The Three Angels’ Messages

The three angels represent God’s last-day people

God’s agents sound the warning—The three angels of Revelation 14 represent the people who accept the light of God’s messages and go forth as His agents to sound the warning throughout the length and breadth of the earth.—Testimonies for the Church 5:455, 456 (1885) 3AM 36.3

Angels direct but God’s people proclaim—The work of preaching the gospel has not been committed to angels, but has been entrusted to men. Holy angels have been employed in directing this work, they have in charge the great movements for the salvation of men; but the actual proclamation of the gospel is performed by the servants of Christ upon the earth.—The Great Controversy, 312 (1888, 1911) 3AM 36.4

All to carry the message—The third angel’s message is to be given with a loud voice. With intensified zeal and energy human beings are to carry forward the work of the Lord. In the home, in the school, and in the church, men, women, and youth are to be prepared to give the message to the world.—Letter 144, 1901 (October 11) 3AM 37.1

Extending the gracious invitation—The third angel of Revelation 14 is represented as flying swiftly through the midst of heaven crying: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Here is shown the nature of the work of the people of God. They have a message of so great importance that they are represented as flying in the presentation of it to the world. They are holding in their hands the bread of life for a famishing world. The love of Christ constraineth them. This is the last message. There are no more to follow, no more invitations of mercy to be given after this message shall have done its work. What a trust! What a responsibility is resting upon all to carry the words of gracious invitation: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” [Revelation 22:17.]—Testimonies for the Church 5:206, 207 (1882) 3AM 37.2

Literal voices of angels not heard—The first, second, and third angels’ messages are the messages to be given to the world. We hear not literally the voice of the three angels, but these angels in Revelation represent a people who will be upon the earth and give these messages.—Manuscript 40, 1890 3AM 37.3

The angels are represented as flying in the midst of heaven, proclaiming to the world a message of warning, and having a direct bearing upon the people living in the last days of this earth’s history. No one hears the voice of these angels, for they are a symbol to represent the people of God who are working in harmony with the universe of heaven. Men and women, enlightened by the Spirit of God, and sanctified through the truth, proclaim the three messages in their order.—Manuscript 28, 1890 (December 4) (Selected Messages 2:387) 3AM 38.1

Their voices are not heard by the inhabitants of earth, save through the people who carry forward the work as the messengers of God. Those who search the Scriptures understand the messages given by the angels, and take up the cry, proclaiming the warning to the world.—The Review and Herald, July 7, 1891 3AM 38.2

Human agents called to cooperate with God—The everlasting gospel is to be proclaimed by human agents. We are to sound the messages of the angels which are represented as flying in [the] midst of heaven, with the last warning to a fallen world. If we are not called upon to prophesy, we are called to believe the prophecies, and to cooperate with God in giving light to other minds.—Manuscript 32, 1896 (December 6) (Selected Messages 2:115) 3AM 38.3