The Message

A presentation at WCAS event in Athens, TX on March 19, 2022

Also available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=iaCzJZaD4ng.

“The Lord in his great mercy sent a most precious message to his people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to his divine person, his merits, and his changeless love for the human family. All power is given into his hands, that he may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of his own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of his Spirit in a large measure. { PH154 35.2}”

Much has been said about this message but just what is the message? The “Message” is presented under different terms. These terms are listed in the following table along with the number of hits, when searched on the EG White writings database. All the terms refer to the same message. 

        Terms:

1.     “Christ our Righteousness”  175 times 
2.     “Justification by faith”   775 times
3.     “Third Angel’s Message”  7437 times
4.     “righteousness by faith” 518 times (term used in 1888)  
5.     “most precious message” 15 times   

Let us examine this message under the above terms.

1. “Christ our Righteousness” Found 175 times in EGW Writings

“At this time the church is to put on her beautiful garments,—“Christ our righteousness.” There are clear, decided distinctions to be restored and exemplified to the world in holding aloft the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus…… The church is firmly and decidedly to hold her principles before the whole heavenly universe and the kingdoms of the world; steadfast fidelity in maintaining the honor and sacredness of the law of God will attract the notice and admiration of even the world, and many will, by the good works which they shall behold, be led to glorify our Father in heaven {CET 207.2}”

This represents Christs our Righteousness as a beautiful garment that we “put on”.

The following statement identifies the reason for the lack of essential elements in our character

“The absence of devotion, piety, and sanctification of the outer man comes through denying Jesus Christ our righteousness. The love of God needs to be constantly cultivated…. {FW 15.1}”

1. “Justification by faith”  Found 775 times

“With great clearness and power the apostle (Paul) presented the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ….. . It was this light that scattered the darkness which enveloped Luther’s mind and revealed to him the power of the blood of Christ to cleanse from sin. . {AA 373.3}”

Can we dwell on this subject too much? The answer:

“Some of our brethren have expressed fears that we shall dwell too much upon the subject of justification by faith, but I hope and pray that none will be needlessly alarmed; for there is no danger in presenting this doctrine as it is set forth in the Scriptures…. {1SM 372.1

“The present message—justification by faith—is a message from God; it bears the divine credentials, for its fruit is unto holiness… {1SM 359.1

“Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, “It is the third angel’s message, in verity.”—The Review and Herald, April 1, 1890. {1SM 372.2}”

1. “Third angel’s message found 7437 times

1. A testing message”

A Distinct People With a Testing Message—The Lord has been pleased to give His people the third angel’s message as a testing message to bear to the world. John beholds a people distinct and separate from the world, who refuse to worship the beast or his image, who bear God’s sign, keeping holy His Sabbath—the seventh-day to be kept holy as a memorial of the living God, the Creator of heaven and earth. Of them the apostle writes, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”—Letter 98, 1900. {Ev 233.3}

2. To Have Root in Themselves—

“It is not in God’s purpose that the church shall be sustained by life drawn from the minister. They are to have root in themselves. The gospel news, the message of warnings, the third angel’s message, is to be voiced by church members.—Manuscript 83, 1897. {Ev 343.1}

Everything in the universe calls upon those who know the truth to consecrate themselves unreservedly to the proclamation of the truth as it has been made known to them in the third angel’s message. That which we see and hear calls us to our duty. The working of satanic agencies calls every Christian to stand in his lot.—Testimonies for the Church 9:25, 26. {ChS 83.1}

Let every Seventh-day Adventist ask himself, “What can I do to proclaim the third angel’s message?” Christ came to this world to give this message to His servant to give to the churches. It is to be proclaimed to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. How are we to give it? The distribution of our literature is one means by which the message is to be proclaimed. Let every believer scatter broadcast tracts and leaflets and books containing the message for this time. Colporteurs are needed who will go forth to circulate our publications everywhere.—The Southern Watchman, January 5, 1904. {ChS 145.2}”

3. Medical missionary work is the right hand of the gospel……

“As the right hand of the third angel’s message, God’s methods of treating disease will open doors for the entrance of present truth.—Testimonies for the Church 7:59. {CME 8.4}”

Although the health reform is not the third angel’s message, it is closely connected with it. Those who proclaim the message should teach health reform also.

“Satan is now working with all his insinuating, deceiving power, to lead men away from the work of the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with mighty power…. . {ChS 40.1}

The gospel of health has able advocates, but their work has been made very hard because so many ministers, presidents of conferences, and others in positions of influence have failed to give the question of health reform its proper attention…….

