The Third Angel

The Third Angel

Key verse. Revelation 14:9-12 (RSV): And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If any one worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also shall drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured unmixed into the cup of his anger, and he shall be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever; and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” 12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

A more complete title for this sermon would have been, "the message of the third angel found in Revelation chapter 14," but that would have been too long of a title. Generally speaking, the "three angels' messages" is an interpretation of the messages given by three angels in Revelation 14:6–12. Our church (the Seventh-day Adventist church) teaches that these messages are given to prepare the world for the second coming of Jesus Christ, and sees them as a central part of the church's mission.

They are an important part of every evangelistic program the Seventh-day Adventist Church presents, including the one we had just a few weeks ago. In fact, the three angels' messages are so important that they were the church logo for a better part of 130 years, which showed three angels circling a globe, up until 1996 when it was changed to what we have today. (Not sure it's a better version, but it is what it is.)The three angels' messages should be a familiar teaching to all of us who have been members for awhile.

If I were to ask you a few simple questions regarding these messages, you should be able to answer them for me. Is that correct? The answer should be: Yes, absolutely! So, allow me to ask you. We are focusing on the third angel this morning, and only on verse 19, of Revelation chapter 14.

Revelation 14:9: And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If any one worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,

Questions 1 and 2:

Question 1: Who is "the beast" that this verse is talking about? Answer: It is the first beast of Revelation 13. This first beast is a leopard-like beast (having 7 heads and 10 horns, with feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion). It is identified by SDAs as the Papacy. It is the worship of the first beast by the influence and power of the second beast. All this is detailed in the prior chapter (ch. 13).

Question 2: Who or what is the image?

The image to (or of) the beast. The image is the likeness or nature or character of the first beast. This "likeness" or "character" or "nature" is to enforce its religious doctrines by way of civil power. (The union of civil and religious power.) You are told what to believe and if you believe differently, you will be punished through the civil authorities by way of fines, imprisonment, torture and even martyrdom. This was the history of the papal power for over 1,000 years. This history will be repeated at the end of time. It will spell the end of religious liberty and the resumption of religious persecution. See References below.

Question 3: What is "the mark" that goes on the forehead or on the hand? The answer is found in Revelation 13:16-17. The answer to this question is easy because it is found in the previous chapter.

Revelation 13:11-18 (RSV): Then I saw another beast which rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13 It works great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of men; 14 and by the signs which it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast, it deceives those who dwell on earth, bidding them make an image for the beast which was wounded by the sword and yet lived; 15 and it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast should even speak, and to cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let him who has understanding reckon the number of the beast, for it is a human number, its number is six hundred and sixty-six.

The mark is the name of the beast. The mark is the name of the beast which goes on the forehand or on the hand. The mark is a recognizable mark. It will be used to determine whether you can buy or sell. The "name" is the authority of the giver of this mark. In the Bible, when you come in the "name of," you come in the "authority of." A police officer performs his duties in the name of the state—that is, he performs his duties in the authority of the state. At the end of time, all the world will be made to bow to this beastly authority. It will be the beast's name (i.e. a number) which represents its authority.

The mark is the number of its name. But the Bible tells us that this mark is also a number. In our time, we appreciate what a number means. We are all identified with a number in this country. It's our social security number. The country of India also adopted a number of identity. It's a 12-digit number. They use biometrics to validate and identify their people to arrive at their unique number. They use one of four biometric markers: facial recognition, fingerprints, iris and/or voice recognition. With this number, the people of India can do all their banking and business transactions. In India, you can have an id card or have memorized your number (just as we do with our social security number), but (in India) your id is validated with your unique biometric markers. About 70% of India has adopted this system of payment, the last time I checked.

Summary and comparison. So, here we have it, the beast, the image and the mark. It turns out, that the remnant also have an object of worship, an image and a mark.

(1) All worship a supreme being. At the end of time, the wicked will worship the beast. The remnant, however, will worship who? The answer is found in the first angel's message. Revelation 14:7b, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." It is the worship of the Father.

(2) All worship an image. In the case of the remnant, the 144,000, they follow the Lamb wherever he goes. The image of God is the Lamb. The Son is the expressed image of the Father. The Son is worshipped and obeyed. In the case of the wicked, they worship and obey the image to the beast.

