The Third Angel's Message Closed

September 6 – 12, 2026

Key Text

“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:11

Study Help: Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, 98–105; Ibid., Vol. 2, 183–199

Introduction

“The righteous and the wicked will still be living upon the earth in their mortal state—men will be planting and building, eating and drinking, all unconscious that the final, irrevocable decision has been pronounced in the sanctuary above.” The Great Controversy, 491

Sunday

1 CHARACTER CLEARLY REVEALED

1.a. In the final days of this world’s history, what is the attitude of those who are ready for the Lord’s coming? Luke 12:37, 42, 43

Note: “Because we know not the exact time of His coming, we are commanded to watch. ‘Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching.’ Luke 12:37. Those who watch for the Lord’s coming are not waiting in idle expectancy. The expectation of Christ’s coming is to make men fear the Lord, and fear His judgments upon transgression. It is to awaken them to the great sin of rejecting His offers of mercy. Those who are watching for the Lord are purifying their souls by obedience to the truth. With vigilant watching they combine earnest working. Because they know that the Lord is at the door, their zeal is quickened to cooperate with the divine intelligences in working for the salvation of souls. These are the faithful and wise servants who give to the Lord’s household ‘their portion of meat in due season.’ Luke 12:42. They are declaring the truth that is now specially applicable.” The Desire of Ages, 634

1.b. What is the attitude of those who profess to believe in Christ, but are not ready to meet Him? Matthew 24:48–51

Note: “The evil servant … does not say that Christ will not come. He does not scoff at the idea of His second coming. But in his heart and by his actions and words he declares that the Lord’s coming is delayed. He banishes from the minds of others the conviction that the Lord is coming quickly.

His influence leads men to presumptuous, careless delay.” The Desire of Ages, 635

“That evil servant … professed to be waiting for Christ. He was a ‘servant,’ outwardly devoted to the service of God while at heart he had yielded to Satan. He does not, like the scoffer, openly deny the truth, but reveals in his life the sentiment of the heart—that the Lord’s coming is delayed. Presumption renders him careless of eternal interests. He accepts the world’s maxims and conforms to its customs and practices. Selfishness, worldly pride, and ambitions predominate. Fearing that his brethren may stand higher than himself, he begins to disparage their efforts and impugn their motives. Thus, he smites his fellow servants. As he alienates himself from the people of God he unites more and more with the ungodly. He is found eating and drinking ‘with the drunken’—joining with worldlings and partaking of their spirit. Thus, he is lulled into a carnal security and overcome by forgetfulness, indifference, and sloth.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, 101, 102

Monday

2 WHEN CHRIST CEASES HIS INTERCESSION

2.a. What does the Bible teach about the door of mercy not remaining open forever? Jeremiah 8:20

Note: “When the third angel’s message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished their work. They have received ‘the latter rain,’ ‘the refreshing from the presence of the Lord,’ and they are prepared for the trying hour before them.” The Great Controversy, 613

2.b. What announcement will be made in heaven when Jesus ceases His intercession? Revelation 22:11

Note: “An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received ‘the seal of the living God.’ Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, ‘It is done;’ and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.’ Revelation 22:11. Every case has been decided for life or death.” The Great Controversy, 613

Tuesday

3 WILL THERE BE A SECOND CHANCE?

3.a. What will then make the distinction between the two classes even more evident? Malachi 3:18

Note: “While the worshipers of God will be especially distinguished by their regard for the fourth commandment—since this is the sign of His creative power and the witness to His claim upon man’s reverence and homage—the worshipers of the beast will be distinguished by their efforts to tear down the Creator’s memorial, to exalt the institution of Rome.” The Great Controversy, 446

3.b. What is taught by the parable of the tares and the parable of the net concerning these two classes of people? Matthew 13:30, 40–43, 47–50. Will the unconverted ones be given a second chance?

Note: “Both the parable of the tares and that of the net plainly teach that there is no time when all the wicked will turn to God. The wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest. The good and the bad fish are together drawn ashore for a final separation.

“Again, these parables teach that there is to be no probation after the judgment. When the work of the gospel is completed, there immediately follows the separation between the good and the evil, and the destiny of each class is forever fixed.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 123

Wednesday

4 A GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT

4.a. Describe the disappointment of all half-hearted Christians who have neglected their preparation. Matthew 25:10–13; Luke 13:26, 27

Note: “Jesus has left us word: ‘Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.’ We are waiting and watching for the return of the Master, who is to bring the morning, lest coming suddenly He find us sleeping. What time is here referred to? Not to the revelation of Christ in the clouds of heaven to find a people asleep. No; but to His return from His ministration in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, when He lays off His priestly attire and clothes Himself with garments of vengeance, and when the mandate goes forth: ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.’ ” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, 190, 191

4.b. Why will all the excuses, and all the knocking and weeping, be in vain on that day? Matthew 22:11–14; Luke 13:28

Note: “When Jesus ceases to plead for man, the cases of all are forever decided. This is the time of reckoning with His servants. To those who have neglected the preparation of purity and holiness, which fits them to be waiting ones to welcome their Lord, the sun sets in gloom and darkness, and rises not again. Probation closes; Christ’s intercessions cease in heaven. This time finally comes suddenly upon all, and those who have neglected to purify their souls by obeying the truth are found sleeping. They became weary of waiting and watching; they became indifferent in regard to the coming of their Master. They longed not for His appearing, and thought there was no need of such continued, persevering watching. They had been disappointed in their expectations and might be again. They concluded that there was time enough yet to arouse. They would be sure not to lose the opportunity of securing an earthly treasure. It would be safe to get all of this world they could. And in securing this object, they lost all anxiety and interest in the appearing of the Master. They became indifferent and careless, as though His coming were yet in the distance. But while their interest was buried up in their worldly gains, the work closed in the heavenly sanctuary, and they were unprepared.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, 191

Thursday

5 “COME, MY PEOPLE”

5.a. In spite of the fact that religious forms will still be practiced by a class of professed Christians—as if Christ were still mediating in the sanctuary—what will be evident to the faithful few? 1 Samuel 4:21, 22

Note: “When God’s presence was finally withdrawn from the Jewish nation, priests and people knew it not. Though under the control of Satan, and swayed by the most horrible and malignant passions, they still regarded themselves as the chosen of God. The ministration in the temple continued; sacrifices were offered upon its polluted altars, and daily the divine blessing was invoked upon a people guilty of the blood of God’s dear Son and seeking to slay His ministers and apostles. So, when the irrevocable decision of the sanctuary has been pronounced and the destiny of the world has been forever fixed, the inhabitants of the earth will know it not. The forms of religion will be continued by a people from whom the Spirit of God has been finally withdrawn; and the satanic zeal with which the prince of evil will inspire them for the accomplishment of his malignant designs, will bear the semblance of zeal for God.” The Great Controversy, 615

5.b. What promises will be very precious to the faithful remnant at that time? Malachi 3:17; Psalm 27:5; Isaiah 26:20

Note: “The eye of God, looking down the ages, was fixed upon the crisis which His people are to meet, when earthly powers shall be arrayed against them. Like the captive exile, they will be in fear of death by starvation or by violence. But the Holy One who divided the Red Sea before Israel, will manifest His mighty power and turn their captivity.” The Great Controversy, 634

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

In light of Christ’s soon coming, what must our attitude reflect?
Give biblical evidence that probation will close.
What contrast will be seen between the two classes of worshipers?
Why will many who now profess Christ ultimately be unprepared?
What promises will be precious to the faithful in the last days?