments, especially of the fourth commandment. This will determine the salvation of the people on earth. (4SP 275.1)

“Those who had accepted the light concerning the mediation of Christ and the perpetuity of the law of God, found that these were the truths brought to view in the third message.” {4SP 275.2}

As the ministration of Jesus closed in the holy place, and He passed into the holiest, and stood before the ark containing the law of God, He sent another mighty angel with a third message to the world. A parchment was placed in the angel’s hand, and as he descended to the earth in power and majesty, he proclaimed a fearful warning, with the most terrible threatening ever borne to man. This message was designed to put the children of God upon their guard, by showing them the hour of temptation and anguish that was before them. Said the angel, “They will be brought into close combat with the beast and his image.  Their only hope of eternal life is to remain steadfast. Although their lives are at stake, they must hold fast the truth.”   The third angel closes his message thus: ‘Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’ As he repeated these words, he pointed to the heavenly sanctuary. The minds of all who embrace this message are directed to the most holy place, where Jesus stands before the ark, making His final intercession for all those for whom mercy still lingers and for those who have ignorantly broken the law of God. This atonement is made for the righteous dead as well as for the righteous living. It includes all who died trusting in Christ, but who, not having received the light upon God’s commandments, had sinned ignorantly in transgressing its precepts.”  {EW 254.1}

None could fail to see that if the earthly sanctuary was a figure or pattern of the heavenly, the law deposited in the ark on earth was an exact transcript of the law in the ark in Heaven, and that an acceptance of the truth concerning the heavenly sanctuary involved an acknowledgment of the claims of God’s law, and the obligation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Here was the secret of the bitter and determined opposition to the harmonious exposition of the Scriptures that brought to view the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. {4SP 275.1}

 2. When did Jesus send the third angel’s message?

When Christ entered the most holy place to perform the closing work of the atonement. (4SP 273.1) His mediation began at the end of the prophetic days in 1844. (4SP 273.2)

“When Christ entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary to perform the closing work of the atonement, he committed to his servants the last message of mercy to be given to the world. Such is the warning of the third angel of Revelation 14.” {4SP 273.1}

“As foretold in the Scriptures, the ministration of Christ in the most holy place began at the termination of the prophetic days in 1844. {4SP 273.2}

3. How did the third angel light up the past, the present, and the future to the early advent believers after the passing of the time in 1844?

For the past: It cleared up their misconception of the three angel’s messages, showing them their error.  Christ was not to come reap the earth, but He was actually moving His work from the holy place in the heavenly sanctuary to the most holy place. He was beginning His work of mediation on our behalf to cover our repented sins with His own righteousness.

For the present: Christ’s mediation had begun in the most holy place. Also, they realized that they needed to keep all the commandments of God, primarily the 4th commandment, and keep Sabbath holy. Proclaiming this message was now their God-given duty.

For future: points to the time period between 1844 to the present when Christ’s mediation ends.

After Jesus opened the door of the most holy, the light of the Sabbath was seen, and the people of God were tested, as the children of Israel were tested anciently, to see if they would keep God’s law. I saw the third angel pointing upward, showing the disappointed ones the way to the holiest of the heavenly sanctuary. As they by faith enter the most holy, they find Jesus, and hope and joy spring up anew. I saw them looking back, reviewing the past, from the proclamation of the second advent of Jesus, down through their experience to the passing of the time in 1844. They see their disappointment explained, and joy and certainty again animate them. The third angel has lighted up the past, the present, and the future, and they know that God has indeed led them by His mysterious providence.”  {EW 254.2}

4. Why does the evangelical Christian world not accept the truth of Christ’s change of ministration from teh holy place to the most holy place in 1844?

The evangelical Christians didn’t want to accept Christ’s moving from the holy place to the most holy place because if they did, they would have been obligated accept the 4th commandment

“None could fail to see that if the earthly sanctuary was a figure or pattern of the heavenly, the law deposited in the ark on earth was an exact transcript of the law in the ark in Heaven, and that an acceptance of the truth concerning the heavenly sanctuary involved an acknowledgment of the claims of God’s law, and the obligation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Here was the secret of the bitter and determined opposition to the harmonious exposition of the Scriptures that brought to view the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary.” {4SP 275.1}

5. How is the message of justification by faith the third angel’s message?

It points to justification by faith in our Surety. We are invited to receive His righteousness, which is made manifest by obedience to the commandments of God. We, of ourselves, have no righteousness, but by only accepting Christ’s gift of righteousness, we can be found perfect in God’s sight.

“Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, ‘It is the third angel’s message in verity.’”– Review and Herald, April 1, 1890.  {Ev 190.3}

This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure. –Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 91-93. (1896).” {Ev 190.4}

6. What is the purpose of the numbering system for the angel’s messages of Revelation 14?

It was the order that they happened, the order of their rise during history.

“The three messages are but one threefold message. They are three only in the order of their rise. But having risen, they go on together and are inseparable.”  {GC 693 appendix}

7. How do the first, second, and third angel’s messages all blend into one?

The first and third messages, in reality, are the same message and the second message is pointing towards how the churches rejected the first message.  The messages are only separate in order of their use, but they actually go together as an inseparable message.

“The three messages are but one threefold message. They are three only in the order of their rise. But having risen, they go on together and are inseparable.”  {GC 693 appendix}

“THE IDEA IN REVELATION 14:8, 9 IS NOT SIMPLY THAT THE SECOND AND THIRD ANGELS FOLLOWED THE FIRST IN POINT OF TIME, BUT THAT THEY WENT WITH HIM. THE THREE MESSAGES ARE BUT ONE THREEFOLD MESSAGE. THEY ARE THREE ONLY IN THE ORDER OF THEIR RISE. BUT HAVING RISEN, THEY GO ON TOGETHER AND ARE INSEPARABLE.”  {GC 693.1}

8. How can you how that the mediation of Christ and the perpetuity of the law of God are the truths of the third angel’s message?

 At the end of the third angel’s message it references to the righteous saints. Revelation 14:12 says, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. ” The “here” is in the most holy place where the marriage of Jesus and His church takes place. This is where it shows the mediation of Christ in our behalf in the third angel’s message. Also, the perpetuity is shown in the fact that God is unhappy about a change in His law – the people who change His law and/or keep Sunday as sabbath will receive the mark of the beast. They are rejected by God because the law never changes and the maark of the beast is the natural result for breaking the law.

9. Where is the “here”  in Revelation 14:12: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God” “and their faith in Jesus.”

It is in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. It is where Christ is interceding on our behalf to cover our sins with His righteousness.

“The third angel closes his message thus: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” As he repeated these words, he pointed to the heavenly sanctuary. The minds of all who embrace this message are directed to the most holy place, where Jesus stands before the ark, making His final intercession for all those for whom mercy still lingers.” {EW 254.1}

10. What is the “action step[s]” for the third angel’s message?

We should “follow Christ” into the most holy place, into the marriage with Christ. (EW 256.2) We should be daily searching our hearts for unconfessed sin, humbling ourselves in order to seek to reflect His divine image. This will unite us with Christ so that we can be one with Him. (7BC 933.14)

“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.” { EW 256.2}

“In place of wrapping about us the garments of self-righteousness, we should be found daily humbling ourselves before God, confessing our own individual sins, seeking the pardon of our transgressions, and cooperating with Christ in the work of preparing our souls to reflect the divine image. Unless we enter the sanctuary above, and unite with Christ in working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, we shall be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and shall be pronounced wanting (MS 168, 1898). ” {7BC 933.14}

11. What are the two purposes for the warning against the beast and his image contained in the third message?

The first purpose is to warn people of God’s judgments upon them. Revelation 14:9-11 speaks about the judgment upon the wicked who follow Babylon and receive the mark of the beast.

The second purpose was to tell them about His unending mercy upon those who fear Him. Revelation 14:12, 13 speaks about how the saints who stayed true to God and kept His commandments were brought to the most holy place for the marriage with Jesus. Jesus is working in the most holy place next to His Father to petition on our behalf for the sake of our salvation. In His mercy, He places Himself in our place and trades His righteousness for our sinfulness in order that we might live in heaven. 

The first purpose is to warn people of God’s judgments upon them. Revelation 14:9-11 speaks about the judgment upon the wicked who follow Babylon and receive the mark of the beast.