……. When the third angel’s message is received in its fullness, health reform will be given its place in the councils of the conference, in the work of the church, in the home, at the table, and in all the household arrangements. Then the right arm will serve and protect the body. {CEv 72.2}”

4. Give Children an Example of Strict Obedience

.” And this is the work that above everything else must be done in the home life today. It is to accompany the third angel’s message. Ignorance is no excuse why parents should neglect to teach their children what it means to transgress the law of Go{CG 558.1}”

5. Effects of an approaching storm

“As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition… . Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them. {GC 608.2}”

6. Fearful threatening message

“The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortal is contained in the third angel’s message. That must be a terrible sin which calls down the wrath of God unmingled with mercy…The warning of the third angel, which forms a part of the same threefold message, is to be no less widespread. It is represented in the prophecy as proclaimed with a loud voice, by an angel flying in the midst of heaven; and it will command the attention of the world.  {GC88 449.2}”

7. Life and Death Message—

“We are as a people in danger of giving the third angel’s message in such an indefinite manner that it does not impress the people…. Our message is a life-and-death message, and we must let this message appear as it is,—the great power of God. Then the Lord will make it effectual. We are to present it in all its telling force.—Letter 209, 1899. {Ev 230.1}”

1. “Righteousness by faith” found 518 times

    This is Righteousness by Faith {FW 70} 

“And what is it to believe? It is to fully accept that Jesus Christ died as our sacrifice; that He became the curse for us, took our sins upon Himself, and imputed unto us His own righteousness. Therefore we claim this righteousness of Christ, we believe it, and it is our righteousness. He is our Saviour. He saves us because He said He would. Are we going to go into all the explanations as to how He can save us? Do we have the goodness in ourselves that will make us better and cleanse us from the spots and stains of sin, enabling us then to come to God? We simply cannot do it. {FW 70.2}”

Righteousness by Faith Does Not Downgrade the Law

“Holding up Christ as our only source of strength, presenting His matchless love in having the guilt of the sins of men charged to His account and His own righteousness imputed to man, in no case does away with the law or detracts from its dignity. Rather, it places it where the correct light shines upon and glorifies it. This is done only through the light reflected from the cross of Calvary. The law is complete and full in the great plan of salvation, only as it is presented in the light shining from the crucified and risen Saviour. This can be only spiritually discerned. It kindles in the heart of the beholder ardent faith, hope, and joy that Christ is his righteousness. This joy is only for those who love and keep the words of Jesus, which are the words of God. {3SM 176.2}

. Paul and his fellow workers proclaimed the doctrine of righteousness by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ.” Galatians 1:3, 4; 3:2, 26

Gal 1:3  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 

Gal 1:4  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Gal 3:2  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 

Gal 3:26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 

1. “Most precious message” found 15 times

    13 times applied to Elders Waggoner and Jones

    1 time to herself, 9LtMs, Lt 67

1 time to 1 time  To Zerubbabel their leader—he who, through all the years since their return from Babylon, had been so sorely tried—was given a most precious message. PK 577.4

In Minneapolis,” she said later, “God gave precious gems of truth to His people in new settings.”  “The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones.” 34 {88IOL 5.6}  (1888 Issues, Outcomes, Lessons by Robert W. Olson)

The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders [E.J.] Waggoner and [A. T.] Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. { LDE 200.1} 

Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 91, 92 (1895). { LDE 200.2}

In Summary

    This paper is a brief presentation of the subject. It is recommended that the reader searches the topic in more detail. The following table may help.

1. The Message
2. A Most Precious Message.-“The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people.” {COR 24.3} (Christ Our Righteousness by Arthur G. Daniels)
3. The Object.-“This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.” {COR 24.4} 
4. The Scope.- {COR 25.1} 
5. “It presented justification through faith in the Surety.” {COR 25.2} 
6. “It invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God.” {COR 25.3}
7. The Need.- {COR 25.4} 
8. “Many had lost sight of Jesus” {COR 25.5} 
9. “They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family.” {COR 25.6} 
10. The Resources.- {COR 25.7} 
11. “All power is given into His hands,” {COR 25.8} 
12. “That He may dispense rich gifts unto men,” {COR 25.9} 
13. “Imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent.” {COR 25.10}
14. Extent.-“This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world.”{COR 25.11} 
15. What It Really Is. “It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud cry, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.” {COR 25.12}
16. The Messengers

         Elders Waggoner and Jones

1. The Third Angels message=Christ our Righteousness=Justification by                      faith=righteousness by faith= “a most precious message”
2. We are a “Distinct People with a Testing Message”
3. “Life and death message

F.  Each one of us has a duty to proclaim