Chapter 1—The Setting and Relevance of the Three Angels’ Messages ^{*While each message is distinct, Ellen White and her contemporaries often referred to the truths of all three messages using the umbrella phrase “the third angel’s message.”}

Nothing else of so great importance

Allow nothing else to absorb our attention—In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the word of God. They have been given a work of the most solemn import—the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention. 3AM 19.1

The most solemn truths ever entrusted to mortals have been given us to proclaim to the world. The proclamation of these truths is to be our work. The world is to be warned, and God’s people are to be true to the trust committed to them.—Testimonies for the Church 9:19 (1909) 3AM 19.2

No other work as important—The Lord is opening the way in a remarkable manner for His people to give the warning message to those who have never yet heard the truth for this time. No other work that we might do is so important as is this. The third angel’s message means much to us all. It means much to unbelievers, also, whether they shall receive and believe and live out this third angel’s message, which includes the other two messages of (Revelation 14) and the proclamation of which makes prominent the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.—Letter 18, 1910 (January 27) 3AM 19.3

The highest and greatest work—The great final crisis is just before us, when the destiny of every human being will be forever decided. A great work is to be done in setting before men the saving truths of the gospel. To present these truths is the work of the third angel’s message. The Lord designs that the presentation of this message shall be the highest, greatest work carried on in our world at this time.—Manuscript 19, 1900 (March 5) 3AM 20.1

Not to be eclipsed—The first, second, and third angels’ messages are to be proclaimed at this time. These messages are not to be eclipsed by any other fancied specialties. Their force and efficiency are to continue as long as time is given for repentance.—Manuscript 22, 1901 (March 3) 3AM 20.2

Not out of date—The third angel’s message is being considered a matter out-of-date, and yet the state of things in our world is revealing the end near. There is to be a work done that is not done.—Letter 249, 1899 (June 3) 3AM 20.3

The reason for the church’s institutions—The influence of these messages has been deepening and widening, setting in motion the springs of action in thousands of hearts, bringing into existence institutions of learning, publishing houses, and health institutions; all these are the instrumentalities of God to cooperate in the grand work represented by the first, second, and third angels flying in the midst of heaven to warn the inhabitants of the world that Christ is coming again with power and great glory.—The Review and Herald, December 6, 1892 (Selected Messages 2:117, 118) 3AM 20.4

The messages bring a sacred nearness to God—God has called His church in this day, as He called ancient Israel, to stand as a light in the earth. By the mighty cleaver of truth, the messages of the first, second, and third angels, He has separated them from the churches and from the world to bring them into a sacred nearness to Himself. He has made them the depositaries of His law and has committed to them the great truths of prophecy for this time. Like the holy oracles committed to ancient Israel, these are a sacred trust to be communicated to the world.—Testimonies for the Church 5:455 (1885) 3AM 21.1

Not a theory of man’s inventing—We have a sacred message to bear to the world. The Third Angel’s Message is not a theory of man’s inventing, a speculation of the imagination; but it is the solemn truth of God for these last days. It is the final warning to the perishing souls of men. It is not a system of truth simply to gratify and please the intellect; it means diligent and sacrificing labor to all who accept its holy teaching. The commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus must be brought to the attention of the world. The tidings of the coming of the Saviour must be proclaimed. The judgment scenes must be portrayed before the unenlightened minds of men, and hearts must be aroused to realize the solemnity of the closing hours of probation, and prepare to meet their God.—The Review and Herald, March 13, 1888 3AM 21.2

A work of purification clearly presented—Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14.—The Great Controversy, 425 (1888, 1911) 3AM 21.3