“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28, KJV).

ABSTRACT

This article explores the profound implications of Revelation 18 and its connection to the final work of God on earth, drawing upon Scripture and the writings of Ellen G. White. We will examine the role of the angel, the necessity of humility, and the surprising ways in which God accomplishes His purposes. This exploration will be approached through the lens of biblical principles, applicable to a broad audience.

A DIVINE TAKEOVER: THE ANGEL OF REVELATION 18

The final work of God will unfold under divine direction, spearheaded by the angel of Revelation 18, joining the third angel’s message. This is not a human endeavor, but a divine intervention. Ellen G. White warns against human attempts to control this work: “there will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel” (Testimonies to Ministers, 300). This is a stark reminder that we must submit to God’s leadership, not try to usurp it. Like a ship navigating by the stars, we must follow the divine compass. God will not allow human interference to derail His plans. In The Spirit of Prophecy, we read, “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 (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, 421, 1884). A prophetic voice once wrote, “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, 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.” “And I heard another voice 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.” [Revelation 18:1, 2, 4.] (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, 421, 1884). Scripture affirms this with “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23, KJV) and “And he went out conquering, and to conquer” (Revelation 6:2, KJV). Like a ship navigating by the stars, we must follow the divine compass. God will not allow human interference to derail His plans. This applies to us all, regardless of our religious background. We all struggle with control, but true peace comes from letting go. This principle is relevant in our churches and communities today, where power struggles can hinder the work of God. We see this in church board meetings, where personal agendas sometimes overshadow the divine purpose. Will unexpected paths reveal God’s true might?

CAN SIMPLE TOOLS FORGE MIGHTY VICTORIES?

God often uses simple means to accomplish great things, surprising those who expect grand spectacles. White observes, “The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use” (Testimonies to Ministers, 300). This reminds me of David defeating Goliath with a simple sling and stone. It wasn’t the weapon, but the power of God behind it. God’s power is not contingent on our resources or strategies, but on our willingness to be used by Him. This is a humbling thought. Sometimes, we look for complex solutions when God’s answer is simple. Through inspired counsel we are told, “THE same word that created the earth also upholds it. We quote again the words concerning Christ: “For in Him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through Him, and unto Him; and He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” 1 To consist means to hold together” (The Gospel in Creation, 27, 1895). A passage from Believe His Prophets reminds us, “The third great fact of faith is simply that God spoke through His prophets and gave us this Book—the Bible” (Believe His Prophets, 74, 1966). Scripture supports this with “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:27, KJV) and “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger” (Psalm 8:2, KJV). This applies to our personal lives, our families, and our churches. We may be looking for grand signs, when God is speaking to us in the quiet moments. This principle applies across various faiths; the core message being that humility and openness to divine guidance are essential. In society, we often see complex solutions proposed for simple problems, when a focus on basic human needs and kindness would be more effective. Does true power emerge from humble surrender?

IS HUMILITY THE PATH TO ULTIMATE STRENGTH?

Before the earth can be lightened with the angel’s glory, a work of humbling must take place in God’s people. This involves surrendering our pride and recognizing our complete dependence on God. Sr. White states, “None but God can subdue the pride of man’s heart” (Testimonies to Ministers, 456). Justification by faith lays human glory in the dust. Only through Christ’s righteousness can we be saved. Our own merits and perceived goodness must fade so that Christ can be fully revealed in us. This process of humbling and transformation is crucial before we can be vessels of the latter rain and participate in the loud cry. This reminds me of the verse in James 4:6 (KJV): “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” In a letter we read, “The Lord works to humble human pride in whomever it is found, that men may learn to develop a spirit of true submission to His will” (Lt 35, 4, 1900). Through inspired counsel we are told, “If they walk day by day in humility and contrition and wholeheartedness, in the strictest integrity doing justice to their fellow men, showing reverence and honor to God by being obedient and true to Him, keeping the living principles of righteousness, God will honor them” (Principles for Christian Leaders, 73, 1896). Scripture reinforces this with “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18, KJV) and “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8, KJV). Like a plant needing pruning to grow, we need God to prune our pride so we can flourish spiritually. We must recognize that we are all equal at the foot of the cross. This applies to all of us, no matter our background. We all struggle with pride in different ways. In the church, we see this in competition for positions or recognition. Can love truly conquer our deepest flaws?

HOW DOES LOVE TRANSFORM STUBBORN HEARTS?

