The Three Angels’ Messages

“Those who keep ... the faith of Jesus”

Uplift Christ in the proclamation—Of all professing Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should be foremost in uplifting Christ before the world. The proclamation of the third angel’s message calls for the presentation of the Sabbath truth. This truth, with others included in the message, is to be proclaimed; but the great center of attraction, Christ Jesus, must not be left out. It is at the cross of Christ that mercy and truth meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss each other. The sinner must be led to look to Calvary; with the simple faith of a little child he must trust in the merits of the Saviour, accepting His righteousness, believing in His mercy.—Gospel Workers, 156, 157 (1915) 3AM 112.2

Law and gospel go hand in hand—The faith of Jesus has been overlooked and treated in an indifferent, careless manner. It has not occupied the prominent position in which it was revealed to John. Faith in Christ as the sinner’s only hope has been largely left out, not only of the discourses given, but of the religious experience of very many who claim to believe the third angel’s message.... 3AM 113.1

The third angel’s message is the proclamation of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. The commandments of God have been proclaimed, but the faith of Jesus Christ has not been proclaimed by Seventh-day Adventists as of equal importance, the law and the gospel going hand in hand. I cannot find language to express this subject in its fullness. 3AM 113.2

“The faith of Jesus.” It is talked of, but not understood. What constitutes the faith of Jesus that belongs to the third angel’s message? Jesus becoming our sin-bearer that He might become our sin-pardoning Saviour. He was treated as we deserve to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins that we might take His righteousness. Faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely is the faith of Jesus.—Manuscript 24, 1888 (November or December) (Selected Messages 3:168, 172) 3AM 113.3

Justification by faith is the third angel’s message in verity—The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and 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. 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.—Letter 57, 1895 (May 1) (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 91, 92) 3AM 113.4

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.”—The Review and Herald, April 1, 1890 3AM 114.1

Old light properly placed in the third angel’s message—Elder E. J. Waggoner had the privilege granted him of speaking plainly and presenting his views upon justification by faith and the righteousness of Christ in relation to the law. This was no new light, but it was old light placed where it should be in the third angel’s message. What is the burden of that message? John sees a people. He says, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12. This people John beholds just before he sees the Son of man “having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.” Verse 14.—Manuscript 24, 1888 (November or December) (Selected Messages 3:168) 3AM 114.2

Leaving out the faith of Jesus mars the message—The message that was given to the people in these meetings [Week of Prayer, December 1888] presented in clear lines not alone the commandments of God—a part of the third angel’s message—but the faith of Jesus which comprehends more than is generally supposed. And it will be well for the third angel’s message to be proclaimed in all its parts, for the people need every jot and tittle of it. If we proclaim the commandments of God and leave the other half scarcely touched, the message is marred in our hands.—Manuscript 30, 1889 (June) 3AM 114.3

Christ and His righteousness to be blended with the third angel’s message—Christ and His righteousness are to be so blended with the third angel’s message that the whole world may be lightened with His glory. All should have a personal, experimental knowledge of what Jesus may be to them, or they cannot proclaim the truth as it is in Jesus. Personal faith in the efficacy of the blood of Christ in our own behalf, gives “peace and assurance forever.” In the time of trouble and test, we shall fear no evil; for who can lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? The Lord justifies them for the sake of Christ, who gave His precious blood for their redemption.—The Review and Herald, July 14, 1891 3AM 115.1

Christ’s righteousness gives glory to the law—The Lord has a work for every one of His loyal people to do to bring the faith of Jesus into the right place where it belongs—in the third angel’s message. The law has its important position but is powerless unless the righteousness of Christ is placed beside the law to give its glory to the whole royal standard of righteousness. “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12. A thorough and complete trust in Jesus will give the right quality to religious experience. Aside from this the experience is nothing. The service is like the offering of Cain—Christless. God is glorified by living faith in a personal, all-sufficient Saviour. Faith views Christ as He is—the sinner’s only hope. Faith takes hold of Christ, trusts Him. It says, “He loves me; He died for me. I accept the sacrifice and Christ shall not have died for me in vain.”—Manuscript 30, 1889 (June) 3AM 115.2

Many have neglected the faith of Jesus—Every ray of light that Heaven sends is essential for our salvation. We are living in the last days, and the Lord does not mean to leave us in darkness and uncertainty. There are great blessings in store for those who keep the commandments of God, not in name merely, but in sincerity and truth. It has been necessary to exalt the great standard of righteousness, but in doing this, many have neglected to preach the faith of Jesus. If we would have the spirit and power of the third angel’s message, we must present the law and the gospel together, for they go hand in hand. As a power from beneath is stirring up the children of disobedience to make void the law of God, and to trample upon the faith of Christ as our righteousness, a power from above is moving upon the hearts of those who are loyal to exalt the law, and to lift up Jesus as a complete Saviour. Unless divine power is brought into the experience of the people of God, false theories and erroneous ideas will take minds captive, Christ and His righteousness will be dropped out of the experience of many, and their faith will be without power or life. Such will not have a daily, living experience of the love of God in the heart, and if they do not zealously repent, they will be among those who are represented by the Laodiceans, who will be spewed out of the mouth of God.—The Review and Herald, September 3, 1889 3AM 116.1

