The Three Angels’ Messages

“Fear God and give glory to Him”

A message of preparation—That men may be prepared to stand in the judgment, the message commands them to “fear God, and give glory to Him,” “and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” The result of an acceptance of these messages is given in the word: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” In order to be prepared for the judgment, it is necessary that men should keep the law of God. That law will be the standard of character in the judgment. The apostle Paul declares: “As many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law, ... in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.” And he says that “the doers of the law shall be justified.” Romans 2:12-16. Faith is essential in order to the keeping of the law of God; for “without faith it is impossible to please Him.” And “whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:23. 3AM 54.3

By the first angel, men are called upon to “fear God, and give glory to Him” and to worship Him as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. In order to do this, they must obey His law. Says the wise man: “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13. Without obedience to His commandments no worship can be pleasing to God. “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” 1 John 5:3; Proverbs 28:9.—The Great Controversy, 436 (1888, 1911) 3AM 55.1

Justification by faith defined—What is justification by faith? It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself. When men see their own nothingness, they are prepared to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. When they begin to praise and exalt God all the day long, then by beholding, they are becoming changed into the same image.—Letter 73, 1896 (October 12) 3AM 55.2

We glorify God by revealing His character—To give glory to God is to reveal His character in our own and thus make Him known. And in whatever way we make known the Father and the Son, we glorify God.—Manuscript 16, 1890 (Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Ellen White Comments 7:979) 3AM 55.3

Glorifying God includes living healthfully—God in His providence has given us the light upon health reform, that we may understand it in all its bearings, follow the light it brings, and by rightly relating ourselves to life have health that we may glorify God and be a blessing to others.—Testimonies for the Church 3:171 (1872) 3AM 55.4

[For the close relation between health reform and the third angel’s message, see chapter 6, under “Health institutions and medical workers.”] 3AM 56.1