Bible Study – That Other Angel

November 6 – 12, 2022

Key Text

“After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.” Revelation 18:1

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 603–612

Introduction

“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: [Revelation 18:1 quoted.]”  Testimonies, Vol. 8, 118

Sunday

1 THE MESSAGE OF THE THIRD ANGEL

1.a. What is the meaning of the third angel’s message being given in a loud voice? Revelation 14:9

 Note: “Satan has devised a state of things whereby the proclamation of the third angel’s message shall be bound about. … There must be no toning down of the truth, no muffling of the message for this time. The third angel’s message must be strengthened and confirmed. … There has been too much beating about the bush in the proclamation of the third angel’s message. The message has not been given as clearly and distinctly as it should have been.” Evangelism, 230

1.b. What warning is given to those who try to make changes in God’s threefold message? Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18, 19

 Note: “I was shown three steps—the first, second, and third angels’ messages. Said my accompanying angel, ‘Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.’ ” Early Writings, 258, 259

Monday

2 THE NEED OF HELP

2.a. What did John witness as he began to write chapter 18 of Revelation? Why did this angel have to come? Revelation 18:1, first part

 Note: “The third angel’s message is to be given with power. The power of the proclamation of the first and second messages is to be intensified in the third. In the Revelation John says of the heavenly messenger who unites with the third angel: ‘I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice.’ Revelation 18:1, 2 … We are in danger of giving the third angel’s message in so indefinite a manner that it does not impress the people. So many other interests are brought in that the very message which should be proclaimed with power becomes tame and voiceless.” Testimonies, Vol. 6, 60

“What is our condition in this fearful and solemn time? Alas, what pride is prevailing in the church, what hypocrisy, what deception, what love of dress, frivolity, and amusement, what desire for the supremacy!” The Review and Herald, March 22, 1887

 2.b. What other conditions prevalent in the church required the coming of that other angel? 1 John 2:15, 16; 2 Corinthians 6:14–16

 Note: “It is a solemn and terrible truth that many who have been zealous in proclaiming the third angel’s message are now becoming listless and indifferent! The line of demarcation between worldlings and many professed Christians is almost indistinguishable. Many who once were earnest Adventists are conforming to the world—to its practices, its customs, its selfishness. Instead of leading the world to render obedience to God’s law, the church is uniting more and more closely with the world in transgression. Daily the church is becoming converted to the world.” Testimonies, Vol. 8, 118, 119

“Our own course of continual backsliding has separated us from God. Pride, covetousness, and love of the world have lived in the heart without fear of banishment or condemnation. Grievous and presumptuous sins have dwelt among us. And yet the general opinion is that the church is flourishing and that peace and spiritual prosperity are in all her borders.

“The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt, and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere.” Ibid., Vol. 5, 217

Tuesday

3 THE TIME FOR THE ANGEL TO COME

3.a. What duty is imposed on those who are to diffuse darkness and shed the light of truth to the world? Isaiah 60:1, 2

Note: “The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth.” The Review and Herald, November 22, 1892

“I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. … The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel’s message as it swells to a loud cry.” Early Writings, 277

“God meant that the watchmen should arise and with united voices send forth a decided message, giving the trumpet a certain sound, that the people might all spring to their post of duty and act their part in the great work. Then the strong, clear light of that other angel who comes down from heaven having great power, would have filled the earth with his glory. We are years behind.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 14, 111

3.b. What makes it clear that the work of the angel of Revelation 18 began in the past? How are we to show our willingness to receive the light of that angel? Romans 13:11, 12; Ephesians 5:14

 Note: “The question of most vital importance for this time is, ‘Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will unite with the angel in giving the message of truth to the world? Who will receive the light that is to fill the whole earth with its glory?’ Those who cherish the light that they have, will receive more.” The Review and Herald, November 5, 1889

“Mystic Babylon has not been sparing in the blood of the saints and shall we [not] be wide awake to catch the beams of light which have been shining from the light of the angel who is to brighten the earth with his glory.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 426

Wednesday

4 A TWOFOLD WORK

4.a. What work must the angel of Revelation 18 accomplish before the earth is enlightened with God’s glory? Revelation 3:18, 19

 Note: “The testimony to the Laodiceans applies to God’s people at the present time, and the reason it has not accomplished a greater work is because of the hardness of their hearts. But God has given the message time to do its work. The heart must be purified from sins which have so long shut out Jesus. This fearful message will do its work. When it was first presented, it led to close examination of heart. Sins were confessed, and the people of God were stirred everywhere. Nearly all believed that this message would end in the loud cry of the third angel. But as they failed to see the powerful work accomplished in a short time, many lost the effect of the message. I saw that this message would not accomplish its work in a few short months. It is designed to arouse the people of God, to discover to them their backslidings, and to lead to zealous repentance, that they may be favored with the presence of Jesus, and be fitted for the loud cry of the third angel.” Testimonies, Vol. 1, 186

“The testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will obey it and be purified.” Early Writings, 270

4.b. When God’s people become purified by accepting the counsel to Laodicea and receive the latter rain, what work will that other angel do? Who are represented by that other angel? Revelation 18:1, last part

 Note: “Another angel unites his voice with the third angel, and the earth is lighted with its glory. The light increases, and it shines out to all the nations of the earth. It is to go forth as a light that burneth. It will be attended with great power, until its golden beams have fallen upon every tongue, every people, and every nation upon the face of the whole earth. Let me ask you, What you are doing to prepare for this work? Are you building for eternity? You must remember that this angel represents the people that have this message to give to the world. Are you among that people?” The Review and Herald, August 18, 1885

Thursday

5 THE EARTH ENLIGHTENED

5.a. What does the prophet say about the glory of the Lord? Habakkuk 2:14

 Note: “The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 415

5b. What will take place when the whole earth is enlightened with the light, Christ Our Righteousness? Romans 9:27, 28

Note: “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 message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side.” The Great Controversy, 612

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    What duty comes with the knowledge of the three angels’ messages?

2    Why was it necessary for “that other angel” to come?

3    With what exhortations are we called to unite in the work of this angel?

4    What is the aim of this angel?

5    Describe the culmination of God’s final work on earth.

Copyright 2000, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.