Throughout history, God has given His people a special mission. Although the methods may change from generation to generation, the goal remains the same: to bring people into a saving relationship with God that lasts for eternity.
More than 2,500 years ago, God called the prophet Daniel to faithfully represent Him in the courts of kings. Through Daniel, God revealed important prophecies about the future and about the final days of earth’s history (see Daniel 2:29).
These prophecies were sealed for a time but later revealed in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 10:8–9, the prophet John the Apostle is told to eat a little book that is sweet in the mouth but bitter in the stomach.
This prophecy symbolizes the experience of the early Advent Movement. Believers expected Jesus to return in 1844, which brought great joy. But when Christ did not return as they expected, it led to what is known as the Great Disappointment.
Yet their mission was not finished. God had a final message to be proclaimed to the world—the Three Angels’ Messages found in Revelation 14:6–12.
The Three Angels’ Messages are found in the Bible in Revelation 14:6–12. These messages form the heart of the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, calling people everywhere to worship God, reject deception, and remain faithful to Jesus in the last days.
The First Angel’s Message
The first angel proclaims the everlasting gospel and announces that the hour of God’s judgment has come (Revelation 14:6–7).
This message calls people to:
- Fear God
- Give Him glory
- Worship Him as Creator
It also points to the prophecy of Daniel 8:14, which led to the understanding that since 1844 humanity has been living in the period of the investigative judgment in the heavenly sanctuary.
Worshiping God as Creator reminds us of the importance of honoring His holy day—the Sabbath—a symbol of loyalty to God.
The Second Angel’s Message
The second angel declares: “Babylon is fallen” (Revelation 14:8).
Babylon represents systems of religious confusion that have departed from biblical truth. God lovingly calls His people who are still in these systems to come out of spiritual error (see Revelation 18:1–4).
This message reminds us that God has sincere followers everywhere, and He calls them to return fully to His Word.
The Third Angel’s Message
The third angel gives a solemn warning against worshiping the beast and receiving its mark (Revelation 14:9–11).
This message is connected to the prophecy of Revelation 13, which describes a final conflict between truth and error, between loyalty to God’s commandments and human traditions.
Those who remain faithful are described in Revelation 14:12 as:
“Here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”
The Mission of the Church
The mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is to proclaim these three messages to the whole world.
God calls His people to be watchmen and light bearers, sharing the gospel, warning against deception, and preparing the world for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
This message will ultimately be proclaimed with the power of the Holy Spirit, and many people will respond to God’s call.
Today, God invites each of us to say:
“Yes, Lord. By Your strength I will help proclaim the Three Angels’ Messages to the world.”
Amen.
Questions for Reflection:
- Why is it important to read the three angels’ messages in the larger context of biblical prophecy?
- What would you say to people who have read this reading and tell you that they are afraid to think about end times and final events?
- How would you formulate the essence of the three angels’ messages if you were to share them with a friend who has never heard about them?
Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church
Ellen G, White, The Great Controversy