(3) All receive a name. By receiving a name, they are given authority. There are two groups who receive a "name". The 144,000 receive the name of the Father (Revelation 14:1 (KJV)) and the wicked (or the lost) are given the name of the beast or the number of its name.

(4) All receive a mark or a seal. In the case of the wicked, they receive a mark on the forehead or the hand. In the case of the righteous, it is on the forehead.

Revelation 7:2-4 (NKJV): Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:

Revelation 14:1 (NKJV): Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.

Notes

On Revelation 14:1. [The translations that have the Father's name only come from the Received Text (Textus Recepticus) which the KJV follows, while the translations which have the Father and Son's name follow the Alexandrian version. I favor the KJV because it makes more sense contextually. It also matches Revelation 22:4.

Revelation 22:4: They will see his face, and his name [i.e. God's name] will be on their foreheads.

"his Father's name--A, B, and C read, "His name and His Father's name." That is, the Alexandrian copy, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions. [I favor the KJV which has the Father's name only, which is the Received Text (Textus Recepticus)]

The Alexandrian version is probably a derivative of what we find in Revelation 3:12.

Revelation 3:12: The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

References (Great Controversy)

GC 443.1: But what is the “image to the beast”? and how is it to be formed? The image is made by the two-horned beast, and is an image to the first beast. It is also called an image of the beast. Then to learn what the image is like and how it is to be formed we must study the characteristics of the beast itself—the papacy.

GC 443.2: When the early church became corrupted by departing from the simplicity of the gospel and accepting heathen rites and customs, she lost the Spirit and power of God; and in order to control the consciences of the people, she sought the support of the secular power. The result was the papacy, a church that controlled the power of the state and employed it to further her own ends, especially for the punishment of “heresy.” In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends.

GC 443.3: Whenever the church has obtained secular power, she has employed it to punish dissent from her doctrines. Protestant churches that have followed in the steps of Rome by forming alliance with worldly powers have manifested a similar desire to restrict liberty of conscience. An example of this is given in the long-continued persecution of dissenters by the Church of England. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, thousands of nonconformist ministers were forced to flee from their churches, and many, both of pastors and people, were subjected to fine, imprisonment, torture, and martyrdom.

GC 445.1: When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.

GC 445.2: The beast with two horns “causeth [commands] all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:16, 17. The third angel's warning is: “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” “The beast” mentioned in this message, whose worship is enforced by the two-horned beast, is the first, or leopardlike beast of Revelation 13—the papacy. The “image to the beast” represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas. The “mark of the beast” still remains to be defined.

Implications of the Mark - Authoritarianism and the loss of Freedom

Acceptance of the mark implies acceptance of authoritarian rule and the loss of personal freedoms. Which is a common theme nowadays. In the place of personal rights and freedoms, we are getting more and more authoritarian rule. We are being herded around like sheep by mindless bureaucrats. Civil authorities who line up with so-called experts that cater to their agenda. It is a common theme.

Pandemic Authoritarians. It was blatant in the Covid Crisis. There were controls in everything you did. In travel, the wear of masks, restriction of assembly, quarantine, vaccinations, etc. It was one gigantic powergrab by the authorities.

Medical Authoritarians. Civil authority utilize so called "medical authorities" to enforce their laws.

Scientific Authoritarians. Civil authority utilizing geo-science authorities to enforce "green earth" policies. Climate change and the greenies and carbon tax.

Economic Authoritarians. Civil authority utitlizing economic and banking authorities to enforce economic policies. This is in the making with the CBDC and the Great Economic Reset agendas.

Religious Authoritarians. Ultimately, we will have civil authority utilizing religious authorities to enforce religious dogmas which promote peace and prosperity. This is yet future. In the future, you will believe what you are told to believe, at the pain of starving to death.

I could go on and on about this, but we don't have the time. I need to complete the second part to this sermon.

References and notes

Authoritarian conditioning. It has been obvious for quite some time now, for anyone paying attention, that we are being conditioned to submit. Not only to submit to authority, but to not question or challenge authority. We are seeing this in various areas, including:

Great Economic Reset. Primarily headed by Europe via the WEF (World Economic Forum), there is talk of a Great Economic Reset being advocated, where you will own nothing and be happy.

CBDC. There is talk of a CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency).

Herded like sheep. We are being conditioned to submit and to lose our rights . . . for the "greater" good.

