There are six angels in Revelation 14 with messages. But in the book of Revelation the number seven represents completeness, seven churches, seven letters, seven stars, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven heads, seven plagues and it seems appropriate that there should be seven angels' messages also. The additional angel's message is found in Revelation 18.

The objective of this study is to examine the time setting for the proclamation of each of these seven angels' messages and to give a broad overview of the content of each as it relates to prophetic fulfilment of past, present and future. It will be discovered that the fourth and fifth angel’s messages will supply the TIME-FRAME for the proclamation of the three timelines of Daniel 12.

1. WHAT IS THE TIME-SETTING FOR THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD ANGELS' MESSAGES?

A. The time-setting for the first angel's message.

…in 1831 he [William Miller] for the first time" publicly gave the reasons for his faith. GC 331.

In 1833 Miller received a license to preach, from the Baptist Church of which he was a member. GC 332.

The message given by Miller and his associates announced the termination of the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14....GC 351.

It is this work of judgment, immediately preceding the second advent, that is announced in the FIRST ANGEL'S MESSAGE of Revelation 14:7 "Fear God,, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come." Those who proclaimed this warning gave the right message at the right time. GC 352.

B. The time-setting for the second angel's message.

The second angel's message of Revelation 14 was first preached in the summer of 1844, and it then had a more direct application to the churches of the United States, where the warning of the judgment [first angel] had been most widely proclaimed and most generally rejected." GC 389.

The Second Angel's Message, first preached in the summer of 1844 announced that "Babylon is fallen;”

[Apostate Christendom] had rejected the first angel's message proclaiming the corning Jesus and judgment. After the 1844 Disappointment, God's people understood that it was investigative judgment—not executive judgment, which was to begin in 1844. This first a message has been given to the world ever since 1844 until the present time. The apostate condition of "Babylon" has also continued to the present day.

C. The time-setting for the third angel's message.

The passing of the time in 1844 [the Great Disappointment] was followed by a period of great trial to those who still held the advent faith….light directed their minds to the sanctuary above….they saw that their great High Priest had entered upon another work of administration….they were led to see also the closing work of the church. They had a clearer understanding of the first and second angel's messages, and were prepared to receive and give to the world the solemn warning of the third angel of Revelation 14. GC 431,432.

The third angel's messages presents Christ our High Priest in the sanctuary above in contrast to a false priesthood established here on earth in the Papal system—PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE.

“The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortals is contained in the third angel's messages...the warning is TO BE GIVEN [future tense] to the world before the visitation of God's judgments. GC 449.

In conclusion, the first and second angels' messages began shortly before 1844 and the third angel's message began immediately after. All three messages have been proclaimed to the world ever since. The second angel's message followed the first because it was rejected. The angel's message proclaiming a true seventh-day Sabbath in worship of the Creator is simply the positive aspect of the same message given by the third angel warning against a false Sabbath.* All three of these messages are woven together in one great unit of truth. The timeframe begins around 1844, has continued until the present, and will extend or be repeated into the future.

2. WHO IS THE FOURTH ANGEL?

In Revelation 14, the first angel and the second angel are simply described as "another angel"—not "first" or "second." Only the third angel is described numerically as the "the third.”

* NOTE The first and third angel's messages are simply positive and negative aspects of the same concern: The first angel says "Worship HIM" [God] while the third angel warns, "If any man worship [a false god]. The first angel holds the seal of God but the third angel has the mark of the beast.

Only by counting back from this third angel does one get the terms "first" and "second" angel. In the same manner the "fourth" angel is simply introduced as "another angel" but we can know that he is fourth in line because he "unites with the third angel" and gives power to the angel.

Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. (Revelation 18:1-4). In connection with his message the call is heard: "Come out of her, My people." These announcements, UNITING WITH THE THIRD ANGEL'S message, constitute the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth.GC 604.

WHAT IS THE TIME SETTING FOR THE FOURTH ANGEL’S MESSAGE?

These announcements, uniting with the third angel's message, constitute THE FINAL WARNING TO BE [future tense] given to the inhabitants of the earth. GC 604.

