10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of G.o.d, 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.
12. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of G.o.d, and the faith of Jesus.
13. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.
Another phase of the last reformation is here brought to view--its communicative genius. It not only stands clear from the apostasy, but it sounds the warnings of G.o.d and proclaims his message. The first messenger had a very important message to deliver, even "the everlasting gospel." His message was not limited to the inhabitants of "the earth"--the Apocalyptic earth--only, but included "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people," showing that it was of universal importance. It was not a new gospel, but the everlasting gospel, the same gospel preached before the long period of apostasy. There is one phase different, however, and that is that the _nearness_ of the second coming of Christ is a leading feature; the messenger with loud voice warns the people to prepare for the awful judgment just at hand by turning to "worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." The apostle Paul cautioned the Thessalonian brethren not to entertain the idea that the advent of Christ was then near at hand, for it could not come until after the great period of apostasy that he predicted; but here is a messenger now claiming that the "_hour of his judgment is come_"--an event just at hand. He carries his special message to all people; for Jesus declared, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and _then shall the end come_." Matt. 24:14. This represents the restoration of gospel truth in the reformation that was begun about the year A.D. 1880 and that is now being carried to all nations by a holy ministry.
The nature of this restoration work is clearly shown. Its leading feature is its missionary character, the proclamation of the pure gospel to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." Since the days of the apostles the whole gospel has not been boldly declared and carried forward with burning missionary zeal. Romanism and Protestantism have conducted their missionary work and, according to chap. 16:14, their sphere of influence will extend throughout "the whole world"; but here is clearly set forth the fact that G.o.d has authorized another universal message and world-wide work wholly distinguished from all others. The contrast between the worshipers of the beast and his image and those composing the redeemed company on Mount Sion is so clear, also the nature of the work done by each, that we can not possibly identify them as being one.
This work of conducting a world-wide missionary enterprise may appear to be a gigantic task, but the seeming impossibility vanishes when we consider the fact (to be more fully developed hereafter) that G.o.d calls into this service all his people who are yet under the sectarian yoke.
With this great host already dispersed over the world, the work of making known this last message can and will be accomplished.
The positive statement that the _hour_ of his judgment is come shows that the end is exceedingly near; hence the second and third angels must follow the first in the closest proximity possible in order to introduce their messages before the wrath of G.o.d is poured out upon apostate Christendom. The time is so short that these three messengers can not possibly refer to three distinct reformations in the world; hence they must signify three important phases in the one last reformation that carries the gospel to all nations in the short period of an "hour,"
which time also includes the final judgment.
A careful study of these three messages will show that they are inseparably connected. The second cry was against Babylon, that she had fallen. Rev. 18:1, 2 proves this fall of Babylon to be a moral one--a giving away to unG.o.dliness, iniquity and all manner of deception.
According to chapter 16:19 the great city of Babylon is composed of three parts, being a confederation of the dragon[10] (heathenism), the beast (Catholicism), and the false prophet (Protestantism). Chap. 16:13, 14. It is evidently to this latter division of Babylon that this second message applies; for Paganism was always a false religion, and Catholicism was always a corrupt one, during whose reign the church of G.o.d, as already shown, was separate. Protestantism, then, was the only part of the great city that could fall morally or spiritually. During the s.p.a.ce of three hundred and fifty years, from the formation of the first Protestant creed, she held reign and authority over the people of G.o.d, who were scattered among her hundreds of opposing sects.
[Footnote 10: That the dragon should be a part of great Babylon seems at first improbable; but in this statement reference is made, not to the dragon in his original, or Pagan, state, but to the form in which he is manifesting himself in these last days to deceive the nations, working in conjunction with apostate Christendom. This phase of the dragon power which brings him into harmony with, and, in reality, a part of, modern Babylon, will be more clearly understood when we come to consider the three unclean spirits that come out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet (chap. 16:13, 14), and the release of the dragon in chapter 20:7-9.]
In this condition the faithful children of G.o.d, although bearing the mark and name of the beast, longed for restoration of the divine, primitive standard; but in the cloudy atmosphere of that period they could not clearly discern the whole truth. Later, when the full tidings of the everlasting gospel came, there came also a revelation that Babylon is fallen and that G.o.d is calling his people out of confusion just before the end of time.
