A Study on the Five Angels Messages of Revelation 14

(This study was first published September 2006, © upa7.org)

Recently certain factions of branch davidians have been aggressively promoting heresy in the name of the Shepherd’s Rod in an effort to justify their counterfeit movement. They make a flawed argument that each angel in Revelation 14 must represent a separate messenger (a prophet) bringing a new message. However, a careful study of the history of the rise of the three angels messages (3AM) in the Seventh-day Adventist church categorically disproves this pressumption. Furthermore, the message of the fourth and fifth angels of Revelation 14 is properly attributed to the original author of the Shepherd’s Rod, the true last day Elijah the prophet for the church, Brother V. T. Houteff.

Prayer thought:

“The fourteenth chapter of Revelation is a chapter of the deepest interest. This scripture will soon be understood in all its bearings, and the messages given to John the revelator will be repeated with distinct utterance.” — RH, October 13, 1904 par. 2

The Three Angels Messages (3AM) of Revelation 14.

(6) And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, (7) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (8) And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (9) And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, (10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: (11) And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” — Rev. 14:6-11

Some Interesting Facts about the Three Angels Messages.

Historical Origin of the Messages (Review and Herald, Centennial Special, 1844-1944, download at:  http://upa7.org/PDFs/Historical Docs/RH-1944-3-links.pdf)

• 1st Angel’s Message (1831-44): First preached by William Miller involving the soon advent of Christ. It was later proclaimed by many other Millerite ministers.
• 2nd Angel’s Message (summer 1843): First proclaimed by Charles Fitch, a Millerite preacher and involved a separation from the denominational bodies that rejected the preaching of the 1st angel’s message.
• 3rd Angel’s Message (January 1847): First articulated in written form in a tract published by Joseph Bates in January of 1847 on topic of the Sabbath entitled The Seventh-day Sabbath: A Perpetual Sign. He was the first to connect the mark of the beast with the false Sabbath. James White made some key contributions to the message, which led to the publication of A Word to the Little Flock in May 1847.

Few Comprehend the Message for This Time–There are but few, even of those who claim to believe it, that comprehend the third angel’s message, and yet this is the message for this time. It is present truth. But how few take up this message in its true bearing, and present it to the people in its power! With many it has but little force. . . . The closing work of the third angel’s message will be attended with a power that will send the rays of the Sun of Righteousness into all the highways and byways of life, and decisions will be made for God as supreme Governor; His law will [be] looked upon as the rule of His government. Ms 15, 1888, p. 5. (“A Call to a Deeper Study of the Word,” November 1, 1888.).” — 1MR 56.4

Many Talk of the 3AM and Think They Have Some Understanding–We talk about the first angel’s message and the second angel’s message, and we think we have some understanding of the third angel’s message. But as long as we are content with a limited knowledge, we shall be disqualified to obtain clearer views of truth. He who holds forth the word of life must take time to study the Bible and to search his own heart. Neglecting this, he will not know how to minister to needy souls. The diligent, humble student, seeking by earnest prayer and study for the truth as it is in Jesus, will most assuredly be rewarded. He seeks for help, not from ideas of human writers, but from the Fountain of wisdom and knowledge; and under the guidance of holy intelligences he gains a clear understanding of truth.” — GW 251.2

The proper definition of Babylon is the fallen denominational churches (GC 382-83), which harbor the following key false doctrines:

1. Sunday sacredness
2. natural immortality of the soul
3. eternal burning hell
4. denial of the preexistence of Christ prior to His virgin birth (TM 61.3).

• The fall of Babylon is not yet complete (GC 389). When it is, the Loud Cry will begin.
• The initial purpose of the 3AM is to gather the 144,000 first fruits from the SDA church (Rev. 10:10→11, 9T 19)
• The 1888 message was “the light to lighten the world” (1 SM 235), but it was rejected (TM 79-80, 91-2, 1 SM 234-35).
• The Shepherd’s Rod is the additional message to begin the Loud Cry (1 Ans. 83, 1 TG 5:12).

The 3AM, as a combined message, comes in three periods (1 SR 32).

