The Final Warning Message: The Three Angels and Daniel's Prophecies
Revelation is not a sealed book. The word itself means to reveal the contents. The average man or woman CAN understand its content with proper Bible interpretation. Throughout history God has had particular messages for certain times; the Bible calls it present truth. "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth" (2 Peter 1:12 KJV).
The Concept of Present Truth in History
To understand the importance of this concept, we can look at historical examples of God's messengers:
- Noah: Noah was a preacher of righteousness. He taught God's love as he warned of a coming flood that would destroy the world. The Flood message was "present truth" for that time. Its urgent cry was "get into the boat."
- Jonah: Jonah's "present truth" was that Nineveh would be destroyed in 40 days. Jonah also uplifted the Saviour, and the city repented. To omit, however, the 40-day warning would have been unfaithful and unforgivable.
- John the Baptist: John's "present truth" was that Jesus, the Messiah, was about to appear. His work was to present the gospel and prepare people for Jesus' first coming.
The Three Angels' Messages for Today
God's "present truth" for today is contained in the three angels' messages. Salvation through Jesus Christ alone is central to these messages; however, the "present truth" of the three angels also has been given to prepare people for Jesus' second coming and to open their eyes to Satan's brilliant and highly convincing deceptions.
First Angel: Revelation 14:6 "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, 7 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".
Second Angel: Revelation 14:8 "And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication".
Third Angel: Revelation 14:9 "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God... 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night".
The Heavenly Judgment and the 2300-Day Prophecy
Scripture clearly portrays the establishing of a court trial that involves the saints. The Book of Daniel - the name Daniel meaning God is judge - depicts an awe-inspiring court scenario. Daniel Chapter 7 describes how, after the reign of the four universal kingdoms, the little horn rises and reigns for twelve hundred and sixty years, ending in 1798. It is after 1798 that this remarkable court scene occurs.
The commencement of this judgment is revealed in Daniel 8:14: "And he said to me, "For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed". The term cleansing of the sanctuary can be shown to represent a work of judgment in the heavenly temple. The two thousand three hundred days (that is, 2300 years) can be shown to end in the year 1844 AD. This means that the heavenly court session commenced in the year 1844. Therefore the fulfillment of the first angel's message of Revelation 14:6-7 commenced in the year 1844.
Daniel’s 70 Week Prophecy and the Messiah
Dan 9:24 states that seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, and to bring in everlasting righteousness. In biblical prophecy, 1 week = 7 years (ref : Gen 29 : 27, Lev 25 :1,2), meaning 70 weeks = 490 years.
The timing is as follows: from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks. The city was build for 7 weeks ( 49 years ). From this point on in 62 weeks – the Messiah would be cut off. There will NOT be a seven year period for anyone to get right with God or change their ways after Jesus comes. There is a seven year period in the prophecy of Daniel 9:24 but it says that in the middle of the week the Messiah will be cut off. Than means crucifixion week, not a time period after the second coming.
Prophetic Timeline Data
| Event / Description | Prophetic Time / Date |
|---|---|
| Commandment to restore and build Jerusalem | 14th March 445 B.C. |
| 70 weeks prophecy total duration | 490 years |
| 69 weeks (483 years x 360 days) | 173,880 days |
| Messiah cut off (69 weeks fulfillment) | 6th April 32 A.D. |
| 15th year of Tiberius Cesar (Jesus' Baptism) | A.D. 29 |
| Passover (Jesus entered 4 days before) | 10th April 32 A.D. |
| Heavenly court session commenced | 1844 AD |