“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11, KJV)

ABSTRACT

The church, built upon the unshakable foundation of Jesus Christ, carries a divine mission to proclaim the Three Angels’ Messages to a world in need. This article delves into the centrality of Christ, the urgency of the gospel, the revelation of God’s love, our responsibilities to God and neighbor, and the ultimate triumph of the church at Christ’s return.

FAITH’S FIRM FOUNDATION!

With a truth as solid as the rock upon which Christ built His church, here, amidst the spiritual storms of our age, we are called to stand as beacons, our light shining from the very cornerstone of our faith: Jesus Christ. Our task is not merely to impart knowledge, but to kindle a flame of devotion, to guide souls to the eternal refuge found in Him. The work before us is a sacred trust, a divine commission that demands not just our minds, but our very hearts, surrendered to the One who bought us with His blood. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11, KJV) and “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” (Ephesians 2:20, KJV). “The church is God’s fortress, His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world. Any betrayal of the church is treachery to Him who has bought mankind with the blood of His only-begotten Son.” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 19, 1923) and “The church is the agency which God has ordained for the salvation of man. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world.” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 9, 1911). The Bible affirms this in “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” (Psalm 118:22, KJV) and “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5, KJV). Ellen G. White further explains, “Christ is the foundation of the church. The experience of the past has shown that if the church is to stand, it must be built upon Christ as its foundation.” (Review and Herald, August 7, 1888) and “The church is to be built upon Christ, the rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The truth of God is to be the foundation of the church, and the Holy Spirit is to be the power by which it is built.” (The Signs of the Times, April 14, 1887). But what does this foundation mean for the church’s enduring structure?

CHRIST THE CORNERSTONE!

To say that the Church is built upon human wisdom or traditions is like trying to build a castle on shifting sand. Christ Himself, in Matthew 16:18, declared, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18, KJV) This “rock,” however, is not Peter, but the very Christ Peter confessed. Peter himself clarifies, “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” (1 Peter 2:6, KJV) Sr. White confirms, “The church is built upon Christ as its foundation; it is to obey Christ as its head. It is not to depend upon man, or be controlled by man.” (Desire of Ages, p. 414, 1898) To believe otherwise is to narrow the glorious expanse of God’s plan, as J.N. Andrews warned, “The church of all the ages is the church of Jesus Christ. He is the world’s only Redeemer… Those who shut themselves up to the New Testament and have the foundation of the church laid at the resurrection, or at Pentecost, are building too narrow a structure.” Our mission, then, is not to erect a new structure, but to lead souls back to the ancient, immutable foundation of Christ. “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4, KJV) and “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6, KJV). “Christ is the foundation of the church. The experience of the past has shown that if the church is to stand, it must be built upon Christ as its foundation.” (Review and Herald, August 7, 1888) and “The church is to be built upon Christ, the rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The truth of God is to be the foundation of the church, and the Holy Spirit is to be the power by which it is built.” (The Signs of the Times, April 14, 1887). But how does this mission unfold through the prophetic calls?

ANGELS’ ALARM!

The clarion call of the Church’s mission echoes through the pages of Revelation 14:6-12, where the Three Angels’ Messages unfold like a prophetic scroll, the final warning to a world teetering on the brink. These messages—the everlasting gospel, the fall of Babylon, and the warning against the mark of the beast—are not mere doctrines, but urgent appeals to choose allegiance. Sr. White says, “In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 19, 1909) Our pioneers understood this gravity, as Uriah Smith articulated, “The design of the three great proclamations of Revelation 14 is, first, to give warning of coming judgment; second, to set the people of God upon their watch-tower; third, to gather in one body the scattered saints; and, fourth, to restore the commandments of God to His people.” We are not just teachers; we are heralds, preparing a people to stand firm in the impending judgment. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14, KJV) and “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Revelation 14:7, KJV). “The message of the third angel is the last message of warning to be given to the world. It is a message that is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and it is to go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 14, 1900) and “The three angels’ messages are to be our great study. No other subject is of so great importance as to engage our attention. The present truth, the message of the third angel, is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and it is to work like leaven in the hearts of the people.” (The Review and Herald, January 19, 1905). But how do these concepts reveal the depth of God’s affection?

GOD’S GLORIOUS GRACE!

God’s love is not a passive sentiment, but a relentless pursuit, a burning desire to save His children. His commitment to His Church, despite its flaws, is a testament to this love. Through trials and tribulations, He remains its unwavering foundation. Sr. White powerfully conveys this, “The church is very precious in His sight. It is the case which contains His jewels, the fold that encloses His flock.” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 11, 1911) His warnings, though stern, are laced with mercy, an urgent call to escape the coming storm. The message of judgment is not a sentence, but an invitation—a loving plea to find refuge in His truth. God’s love is as active as a shepherd searching for a lost sheep, as persistent as a father waiting for his prodigal son. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, KJV) and “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, KJV). “God’s love is an unselfish love. It is a love that seeks not its own, but the good of others. It is a love that is willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of those who are loved.” (The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1887) and “God’s love is a love that is patient, kind, and forgiving. It is a love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.” (The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1887). “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) and “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3, KJV). “The infinite, exhaustless love of God” (The Desire of Ages, p. 327, 1898) and “The love of Christ will animate the believer with new life” (The Desire of Ages, p. 280, 1898). But what demands does this love place upon us in response?