Think for yourself. There are some people, I believe the majority, who prefer to be told what to do and think than to do and think for themselves.

Freedom to buy and sell. The quintessential freedom that will be lost will be the freedom of commerce. The right to buy and sell. Once you lose that, you've lost the means to sustenance.

Sacred tradition (from Wikipedia). According to the theology of the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Assyrian churches, sacred tradition is the foundation of the doctrinal and spiritual authority of Christianity and of the Bible. Thus, the Bible must be interpreted within the context of sacred tradition and within the community of the church.

Ibid. In other words, the Catholic view is that the Church trumps the Bible. The Church has greater authority than the Bible. It extends even to the Pope himself.

Ex Cathedra. The Pope can speak "ex cathedra" meaning that what he says on issues of faith and morality is infallible. Papal infallibility was formally established by the Catholic Church in 1870.

RH April 27, 1911, par. 12: The sign, or seal, of God is revealed in the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, the Lord's memorial of creation.... The mark of the beast is the opposite of this,—the observance of the first day of the week. This mark distinguishes those who acknowledge the supremacy of the papal authority from those who acknowledge the authority of God.”

Executive Order 14067 (on Wikipedia). Executive Order 14067, officially titled Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets, was signed on March 9, 2022 and is the 83rd executive order signed by U.S. President Joe Biden. See original order here: Executive Order 14067.

CBDC. Central Bank Digital Currency.

"People Have No Idea What Is Coming..." -Jim Rickards. Duration 6:35.

World currency (global monetary system). The start of a world currency will begin next year. It is called the FedNow Service (or FedNow Instant Payments System) which will launch in mid-2023. You can get the details from the Federal Reserve (our central bank’s) website here: FedNow. It is explained on a whiteboard by a Fed watcher here: It's Happening...Are You Prepared? (duration 32:23) Effectively, all credit transactions will be approved and cleared digitally by local banks through our central bank, the Federal Reserve. Ultimately, this system will become a worldwide approved and preferred payment system.

FedNow homepage.

End Times Author Breaks Down the 'Great Reset,' the Antichrist and a One-World Government. Duration 12:49. Speaks of the rapture and America not in prophecy. Obviously, ignorant of Revelation 13.

WEF Anoint Charles ‘The Great Reset King’. Duration 9/23/2022. King Charles the originator of "The Great Reset" in the middle of 2020.

Mental state of the population. Niccolo Machiavelli: It is just as difficult and dangerous to try to free a people that want to remain slaves as it is to enslave a people that want to remain free.

Freedom and the right of ownership. It doesn't matter how much land you own, or how much money or gold or bitcoin or other wealth, if you don't have freedom and the right of ownership, you've got nothing. And, as the propaganda is currently, "you'll own nothing and you'll be happy.".

Banks to pilot biometric payment cards in India, Poland, Iraq, Mexico, Lebanon and Egypt. Posted 1/5/2022. Credit Libanais in Lebanon, the Jordan Kuwait Bank, BBVA in Mexico, and Crédit Agricole and BNP Parisbas in France all announced that they were to begin issuing or piloting biometric payment cards during 2021, while China Construction Bank and the Postal Savings Bank of China both began trialling biometric ‘hard wallet’ cards as part of China’s large-scale testing of its central bank digital currency launched last year.

Climate change. The authority of science. Examples are medicine and geoscience. In a green godless worldview, the planet is more valuable than the people on it. In a Christian worldview, the planet will be burned with fire, cleansed and replaced with a new heavens and a new earth. The planet will not be fixed, it will be replaced with a new one. That is the same in the spiritual world. God doesn't fix your old nature, He gives you a new one. You must be born again. This is what Jesus said.

The planet must be saved. The problem in saving the planet is the people. The people are destroying the planet; therefore if we are to save the planet we have to . . . do something to the people. That is, restrict them, take away their liberties, control them, cule the population, etc. However, we want some people because we need them to take care of our basic needs: food production, maintain our homes, etc. We need our slaves. So the population is forced into a state of serfdom, where the few rule and the majority serve them. We can't have too many people because they suck up too much oxygen.

Sabbath. The Sabbath is a sign of Liberty, Freedom, particularly religious liberty. The gosple message is that of communicating Truth, Love, and Freedom. The final struggle on earth will be regarding Propaganda vs. Truth, Hatefulness/Division/Strife/War vs. Love, and Control/Supression vs. Freedom.