The second purpose was to tell them about His unending mercy upon those who fear Him. Revelation 14:12, 13 speaks about how the saints who stayed true to God and kept His commandments were brought to the most holy place for the marriage with Jesus. Jesus is working in the most holy place next to His Father to petition on our behalf for the sake of our salvation. In His mercy, He places Himself in our place and trades His righteousness for our sinfulness in order that we might live in heaven.

12. What does it mean to receive the mark of the beast?

Those who worship the beast and his image by keeping Sunday, the first day of the week, will receive the mark of the beast.

“John was called to behold a people distinct from those who worship the beast and his image by keeping the first day of the week. The observance of this day is the mark of the beast (Letter 31, 1898).”  {7BC 979.11}

13.  Identify the following elements and how they relate to each other:  (1) fully ripe grapes  (2) winepress  (3) God’s wine  (4) God’s wrath  (5) [Babylon's own] cup  (6) trodden without the city  (7) blood came out of the city.

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

Second Angel’s Message & Midnight Cry

1. When was the second angel’s message given?

In the summer of 1844

“Babylon is fallen” waas given in the summer of 1844.” – 4SP 232.1 “The second angel’s message had its initial sounding early in the summer of 1844.” – EW 304.1

2. Who did the second angel’s message have a more direct application to?

The churches in the United States who didn’t heed the warning of the first angel’s message.

“It then had  a more direct application tot eh churches of the United States.” – GC 382.3

3. Why was the second angel’s message given?

It was an announcement of the fall of the church because they rejected the first message. They had spurned God’s counsel by rejecting the Advent message. 

“When the churches spurned the counsel of God by rejecting the Advent message, the Lord rejected them. The first angel was followed by a second, proclaiming, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” [REV. 14:8] This message was understood by Adventists to be an announcement of the moral fall of the churches in consequence of their rejection of the first message. The proclamation, “Babylon is fallen,” was given in the summer of 1844, and as the result, about fifty thousand withdrew from these churches.”  {4SP 232.1}

4. What were the consequences to the churches when they rejected the first angel’s message?

The churches could not be benifited by the Second Message, nor the Midnight Cry. They were too darkened to see teh light at the Third Angel’s Message which was to lead them into teh most holy place for the “marriage.”

“Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel’s message, which shows the way into the most holy place.” {EW 260.1}

5. What is the “action step” of the second angel’s message?

We are to accept the message and leave the fallen churches and go to a church that has the light. We are to leave “Babylon” and warn others to come away as well.

“THE SECOND ANGEL’S MESSAGE HAD ITS INITIAL SOUNDING EARLY IN THE SUMMER OF 1844 IN THE CALL TO THE ADVENT BELIEVERS TO COME OUT OF THE NOMINAL CHURCHES THAT HAD REJECTED THE PROCLAMATION OF THE FIRST ANGEL’S MESSAGE.” {EW 304.1}

6. When was the climatic closing up of the second angel’s message?

Right before October 22, 1844.

“THERE WAS A CLIMACTIC CLOSING UP OF THE SECOND ANGEL’S MESSAGE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING OCTOBER 22, 1844.” {EW 304.1}

7. What was the midnight Cry?

“Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!” It gave power to the second angel’s message.

“And I heard the voices of angels crying, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!’”  {EW 238.1}

8. When was the Midnight Cry given?

Near the close of the second angel’s message.

“Near the close of the second angel’s message, I saw a great light from heaven shining upon the people of God. The rays of this light seemed bright as the sun. And I heard the voices of angels crying, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!‘”  {EW 238.1}

9. What was the purpose of the Midnight Cry?

It was to enlighten God’s people to prepare them to enter with Jesus into the most holy place of teh heavenly sanctuary.

“Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary.” {EW 260.1}

10. For those who had received the first angel’s message, how did the Midnight Cry prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary?

It lead them to search their hearts and to determine whether they relied upon God or upon the believers around them. When it came time to leave the fallen churches, their hearts were prepared and ready to break away.

