“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1, KJV)
ABSTRACT
This article examines the critical reinforcement of the third angel’s message by the angel of Revelation 18, addressing its weakening due to distractions, the vital role of God’s law especially the Sabbath, Satan’s active hindrance through confusion and compromise, God’s loving intervention to empower the message, and the urgent call for the community to awaken and boldly proclaim these truths in preparation for Christ’s return.
MESSENGERS’ MIGHTY MERGE: A CALL TO REVIVAL
The concept of the angel of Revelation 18 joining the third angel’s message is a theme of vital importance for all who seek to understand God’s plan for the end times. We will examine the scriptural and prophetic basis for this union, its significance for the church and the world, and its personal implications for each of us. This study is offered to all seeking truth, regardless of denominational affiliation. Christ brings forth the necessity of this union, as the original message has lost its vigor. Scripture reveals the urgency in Ezekiel 33:6, KJV: “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” And in Habakkuk 2:2, KJV: “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” Through inspired counsel we are told that “The first and second messages were given in 1843 and 1844, and we are now under the proclamation of the third; but all three of the messages are still to be proclaimed.” (Selected Messages Book 2, 104, 1958) A prophetic voice once wrote that “As these warnings join the third angel’s message, it swells to a loud cry.” (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, 422, 1884) The joining of these heavenly forces restores the message’s impact, but what prompts this divine reinforcement?
POWER BOOST NEEDED!
The third angel’s message, found in Revelation 14:9-12, warns against the worship of the beast and its image. It is a message of utmost importance, designed to prepare the world for Christ’s return. However, Sr. White warned that this message had become “tame and voiceless” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 60). This weakness, she explained, stemmed from other interests overshadowing its proclamation. Like a fire that has dwindled to embers, the message’s impact has diminished, failing to deliver the necessary warning with sufficient force. This situation creates a dire need for divine intervention, a powerful reinforcement to rekindle the flame of truth. This is where the angel of Revelation 18 enters the scene. Scripture reveals the call for revival in Joel 2:1, KJV: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” And in Amos 4:12, KJV: “Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.” In Testimonies for the Church we read that “Let our prayers ascend to God that the four angels may still hold the four winds, that they may not blow to injure or destroy until the last warning has been given to the world. Then let us work in harmony with our prayers. Let nothing lessen the force of the truth for this time.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, 61, 1901) A passage from The Review and Herald reminds us that “The most solemn truths ever entrusted to mortals have been given us to proclaim to the world.” (The Review and Herald, December 6, 1892) The need for this reinforcement underscores the urgency of the times, but who exactly is this angel that brings such power?
HEAVENLY HERALD DESCENDS!
Revelation 18 describes another angel coming down from heaven with great power. This angel’s glory illuminates the earth, and his voice cries mightily, proclaiming the fall of Babylon. This angel doesn’t bring a new message but reinforces the third angel’s message, giving it greater power and clarity. This union is not a change in doctrine but an intensification of its proclamation. This union of heavenly messengers is like a powerful amplifier boosting a faint signal, making it clear and distinct. It is a divine call to awaken a slumbering church and a world on the brink of eternal judgment. The angel of Revelation 18 comes to restore the boldness and power of the third angel’s message, which has been weakened by distractions and compromise. As the final warning against the beast and his image is proclaimed, this angel’s voice will strengthen the message, preparing God’s people for the final hour of temptation. Scripture reveals this illumination in Isaiah 60:1, KJV: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” And in Malachi 4:2, KJV: “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” The inspired pen explains that “When the earth is lighted with the glory of the angel of Revelation eighteen, the religious elements, good and evil, will awake from slumber, and the armies of the living God will take the field.” (Manuscript 175, 1899) Through inspired counsel we are told that “In a large degree through our publishing houses is to be accomplished the work of that other angel who comes down from heaven with great power and who lightens the earth with his glory [Revelation 18:1].” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, 140, 1902) This divine amplification highlights the central role of God’s law, but why has the emphasis on it diminished?
LAW’S LOFTY LEGACY!
A key aspect of the weakened third angel’s message is the diminished emphasis on God’s law, particularly the Sabbath. Sr. White notes that at many gatherings, the Sabbath has been merely “touched upon” rather than presented as the crucial test for this time (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, pp. 60-61). This neglect is like neglecting the compass on a ship, leaving it adrift in a stormy sea. The Sabbath, a memorial of creation and a sign of loyalty to God, is central to the third angel’s message, highlighting the conflict between God’s commandments and human traditions. This weakening of the message concerning God’s law has direct parallels to the state of the church and society today. We see a growing disregard for God’s law, with many prioritizing personal desires over divine precepts. The Sabbath, in particular, is often neglected or replaced with other forms of worship. This is like a ship losing its anchor in a storm, leaving it vulnerable to being tossed about by the waves. Scripture reveals the sanctity in Exodus 20:8, KJV: “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” And in Ezekiel 20:12, KJV: “Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.” Ellen G. White wrote that “The importance of the Sabbath as the memorial of creation is that it keeps ever present the true reason why worship is due to God—because He is the Creator, and we are His creatures.” (The Great Controversy, 437, 1911) A prophetic voice once wrote that “I believed the truth upon the Sabbath question before I had seen anything in vision in reference to the Sabbath. It was months after I had commenced keeping the Sabbath before I was shown its importance and its place in the third angel’s message.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 75, 1868) The disregard for God’s law opens the door to external influences, but how does Satan exploit this vulnerability?