I call to witness every child of G.o.d who has been with the present reformation from its beginning, if there were not three special phases of the development of the truth, as follows: 1. A wonderful revival of spirituality among a few of G.o.d"s chosen ones, caused by the "everlasting gospel" being revealed to them as never before. 2. The knowledge of the truth and deep experience thus obtained prepared the way for the next step, which was the discovery that the "churches" were a part of the great Babylon of Revelation and were in a fallen condition, "a hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Chap. 18:2, 3. Hence the cry went up, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen." 3. Then followed immediately the message to G.o.d"s people to "flee out of the midst of Babylon and deliver every man his soul,"
warning them that no one could any longer bear the mark of the beast or worship his image without forfeiting eternal salvation and that the fearful judgments of heaven would soon descend upon every one who refused to obey the message and to walk in the light. The last two phases, which apply to Babylon, are the same and in the same order as the description given in chapter 18:1-4. First, an angel from heaven cries mightily with a strong voice, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen"; and then "_another voice_" from heaven says, "COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE." The three successive phases of the message are now all combined in one, and G.o.d is gathering his holy remnant "out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day" (Ezek.
34:12) into the one body of Jesus Christ. Halleluiah! John, also, saw this glorious result of the three messages--"And I saw as it were a sea of gla.s.s mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of gla.s.s, having the harps of G.o.d. And they sung the song of Moses the servant of G.o.d [a song of deliverance], and the song of the Lamb [the song of redemption], saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord G.o.d Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou king of saints." Chap. 15:2, 3. Let all the people of G.o.d rejoice!
"Hail the day so long expected, Hail the year of full release; Zion"s walls are now erected, And the watchmen publish peace.
"Now on Shiloh"s wide dominion, Hear the trumpets loudly roar: Babylon"s fallen, is fallen, is fallen, Babylon"s fallen to rise no more."
Those of the Lord"s people who through lack of sufficient light were yoked up with unbelievers in Protestantism, labored faithfully to upbuild the very sectarian inst.i.tutions that G.o.d was against and that were destined to be destroyed, though they themselves were saved as by fire; but from the time this reformation began the redeemed die in the triumphs of a living faith, and their labors in upbuilding the true cause and kingdom of G.o.d are still blessed and fruitful, being perpetuated in the works that follow them.
"Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of G.o.d, and the faith of Jesus." As before mentioned, G.o.d"s people during the reign of Romanism expected her universal supremacy to come to an end, and their patience was greatly exercised in waiting for the appointed time to arrive. It came with a great spiritual reformation. Then followed another period of apostasy, during which time G.o.d"s people again looked forward to something better in the future.
Many remarkable predictions of this present holiness reformation were uttered by some of the most spiritual saints during the Protestant era, and I can not refrain from mentioning a few of them in this connection.
D"Aubigne: "The nineteenth century is called to resume the work which the sixteenth century was unable to accomplish." History of the Reformation, Book XV, Chap. 1.
Fletcher: "Only He will come with more mercy, and will increase the light that shall be at eventide, according to his promise in Zech. 14:7.
I should rather think that the visions are not yet plainly disclosed; and that the day and hour in which the Lord will begin to make bare his arm openly are still concealed from us. Oh, when will the communion of saints be complete? Lord, hasten the time; and let me have a place among them that love thee, and love one another in sincerity." This is an extract from a letter written by John Fletcher to Mr. Wesley, dated London, May 26, 1757, as given in Joseph Benson"s life of Fletcher, pp.
39, 40.
D"Aubigne again: "In every age it has been seen how great is the strength of an idea to penetrate the ma.s.ses, to stir nations, and to hurry them, if required, by thousands to the battle-field and to death.
But if so great be the strength of a human idea, what power must not a heaven-descended idea possess, when G.o.d opens to it the gates of the heart! The world has not often seen so much power at work; it was seen, however, in the early days of Christianity, and in the time of the Reformation; and _it will be seen in future_ ages." Book VI, Chap. 12.
