hat many of His professed people were not
building for eternity, and in His mercy He was about to send a message of
warning to arouse them from their stupor, and lead them to make ready for
the coming of the Lord.

This warning is brought to view in Revelation 14. Here is a threefold
message represented as proclaimed by heavenly beings, and immediately
followed by the coming of the Son of man "to reap the harvest of the
earth." The first of these warnings announces the approaching judgment.
The prophet beheld an angel flying "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, 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."(504)

This message is declared to be a part of the "everlasting gospel." The
work of preaching the gospel has not been committed to angels, but has
been intrusted to men. Holy angels have been employed in directing this
work, they have in charge the great movements for the salvation of men;
but the actual proclamation of the gospel is performed by the servants of
Christ upon the earth.

Faithful men, who were obedient to the promptings of God's Spirit and the
teachings of His word, were to proclaim this warning to the world. They
were those who had taken heed to the "sure word of prophecy," the "light
that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star
arise."(505) They had been seeking the knowledge of God more than all hid
treasures, counting it "better than the merchandise of silver, and the
gain thereof than fine gold."(506) And the Lord revealed to them the great
things of the kingdom. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him;
and He will show them His covenant."(507)

It was not the scholarly theologians who had an understanding of this
truth, and engaged in its proclamation. Had these been faithful watchmen,
diligently and prayerfully searching the Scriptures, they would have known
the time of night; the prophecies would have opened to them the events
about to take place. But they did not occupy this position, and the
message was given by humbler men. Said Jesus, "Walk while ye have the
light, lest darkness come upon you."(508) Those who turn away from the
light which God has given, or who neglect to seek it when it is within
t