The certainty of the messages

A solid, immovable platform—I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, and would give no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps—one, two and three—the first, second and third angels’ messages. Said the angel, Woe to him who shall move a block, or stir a pin in these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received. I was again brought down through these messages, and saw how dearly the people of God had purchased their experience. It had been obtained through much suffering and severe conflict. Step by step had God brought them along, until He had placed them upon a solid, immovable platform. Then I saw individuals as they approached the platform, before stepping upon it examine the foundation. Some with rejoicing immediately stepped upon it. Others commenced to find fault with the laying of the foundation of the platform. They wished improvements made, and then the platform would be more perfect, and the people much happier. Some stepped off the platform and examined it, then found fault with it, declaring it to be laid wrong. I saw that nearly all stood firm upon the platform, and exhorted others who had stepped off to cease their complaints, for God was the master-builder, and they were fighting against him. They recounted the wonderful work of God, which had led them to the firm platform, and in union nearly all raised their eyes to heaven, and with a loud voice glorified God. This affected some of those who had complained, and left the platform, and again they with humble look stepped upon it.—Spiritual Gifts 1:168, 169 (1858)3AM 30.1

Not a shadow of a doubt—We have not a shadow of a doubt as to the correct understanding of the order and character of the third angel’s message and the two preceding it. We are now living under the proclamation of the message of the third angel. Many attempts will be made, as there have been in the past to weave into the work human theories. Diligent study will be made to get up something original; but we may say, as did Paul, “Other foundation can no man lay than is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” [1 Corinthians 3:11.]—Letter 33, 1890 (December 4)3AM 30.2

Not a peg or pin to be removed—The proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages has been located by the Word of Inspiration. Not a peg or pin is to be removed. No human authority has any more right to change the location of these messages than to substitute the New Testament for the Old.—Manuscript 32, 1896 (December 6) (Selected Messages 2:104)3AM 31.1

The pillars stand firm against the host of hell—Our faith in reference to the messages of the first, second, and third angels was correct. The great waymarks we have passed are immovable. Although the hosts of hell may try to tear them from their foundation, and triumph in the thought that they have succeeded, yet they do not succeed. These pillars of truth stand firm as the eternal hills, unmoved by all the efforts of men combined with those of Satan and his host. We can learn much, and should be constantly searching the Scriptures to see if these things are so. God’s people are now to have their eyes fixed on the heavenly sanctuary, where the final ministration of our great High Priest in the work of the judgment is going forward—where He is interceding for His people.—The Review and Herald, November 27, 1883 (Evangelism, 223)3AM 31.2

The waymarks will be preserved—We are God’s commandment-keeping people. For the past fifty years every phase of heresy has been brought to bear upon us, to becloud our minds regarding the teaching of the Word—especially concerning the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary and the message of heaven for these last days, as given by the angels of the fourteenth chapter of Revelation. Messages of every order and kind have been urged upon Seventh-day Adventists to take the place of the truth which, point by point, has been sought out by prayerful study and testified to by the miracle-working power of the Lord. But the waymarks which have made us what we are, are to be preserved, and they will be preserved, as God has signified through His Word and the testimonies of His Spirit. He calls upon us to hold firmly, with the grip of faith, to the fundamental principles that are based upon unquestionable authority.—Letter 95, 1905 (March 14) (Selected Messages 1:208)3AM 31.3

Landmarks connected with the message—The passing of the time in 1844 was a period of great events, opening to our astonished eyes the cleansing of the sanctuary transpiring in heaven, and having decided relation to God’s people upon the earth, [also] the first and second angels’ messages and the third, unfurling the banner on which was inscribed, “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” [Revelation 14:12.] One of the landmarks under this message was the temple of God, seen by His truth-loving people in heaven, and the ark containing the law of God. The light of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment flashed its strong rays in the pathway of the transgressors of God’s law. The non-immortality of the wicked is an old landmark. I can call to mind nothing more that can come under the head of the old landmarks.—Manuscript 13, 1889 (Counsels to Writers and Editors, 30, 31)3AM 32.1

Stand on the platform in the face of deceptive miracles—The time is at hand when Satan will work miracles to confirm minds in the belief that he is God. All the people of God are now to stand on the platform of truth as it has been given in the third angel’s message. All the pleasant pictures, all the miracles wrought will be presented in order that if possible the very elect shall be deceived. The only hope for any one is to hold fast the evidences that have confirmed the truth in righteousness. Let these be proclaimed over and over again, until the close of this earth’s history.3AM 32.2

The perils of the last days are upon us. Devote not precious time in trying to convince those who would change the truth of God into a lie. Proclaim the third angel’s message. Bear a straightforward, clear-cut message.—Manuscript 61, 1906 (June 3)3AM 33.1

The pillars will hold all the weight—We must let the principles of the third angel’s message stand out clear and distinct. The great pillars of our faith will hold all the weight that can be placed upon them.—Manuscript 82, 1894 (January 14) (Christ Triumphant, 363)3AM 33.2

Teachers and leaders are to communicate the surety of the message—Those who stand as teachers and leaders in our institutions are to be sound in the faith and in the principles of the third angel’s message. God wants His people to know that we have the message as He gave it to us in 1843 and 1844. We knew then what the message meant, and we call upon our people today to obey the Word, “Bind up the law among My disciples.” [Isaiah 8:16.]—Manuscript 14, 1903 (March 30)3AM 33.3

Led and taught of God—What have we to give up of the leadings and teachings of God as seen in the first chapters of our experience, after the passing of the time and our bitter experience? Nothing. We have held this truth firmly for the past half century, and as we review our history, we see that we have been led and taught of God. We have had most precious and positive testimony to bear from the Word.—Letter 38, 1906 (January 23)3AM 33.4

Substantiated by the Spirit of God—In the early days of the message, when our numbers were few, we studied diligently to understand the meaning of many Scriptures. At times it seemed as if no explanation could be given. My mind seemed to be locked to an understanding of the Word; but when our brethren who had assembled to study together came to a point where they could go no further, and had recourse to earnest prayer, the Spirit of God would rest upon me, and I would be taken off in vision and instructed in regard to the relation of Scripture to Scripture. These experiences were repeated over and over and over again. Thus the truths of the third angel’s message were revealed, point by point. Think you that my faith in this message will ever waver? Think you that I can remain silent, when I see an effort being made to sweep away the foundation pillars of our faith? I am as thoroughly established in those truths as it is possible for a person to be. I can never forget the experience I have passed through. God has confirmed my belief by many evidences of His power....3AM 34.1

... For the past half century my faith in the ultimate triumph of the third angel’s message, and everything connected with it, has been substantiated by the wonderful experiences through which I have passed.—Manuscript 49, 1906 (April 14)3AM 34.2

A sure, solid platform that brings unity—The message to come to the people for this time is not a message that will create division. It is the third angel’s message, which is to become more and more definite and powerful and distinct in its influence, bringing all our churches upon a platform of the truth as it is in Jesus. This message, received and understood, will bear the right kind of fruit, bringing all into unity of faith, and differences of opinion will disappear under the Holy Spirit’s ministration. The third angel’s message is a sure, solid platform; and differences of opinion must be yielded to the working of this message, for the Lord is not glorified with strange voices. Difference of opinion must be yielded, that all the army of the Lord may present a united front.—Manuscript 126, 1908 (January 15)3AM 34.3