Early Writings
by Ellen G. White
The Second Angel's Message1
As the churches refused to receive the first angel's
message, they rejected the light from heaven and fell
from the favor of God. They trusted to their own
strength, and by opposing the first message placed
themselves where they could not see the light of the
second angel's message. But the beloved of God, who
were oppressed, accepted the message, "Babylon is
fallen," and left the churches. [238] {EW 237.2}
Near the close of the second angel's message, [see
Appendix] I saw a great light from heaven shining upon the
people of God. The rays of this light seemed bright as the
sun. And I heard the voices of angels crying, "Behold, the
Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!" {EW 238.1}
This was the midnight cry, which was to give power
to the second angel's message. Angels were sent from
heaven to arouse the discouraged saints and prepare
them for the great work before them. The most
talented men were not the first to receive this message.
Angels were sent to the humble, devoted ones, and
constrained them to raise the cry, "Behold, the
Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!" Those
entrusted with the cry made haste, and in the power of
the Holy Spirit sounded the message, and aroused their
discouraged brethren. This work did not stand in the
wisdom and learning of men, but in the power of God,
and His saints who heard the cry could not resist it.
The most spiritual received this message first, and those
who had formerly led in the work were the last to
receive and help swell the cry, "Behold, the Bridegroom
cometh; go ye out to meet Him!" {EW 238.2}
In every part of the land, light was given upon the
second angel's message, and the cry melted the hearts
of thousands. It went from city to city, and from
village to village, until the waiting people of God were
fully aroused. In many churches the message was not
permitted to be given, and a large company who had
the living testimony left these fallen churches. A
mighty work was accomplished by the midnight cry.
The message was heart-searching, leading the believers
to seek a living experience for themselves. They knew
that they could not lean upon one another. {EW 238.3}
The saints anxiously waited for their Lord with
fasting, watching, and almost constant prayer. Even
some sinners looked forward to the time with terror; [239]
but the great mass manifested the spirit of Satan in
their opposition to the message. They mocked and
scoffed, repeating everywhere, "No man knoweth the
day nor the hour." Evil angels urged them on to
harden their hearts and to reject every ray of light
from heaven, that they might be fastened in the snare
of Satan. Many who professed to be looking for Christ
had no part in the work of the message. The glory
of God which they had witnessed, the humility and
deep devotion of the waiting ones, and the overwhelming
weight of evidence, caused them to profess to
receive the truth; but they had not been converted; they
were not ready for the coming of their Lord.
{EW 238.4}
A spirit of solemn and earnest prayer was everywhere
felt by the saints. A holy solemnity was resting
upon them. Angels were watching with the deepest
interest the effect of the message, and were elevating
those who received it, and drawing them from earthly
things to obtain large supplies from salvation's fountain.
God's people were then accepted of Him. Jesus
looked upon them with pleasure, for His image was
reflected in them. They had made a full sacrifice, an
entire consecration, and expected to be changed to
immortality. But they were destined again to be sadly
disappointed. The time to which they looked, expecting
deliverance, passed; they were still upon the earth,
and the effects of the curse never seemed more visible.
They had placed their affections on heaven, and in
sweet anticipation had tasted immortal deliverance;
but their hopes were not realized. {EW 239.1}
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"The Advent Movement Illustrated"
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