Why We Study Revelation - 4

What is our duty when we hear the invitation of the Spirit? "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17.

Our task as Christians is to preach the gospel to the entire world. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15.

This gospel is borne in the message of the first angel: "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." Revelation 14:6.

"In the revelation that Christ gave are linked together in a chain of truth the important messages of warning that are to be given to the world before Christ�s second coming. The last message of mercy is to be proclaimed where it has never yet been heard. The workers are to labor with such self-denial, such self-sacrifice, that the message will be borne to those who have not heard it. Letter 110, 1902, p. 4." Manuscript Releases Vol. 1, 372:4.

What is the significance of the way in which these angels speak? "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." Revelation 14:7.

Given with force. "Our warfare is aggressive. Tremendous issues are before us, yea, and right upon us. Let our prayers ascend to God that the four angels may still hold the four winds, that they may not blow to injure or destroy until the last warning has been given to the world. Then let us work in harmony with our prayers. Let nothing lessen the force of the truth for this time. The present truth is to be our burden. The third angel�s message must do its work of separating from the churches a people who will take their stand on the platform of eternal truth." Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 61:2.

In a definite manner. "But we should be careful not to lessen the force of the warning which God has given for this time. We are in danger of giving the message in so indefinite a manner that it does not impress the people. So many other interests are brought in, that the very message which should be proclaimed with power becomes tame and voiceless. While the churches profess to believe in Christ, they are violating the law which Christ Himself proclaimed from Sinai. The Lord bids us, �Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.� The trumpet is to give a certain sound. Lift up the standard, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Make this the important theme. Then by your strong arguments wall it in, and make it of still greater force. Dwell more on the Revelation. Read, explain, and enforce its teaching." (Australasian) Union Conference Record, 06-01-00:20.

Clearly and distinctly. "Our lesson for the present time is, How may we most clearly comprehend and present the gospel that Christ came in person to present to John on the isle of Patmos�the gospel that is termed �the Revelation of Jesus Christ�? We are to present to our people a clear explanation of Revelation. We are to give them the Word of God just as it is, with as few of our own explanations as possible. No one mind can do this work alone. Although we have in trust the grandest and most important truth ever presented to the world, we are only babes, as far as understanding truth in all its bearings is concerned. Christ is the great Teacher, and that which He revealed to John, we are to tax our minds to understand and clearly to define. We are facing the most important issues that men have ever been called upon to meet. The theme of greatest importance is the third angel�s message, embracing the messages of the first and second angels. All should understand the truths contained in these messages and demonstrate them in daily life, for this is essential to salvation. We shall have to study earnestly, prayerfully, in order to understand these grand truths; and our power to learn and comprehend will be taxed to the utmost." Manuscript Releases Volume Twelve, p. 212:3.