Galileo: In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.

Martin Luther King, Jr.: Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.

Wernher von Braun: Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing.

National ruin

EGW Estate - The Economy. Correspondence on "national ruin."

RH May 2, 1893, par. 11: The time has come when judgment is fallen in the streets, and equity cannot enter, and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey. But the Lord's arm is not shortened that it cannot save, and his ear is not heavy that it cannot hear. The people of the United States have been a favored people; but when they restrict religious liberty, surrender Protestantism, and give countenance to popery, the measure of their guilt will be full, and “national apostasy” will be registered in the books of heaven. The result of this apostasy will be national ruin.

EGW comments suggest the downfall of national greatness and prosperity:

"Republicanism and Protestantism became the fundamental principles of the nation. These principles are the secret of its power and prosperity." The Great Controversy, p. 441. When the very principles that underlie national greatness and prosperity are cast aside as obsolete and as belonging to an older isolationist and agrarian age, "national apostasy will be followed by national ruin" (The SDA Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, on Rev. 14:9-12, p. 977).

The fact that man is endowed by his Creator with inalienable rights requires neither proof nor defense. We need not resort to logic or sustained reasoning to substantiate this self-authenticating principle. "We are conscious of it in our bosoms."

Time of trouble. At the very end of time, after the little time of trouble.

Before the courts

ST May 26, 1898, par. 10: . . . Those who live during the last days of this earth's history will know what it means to be persecuted for the truth's sake. In the courts injustice will prevail. The judges will refuse to listen to the reasons of those who are loyal to the commandments of God, because they know that arguments in favor of the fourth commandment are unanswerable. They will say, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die.” God's law is nothing to them. “Our law” with them is supreme. Those who respect this human law will be favored, but those who will not bow to the idol sabbath will have no favors shown them.

5MR 69.1: In cases where we are brought before the courts, we are to give up our rights unless it brings us in collision with God. It is not our rights we are pleading for, but God's right to our service. Instead of resisting the penalties imposed unjustly upon us, it would be better to take heed to the Saviour's words:- “When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.”—Manuscript 22a, 1895, pp. 4-6.

AA 431.1: All who in that evil day would fearlessly serve God according to the dictates of conscience, will need courage, firmness, and a knowledge of God and His word; for those who are true to God will be persecuted, their motives will be impugned, their best efforts misinterpreted, and their names cast out as evil. Satan will work with all his deceptive power to influence the heart and becloud the understanding, to make evil appear good, and good evil. The stronger and purer the faith of God's people, and the firmer their determination to obey Him, the more fiercely will Satan strive to stir up against them the rage of those who, while claiming to be righteous, trample upon the law of God. It will require the firmest trust, the most heroic purpose, to hold fast the faith once delivered to the saints.

3SM 416.1: In the churches which have departed from truth and righteousness, it is being revealed what human nature will be and do when the love of God is not an abiding principle in the soul. We need not be surprised at anything that may take place now. We need not marvel at any developments of horror. Those who trample under their unholy feet the law of God have the same spirit as had the men who insulted and betrayed Jesus. Without any compunctions of conscience they will do the deeds of their father the devil....

Little Time of Trouble. Correspondence with the EGW Estate. The phrase is not in EGW's writings.

A Little Time of Trouble. Collection of EGW references. Although, the phrase itself is not referenced in EGW's writings.

The Little Time of Trouble. The little time of trouble occurs prior to the close of probation and will be experienced by all the living saints. When they receive the latter rain, they give the loud cry with divine power, warning all the inhabitants of the earth that they must make a final decision for or against God. Then probation will close and immediately the great time of trouble will commence. “And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully.” Early Writings, 33.

Ibid. There is no question. When the little time of trouble begins, the latter rain falls, the saints are sealed and the loud cry is given. This is made positively clear in the following quotation. “‘The commencement of that time of trouble,’ here mentioned, [on page 33] does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel.” Early Writings, 85.

"Duty in View of the Time of Trouble" in Early Writings

EW 56.2: The Lord has shown me repeatedly that it is contrary to the Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble. I saw that if the saints had food laid up by them or in the field in the time of trouble, when sword, famine, and pestilence are in the land, it would be taken from them by violent hands and strangers would reap their fields. Then will be the time for us to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our bread and water will be sure at that time, and that we shall not lack or suffer hunger; for God is able to spread a table for us in the wilderness. If necessary He would send ravens to feed us, as He did to feed Elijah, or rain manna from heaven, as He did for the Israelites.