"It has been said that the three last centuries, the sixteenth, the seventeenth, and the eighteenth, may be conceived as an immense battle of three days" duration. We willingly adopt this beautiful comparison.... The first day was the battle of G.o.d, the second the battle of the priest, the third the battle of reason. What will be the fourth? In our opinion, the confused strife, the deadly contest of all these powers together, to _end in the victory of Him to whom triumph belongs_." Book XI, Chap. 9.
Lorenzo Dow, comment on Rev. 14:6-11; 18:1-5: "The angel, or extraordinary messenger, with his a.s.sistants, proclaiming the fall of Babylon will be known in his time. Also the one warning the people of G.o.d to come out of Babylon literally, spiritually, and practically, will be known also, and such other threatening for the omission of compliance is not to be found in all the Bible." Dow"s Works, p. 533.
The following extracts are from an old book written about 1812 by Theophilus R. Gates and ent.i.tled "Truth Advocated." Through the kindness of a sister living in Allegan County, Michigan, the writer was enabled to secure the following from the only copy of this book known to be in existence--she having borrowed it of her neighbor, a relative of its author.
On Rev. 14:11: "I would here gladly drop the subject, lest I give offense; but duty compels me to remark, what can not be denied, that an inordinate attachment to certain systems and forms of religion, has occasioned all the strifes, animosities, and persecutions, that have so long agitated the Christian world; and if G.o.d be just, every one must drink of the cup of his indignation, according to his offense. The beast and his image, as it exists in Protestant countries, seems in this place particularly meant; and our own land is full of the number of his name.
That such a testimony will one day go forth we must believe, or else St.
John saw that which will never be: and the testimony will as certainly be received; for a company in the next chapter are to be seen that had gotten the victory over the beast, his image, his mark, and the number of his name. It is also equally true that as yet it has never gone forth; and that at the time, great afflictions or suffering of some kind will be undergone to exercise the patience of the saints.... It is at this very time, no doubt, that the three unclean spirits, like frogs, come out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet; spirits of devils working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the great battle of the great day of G.o.d Almighty. The greatest possible efforts, indeed will now be made by all the sectarians to keep up their existence ... nor is it any wonder that hireling ministers and system worshipers, Demetrius like, should be stirred up and raise no small stir about the way; for it is evident, not only their craft is in danger of being set at naught by this testimony, but also the great Diana of systems and forms of religion to be despised, and their magnificence destroyed, whom now almost the whole Christian world worshipeth." Pp. 281-283.
"And now commences an era of light and suffering, when the corrupt churches (with the kings of the earth and great men united with them) being about to be wholly brought down, make one general muster against Christ and his true worshipers. These things are clear to me as a ray of light; and whoever lives at this time will see as great opposition and spite to the true way of righteousness then set forth from sectarians and professors generally, as there was from the Jews towards Christ and his testimony: and also, like the Jews, at the very time they oppose the true way of the Lord with all their might, they will no doubt make the greatest possible show of religion, will think they are the true church, yea will have a zeal for G.o.d, carrying on religion with great success, forming societies, sending missionaries among the heathen, etc., etc.
That such an event will take place is very clear." Pp. 286-288.
"This happy period I never expect to see: but known unto the Lord only are all things. I know that such a time will be; for we are a.s.sured by the angel, these are the true sayings of G.o.d: and I also believe that it will take place _within two centuries_ from this time. But oh! how corrupt doth the world now appear to me.... Help me, O Lord, I pray thee, to do thy will.
"Whenever any body of people come into notice, establish their rules and inst.i.tutions, and become a respectable sect, they are the people of G.o.d then only in name; they cease to have the nature any longer; and whoever unites himself to the same, const.i.tutes himself one of the beast"s party, and so far as his influence extends, he helps to establish the kingdom of Antichrist in the earth. This is clear from the prophecies of the Revelation, and it will answer no purpose to take offense when the truth is spoken. These things will, moreover, sooner or later be declared with great plainness by some one; and then will the man of sin put forth all his strength; then will persecution come, and the beast muster his armies to defend himself and to destroy the a.s.sailants, but in vain; for however few their number may be at first, and however furious the battle may rage against them, they are destined to conquer.
And herein the words of Christ will fitly apply, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father"s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.""
