The Beginning of the Light

October 18 – 24, 2026

Key Text

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

Study Help: Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, 1148–1152; Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 404–415

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.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, 118

Sunday

1 CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS REVEALED

1.a. How, through whom, and when did the light of the other angel begin to shine? Revelation 18:1

Note: “The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones [1888]. 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.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 91, 92

“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.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 363

1.b. What is the difference between the beginning and the fullness of the light of Revelation 18? Compare Selected Messages, Book 1, 363 (note above) with The Review and Herald April 1, 1890 (note below). What is God’s method in sending light to His servants? Proverbs 4:18

Note: “The prophet declares, ‘And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.’ Brightness, glory, and power are to be connected with the third angel’s message, and conviction will follow wherever it is preached in demonstration of the Spirit. How will any of our brethren know when this light shall come to the people of God? As yet, we certainly have not seen the light that answers to this description. God has light for His people, and all who will accept it will see the sinfulness of remaining in a lukewarm condition; they will heed the counsel of the True Witness.” The Review and Herald, April 1, 1890

Monday

2 OBSTACLES TO BE OVERCOME

2.a. Since God sent the light of Revelation 18 (1888), on what condition can we see it and receive it? Hebrews 10:22

Note: “If we would receive the light of the glorious angel that shall lighten the earth with his glory, let us see to it that our hearts are cleansed, emptied of self, and turned toward heaven, that they may be ready for the latter rain. Let us be obtaining a fitting up to join in the proclamation of the angel who shall lighten the earth with his glory.” The Signs of the Times, August 1, 1892

2.b. How hard will Satan try to hinder the work that is to be done for the church? On what condition can the faithful remnant stand clear in the eyes of God? Ezekiel 33:10–12

Note: “Satan has laid every measure possible that nothing shall come among us as a people to reprove and rebuke us, and exhort us to put away our errors. But there is a people who will bear the ark of God. … They will proclaim the word of the Lord; they will lift up their voice like a trumpet. The truth will not be diminished or lose its power in their hands. They will show the people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 411

Tuesday

3 BEGIN A WORK OF REFORMATION

3.a. Besides Isaiah 58, what other prophecy inspired the messengers of 1888? Revelation 3:18

Note: “God has raised up men to meet the necessity of this time who will cry aloud and spare not, who will lift up their voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. Their work is not only to proclaim the law, but to preach the truth for this time—the Lord our righteousness.” The Review and Herald, August 13, 1889

“We thank God that there are souls who realize that they are in need of something which they do not possess—gold of faith and love, white raiment of Christ’s righteousness, eye salve of spiritual discernment.” Ibid., July 23, 1889

“Will you not seek God most humbly, that you may give the Laodicean message with clear, distinct utterance? Where are God’s watchmen who will see the peril and give the warning? Be assured that there are messages to come from human lips under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. ‘Cry aloud, spare not … show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek Me daily … as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God.’ ” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 296

3.b. Describe the work that must be done in behalf of the believers in the threefold message before the world can be enlightened with the glory of God. Isaiah 58:1

Note: “ ‘Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.’ Though they are called the people of God, the house of Jacob, though they profess to be linked with God in obedience and fellowship, they are far from Him. Wonderful privileges and promises have been given to them, but they have betrayed their trust. With no words of flattery must the message be given them. ‘Show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.’ Show them where they are making a mistake. Set their danger before them. Tell them of the sins they are committing, while at the same time they pride themselves on their righteousness.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, 1149

Wednesday

4 DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG

4.a Why is it that the worshipers mentioned in Isaiah 58:1–3 cannot readily see their problem? Isaiah 58:4, 5

Note: “These worshipers, while mourning and lamenting, retain all their objectionable traits of character. Their hearts are not humbled, nor cleansed from spiritual defilement. They have not received the softening showers of the grace of God. They are destitute of the Holy Spirit, destitute of the sweetness of the heavenly influence. They manifest no repentance, nor faith that works by love and purifies the soul. They are unjust and selfish in their dealings, mercilessly oppressing those whom they regard as their inferiors. Yet they charge God with a neglect to manifest His power to them, and exalt them above others because of their righteousness.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, 1150

“The inward work of grace is needed. Humiliation of soul is essential. God looks upon this. He will graciously receive those who will humble their hearts before Him. He will hear their petitions and heal their backslidings.

“Ministers and people need the work of purification in their souls, that God’s judgments may be turned away from them. God is waiting, waiting for humiliation and repentance. He will receive all who will turn unto Him with their whole heart.” Ibid., 1150, 1151

4.b. What kind of “fast” does the Lord wish us to observe? Isaiah 58:6, 7; Matthew 25:34–40; James 1:27

Note: “All around us are afflicted souls. Let us search out these suffering ones, and speak a word in season to comfort their hearts. Here and there—everywhere—we shall find them. Let us ever be channels through which may flow to them the refreshing waters of compassion. To those who minister to the necessities of the hungry and afflicted, the promise is, ‘Then shall thy light rise in obscurity.’

“Many are in obscurity. They have lost their bearings. They know not what course to pursue. Let the perplexed ones search out others who are in perplexity, and speak to them words of hope and encouragement. When they begin to do this work, the light of heaven will reveal to them the path that they should follow. By their words of consolation to the afflicted they themselves will be consoled. By helping others, they themselves will be helped out of their difficulties.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, 1151

Thursday

5 VISIBLE CHARACTERISTICS

5.a. What are some characteristics of true reformers? Isaiah 58:9–14

Note: “Here are given the characteristics of those who shall be reformers, who will bear the banner of the third angel’s message, those who avow themselves God’s commandment-keeping people, and who honor God, and are earnestly engaged, in the sight of all the universe, in building up the old waste places. Who is it that calls them, The repairers of the breach, The restorers of paths to dwell in? It is God. Their names are registered in heaven as reformers, restorers, as raising the foundations of many generations.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, 1151

5.b. What does the Lord promise to do in behalf of His remnant people when the fulfillment of the conditions mentioned in question becomes a visible reality? Isaiah 58:8

Note: “As Christians we are to have a righteousness that shall be developed and seen—a righteousness that represents the character of Jesus Christ when He was in our world.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, 1151

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 How did the angel of Revelation 18 begin his work?

2 On what conditions can we receive the light of this angel?

3 How is the work of reformation described in Isaiah 58?

4 How can we bring consolation to many souls in these last days?

5 Name some qualities of God’s true reformers.