1. 1847 → 1930 — The beginning, which involved proclaiming the true Sabbath (Rev. 14:9-11).
2. 1930 → present — A message of revival and reformation announcing the sealing of the 144,000.
3. Yet future — The Loud Cry (Rev. 18:1-4, 7:9, 14:18). The message of the Loud Cry commenced in 1930 (2 Ans. 33, 34; 2 TG 39:18-19) and will be delivered by the 144,000 after the church is purified.

Message to be Repeated as it Swells Into the Loud Cry of Rev. 18:1-4–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.…This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844.” — EW 277.1, 2 (see also, GC 603.2).

• The first round that the 3AM was preached started in 1845 and continues up to the present. It focused on the judgment for the dead which began in October 22, 1844
• The second round, when the 3AM will be repeated with power and force, will commence at Ezekiel 9 and continue until probation closes for the entire world. This includes the additional message of the judgment for the living (2 TG 10:29, 1 Ans 82).
• The sealing message for the 144,000, the first fruits of the living began in 1929 (2 Ans. 33, 34).
  

  Now for the oft neglected and poorly understood 4th and 5th angels of Revelation 14.

(14) And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. (15) And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. (16) And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” — Rev. 14:14-16

(18) And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. (19) And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast [it] into the great winepress of the wrath of God.” — Rev. 14:18-19

• Inspiration states that there are five angels bearing messages (with loud voices) in Rev. 14 (WLF 10, 11).
• The message of the fourth and fifth angels of Rev. 14 is was first revealed in the writings of the Shepherd’s Rod (3 Tr 48-49, 2 TG 44:37-38, pub. in 1932 and 1949, respectfully) not the writings of Ben Roden, Ariel Dacutanan or anyone else that came later on the scene.
• The message of the fourth angel is a sealing message for the 144,000 (Rev. 7:2-4, Isa. 63:1-4, 66:15-17), “to harvest of the earth”, and involves separation of the wheat from the tares in the SDA church (Mt. 13:30). It is the “fainter cry” that precedes the Loud Cry. It is also represented as a message of prayer (3 SG 23-4).
• The message of the fifth angel is to gather the great multitude (Rev. 7:9, Isa. 66:19-20), “the clusters of the vine of the earth” during the “loud cry.” This is paralleled in Rev. 18:1-4.
  

  The forgotten angel 6th angel with no loud voice?

“And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.” – Rev. 14:17

• The so-called forgotten angel of Rev. 14 is the 144,000, the agents Christ will use to gather the Great Multitude during the Loud Cry (2 TG 44:38).

A Fitting Quote for Those Who Come Along and Remodel the Rod Message

“Many Will Try to Bind the Final Work of the 3AM–Unless those who can help in —– are aroused to a sense of their duty, they will not recognize the work of God when the loud cry of the third angel shall be heard. When light goes forth to lighten the earth, instead of coming up to the help of the Lord, they will want to bind about His work to meet their narrow ideas. Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness…” —TM 299.2

Summary: An angel bearing a message in Revelation Chapter 14 is not synonymous with a specific named human agent (the messenger), but rather with a message. We should not get the two mixed up. The teaching that the five angels in Rev. 14 represent five named human messengers, as set forth by the Branch teaching of Ben L. Roden or the Ariel Dacutanan of LM Publishing in the Philippines, therefore cannot be correct. The teaching that the third angel is Ellen White, the fourth angel is Victor Houteff, and the fifth angel is Ben Roden or Ariel Dacutanan does not square with the plain facts of history. Rather it exposes their efforts to usurp the prophetic office and exalt himself as Elijah the prophet who would never die (Roden) or Elijah the Tisbite (Dacutanan). This office met its fulfillment with the work of Victor T. Houteff, not Ben Roden, Ariel Dacutanan or some other prophetic office seeker. Inspiration tells us to follow a message not a man or a woman.

“Unmistakably, therefore, the clear light shedding forth from type, from testimonies of the prophets, and from history, identify the message of the Rod as the only one ordained to lead the latter day church, freed from sin and sinners, into the land of promise.” — 3 Ans 23.

End of Study

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