P. 313.
Speaking of sectarianism, he says further: "The same round of things will continue until the evil is remedied.... When this shall take place, time only can determine with certainty. It will probably commence slowly, and not come with any great outward observation. Few will at first see or embrace the way, being strange to them, and appearing on account of their prejudices, and the way they have been taught by the false prophet, to be wrong and improper: moreover, being opposed to all others, they will have all others to oppose them. But though they are despised and hated, and few in number, the Lord is with them." Pp. 322, 323.
On Rev. 16:13, 14: "I have already delivered my views with respect to these unclean spirits ... and it is not necessary to say much here upon the subject; only I would just observe, that this will be a time of greater trial to Christians in general, and in a time in which more will be deprived of every particle of true religion through the influence of false ministers belonging to the different societies in Christendom, than any that has ever yet been in the world. But while they are making these great exertions, they are only preparing themselves and their deluded votaries for a more awful and complete destruction. For G.o.d Almighty is against them, and they against Him; though they will know it not, but think perhaps all the while they are his peculiar favorites, and that they are employed in maintaining his cause, like the Jews before them, when it is only their own cause and men"s traditions." P.
338.
"I am but as the voice of one crying in the wilderness of error and of sin, of wickedness and delusion, testifying according to the best light given me; and any light that I can possibly communicate will in a little time become as the feeble shining of the sun, by reason of the greatness of the light that shall be hereafter." P. 354.
"A true and living testimony will go forth before this last period of the awful judgments of G.o.d comes to a close, and in consequence of rejecting it, like the Jews of old, the wrath of G.o.d will come upon them to the uttermost. The testimony against the worshipers of the beast, by the third angel, Rev. 14:9, is the testimony that effectually overthrows the kingdom of darkness and establishes the truth as it is in Jesus, pure and undefiled.... The authors of this testimony will ... unlike to all who go before them, attack the evil at its root, and expose the deceit, hypocrisy and wickedness of the different sects in a way that has never before been done; for which they will suffer the greatest persecution. You may look upon these things as the reveries of my own fancy; but some day or other, people will witness to the truth of what I now write." Pp. 421, 422.
"All the reformations which go before this last great reform will only be partial and temporary. They will only lop off the branches, or at the most, only strike at the body of the corrupt tree, while the roots remain untouched and uninjured. But when this last testimony goes forth, the very roots of the corrupt tree will be attacked." P. 426.
"Every sect is under an idea that whenever the Lord comes to establish truth in the earth, it will be to establish their creed, raise up their sect, and bring the whole world into their way. And when the faithful witnesses whom G.o.d will raise up shall openly declare that they have all gone out of the way, that the greatest professors have so much of guile, selfishness and party spirit about them as to be nothing but hypocrites, and that a person must be better than they are or be lost forever; that sects are an abomination to the Lord; denounce eternal death upon every advocate and adherent of men-made establishments; ... I say when such a testimony as this goes forth, as it sooner or later will, no wonder that the sects, all with one accord, should set themselves against it--should call it heresy--declare it will ruin the churches if it is not suppressed.... Although, as I have before testified, I am only as the voice of one crying in the wilderness--a mere babe in the knowledge of these things which are to be revealed hereafter, yet I expect to raise a host of bigots and hypocrites against me.... Nor can it be very long before the true light, in a very especial manner, will shine.... If these things do not come to pa.s.s, then let me be called an enthusiast or a deceiver." Pp. 444-446.
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 has 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.
17. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
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 cl.u.s.ters 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 G.o.d.
20. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the s.p.a.ce of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
The special characters of this vision and their work have been very difficult for me to identify positively. Until clearer light on the matter is received, I choose to withhold an explanation rather than to indulge in speculation. Its usual explanation is to apply the gathering of the harvest of the earth to the work of the reformation now taking place and the vintage scene to the final destruction of the wicked, their punishment being symbolized by the treading of the "winepress of the wrath of G.o.d." This may be its signification. It is certain, however, that in a subsequent chapter, the final judgment of the wicked is symbolized by the treading of "the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty G.o.d." Beyond this I can not now speak with certainty.
CHAPTER XV.