These concepts profoundly reflect God’s unwavering love for humanity. God’s love is not passive; it is active and transformative. The fact that God takes the reins and directs the final message shows His deep care for His creation. As Sr. White states, “None but God can subdue the pride of man’s heart” (Testimonies to Ministers, 456). This assertion shows that God understands the root of our problem—pride—and is willing to work within us to heal it. This act of subduing pride is not an act of punishment but an act of love, freeing us from the chains of self-reliance and opening us to His grace. The fact that He chooses simple means demonstrates His approachability and willingness to meet us where we are. He doesn’t demand perfection before working with us; He works with us in our imperfection. This is like a loving parent patiently guiding a child. This is a testament to His infinite patience and mercy. A prophetic voice once wrote, “The history of the great conflict between good and evil, from the time it first began in heaven to the final overthrow of rebellion and the total eradication of sin, is also a demonstration of God’s unchanging love” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 33, 1890). In Steps to Christ we read, “The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness” (Steps to Christ, 43, 1892). Scripture echoes this with “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, KJV) and “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10, KJV). Will spiritual renewal ignite the final proclamation?

WILL LATTER RAIN EMPOWER THE FAITHFUL?

The process of humbling ourselves is essential for receiving the latter rain, a symbolic outpouring of the Holy Spirit’s power. This outpouring will empower God’s people to proclaim the final message with great power, the loud cry. This reminds me of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, as described in Acts 2. It was a transformative experience that empowered the disciples to spread the gospel. Just as rain nourishes the earth, the latter rain will nourish our souls and equip us for service. This is a promise for the community, regardless of denomination. We all need the refreshing and empowering work of the Holy Spirit. This is especially relevant in today’s world, where we face so many challenges. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to remain faithful and to share the gospel with others. Through inspired counsel we are told, “The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of Man” (The Review and Herald, March 2, 1897). A passage from The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials reminds us, “Do not think that you will be found as vessels unto honor in the time of the latter rain, to receive the glory of God, if you are lifting up your souls unto vanity, speaking perverse things, in secret cherishing roots of bitterness. The frown of God will certainly be upon every soul who cherishes and nurtures these roots of dissension, and possesses a spirit so unlike the Spirit of Christ” (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 4774, 1888). Scripture supports this with “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain” (James 5:7, KJV) and “Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field” (Zechariah 10:1, KJV). Are we ready to embrace the divine call to action?

ARE YOU READY TO SURRENDER AND SERVE?

The message of Revelation 18 is a call to action. It’s an invitation to surrender our pride, to recognize our dependence on God, and to be open to His leading, even when it surprises us. We must ask ourselves: Are we willing to let God take the reins in our lives? Are we willing to be used by Him in simple ways? Are we willing to humble ourselves so that He can fill us with His Spirit? These are crucial questions for each of us to consider. We must be willing to let go of our own plans and agendas and follow God’s lead. This is not always easy, but it is always worth it. As we approach the end times, we must be prepared to be used by God in powerful ways. We must be willing to be vessels of His love and grace to a world in need. In Education we read, “We rise by things that are under our feet; By what we have mastered of good and gain; By the pride deposed and the passion slain, And the vanquished ills that we hourly meet” (Education, 296, 1903). A prophetic voice once wrote, “The most hopeless, the most incurable of all sins is pride, self-sufficiency. This sin stands in the way of all advancement, all growth in grace. It has caused the ruin of thousands and thousands of souls” (The Signs of the Times, April 9, 1902). Scripture affirms this with “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10, KJV) and “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5, KJV). What pivotal part does the angel play in the ultimate victory?

WHAT ROLE PLAYS THE ANGEL IN TRIUMPH?

The angel of Revelation 18 plays a pivotal role in the final work of God. It is a work marked by divine direction, surprising methods, and the necessity of humility. As we surrender our pride and open ourselves to God’s leading, we can be part of this glorious work, proclaiming the final message of hope to the world. Let us remember Zechariah 4:6 (KJV): “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into these prophetic truths, allowing them to shape my character and priorities?

How can we adapt these complex themes to be understandable and relevant to diverse audiences, from seasoned church members to new seekers or those from different faith traditions, without compromising theological accuracy?

What are the most common misconceptions about these topics in my community, and how can I gently but effectively correct them using Scripture and the writings of Sr. White?

In what practical ways can our local congregations and individual members become more vibrant beacons of truth and hope, living out the reality of Christ’s soon return and God’s ultimate victory over evil?