The danger of selling too soon or of selling too late. Also, the danger of selling to those who don't need it or misuse it.

EW 56.3: Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time of trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs, and at that time their possessions cannot be disposed of to advance the cause of present truth. I was shown that it is the will of God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance before the time of trouble comes, and make a covenant with God through sacrifice. If they have their property on the altar and earnestly inquire of God for duty, He will teach them when to dispose of these things. Then they will be free in the time of trouble and have no clogs to weigh them down.

EW 57.1: I saw that if any held on to their property and did not inquire of the Lord as to their duty, He would not make duty known, and they would be permitted to keep their property, and in the time of trouble it would come up before them like a mountain to crush them, and they would try to dispose of it, but would not be able. I heard some mourn like this: “The cause was languishing, God's people were starving for the truth, and we made no effort to supply the lack; now our property is useless. Oh, that we had let it go, and laid up treasure in heaven!” I saw that a sacrifice did not increase, but it decreased and was consumed. I also saw that God had not required all of His people to dispose of their property at the same time; but if they desired to be taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to sell and how much to sell. Some have been required to dispose of their property in times past to sustain the Advent cause, while others have been permitted to keep theirs until a time of need. Then, as the cause needs it, their duty is to sell.

PART 2: The Faith and Testimony of Jesus

I. Rev. 14:12: Here is a call . . . and the faith of Jesus

The last verse in the message of the third angel reads as follows:

Revelation 14:12 (NKJV): Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

You may have a different translation. Your translation may read, "and the faith in Jesus." Well, the Greek there is pistin Jesou (Jesus' faith). It is Jesus' faith, not faith in Jesus. The saints will have Jesus' faith. This may sound odd to you, but that's how it reads. Now, here's a question for you. At the end of time, would you rather have your faith or Jesus' faith to carry you through? I personally would rather have Jesus' faith. His faith is better than mine, or yours or anyone else's.

It turns out, this phrase, "Jesus' faith" or "Christ's faith" is found in several other places in the New Testament. However, not all translators translate it correctly. Versions that translate it consistently as it is in the Greek include: KJV, ISV (International Standard Version), NET (New English Translation), JUB (Jubilee Bible 2000), and YLT (Young's Literal Translation). The RSV is a hit or miss as is the ESV.

I would like to read some of these occurrences in the New Testament, so you can see the significance.

pistis Christou (Christ's faith) [Modified NET version]

Romans 3:(20-)22: For no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed—22 namely, the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ's faith for all who believe. For there is no distinction,

Galatians 2:(15-)16: We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, 16 yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 3:22: But the scripture imprisoned everything under sin so that the promise could be given—because of the faith of Jesus Christ—to those who believe.

Ephesians 3:(11-)12: This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access to God by way of Christ’s [orig. his] faith.

Philippians 3:(7-)9: But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ. 8 More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things—indeed, I regard them as dung!—that I may gain Christ, 9 and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes through the faith of Christ—a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness.

Implications. Thus, the New Testament speaks of two faiths: my faith and Jesus' faith. I am justified not by my faith, but by Christ's faith. (Read this twice!) By becoming one with Christ, I am given his faith, I enter into his faith. It is a faith that is both imputed and imparted. The righteousness of God (God's righteousness) is accomplished through Christ's faithfulness. We are justified by Christ's faithfulness. The life I now live is because of Christ's faithfulness. It's a different way of looking at things. I don't live by my faith but by Christ's faith. I become an imitator of Christ and his faithfulness.

EGW

5LtMs, Ms 24, 1888, par. 42: 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.

II. The testimony of Jesus

Together with possessing Jesus' faith, the remnant will also possess Jesus' testimony.

Revelation 12:17 (NKJV): And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

In both instances, Revelation 12 and 14, the remnant keep the commandments of God, but in the first they have the testimony of Jesus and in the second they have the faith of Jesus. We already covered the faith of Jesus. Let's now cover the testimony of Jesus.

Testimony (definition). The Greek for "testimony" is marturia [G3141]. We get the word "martyr" from this word. It is used 38 times in the New Testament and translated variously: witness (15 times); testimony (14 times); record (7 times); and report (2 times). Although used by other NT writers, the apostle John uses this word far more than any other writer (31 of the 38 times). It is John's use of the word that should have our attention.

