This study is based upon the parable of the vineyard workers in Matthew 20. It will show that there is an addition to the Third Angel’s Message which will be preached mainly by laymen at the eleventh hour.
Prayer Thought
Gospel Workers p. 303
“Every soul must look to God with contrition and humility, that He may guide and lead and bless. We must not trust to others to search the Scriptures for us. Some of our leading brethren have frequently taken their position on the wrong side; and if God would send a message and wait for these older brethren to open the way for its advancement, it would never reach the people. These brethren will be found in this position until they become partakers of the divine nature to a greater extent than ever they have been in the past.” {GW 303.3}
Matthew 20:1-8
1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man [that is] an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.
2. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4. And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7. They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, [that] shall ye receive.
8. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them [their] hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
What do the Householder, Laborers,Vineyard
and Marketplace represent?
1. The Householder is the Lord Himself: COL 396.5 –
“The householder’s dealing with the workers in his vineyard represents
God’s dealing with the human family.”
2. The Laborers are His servants: 1Cor. 3: 8 –
“For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, [ye
are] God’s building.”
3. The penny is their reward.
4. What is the Vineyard? – “God claims the whole earth as His
vineyard.” {COL 301.3}; “The vineyard includes the whole world, and
every part of it is to be worked.” {6T 24.1}
5. What is the Market-place? – “The words of Christ apply to the
church: ‘Why stand ye here all the day idle?’” {5T 203.3}
Who are the Early Morning Laborers?
“They were called just when the sun was beginning to shine, “early in the morning.”
The arrival of the sunlight signifies the arrival of the Bible, the spiritual “Light of the world” (Ps. 119;105) that makes the parabolical day.
The Bible arrived with the Exodus Movement. Therefore, the first group of the parable was ancient Israel as they were going out of Egypt. Exodus 12:41.
Christ’s Object Lessons p. 400 – “The Jews had been the first called into the Lord’s vineyard.”
Their Agreement and Message
“They were the only ones with whom a covenant (agreement) was made. Psalm 119: 8-10 “He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word [which] he commanded to a thousand generations. Which [covenant] he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, [and] to Israel [for] an everlasting covenant:
Hag. 2: 5 “[According to] the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.”
Their message, the Ceremonial System was original. It was never preached before.
Who are the Third Hour Laborers?
The message of the Jews met its fulfillment at the cross. Therefore, the second group, those sent at the third hour, must be the early Christians.
Significantly, the Lord was crucifixion at the 3rd hour of the day– Mark 15: 25, and likewise Pentecost came at the 3rd hour of the day – Acts 2:15.
Their message – the crucifixion, resurrection and heavenly Priesthood of Christ – Matt. 28: 19, 20; Acts 2: 22-46 was also original like that of Ancient Israel. It was never preached before.
Consequently, the next three groups in the Christian era also, must preach original messages or new revelations of truth.
Christ’s Object lessons pp. 127, 128
In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God to the people of that generation. The old truths are all essential; new truth is not independent of the old, but an unfolding of it. It is only as the old truths are understood that we can comprehend the new. When Christ desired to open to His disciples the truth of His resurrection, He began “at Moses and all the prophets” and “expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:27. But it is the light which shines in the fresh unfolding of truth that glorifies the old. He who rejects or neglects the new does not really possess the old. For him it loses its vital power and becomes but a lifeless form. {COL 127.4}
WHO ARE THE Sixth Hour Laborers?
- This third group of laborers with an original truth must be sought during the years following the Reformation since the Protestant Reformation had no new message of its own, and was purely an endeavor to restore old, trodden-down truths.
- The only group with such a message after the Reformation was the First Day Adventists, the Millerites.
- In 1833 they began proclaiming that the cleansing of the sanctuary (Dan. 8:14), was to commence in 1844. It was not fully understood.
The Great Controversy pp. 324, 325
“…Miller accepted the generally received view that in the Christian age the earth is the sanctuary, and he therefore understood that the cleansing of the sanctuary foretold in Daniel 8:14 represented the purification of the earth by fire at the second coming of Christ.…” {GC 324.3}
Early Writings p. 243
“Jesus did not come to the earth as the waiting, joyful company expected, to cleanse the sanctuary by purifying the earth by fire. I saw that they were correct in their reckoning of the prophetic periods; prophetic time closed in 1844, and Jesus entered the most holy place to cleanse the sanctuary at the ending of the days. Their mistake consisted in not understanding what the sanctuary was and the nature of its cleansing…” {EW 243.2}
Sixth and Ninth hour calls made conjointly
Matt. 20: 5 – “Again He went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.”
The messages and servants of these two calls were to be closely related to and associated with each other.
Who are the Ninth Hour Laborers?
