God Has Jewels in All Churches
God has jewels in all the churches, and it is not for us to make sweeping denunciation of the professed religious world.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 4:1184 (1893). {LDE 197.1}
The Lord has His representatives in all the churches. These persons have not had the special testing truths for these last days presented to them under circumstances that brought conviction to heart and mind; therefore they have not, by rejecting light, severed their connection with God.—Testimonies for the Church 6:70, 71 (1900). {LDE 197.2}
Among the Catholics there are many who are most conscientious Christians and who walk in all the light that shines upon them, and God will work in their behalf.—Testimonies for the Church 9:243 (1909). {LDE 197.3}
In the eighteenth chapter of the Revelation the people of God are called upon to come out of Babylon. According to this scripture, many of God’s people must still be in Babylon. And in what religious bodies are the greater part of the followers of Christ now to be found? Without doubt, in the various churches professing the Protestant faith.—The Great Controversy, 383 (1911). {LDE 197.4}
Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exist in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ’s true followers are still to be found in their communion.—The Great Controversy, 390 (1911). {LDE 198.1}
Babylon’s Fall Not Yet Complete
“She made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” (Revelation 14:6-8). How is this done? By forcing men to accept a spurious sabbath.—Testimonies for the Church 8:94 (1904). {LDE 198.2}
Not yet, however, can it be said that ... “she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She has not yet made all nations do this. {LDE 198.3}
Not until this condition shall be reached, and the union of the church with the world shall be fully accomplished throughout Christendom, will the fall of Babylon be complete. The change is a progressive one, and the perfect fulfillment of Revelation 14:8 is yet future.—The Great Controversy, 389, 390 (1911). {LDE 198.4}
When do her sins reach unto heaven [Revelation 18:2-5]? When the law of God is finally made void by legislation.—The Signs of the Times, June 12, 1893. {LDE 198.5}
God’s Last Warning Message
God has given the messages of Revelation 14 their place in the line of prophecy and their work is not to cease till the close of this earth’s history.—The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 804 (1890). {LDE 198.6}
Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6-12, the church will have fully reached the condition foretold by the second angel, and the people of God still in Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion. This message is the last that will ever be given to the world.—The Great Controversy, 390 (1911). {LDE 199.1}
[Revelation 18:1, 2, 4, quoted.] This scripture points forward to a time when the announcement of the fall of Babylon, as made by the second angel of Revelation 14 (verse 8), is to be repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the various organizations that constitute Babylon, since that message was first given, in the summer of 1844.... These announcements, uniting with the third angel’s message, constitute the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth. {LDE 199.2}
The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power—all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these.— The Great Controversy, 603, 604, 606 (1911). {LDE 199.3}
The Heart of God’s Last Message
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.”— Selected Messages 1:372 (1890). {LDE 199.4}
The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders [E.J.] Waggoner and [A. T.] Jones. 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. {LDE 200.1}
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 and Gospel Workers, 91, 92 (1895). {LDE 200.2}
The message of Christ’s righteousness is to sound from one end of the earth to the other to prepare the way of the Lord. This is the glory of God, which closes the work of the third angel.—Testimonies for the Church 6:19 (1900). {LDE 200.3}
The last message of mercy to be given to the world is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 415, 416 (1900). {LDE 200.4}
The Message Will Go With Great Power
As the third message swells to a loud cry and as great power and glory attend the closing work, the faithful people of God will partake of that glory. It is the latter rain which revives and strengthens them to pass through the time of trouble.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:984 (1862). {LDE 201.1}
As the end approaches, the testimonies of God’s servants will become more decided and more powerful.—Selected Messages 3:407 (1892). {LDE 201.2}
This message [Revelation 14:9-12] embraces the two preceding messages. It is represented as being given with a loud voice; that is, with the power of the Holy Spirit.— The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:980 (1900). {LDE 201.3}
As the third angel’s message swells into a loud cry, great power and glory will attend its proclamation. The faces of God’s people will shine with the light of heaven.— Testimonies for the Church 7:17 (1902). {LDE 201.4}
Amidst the deepening shadows of earth’s last great crisis, God’s light will shine brightest, and the song of hope and trust will be heard in clearest and loftiest strains.— Education, 166 (1903). {LDE 201.5}
As foretold in the eighteenth of Revelation, the third angel’s message is to be proclaimed with great power by those who give the final warning against the beast and his image.—Testimonies for the Church 8:118 (1904). {LDE 201.6}
Like the 1844 Movement
The power which stirred the people so mightily in the 1844 movement will again be revealed. The third angel’s message will go forth, not in whispered tones, but with a loud voice.—Testimonies for the Church 5:252 (1885). {LDE 202.1}
I saw that this message will close with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry.—Early Writings, 278 (1858). {LDE 202.2}
Like the Day of Pentecost
It is with an earnest longing that I look forward to the time when the events of the Day of Pentecost shall be repeated with even greater power than on that occasion. John says, “I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory” [Revelation 18:1]. Then, as at the Pentecostal season, the people will hear the truth spoken to them, every man in his own tongue.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 6:1055 (1886). {LDE 202.3}