Revelation 18:1, 2, 4. This -scripture points FORWARD TO A TIME WHEN the announcement of the fall of Babylon as made by the second angel of Revelation 14 (verse 8), IS TO BE REPEATED...GC 603.

The above quotations give the time-setting for the fourth angel's message as being “forward"—into the future. It will be "the final warning" or the last message to the last generation as they near the close of probation.

But why do the second angel and the fourth angel both give the same message? "Babylon is fallen"? Why does the fourth angel of Revelation 18 REPEAT the second angel's message Babylon is fallen"?

The second angel's message of Revelation 14 was first preached in the summer of 1844, and it then had a more direct application to the churches of the United States, where the warning of the judgment had been most widely proclaimed and most generally rejected, and where the declension in the churches had been most rapid. But the message of the second angel did not reach its complete fulfilment in 1844. The churches then experienced a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal of the light of the advent message; but that fall was not complete. As they have continued to reject the special truths for this time they have fallen lower and lower. Not yet, however, can it be said that "Babylon is fallen... because she made ALL NATIONS drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." She has not yet made all nations do this. GC 389.

How will Babylon make "ALL" nations drink of the wrath of her fornication? She has not yet made all nations do this. How will she do it?

Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The POWERS OF EARTH UNITING to war against the commandments of God, will decree that "all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond" (Revelation 13:16) shall conform to the customs of the church BY OBSERVANCE OF A FALSE SABBATH.... The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty....the final test. GC 604,605.

“The powers of earth uniting" —ALL NATIONS, will legislate a "false sabbath"—they will pass
a UNIVERSAL SUNDAY LAW. This is the time setting for the fourth angel's message when the Loud Cry goes out in protest with the message that "Babylon is completely fallen for she has made ALL nations drink...."

If the Sabbath is the "Great Test" or "Final Test" and this is the "final warning" to the inhabitants of the earth, this is also the warning that ALL have come toward the close of probation. As the test is given, the decision is recorded in the judgment in heaven, and receive either the seal of God or the mark of the beast.

Therefore, the fourth angel of Revelation gives this "final warning," adding his power to the proclamation of the third angel regarding the mark of the beast. The fourth angel of Revelation 18 points to the Universal Sunday Law and declares it to be the final or last opportunity before the close of probation. The first angel points to the true seventh-day Sabbath, while the third angel points to the false sabbath as the mark of the beast. The second angel declares apostate religion to be fallen completely and the fourth angel cries out, "Come out of her my people.” The fourth angel is timed and comes on the scene in the power of the "Latter Rain" of the Holy Spirit giving the "Loud Cry."

4. WHAT IS THE TIME SETTING FOR THE FIFTH, SIXTH, AND SEVENTH ANGELS OF REVELATION 14:14-20?

The fifth, sixth, and seventh angels' messages are given the specific time-setting of the HARVEST—the end of the world, or the last generation which comes to the close of probation.

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. And another angel [fifth angel] came out of the temple, crying with a LOUD VOICE ["loud cry"] to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy SICKLE and REAP, for THE TIME IS COME [The HOUR is come--Greek Diaglot] for thee to REAP; for the HARVEST of the earth is RIPE. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and THE EARTH WAS REAPED. And another angel [sixth angel] came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a SHARP SICKLE. And another angel [seventh angel came out from the alter, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud voice ["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. And the angel thrust in his SICKLE into the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the wine press was trodden without the city, and the blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs [200 miles]. Rev. 14:14-20.

A sharp sickle" is the instrument by which the harvest is gathered in. It is usually a curved knife by which the grain or the grapes are cut down. This "sharp sickle" is mentioned as being in the hand of Christ (verse 14) and in connection with each of the fifth, sixth, and seventh angels. The time-setting is very clear because the fifth angel announces clearly "the TIME is come for thee to reap" (verse 15). In verse 15 the harvest is also declared to be RIPE. When a harvest is “ripe” there can be no delay. Verse 16 also declares that "the earth was reaped." Therefore, the harvest is not only ready, but the action is taken and the job is completed!