“A mighty work was accomplished by the midnight cry. The message was heart-searching, leading the believers to seek a living experience for themselves. They knew that they could not lean upon one another.” {EW 238.3}

 11. Just as Jesus cleansed the temple both at the beginning and at the  end of His public ministry, so in the last work for the warning of the world, two distinct calls are made to the churches. What are the two distinct calls to the churches, and when are these two calls made?

  The second angel’s message, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen…” and the loud cry of the third angel’s message “Come out of her, my people.” The second angel’s message was preached in the summer of 1844 (GC 389.2) and the loud cry of the third angel’s message is to be proclaimed from 1844 to present time, but it will primarily be proclaimed right before the return of Christ.  (EW 304.1) 

“So in the last work for the warning of the world, two distinct calls are made to the churches. The second angel’s message is, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” And in the loud cry of the third angel’s message a voice is heard from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities (RH Dec. 6, 1892).”  {7BC 985.5}

“The second angel’s message of Revelation 14 was first preached in the summer of 1844.” {GC 389.2}

“WHILE WE UNDERSTAND CLEARLY THAT THE MESSAGES OF THE FIRST AND SECOND AND THIRD ANGELS ARE MESSAGES THAT HAVE THEIR APPLICATION TODAY, WE RECOGNIZE ALSO THAT IN THEIR INITIAL PROCLAMATION THE SOUNDING OF THE FIRST ANGEL’S MESSAGE WITH ITS DECLARATION THAT “THE HOUR OF GOD’S JUDGMENT IS COME” IS LINKED WITH THE PROCLAMATION OF THE EXPECTED ADVENT OF CHRIST IN THE 1830′S AND EARLY 1840′S.”  {EW 304.1}

“The first message is to be repeated proclaiming the second advent of Christ to our world.”  {16MR 40.2}

12. Why are there only two distinct calls made to the churches?

The first message, “Babylon is fallen,” was to the Protestant churches who had rejected the fist angel’s message and shut out the Holy Spirit. The second call, “Come out of her my people,” was a warning to God’s followers within those churches to come out so that they would not partake in her iniquity. But this message was not completely fulfilled in 1844. Its fulfillment is still to happen in the coming future when she “makes all the nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” The work of apostasy will be complete when she declares that all nations uphold the Sunday Law. (GC 389.2) After the complete fulfillment of the message, God will come to gather His people and judgement will fall upon the churches. 

“The second angel’s message of Revelation 14 was first preached in the summer of 1844, and it then had a more direct application to the churches of the United States, where the warning of the judgment had been most widely proclaimed and most generally rejected, and where the declension in the churches had been most rapid. But the message of the second angel did not reach its complete fulfillment in 1844. The churches then experienced a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal of the light of the advent message; but that fall was not complete. As they have continued to reject the special truths for this time they have fallen lower and lower. Not yet, however, can it be said that “Babylon is fallen,… because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She has not yet made all nations do this. The spirit of world conforming and indifference to the testing truths for our time exists and has been gaining ground in churches of the Protestant faith in all the countries of Christendom; and these churches are included in the solemn and terrible denunciation of the second angel. But the work of apostasy has not yet reached its culmination.”  {GC 389.2}

Revelation Sections

~ Revelation 14 ~

Sect 1: “The 144 Thousand” (1-5)

Sect 2: “The Three Angel’s Messages” (6-13)

Sect 3: “The Great Harvest of the Wheat and the Tares at the Second Coming” (14-20)

 

~ Revelation 18 ~

Sect 1: “The Loud Cry of the 4th Angel’s Message” (1-8)

- subsection: “Announcing the Sins of Babylon” (18:4-8)

- subsection: “The Call: “Come our of her [Babylon], My people.”

Sect 2: “Babylon’s Judgement (9-24)

First Angel’s Message

First Angel’s Message Assignment 

1. Who does the first angel symbolize?  (Who gives the first angel’s message?)

William Miller and the early Adventists leaders.

“To William Miller and his colaborers it was given to preach the warning.” GC 368.1

     

2. When was the first angel’s message first given?

In 1843 and 1844.  

“The first and second messages were given in 1843 and 1844.” CW 26.2

    

3. Where did the prophecy of the first angel’s message have its most direct fulfillment?

In America.