In visions of the night, representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God’s people. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen, even as was manifested before the great Day of Pentecost.—Testimonies for the Church 9:126 (1909). {LDE 202.4}
The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel, are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close. {LDE 203.1}
Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers.—The Great Controversy, 611, 612 (1911). {LDE 203.2}
God Will Employ Agencies That Will Surprise Us
Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. 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 who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness.—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 300 (1885). {LDE 203.3}
Do not imagine that it will be possible to lay out plans for the future. Let God be acknowledged as standing at the helm at all times and under every circumstance. He will work by means that will be suitable, and will maintain, increase, and build up His own people.—Counsels to Writers and Editors, 71 (1895). {LDE 203.4}
The Comforter is to reveal Himself, not in any specified, precise way that man may mark out, but in the order of God—in unexpected times and ways that will honor His own name.—The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 1478 (1896). {LDE 204.1}
He will raise up from among the common people men and women to do His work, even as of old He called fishermen to be His disciples. There will soon be an awakening that will surprise many. Those who do not realize the necessity of what is to be done will be passed by, and the heavenly messengers will work with those who are called the common people, fitting them to carry the truth to many places.—Manuscript Releases 15:312 (1905). {LDE 204.2}
Laborers Qualified by the Holy Spirit
In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions. These facilities are not to be despised or condemned; they are ordained of God, but they can furnish only the exterior qualifications. God will manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals.—Testimonies for the Church 5:80, 82 (1882). {LDE 204.3}
To souls that are earnestly seeking for light and that accept with gladness every ray of divine illumination from His holy Word, to such alone light will be given. It is through these souls that God will reveal that light and power which will lighten the whole earth with His glory.—Testimonies for the Church 5:729 (1889). {LDE 205.1}
It is discipline of spirit, cleanness of heart and thought that is needed. This is of more value than brilliant talent, tact, or knowledge. An ordinary mind, trained to obey a “Thus saith the Lord,” is better qualified for God’s work than are those who have capabilities but do not employ them rightly.—The Review and Herald, November 27, 1900. {LDE 205.2}
The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them.—The Great Controversy, 606 (1911). {LDE 205.3}
God Uses Even the Illiterate
Those who receive Christ as a personal Saviour will stand the test and trial of these last days. Strengthened by unquestioning faith in Christ, even the illiterate disciple will be able to withstand the doubts and questions that infidelity can produce, and put to blush the sophistries of scorners. {LDE 205.4}
The Lord Jesus will give the disciples a tongue and wisdom that their adversaries can neither gainsay nor resist. Those who could not, by reasoning, overcome satanic delusions will bear an affirmative testimony that will baffle supposedly learned men. Words will come from the lips of the unlearned with such convincing power and wisdom that conversions will be made to the truth. Thousands will be converted under their testimony. {LDE 205.5}
Why should the illiterate man have this power, which the learned man has not? The illiterate one, through faith in Christ, has come into the atmosphere of pure, clear truth, while the learned man has turned away from the truth. The poor man is Christ’s witness. He cannot appeal to histories or to so-called high science, but he gathers from the Word of God powerful evidence. The truth that he speaks under the inspiration of the Spirit is so pure and remarkable and carries with it a power so indisputable that his testimony cannot be gainsaid.—Manuscript Releases 8:187, 188 (1905). {LDE 206.1}
Children Proclaim the Message
Many, even among the uneducated, now proclaim the words of the Lord. Children are impelled by the Spirit to go forth and declare the message from heaven. The Spirit is poured out upon all who will yield to its promptings and, casting off all man’s machinery, his binding rules and cautious methods, they will declare the truth with the might of the Spirit’s power.—Evangelism, 700 (1895). {LDE 206.2}
When the heavenly intelligences see that men will no longer present the truth in simplicity as did Jesus, the very children will be moved upon by the Spirit of God and will go forth proclaiming the truth for this time.—The Southern Work, 66 (1895). {LDE 206.3}
The Ministry of Angels
The angels of heaven are moving upon human minds to arouse investigation in the themes of the Bible. A far greater work will be done than has yet been done and none of the glory of it will flow to men, for angels that minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation are working night and day.—Counsels to Writers and Editors, 140 (1875). {LDE 207.1}
There are many men in our world who are like Cornelius.... As God worked for Cornelius, so He works for these true standard-bearers. They will obtain a knowledge of God as Cornelius did through the visitation of angels from heaven.—Letter 197, 1904. {LDE 207.2}
When divine power is combined with human effort, the work will spread like fire in the stubble. God will employ agencies whose origin man will be unable to discern. Angels will do a work which men might have had the blessing of accomplishing had they not neglected to answer the claims of God.—Selected Messages 1:118 (1885). {LDE 207.3}
World-wide Extent of the Proclamation
The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third angel’s message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here foretold. Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given.—The Great Controversy, 611, 612 (1911). {LDE 207.4}
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, and