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Chapter 15—The Second Angel’s Message
The churches that refused to receive the first angel’s message, re-
jected light from Heaven. That message was sent in mercy to arouse
them to see their true condition of worldliness and backsliding, and
to seek a preparation to meet their Lord. God has ever required his
people to remain separate from the world, that they might not be
allured from their allegiance to him. He delivered the Israelites from
bondage in Egypt because he would not have them corrupted by the
idolatry with which they were there surrounded. The children of this
world are the children of darkness. Their attention is not directed to
the Sun of Righteousness, but is centered upon themselves and the
treasures of earth. Blinded by the God of this world, they have no
just perception of the glory and majesty of the true God. While they
enjoy his gifts, they forget the claims of the Giver. Such have chosen
to walk in darkness, and they are led by the prince of the powers of
darkness. They do not love and enjoy divine things, because they do
not discern their value or loveliness. They have alienated themselves
from the light of God, and their understanding becomes so confused
in regard to that which is right, true, and holy, that the things of the
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Spirit of God are foolishness to them.
It was to separate the church of Christ from the corrupting influ-
ence of the world that the first angel’s message was given. But with
the multitude, even of professed Christians, the ties which bound
them to earth were stronger than the attractions heavenward. They
chose to listen to the voice of worldly wisdom, and turned away
from the heart-searching message of truth.
Peter, writing as he was inspired by the Holy Spirit, described the
manner in which the message of Christ’s second coming would be
received: “There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after
their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for
since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the
beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that
by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing
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