Early Writings
by Ellen G. White
The Third Message Closed
I was pointed down to the time when the third angel's
message was closing. The power of God had rested upon His people; they had
accomplished their work and were prepared for the trying hour before them. They
had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and
the living testimony had been revived. The last great warning had sounded
everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of the earth who
would not receive the message. {EW 279.1}
I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a
writer's inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that
his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus,
who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw
down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, "It
is done." And all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made
the solemn [280] declaration, "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." {EW 279.2}
Every case had been decided for life or death. While Jesus
had been ministering in the sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the
righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. Christ had received His
kingdom, having made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins.
The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was
consummated. And the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole
heaven, was given to Jesus and the heirs of salvation, and Jesus was to reign
as King of kings and Lord of lords. {EW 280.1}
As Jesus moved out of the most holy place, I heard the
tinkling of the bells upon His garment; and as He left, a cloud of darkness
covered the inhabitants of the earth. There was then no mediator between guilty
man and an offended God. While Jesus had been standing between God and guilty man,
a restraint was upon the people; but when He stepped out from between man and
the Father, the restraint was removed and Satan had entire control of the
finally impenitent. It was impossible for the plagues to be poured out while
Jesus officiated in the sanctuary; but as His work there is finished, and His
intercession closes, there is nothing to stay the wrath of God, and it breaks
with fury upon the shelterless head of the guilty sinner, who has slighted
salvation and hated reproof. In that fearful time, after the close of Jesus'
mediation, the saints were living in the sight of a holy God without an
intercessor. Every case was decided, every jewel numbered. Jesus tarried a
moment in the outer apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, and the sins which had
been confessed while He was in the [281] most holy place were
placed upon Satan, the originator of sin, who must suffer their punishment. {EW 280.2}
Then I saw Jesus lay off His priestly attire and clothe
Himself with His most kingly robes. Upon His head were many crowns, a crown
within a crown. Surrounded by the angelic host, He left heaven. The plagues
were falling upon the inhabitants of the earth. Some were denouncing God and
cursing Him. Others rushed to the people of God and begged to be taught how they
might escape His judgments. But the saints had nothing for them. The last tear
for sinners had been shed, the last agonizing prayer offered, the last burden
borne, the last warning given. The sweet voice of mercy was no more to invite
them. When the saints, and all heaven, were interested for their salvation,
they had no interest for themselves. Life and death had been set before them.
Many desired life, but made no effort to obtain it. They did not choose life,
and now there was no atoning blood to cleanse the guilty, no compassionate
Saviour to plead for them, and cry, "Spare, spare the sinner a little
longer." All heaven had united with Jesus, as they heard the fearful
words, "It is done. It is finished." The plan of salvation had been
accomplished, but few had chosen to accept it. And as mercy's sweet voice died
away, fear and horror seized the wicked. With terrible distinctness they heard
the words, "Too late! too late!" {EW 281.1}
Those who had not prized God's Word were hurrying to and
fro, wandering from sea to sea, and from the north to the east, to seek the
Word of the Lord. Said the angel, "They shall not find it. There is a
famine in the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but for
hearing the words of the Lord. What would they not give for one word of
approval from God! but no, they must hunger and thirst on. Day after day have
they slighted salvation, [282] prizing earthly riches and
earthly pleasure higher than any heavenly treasure or inducement. They have
rejected Jesus and despised His saints. The filthy must remain filthy
forever." {EW 281.2}
Many of the wicked were greatly enraged as they suffered the
effects of the plagues. It was a scene of fearful agony. Parents were bitterly
reproaching their children, and children their parents, brothers their sisters,
and sisters their brothers. Loud, wailing cries were heard in every direction,
"It was you who kept me from receiving the truth which would have saved me
from this awful hour." The people turned upon their ministers with bitter
hate and reproached them, saying, "You have not warned us. You told us
that all the world was to be converted, and cried, Peace, peace, to quiet every
fear that was aroused. You have not told us of this hour; and those who warned
us of it you declared to be fanatics and evil men, who would ruin us." But
I saw that the ministers did not escape the wrath of God. Their suffering was
tenfold greater than that of their people. {EW 282.1}
Click here to read the next chapter:
"The Time of Trouble"
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