SATAN’S SLY SCHEMES!
Satan has actively worked to hinder the clear proclamation of the third angel’s message, creating conditions of “confusion and compromise among God’s people” (Evangelism, p. 230). This is like a thick fog obscuring the road, causing travelers to lose their way. Many who once zealously proclaimed the message have become “listless and indifferent” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, pp. 118-119). The church has often conformed to worldly practices, blurring the distinction between us and the world. This worldliness has diluted the message’s power, making it sound like a whisper instead of a trumpet blast. This situation underscores the urgent need for the angel of Revelation 18 to reignite the call to repentance and reform. Scripture reveals Satan’s tactics in 2 Corinthians 11:14, KJV: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” And in 1 Peter 5:8, KJV: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” The inspired pen explains that “Satan knows this; and before the loud cry of the third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth may think that God is with them.” (Early Writings, 261, 1882) A passage from Selected Messages reminds us that “The unbelief indulged, the doubts expressed, the darkness cherished, encourage the presence of evil angels, and open the way for the accomplishment of Satan’s devices.” (Selected Messages, vol. 1, 122, 1958) Satan’s interference necessitates divine action, but how does God demonstrate His love through strengthening the message?
GOD’S GRACE AMPLIFIES!
God’s love is clearly demonstrated through the strengthening of the three angels’ messages. God’s love is not passive; it actively intervenes to save humanity. We see this in Isaiah 40:29-31: “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength…But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” This verse shows that God provides strength to those who are weak, both physically and spiritually. Sr. White further comments on this active intervention, explaining that the angel of Revelation 18 joins the third angel to “give power and force to the message” (Early Writings, p. 277). God doesn’t leave His people to struggle alone; He actively empowers them to fulfill His purpose. This divine intervention to strengthen the message is a powerful demonstration of God’s unwavering love and commitment to saving humanity. Scripture reveals this strengthening in Zechariah 4:6, KJV: “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” And in Micah 3:8, KJV: “But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.” Through inspired counsel we are told that “The light that God has been pleased to give His people will not weaken their confidence in the path in which He has led them in the past, but will strengthen them to hold fast the faith.” (Selected Messages Book 2, 115, 1958) A prophetic voice once wrote that “That means that the message of justification by faith and the third angel’s message are the same in purpose, in scope, and in results.” (Christ Our Righteousness, 64, 1925) God’s empowerment calls for response, but what actions must the community take in light of this strengthening?
RALLY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS!
The uniting of these angels marks the final great work before Christ’s return. It is a call to awaken from spiritual slumber, to return to the pure principles of God’s Word, and to proclaim the truth with boldness and clarity. This message is not just for one denomination but for all who claim to follow Christ. We must ask ourselves: Have we allowed other interests to overshadow the importance of the three angels’ messages? Have we been faithful in proclaiming the Sabbath as the test for this time? Are we waiting upon the Lord for renewed strength and power? For me, I realize I need to dedicate more time in studying and sharing these vital truths. We must examine our hearts and ensure that we are not conforming to the world but are standing firm on the platform of truth. The question remains: Has this moment of the angel’s arrival already come, or is it yet future? Regardless, the call to action is clear: We must be ready. Scripture reveals the urgency in Hebrews 3:15, KJV: “While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” And in James 1:22, KJV: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Ellen G. White wrote that “The first and second messages were given in 1843 and 1844, and we are now under the proclamation of the third; but all three of the messages are still to be proclaimed.” (Selected Messages Book 2, 104, 1958) A passage from Evangelism reminds us that “The third angel is to go forth with great power.” (Evangelism, 16, 1946) This readiness prepares the community for the end times.
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SELF-REFLECTION
How can I deepen my understanding of the three angels’ messages in my daily devotions, letting them transform my priorities and character?
How can we present these end-time warnings accessibly to varied audiences, from long-time members to newcomers, while upholding biblical truth?
What prevalent misunderstandings about the third angel’s message exist in my circle, and how can I correct them graciously using Scripture and Sr. White’s insights?
How can we as individuals and congregations embody the reinforced third angel’s message, becoming beacons of hope amid the final conflict?
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK 
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