it continues to be echoed that there is a fourth angel In the last warning to the world
it was pointed out several years ago that a fourth angel would imply a new message
it continues to be heard especially from off shoots that a fourth angel is the message of righteousness by faith that was rejected in 1888 by our church
this is not true because our church eventually accepted the righteousness by faith doctrine and SOP says it is a part if the 3rd angels message in verity
if you do a search of these messages if warning you will not find a fourth angel in the writings or in the Bible
rev 18:1 says another angel and this is a repeat of the 2nd and 3rd with greater power!!
John's attention was called to another scene: "And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God" (Revelation 7:2). Who is this? The Angel of the covenant. He comes from the sunrising. He is the Dayspring from on high. He is the Light of the world. "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4). This is the One Isaiah describes: "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). He cried, as One who had superiority over the hosts of angels in heaven "to whom it was given to hurt the earth, and the sea, saying, "hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads" (Revelation 7:2, 3). {15MR 221.3}
From this post are you saying that the angel of rev 18 is Christ Himself?
Hi Nb, I posted that quote to spark discussion, and to make the point that we need to be pretty careful in trying to tie down an issue like this.
To the best of my knowledge, Revelation 18 represents a repetition of the three angels' messages, and this repeated emphasis is given by someone depicted as the "other angel". Whether the original three messages and the repetition together constitute the work of four literal angels may be impossible to say.
The first quote below talks about this repetition specifically, using the term "other angel".
The second quote below is another case where "angel" is used to mean "Christ".
(1)
A similar work will be accomplished when that other angel, represented in Revelation 18, gives his message. The first, second, and third angels' messages will need to be repeated. The call will be given to the church, "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins." "Babylon, the great, is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. . . . Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues: for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities" [Revelation 18:2-5]. {16MR 270.1}
(2)
The mighty angel who instructed John was no less a personage than Jesus Christ. Setting His right foot on the sea, and His left upon the dry land, shows the part which He is acting in the closing scenes of the great controversy with Satan. This position denotes His supreme power and authority over the whole earth. The controversy has waxed stronger and more determined from age to age, and will continue to do so, to the concluding scenes when the masterly working of the powers of darkness shall reach their height. Satan, united with evil men, will deceive the whole world and the churches who receive not the love of the truth. But the mighty angel demands attention. He cries with a loud voice. He is to show the power and authority of His voice to those who have united with Satan to oppose the truth. After these seven thunders uttered their voices, the injunction comes to John as to Daniel in regard to the little book: "Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered" (Revelation 10:4). These relate to future events which will be disclosed in their order. Daniel shall stand in his lot at the end of the days. John sees the little book unsealed. Then Daniel's prophecies have their proper place in the first, second, and third angels' messages to be given to the world. The unsealing of the little book was the message in relation to time. {1MR 99.2}
always knew Jesus was the power behind the messages but thought that they were transferred to the angels and then to us. But if I understand rightfully rev 18 Angel is Jesus directly taking charge and not using an angel this time?
As he is the leader of the angels, sending an angel to give a message is equivalent to saying that he did it.
It's a bit like saying President so and so did such and such, when he didn't even touch it.
This "4th Angel" is error, and I've seen many fall off the path looking for something new and original that they could call the "4th Angel's Message". Some even claim to be the 4th angel messenger just like Ellen White is usually considered the leading 3rd angel messenger.
I believe Ellen White always refers to the Revelation 18 angel as either:
1. The other angel
2. The Revelation 18 angel
If there are 4 angels, then her vision of the 3 steps in the original Great Controversy was mistaken.
Do the types require Jesus to constantly be in the Holy Place?
I don't know.
But I do know that he must remain in the Most Holy Place until his work is finished on the Day of Atonement.
This is an important point, as I know William Grotheer rejected Ellen White and some of the fundamental SDA doctrines because he believed that Jesus can go in and out many times on the Day of Atonement.
Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel's message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel's message. {EW 277.1}
The third angel's message must go over the land, and awaken the people, and call their attention to the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Another angel unites his voice with the third angel, and the earth is lighted with its glory. The light increases, and it shines out to all the nations of the earth. It is to go forth as a light that burneth. It will be attended with great power, until its golden beams have fallen upon every tongue, every people, and every nation upon the face of the whole earth. Let me ask you, What you are doing to prepare for this work? Are you building for eternity? You must remember that this angel represents the people that have this message to give to the world. Are you among that people? Do you really believe that this work in which we are engaged is truly the third angel's message? If so, then you understand that we have a mighty work to do, and that we ought to be about it. We must sanctify ourselves by a strict obedience to the truth, placing ourselves in right relation to God and his work. As the truth goes forth, Satan intensifies his zeal to defeat its progress by presenting pleasing delusions. As we urge the truth, he urges his errors. He will stir up his agents, in view of the coming of the Lord, to go out and cry, "Lo! here is Christ, and lo! there is Christ." And here arises this superstition, and there arises that heresy. And tell me, what are we to do about it? I will tell you: we can become familiar, with the Bible, and read what saith the Lord. Not only the ministers but all who love and fear God are to do the Master's work; and that is to let the light that he has given you shine before all. Here are two companies; one of them is being bound in bundles to burn, the other is being bound by the cords of truth and love. Satan is binding his followers with the work of iniquity; Christ is binding together his people in love and faith in the keeping of his commandments. And this work will increase more and more, and Satan will work to divide and separate God's people one from the other. And while he is doing this kind of work, be careful that none of you are found helping him. We want to put away our cold-heartedness, and let love, tender compassion, true courtesy, and the spirit of tenderness come into our midst. Here we are in the waiting time, in the day of God's preparation. Here in this world we are to fit up for these great trials that are soon coming upon us. And yet some of us act as though we had a whole millennium before us in which to accomplish the work. But, says the text, "Watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is." And what Christ said to his disciples, I say unto you, "Take ye heed, watch and pray," that when the Master comes to reckon with his servants, you may receive from him the crown of life laid up for the overcomer, and rejoice with him in his kingdom. {RH, August 18, 1885 par. 14}
Can Jesus take charge and direct all the closing scenes on earth from His place in heaven? Can the heavens open up to show Him clearly to Paul John and even Stephen? Daniels prayer was heard but only after Jesus came was Cyrus convinced.