The context of these three angels of Revelation 14:14-20 is that of the LAST GENERATION, and refers to the "Loud Cry" messages which bring about the close of probation for the righteous and the wicked. This time-setting is the FUTURE closing up of the Investigative Judgement . It is the last and final test and message to be given to seal the 144,000 among God's people, to call out all who will come out of Babylon, -and to deliver the wicked to the "wrath of God” - the seven last plagues. This is the REPEATING of the three angel's messages of Revelation 14:5-12, but in the power of the Loud Cry and glory of the angel of Revelation 18:1-4.

The Content of the Fifth Angel's Message.

Fifth Angel's Message is similar to and a repetition of the First Angel' Message, but it has a peculiar application to the closing up of the Investigative Judgment and the close of probation. Notice the similarity of the first and fifth angel's message below:

Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation and CLOSES WITH THE LIVING.GC 483.

The fourth angel which declares that "Babylon is fallen,.. because she made ALL NATIONS to drink of the wine...." Revelation 14:8 and 18:1-4 sets the political scene and provides the time setting for all that follows. As soon as "ALL nations" have united in legislation of a Universal Sunday Law, then the fifth angel can proclaim his message as to what is about to happen in heaven. While the fourth angel points to that which is happening down here on earth, the fifth angel points to that which happens in heaven. This is exactly how it was with the first angel's message. As the first angel's message declared that the judgment hour (for the dead) had come in 1844, so the fifth angel proclaims that the judgment hour or time for the living "IS COME" for the last generation. As the disappointment down here on earth signalled work going on in heaven, so the Sunday legislation down here on earth will signal that the judgment for the living has begun in heaven.

What will be the result of this fifth angel's message? The Bible says, "the earth was reaped.” Revelation 14:16. (But two more reaping angels follow the fifth angel, therefore it is necessary to determine who is reaped by this fifth angel). The fifth angel is the first of the three to reap. Therefore he reaps the "first fruits" of the whole harvest. Who are the firstfruits? Let the Bible speak for itself:

...a hundred forty and four thousand.... These were the redeemed from among men, being the FIRSTFRUITS unto God and to the Lamb. Rev, 141,4.

In the Hebrew Agricultural Year there were Three Harvests:

1. The barley harvest—(Passover.—Feast of Unleavened Bread) The BARLEY was the "FIRST' FRUITS"

2. The wheat harvest --(Pentecost—Feast of Harvest)

3. The grape harvest —(Day of Atonement….. Feast of Tabernacles)

See Exodus 23:14,17 ,15-17; Exodus 34:22; Leviticus 23:10,33-44.

The Fifth Angel is TIME oriented

The fifth angel proclaims "the TIME is come" (the HOUR is come) for the judgment of the living. On what basis does he make this claim? He builds on the events spoken of by the fourth angel. But there is more. He is time oriented as he proclaims:

1. The three timelines of Daniel 12:7-12`

2. The completion of the Jubilee cycles

3. The completion of the 6000 years of probation time

The fifth angel is as time-oriented as was the first angel as his message expanded toward the 1844 period. As the first angel proclaimed, "The hour of his judgment is come" the fifth angel repeats that message with a new emphasis and reinforces his message with current events in the world and Biblical time prophecies, given in the power of the Latter Rain—Loud Cry. He reaps the firstfruits—the 144,000. These come from spiritual Israel….the church.

The 144,000 are selected to do a special work: to give the "Loud Cry" to all the world. The are described as follows:

...they were clothed with an armour from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers.... I heard those clothed with armour speak the truth with great power. It had effect.... I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, "It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel." EW 271.

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

Just as the first angel's message is repeated by the 5th angel in the Loud Cry, so also, second and the fourth angel's message is repeated by the 6th angel. Messages 2,4 and 6—are that which has gone on before but with new setting in the Loud Cry and amplification to bring out the final harvest out of Babylon.

I saw that since the second angel proclaimed the fall of the churches, they have been growing more and more corrupt.... An innumerable host of evil angels are spreading over the whole land and crowding the churches. EW 273,274.

THE LOUD CRY (Chapter heading).... "I saw another mighty angel [4th - Revelation 18:1]...the earth was lightened with his glory....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. EW 277.