John's use of marturia. John himself in his first letter explains what marturia means. We will use a modern translation because they are widely regarded as more accurate than the KJV or NKJV for this passage. A story for another day.

1 John 5:6-12 (ESV/REV combined): This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the spirit is what testifies (marturia) [Greek, which is testifying] to this, because the spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify (marturia): 8 the spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. 9 If we receive the testimony (marturia) of men, the testimony (marturia) of God is greater, for this is the testimony (marturia) of God that he has testified (martyreō) concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony (marturia) in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony (marturia) that God has testified (martyreō) concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony (marturia), that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

At this point, through his constant repetition, you get the idea that John is trying to drive one idea home. And what is that idea? What is the testimony? What is the marturia? It's here in the text. It is found in verse 11. The testimony is that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. If you're going to become a martyr, if you're willing to die for something, you might as well know what you are willing to die for. Right? Let the congregation say it! Let the congregation say it loud! [quote verse 11.] Make this testimony your own! You are willing to lose your life in order to gain the life that God has given us by His Son.

Revelation 12:11: And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony (marturia), for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Such a simple statement, yet so powerful. And for this, there have been martyrs throughout history, there are martyrs now, and there will be martyrs at the end of time.

The spirit is the witness. Back to verse 6 in the Greek, "And the spirit is what testifies (marturia) to this, because the spirit is the truth." This is the message of the prophets, the essence of prophecy, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. This is what all of prophecy points to, both Old and New Testaments. This is what the Bible is all about. This is what we preach, Jesus Christ and him crucified. What it means is that we are saved by and in Christ and none are saved outside of Him. Jesus himself said, "I am the way, the truth and the life: no one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). This is the revelation of the Eternal Purpose of God: that His Son be preeminent in all things. The Father has sent His Son as the savior of the world. The Father has set His Son in the ultimate place of authority, establishing that all are saved in His Son and none are saved without Him.

It is with this in mind that we can better understand Revelation 19:9-10.

Revelation 19:9-10 (NKJV): Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

The angel speaking to John made it clear that those who have the testimony of Jesus are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! It is the spirit of this prophecy. If you miss this, you miss the whole thing. You miss the entire message of the Book of Revelation. It is the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is the prophecy of Jesus. It is the spirit of this prophecy. It all revolves around Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Read another way (on verse 10): Then I bowed down at the angel's feet to worship him, but he said to me, "Do not worship me! I am a servant like you and your brethren. Worship God, because the testimony [the message; the witness] of Jesus is the essence of true prophecy [or it is spirit-inspired prophecy; it is the spirit of prophecy].

Conclusion

In conclusion, the message of the third angel revolves around worship. Ultimately, the remnant people will manifest loyalty to God, at the risk of martyrdom, over the worship of the beast. These are contrasting images. Both involve an object of worship, an image, a name, and a seal. What characterizes God's people at the end of time is that they keep God's commandments and have both the testimony and faith of Jesus.

The testimony of Jesus is the gospel message that God gave us eternal life and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. God is righteous and can make us righteous because of the faith of Jesus. His faith is what God uses to make us righteous. God can then will and work in us, according to His own good pleasure. It was made possible by Jesus' faithfulness. So we possess both the testimony and faith of Jesus in which God is able to work on our behalf.

This is the message of the third angel. As you can see, it is very much a Christ-centric message. To God be the glory.

Notes

Romans 8:9-11 (RSV): But you are not in the flesh, you are in the spirit, if in fact the spirit of God dwells in you. Any one who does not have the spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his spirit which dwells in you.

Chiasms. The Book of Revelation is written as a series of chiasms, starting out with one giant chiasm that encompasses the entire book. At the center of this overall chiasm is chapter 12. Now, chapter 12 is a chiasm all by itself, and there is a center to this chiasm. The center is found in verses 10-12. This is the central message of chapter 12, which is the center of the Book of Revelation. It reads as follows:

Revelation 12:10-12 (ESV): And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Inauthentic. (KJV) 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

The authenticity of 1 John 5:7. The KJV/NKJV wording is not found in any Greek MS earlier than the 15th and the 16th centuries. This is a scribal insert—that is, a marginal note that got inserted at a later time.