Both the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus immensely important—The soul-saving message, the third angel’s message, is the message to be given to the world. The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus are both important, immensely important, and must be given with equal force and power. The first part of the message has been dwelt upon mostly, the last part casually. The faith of Jesus is not comprehended. We must talk it, we must live it, we must pray it, and educate the people to bring this part of the message into their home life. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5.—Manuscript 27, 1889 (September 13) (Selected Messages 3:184) 3AM 116.2

Includes compassion toward the oppressed and sorrowing—Those who stand as reformers, bearing the banner of the third angel’s message, are the ones who are to draw out the soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul. They are to do the work of Christ with hearts full of compassion for the widow and the orphan. But how strangely has this work been neglected! Other denominations have provided homes for the homeless; why were we not, years ago, planning to care for these needy ones whom Christ has committed to us, and whom He declares to be representatives of Himself? Why have our people been so slow to hear the earnest appeals for help? The grief and affliction of the widow and orphan should be our grief. Why have not the hearts of those who should be to them messengers of mercy, been stirred to relieve distress, to impart sympathy and consolation and counsel to those who hunger for it? Those who close their ears to the cries of the needy, will one day call, and the Lord will be deaf to their pleadings. But to those who exercise the tenderness and love of Jesus toward the poor and unfortunate, to those who are not eaten up with selfishness, whose souls are drawn out in pity and grief for the woes of others, the promise is given, “Thou shalt call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am [What will you have? What shall I do for you?].” The Lord has help all ready for those whose compassion is exercised toward the oppressed and the sorrowing. Our God is gracious, full of compassion and tender pity. Let us be like Him. Those who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb will, through the spirit given them by God, do all in their power to comfort the broken-hearted and the tempted, to relieve the oppressed, and to accomplish the work Christ has left them to do.—The Home Missionary, July 1891 3AM 117.1

How do you know when you turn away from those who do not seem desirable, but that you are turning away from those for whom Jesus is seeking? Perhaps, at the very moment that you turn from them, they are in the greatest need of your tenderness and compassion. There is too much of this critical spirit, of standing back in indifference to the welfare of others. We need Christian love. We need to learn meekness and lowliness of heart in the school of Christ. We should be filled with the spirit of the message of warning and mercy which we are to bear to a dying world.—The Review and Herald, May 28, 1889 3AM 118.1

Hearts to be changed—The third angel’s message must yet work like leaven upon the hearts of many that profess to believe it; pride, selfishness, covetousness, and love of the world must be subdued. Jesus is soon coming; and He will acknowledge as His none but those who have been purified and made white, and who have kept themselves separate, unspotted from the world.—The Review and Herald, September 9, 1884 3AM 118.2

Step by step—The third angel is leading up a people, step by step, higher and higher. At every step they will be tested.—Testimonies for the Church 1:190 (1859) 3AM 118.3

The message unites God’s people—The third angel’s message is infallible. It is to unite a people to do a special work, preparing them with perfection of character to unite in one great family in the mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him.—Letter 23, 1885 (September 18) 3AM 118.4

Belief alone is insufficient—There are many who unless they humble their hearts before the Lord, and arouse to their solemn responsibilities, will be surprised and disappointed when the cry is heard, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh! They have the theory of the truth, but they have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. Our faith at this time must not stop with belief in the theory of the third angel’s message. We must have the oil of the grace of Christ that will feed the lamp and cause the light of life to shine forth, showing the way to those who are in darkness.—Manuscript 81, 1908 (June 26) 3AM 119.1

Believers’ lives will reveal the fruits of the message—Those who sincerely believe the third angel’s message will reveal in their lives all that message comprehends. The fruits of that message are grace and righteousness. Converted men and women are to engage in God’s service as His witnesses. Every deliverance from Satan’s power is a manifestation of God’s power to save, and a demonstration in this our day that the Sabbath is a sign between Him and His obedient ones, that they may know that He is the Lord which sanctifieth them. This is a practical witness to the truth that God is the strength and defense of His people, and will exert unlimited power to make His truth and righteousness triumphant.—Letter 91, 1900 (June 24) 3AM 119.2

Both a sanctifying and testing truth—The third angel’s message is the great sanctifying as well as the testing truth.—Manuscript 59, 1911 3AM 119.3

The faith of Jesus includes all His teachings—You inquire what the faith of Jesus is. I have seen that the brethren and sisters have not understood the faith of Jesus in its true light. They have taught that it is healing the sick, etc. It is not healing the sick, merely, but it is all the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” [Revelation 14:12.] I saw that it was the whole New Testament which relates to Jesus.—Letter 11, 1853 (December 3) 3AM 119.4