I heard voices which seemed to sound everywhere, "Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.... 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.

The midnight cry was the proclamation "Behold, the bridegroom cometh, Go ye out to meet him." This message joined that of the second angel in 1844. Again the 4th angel's message reveals an additional voice!

And I saw another angel come down from heaven.... And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon is fallen.... And I heard ANOTHER VOICE from heaven, saying, Come out of her my people. Rev.18:1-4.

“Another voice" which joins that of the fourth angel is that of the sixth angel crying out “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, Go ye out to meet him."—This is the message of the Song of Solomon--The wedding song, "Behold the Bridegroom cometh, Go ye out to meet him."

This additional voice which joins with that of the angels who cry out "Babylon is fallen" is described as follows as it was exhibited before 1844:

Near the close of the second angel's message summer of 1844] I saw a great light from heaven shining upon the people of God. The rays of this light seemed bright as the sun. And I heard the voices of angels crying, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him." 1 SG 140,141.

By these angel's messages combined with that of the third angel—all given in the LOUD CRY, the second harvest is accomplished. All the righteous in Babylon come out from her and the harvest of the righteous is completed. This is comparable to the second harvest—wheat harvest—in ancient Israel. It was celebrated at the time of Pentecost.

THE SEVENTH ANGEL

These are reaping angels. When probation closes with the 5th and 6th angels' messages, the seventh angel takes over the reaping of the wicked. It is described as follows:

And another angel came out from the altar [See Revelation 8:3-5--the close of probation] 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. 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 [seven last plagues]. Rev. 14:18,19.

The message of the third angel and the result of the seventh reaping angel are clearly related shown in the diagram below:

The three angels' messages are one unit. All three combine and swell into the Loud Cry under the outpouring of the "Latter Rain" of the Holy Spirit. It is given in the power and timing of the fourth angel of Revelation 18:1-4. When its work is done, the harvest of the wicked is real The reaping work of the wicked is described in reference to the "sharp sickle" as it gathers the "vine" and throws it away.

And another angel came out from the altar [See Revelation 8:3-5—the close of probation] he also having a SHARP SICKLE. 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 SICKLE and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are FULLY RIPE. 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 .14:17-19.

The third harvest of the Hebrew agricultural year was the grape harvest and it was celebrated at the time of the Day of Atonement which was a type of the close of probation. (All who did not surround the sanctuary and repent were "cut off" Leviticus 16). The sin offerings were burned with FIRE. "...they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung Leviticus 16:27.

When probation closes, the wicked [grapes which are fully ripe] will be reaped and given to the "wrath of God" which is the seven last plagues. Their second death is referred as "FIRE” and the seventh angel carries the prophecy even to the end of the millennium as follows:

And the winepress was trodden without the city [outside the walls of the Holy City. See Revelation 20] and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs [200 miles]. Rev. 14:20.

This last harvest of the wicked and the grapes in the winepress is also described in the same language in the book of Joel.

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. PUT YE IN THE SICKLE AND REAP, FOR THE HARVEST IS RIPE: come get you down, for the press is full, the vats overflow for their wickedness is great. Joel 3:13,14.

The messages of the fourth and fifth angels provide the time-setting for the proclamation the three timelines of Daniel 12 as follows:

The fourth angel points to the Universal Sunday Law as the complete fall of Babylon. He points to that legislation which occurs down here on earth.

The fifth angel takes the cue from the fourth angel. That which happens down here on earth is final for that which occurs simultaneously up in heaven—the investigative judgment of the living. The fifth angel declares that "the time [HOUR] is come" to reap the firstfruits harvest of the 144,000.

It is the fourth and fifth angels which provide the time setting for the proclamation of the Loud Cry and the detailed information contained in the three timelines of Daniel 12. The timelines merely give supplementary and complementary data.

The 6000 year limit is a time-oriented concept. The millennial Sabbath is soon to begin. The Jubilees are nearing their completion. The timelines of Daniel 12 give their testimony. The seven angels ring out their messages. All these great prophetic components merge at the end of time.