It is now believed that the later editions of the Vulgate acquired the passage by the mistake of a scribe who included an exegetical marginal comment in the Bible text that he was copying. The disputed words have been widely used in support of the doctrine of the Trinity, but, in view of such overwhelming evidence against their authenticity, their support is valueless and should not be used.” —Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary on 1 John 5:7.

The Significance of the Scribal Corruptions to the New Testament Text.

APPENDIX

The image of the beast

GC 445.1: When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.

The mark of the beast

GC 449.1: But Christians of past generations observed the Sunday, supposing that in so doing they were keeping the Bible Sabbath; and there are now true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion, who honestly believe that Sunday is the Sabbath of divine appointment. God accepts their sincerity of purpose and their integrity before Him. But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshiping the beast and his image. As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome—“the mark of the beast.” And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive “the mark of the beast.”

The mark (or seal) of God

The "seal of the living God" (Revelation 7:2) is in some ways parallel to the mark of the Beast. To understand one is to properly understand the other. So, what is the seal of the living God? Although we can go to the Scriptures to get the answer, we can use one of EGW's statements for the answer.

LDE 220.1: The seal of the living God is placed upon those who conscientiously keep the Sabbath of the Lord.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:980 (1897).

However, this is not the whole story. If you walk away with the idea that Sabbath-keeping is the seal of living God, you will only be partially right. The complete answer can see by digging further into her statements:

LDE 221.1: The seal of the living God will be placed upon those only who bear a likeness to Christ in character.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:970 (1895).

LDE 221.2: Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully.—Early Writings, 71 (1851).

Thus, it can be seen that it is not so much about the DAY of worship (i.e. Sabbath-keeping), but the CHARACTER of the worshipper (i.e. likeness to Christ).

This is analogous when speaking of the "mark of the Beast." While it is true that it represents the DAY of worship (i.e. Sunday-keeping), more importantly it represents the CHARACTER of the worshipper (i.e. likeness to the Beast).

If our church emphasis the DAY of worship to the exclusion of the development of the CHARACTER of the worshipper, then it will be committing the same mistake the Pharisees did at the time of Christ. Where, they meticulously kept the true Sabbath while crucifying the Son of God.

The test at the end of time will not be WHEN we worship but WHO we worship.

Trust in observance of the Sabbath is the wrong focus. It is trust in the Lord of the Sabbath where and in whom we should be focused. It is not a time and place, but a Person.

Who is the owner. Who is the owner of the seal or the mark? The owner of the Sabbath is God. He has authority over the Sabbath. The owner of the mark of the beast is the beast. The mark of the beast is the "name" or authority of the beast and its number is related.

GC 605.2: The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. While the observance of the false sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to God's law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other, choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God.

Sabbath worship is a sign, as is Sunday worship. They are signs of allegiance. EGW describes Sabbath worship as "the token of allegiance to divine authority" (GC 605.2).

LDE 219.4: Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads—it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved—just as soon as God's people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 4:1161 (1902).

LDE 220.1: The seal of the living God is placed upon those who conscientiously keep the Sabbath of the Lord.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:980 (1897). [This statement and others like it should be understood in the light of passages quoted earlier in the chapter, indicating that God holds people responsible only for the knowledge they have or which they could obtain.]

LDE 220.3: True observance of the Sabbath is the sign of loyalty to God.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:981 (1899).

LDE 220.4: The fourth commandment alone of all the ten contains the seal of the great Lawgiver, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.—Testimonies for the Church 6:350 (1900).

LDE 221.1: The seal of the living God will be placed upon those only who bear a likeness to Christ in character.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:970 (1895).

LDE 221.2: Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully.—Early Writings, 71 (1851).

Ezekiel 20:12: Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.

It is God who sanctifies us, not the Sabbath.

Notes

Question 5: The Sabbath is a sign. What is it a sign of? That I am Yahweh who sanctifies you. A sign points to something. It is not the reality. It points to the reality, to the destination. We will be purchasing a new sign in our church in the coming months. The sign will not be the reality. The church is the reality. In the same way, the Sabbath is a sign. It is not the reality. God is the reality. The Sabbath points to God as the sanctifier. The One who makes us holy.

It is God who saves us. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. For God so loved the world that He gave us His Son.

