Let us now see whether the third angel's message can be applied to the
future age with any propriety. Those who will compare Rev. xiv, 9-12; xiii, 11-17,
will see at once that the warning voice of the third angel relates to the fearful
scene when the two-horned beast is to act its part in oppressing the saints of the
Lord. But if the third angel's proclamation relates to the period which follows the
Second Advent, then the work of the two-horned beast must also transpire in the
future age. And what a scene must the future reign of the saints present, if Rev.
xiii, 11-17, is to be fulfilled in that time! But by turning to Rev. xx, 4-6, it will be
seen that the period for the triumph of the beast and his image, and for the
reception of his mark, precedes the thousand years' reign of the saints. And
when the reign of the saints commences, the triumph of the beast is past.
The beast doubtless represents the Papal power. Rev. xiii, 1-10; Dan, vii, 8,
20, 21, 25, 26. But by turning to 2 Thess. ii, we learn that the Papacy is to be
destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming. Further, we learn from Rev. xix,
19-21, that the final overthrow of the beast and false prophet, or two-horned
beast, takes place in the battle of the great day of God Almighty, in immediate
connection with the Second Advent. By these plain testimonies we establish the
fact that the beast will be destroyed at the Second Advent. Therefore we ask,
What danger will there be that men will worship the beast at a time when there
will be none for them to worship? God will never send an angel to warn men
against the worship of the beast when he does not exist.
7
The language of verse 12, "Here is the patience of the saints," is sufficient of
itself to overthrow the application of these messages to the future age. The
following scriptures clearly teach that the patience of the saints refers to the
present time, and not to the period of their future glorious reward. "Ye have need
of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the
promise." Heb. x, 36. "In your patience possess ye your souls." Luke xxi, 19. "Be
patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." James v, 7. Will the
saints have need of patience in the kingdom of God? Will they have to possess
their souls in patience after they have received the promise, even life
everlasting? 1 John ii, 25. It is tribulation that worketh patience. Rom. v, 3; James
i, 2, 3. Are the saints in tribulation after they are made immortal, and crowned
with everlasting joy? No, never. Isa. xxv, 8, 9; xxxv, 10; Rev. vii, 13-17. But the
saints are in their patience when the third angel's message is given. Hence that
message does not belong to the future age.
But verse 12 concludes thus: "Here are they that keep the commandments of
God and the faith of Jesus." It is evident that this refers to the period when the
remnant are keeping the commandments of God, while exposed to the wrath of
the dragon, [Rev. xii, 17,] and that it does not refer to the period when the
commandment-keepers shall have entered in through the gates into the Holy
City; [Rev. xxii, 14;] and that it refers to the period when the saints are living by
faith, [Heb. x, 38, 39,] and not to the period when they shall ha
