I was pointed down to the time when the third angel's message
was closing. The power of God had rested upon His people; they
had accomplished their work and were prepared for the trying hour
before them. They had received the latter rain, or refreshing
from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been
revived. The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it
had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of the earth who would
not receive the message.
I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer's
inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus
that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed.
Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing
the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands,
and with a loud voice said, "It is done." And all the
angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration,
"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which
is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous,
let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy
still."
Every case had been decided for life or death. While Jesus had
been ministering in the sanctuary, the judgment had been going
on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living.
Christ had received His kingdom, having made the atonement for
His people and blotted out their sins. The subjects of the kingdom
were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was consummated. And the
kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven,
was given to Jesus and the heirs of salvation, and Jesus was to
reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
As Jesus moved out of the most holy place, I heard the tinkling
of the bells upon His garment; and as He left, a cloud of darkness
covered the inhabitants of the earth. There was then no mediator
between guilty man and an offended God. While Jesus had been standing
between God and guilty man, a restraint was upon the people; but
when He stepped out from between man and the Father, the restraint
was removed and Satan had entire control of the finally impenitent.
It was impossible for the plagues to be poured out while Jesus
officiated in the sanctuary; but as His work there is finished,
and His intercession closes, there is nothing to stay the wrath
of God, and it breaks with fury upon the shelterless head of the
guilty sinner, who has slighted salvation and hated reproof. In
that fearful time, after the close of Jesus' mediation, the saints
were living in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor.
Every case was decided, every jewel numbered. Jesus tarried a
moment in the outer apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, and the
sins which had been confessed while He was in the most holy place
were placed upon Satan, the originator of sin, who must suffer
their punishment.
Then I saw Jesus lay off His priestly attire and clothe Himself
with His most kingly robes. Upon His head were many crowns, a
crown within a crown. Surrounded by the angelic host, He left
heaven. The plagues were falling upon the inhabitants of the earth.
Some were denouncing God and cursing Him. Others rushed to the
people of God and begged to be taught how they might escape His
judgments. But the saints had nothing for them. The last tear
for sinners had been shed, the last agonizing prayer offered,
the last burden borne, the last warning given. The sweet voice
of mercy was no more to invite them. When the saints, and all
heaven, were interested for their salvation, they had no interest
for themselves. Life and death had been set before them. Many
desired life, but made no effort to obtain it. They did not choose
life, and now there was no atoning blood to cleanse the guilty,
no compassionate Saviour to plead for them, and cry, "Spare,
spare the sinner a little longer." All heaven had united
with Jesus, as they heard the fearful words, "It is done.
It is finished." The plan of salvation had been accomplished,
but few had chosen to accept it. And as mercy's sweet voice died
away, fear and horror seized the wicked. With terrible distinctness
they heard the words, "Too late! too late!"
Those who had not prized God's Word were hurrying to and fro,
wandering from sea to sea, and from the north to the east, to
seek the Word of the Lord. Said the angel, "They shall not
find it. There is a famine in the land; not a famine of bread,
nor a thirst for water, but for hearing the words of the Lord.
What would they not give for one word of approval from God! but
no, they must hunger and thirst on. Day after day have they slighted
salvation, prizing earthly riches and earthly pleasure higher
than any heavenly treasure or inducement. They have rejected Jesus
and despised His saints. The filthy must remain filthy forever."
Many of the wicked were greatly enraged as they suffered the effects
of the plagues. It was a scene of fearful agony. Parents were
bitterly reproaching their children, and children their parents,
brothers their sisters, and sisters their brothers. Loud, wailing
cries were heard in every direction, "It was you who kept
me from receiving the truth which would have saved me from this
awful hour." The people turned upon their ministers with
bitter hate and reproached them, saying, "You have not warned
us. You told us that all the world was to be converted, and cried,
Peace, peace, to quiet every fear that was aroused. You have not
told us of this hour; and those who warned us of it you declared
to be fanatics and evil men, who would ruin us." But I saw
that the ministers did not escape the wrath of God. Their suffering
was tenfold greater than that of their people. -