Sabbath is the sign of true worship, while Sunday is the sign of false worship. One points to the true God. In this case, it points to the Father. The other points to a false God, the God of the papacy. One is the seal of God and the other is the mark of the beast. In either case, they represent allegiance and character. What will matter at the end of time is not when you worship, but who you worship. I understand that the "when" will reveal the "who", but if you have not committed to the "who", the "when" will not help or save you. Think of the Jews in Jesus' day. They worshipped on the right day, but they worshipped the wrong God. They crucified the Son of God by the spirit of the devil, their true father. Jesus said to them, "You are of your father, the devil."

The SDA answer of Sunday worship to the question, "What is the mark of the beast?" is the correct answer in the literal (i.e. tangible) sense, but it is only a partial answer. Because, the test at the end of time is not WHEN (and Why) we worship but WHO (and How) we worship. It is the worship of the true God (and His image) or the worship of the (first) Beast (and his image) that is at play. When we emphasis the worship of God on the right day (i.e. the seventh day), but omit or neglect the importance of worshiping the Lord of the Sabbath, then we miss the mark.

Notes on the seal and mark

17MR 13.1: Satan is working that the history of the Jewish nation may be repeated in the experience of those who claim to believe present truth. The Jews had the Old Testament Scriptures, and supposed themselves conversant with them. But they made a woeful mistake. The prophecies that refer to the glorious second appearing of Christ in the clouds of heaven they regarded as referring to His first coming. Because He did not come according to their expectations, they turned away from Him. Satan knew just how to take these men in his net, and deceive and destroy them.

"End of the 2300 days" in Early Writings

Early Writings history. A gathering of the earliest Ellen White books (pamphlets) of the 1840's and early 1850's.

An understanding of these three angels' messages came after the great disappointment of 1844 regarding the 2300 day prophecy of Daniel 8:14.

EW 54.2: I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus’ countenance and admired His lovely person. The Father's person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He had, but I could not behold it, for said He, “If you should once behold the glory of His person, you would cease to exist.” Before the throne I saw the Advent people—the church and the world. I saw two companies, one bowed down before the throne, deeply interested, while the other stood uninterested and careless. Those who were bowed before the throne would offer up their prayers and look to Jesus; then He would look to His Father, and appear to be pleading with Him. A light would come from the Father to the Son and from the Son to the praying company. Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from the Father to the Son, and from the Son it waved over the people before the throne. But few would receive this great light. Many came out from under it and immediately resisted it; others were careless and did not cherish the light, and it moved off from them. Some cherished it, and went and bowed down with the little praying company. This company all received the light and rejoiced in it, and their countenances shone with its glory.

EW 55.1: I saw the Father rise from the throne, [See page 92.] and in a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the veil, and sit down. Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and the most of those who were bowed down arose with Him. I did not see one ray of light pass from Jesus to the careless multitude after He arose, and they were left in perfect darkness. Those who arose when Jesus did, kept their eyes fixed on Him as He left the throne and led them out a little way. Then He raised His right arm, and we heard His lovely voice saying, “Wait here; I am going to My Father to receive the kingdom; keep your garments spotless, and in a little while I will return from the wedding and receive you to Myself.” Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire, surrounded by angels, came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and was borne to the holiest, where the Father sat. There I beheld Jesus, a great High Priest, standing before the Father. On the hem of His garment was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest, and pray, “My Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Then Jesus would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace.

EW 56.1: I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, “Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Satan's object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God's children.

Scriptures

Romans 5:5 (RSV): and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.

Matthew 7:24-27: Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

Matthew 25:1-6: Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’

Luke 21:22: for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.

Daniel 9:26-27: After the sixty-two weeks the Anointed One will be cut off, and will have nothing. The people of the prince who come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end will be with a flood, and war will be even to the end. Desolations are determined. 27 He will make a firm covenant with many for one week. In the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. On the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, wrath will be poured out on the desolate.

References

The Faith of Jesus Christ. Berean Bible Society.

The Mark of the Beast - Walter Veith. The "mark" is the authority of the Roman Catholic Church to change Sabbath to Sunday. The "666" is the name of the Beast which can be derived from several of its names: Vicarius Filii Dei (Latin, "Vicar of the Son of God"), Lateinos (Greek, "Latin Speaking Man"), Helatine Basileia (Greek, "The Latin Kingdom"), Italika Ekklesia (Greek, "Italian Church"),