“To William Miller and his colaborers it was given to preach the warning in America. This country became the center of the great advent movement. It was here that the prophecy of the first angel’s message had its most direct fulfillment.” GC 368.1

 

4. Why was the first angel’s message given?

Because God’s churches had let their principles become corrupt.

“Why are the messages of Revelation fourteen given? Because the principles of the churches have become corrupted.” [Rev. 14:6-10 quoted.]  {7BC 979.1}

 

5. How is the first angel’s message announcing “the hour of His judgment has come,” a part of the gospel?

Because it is the message of salvation, proclaimed only in the last days. It points to Christ’s closing work as He worked for the salvation of men and should be proclaimed until Jesus ceases to intercede on our behalf in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary. His blood will only cover the sins we repent of.

“The announcement, “The hour of His judgment is come,” points to the closing work of Christ’s ministration for the salvation of men. It heralds a truth which must be proclaimed until the Savior’s intercession shall cease and He shall return to the earth to take His people to Himself.” GC 435.2

 

6. What were the consequences to the churches when they rejected the first angel’s message?

They had backslidden into worldliness and since they rejected it, they remained shut out from God and the Lord rejected them.

The first angel’s message of Revelation 14, announcing the hour of God’s judgment and calling upon men to fear and worship Him, was designed to separate the professed people of God from the corrupting influences of the world and to arouse them to see their true condition of worldliness and backsliding. In this message, God has sent to the church a warning, which, had it been accepted, would have corrected the evils that were shutting them away from Him. {GC 379.1} When the churches spurned the counsel of God by rejecting the Advent message, the Lord rejected them.” {4SP 232.1}

 

7. How does the first angel’s message influence the second angel’s message?

The churches have rejected the first angel’s message so the second message is given announcing that the churches have fallen from God. The second message wouldn’t have been given if they had not rejected the 1st message.

“This message was understood by Adventists to be an announcement of the moral fall of the churches in consequence of their rejection of the first message.” 4SP 232.1

 

8. How is the first angel’s message still relevant today?  

We are to still proclaim the message until Jesus ceases to intercede on our behalf  in the most holy place. The message is to be proclaimed to prepare people for the Second Coming.

“It is just as essential now as ever before that they shall be repeated to those who are seeking for the truth. …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

“The announcement, “The hour of His judgment is come,” points to the closing work of Christ’s ministration for the salvation of men. It heralds a truth which must be proclaimed until the Saviour’s intercession shall cease and He shall return to the earth to take His people to Himself. The work of judgment which began in 1844 must continue until the cases of all are decided, both of the living and the dead; hence it will extend to the close of human probation.” {GC 435.2}

 

9. What is the “action step” for the first angel’s message?

We are to go out into every part of the world and proclaim this sound warning. The law and gospel should be presented as a perfect whole.

But first before we are able to proclaim the message to the world, we are to develop a fear for God in our hearts and give all our glory to Him. We are to change our own hearts before we change others.

“Go forth as His agents to sound the warning throughout the length and breadth of the earth. {ST, January 25, 1910, par. 5.} Christ and Him crucified, is the message God would have His servants sound through the length and breadth of the world. The law and the gospel will then be presented as a perfect whole.– The Review and Herald, Sept. 29, 1896.” {7ABC 458.5}

 

10. How does the first angel’s message, as it was perceived during the advent movement of 1840-1844, fit together with the actual content of the first angel’s message?

In 1844, the first angel’s message was seen that Jesus is coming to cleans the earth and take His followers home to heaven. In actuality, Jesus was cleansing the heavenly sanctuary in heaven and beginning the judgment time in the most holy place, interceding on our behalf.

“WHILE WE UNDERSTAND CLEARLY THAT THE MESSAGES OF THE FIRST AND SECOND AND THIRD ANGELS ARE MESSAGES THAT HAVE THEIR APPLICATION TODAY, WE RECOGNIZE ALSO THAT IN THEIR INITIAL PROCLAMATION THE SOUNDING OF THE FIRST ANGEL’S MESSAGE WITH ITS DECLARATION THAT “THE HOUR OF GOD’S JUDGMENT IS COME” IS LINKED WITH THE PROCLAMATION OF THE EXPECTED ADVENT OF CHRIST IN THE 1830′S AND EARLY 1840′S.” EW 304.1