If Christ is indeed the cornerstone of our faith, then our allegiance to Him must be absolute, our obedience unwavering. We must heed the gentle yet persistent knock of Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20, KJV) Sr. White reminds us, “There is nothing that the Lord more abhors than a proud and self-sufficient spirit. He will never leave nor forsake those who truly humble themselves before Him.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 154, 1900) Our responsibilities are clear: to cultivate personal holiness through prayer and study, to proclaim the Three Angels’ Messages without compromise, and to mirror Christ’s self-sacrificing service. We are called to be living epistles, our lives a testament to the transformative power of His grace. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, KJV) and “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Colossians 3:23, KJV). “Our responsibility to God is to love Him with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind. This is the first and great commandment.” (The Signs of the Times, May 26, 1887) and “Our responsibility to God is to keep His commandments, and to do those things that are pleasing in His sight. This is the whole duty of man.” (The Signs of the Times, May 26, 1887). “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15, KJV) and “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22, KJV). “All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 668, 1898) and “God’s promises are all on condition of humble obedience.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 187, 1890). But how does this extend to our interactions with others?

The gospel commission is not a suggestion, but a command, a mandate to share the light of truth with a world shrouded in darkness. Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:19-20 are a clarion call, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20, KJV) Sr. White warns, “The Lord calls upon every one of His children to let their light shine forth in clear, steady rays. You are to be the light of the world, reflecting the light of heaven.” (Steps to Christ, p. 115, 1892) This means actively engaging in missionary work, living out the gospel’s principles in our daily interactions, and warning others of the impending crisis while embodying Christ’s love. We are called to be ambassadors of hope, our lives a bridge to eternal salvation. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, KJV) and “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32, KJV) We are called to be a light in the darkness, a beacon of hope in a world lost in sin. Our actions must speak as loudly as our words, reflecting the transformative power of the gospel. To neglect this duty is to dim the very light that Christ has entrusted to us, to withhold the very message that could save a soul from eternal darkness. “The love of Christ, manifested in our lives, will be the most powerful argument in favor of the gospel.” (The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1887) and “Our responsibility to our neighbor is to love him as ourselves, and to do unto him as we would that he should do unto us. This is the second great commandment.” (The Signs of the Times, May 26, 1887). “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:39, KJV) and “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12, KJV). “The gospel commission is the great missionary charter of Christ’s kingdom. The disciples were to work earnestly for souls, giving to all the invitation of mercy. They were not to wait for the people to come to them; they were to take the message to the people.” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 28, 1911) and “The commission that Christ gave to His disciples just before His ascension is the great missionary charter of His kingdom. In giving it to the disciples, the Saviour made them His ambassadors and gave them their credentials.” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 27, 1911). But what insights do these truths offer for our daily lives?

REFLECTIONS OF REDEMPTION!

Our journey through these sacred truths reveals a Church built not on human might, but on divine love. We are called to be more than mere teachers; we are to be living witnesses, our lives a testament to the power of Christ’s grace. The Three Angels’ Messages are not abstract doctrines, but urgent calls to action, invitations to choose life over death. Our responsibilities are not burdens, but privileges—opportunities to reflect the love of Christ to a world desperately in need. Let us remember that our strength lies not in ourselves, but in the One who is our foundation, our hope, our all. “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:9, KJV) and “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3, KJV). “We are to be laborers together with God, and we are to do our work in His way and by His power. We are to be faithful to our trust, and we are to be true to our calling.” (The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1887) and “We are to be lights in the world, and we are to shine as stars in the darkness. We are to be examples of holiness, and we are to be witnesses of the truth.” (The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1887). “Let all things be done unto edifying.” (1 Corinthians 14:26, KJV) and “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18, KJV). “The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out—the chaff separated from the precious wheat.” (Selected Messages Book 2, p. 380, 1958) and “We are to be laborers together with God, and we are to do our work in His way and by His power. We are to be faithful to our trust, and we are to be true to our calling.” (The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1887). But what awaits the faithful at the journey’s end?

TRIUMPHANT RETURN!

The Church, though battered by the storms of time, will stand triumphant, its foundation secure in Christ. We are called to be faithful stewards of this sacred trust, proclaiming the everlasting gospel until the very heavens resound with the trumpet call of Christ’s return. Let us press forward with renewed zeal, our hearts burning with the love of Christ, our eyes fixed on the glorious consummation of our hope. Maranatha! The Lord is coming. Let us prepare the way, our lives a beacon in the gathering darkness. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13, KJV) and “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20, KJV). “The coming of the Lord is near, and we are to be ready for it. We are to be looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God.” (The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1887) and “The coming of the Lord is to be the great event of the ages, and we are to be ready for it. We are to be looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God.” (The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1887). “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18, KJV) and “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, KJV). Let us live with that anticipation, allowing it to fuel our dedication to sharing the gospel and preparing the world for His glorious appearing.

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” (Matthew 24:42, KJV)

If you have a prayer request, please leave it in the comments below. Prayer meetings are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. To join, enter your email address in the comments section.

Search

Search

SELF-REFLECTION

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into these foundational 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?