- The ninth hour call applies to Seventh-day Adventists who, at the terminus of the prophetic 2300 days (Dan. 8: 14) in October 1844, proclaimed the Investigative Judgment (of the Dead), the First Angel’s Message in its primary phase, along with the Second and Third Angels’ Messages (Rev. 14: 6-10).
- The proclamation of the judgment of the dead was to “many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” Rev. 10: 11. Not to “all” or “every.”
Revelation 10: 10, 11
10. And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
11. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
- After the Millerites experienced their disappointment in 1844, a remnant of them formed the SDA church. They were then told to “prophesy again” before “many” peoples not to all or every nation.
- Therefore, the message of the ninth hour Servants, not destined to go to “all” nations, will not finish the work.
- Thus, there must be another message, “the Judgment of the Living”, the last before ‘the end of day’ that will finish the work. It must be proclaimed by the Eleventh Hour Servants and it will go to every nation.
Who are the Eleventh Hour laborers?
- The Eleventh Hour Call is the last on record, coming just one hour before sunset (the close of probation), before “the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4.
- The call comes to those not ‘hired’ within the same three hours period in which the ninth hour Servants were ‘hired’. Thus it is a call of the faithful SDA laity, of those who are anxiously waiting to serve the Lord, but who previously have not been given the opportunity, those spoken of in Rev. 14: 1, 4, 5.
- Observe that Rev. 14: 1-5 mentions the 144,000 and verses 6 and 7 speak of the judgment message going to “every nation.” This must be the proclamation of the Judgment of the Living by the 144,000.
Revelation 14: 1-7
1. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
4. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, [being] the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
6. And I saw another angel fly 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,
7. 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.
Why Another Call, And So Late In The Day?
Rev. 3:14-18 – “The message to the church of the Laodiceans is a startling denunciation, and is applicable to the people of God at the present time.” {3T 252.1}
Testimonies Vol. 5 p. 82
“…The call to this great and solemn work was presented to men of learning and position; had these been little in their own eyes and trusted fully in the Lord, He would have honored them with bearing His standard in triumph to the victory. But they separated from God, yielded to the influence of the world, and the Lord rejected them.” {5T 82.2}
Testimonies To Ministers p. 86
“The conviction is gaining ground in the world that Seventh-day Adventists are giving the trumpet an uncertain sound, that they are following in the path of worldlings.” {TM 86.2}
Testimonies Vol. 5 p. 217
“The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power.” {5T 217.2}
Christ Object Lessons p. 316
“Daily the church is being converted to the world. {COL 315.3}
What Event Reveals The Eleventh Hour Servants?
Isaiah 66: 15, 16, 19, 20
15. For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16. For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
19. And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, [to] Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, [to] Tubal, and Javan, [to] the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
20. And they shall bring all your brethren [for] an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
Testimonies Vol. 3 p. 266
“The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people.” {3T 266.2}
What Message will the Eleventh hour Laborers Proclaim?
Review and Herald, November 19, 1908 par. 9
“The third angel’s message is to lighten the earth with its glory; but only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it when it shall have swelled into the loud cry.” {RH, November 19, 1908 par. 9}
Testimonies Vol. 6 p. 406
“We are to throw aside our narrow, selfish plans, remembering that we have a work of the largest magnitude and highest importance. In doing this work we are sounding the first, second, and third angel’s messages, and are thus being prepared for the coming of that other angel from heaven who is to lighten the earth with his glory.” {6T 406.5}
Great Controversy p. 611
“The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third angel’s message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here foretold. The advent movement of 1840-44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first angel’s message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in some countries there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be exceeded by the mighty movement under the last warning of the third angel.
“The work will be similar to that of the Day of
Pentecost…” {GC 611.1,2}
Great Controversy p. 604
“…God still has a people in Babylon; and before the visitation of His judgments these faithful ones must be called out, that they partake not of her sins and “receive not of her plagues.” Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. In connection with his message the call is heard: “Come out of her, My people.” These announcements, uniting with the third angel’s message, constitute the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth.” {GC 604.1}
Early Writings p. 277
“I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message…The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel’s message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel’s message. {EW 277.1}
“…This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844…” {EW 277.2}
Is the call to come out of Babylon being given today? No.
Great Controversy p. 389
“Not yet, however, can it be said that “Babylon is fallen,… because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She has not yet made all nations do this.” {GC 389.2}
Great Controversy p. 383 (1888 edition) or Universe in Conflict page 324
“Furthermore, in the eighteenth chapter of the Revelation, in a message which is yet future, the people of God are called upon to come out of Babylon.” {GC88 382.3}
What Will be the Reaction to the Message?
Review and Herald, May 27, 1890 par. 6
“The third angel’s message will not be comprehended, the light which will lighten the earth with its glory will be called a false light, by those who refuse to walk in its advancing glory…” {RH, May 27, 1890 par. 6}
Testimonies Vol. 5, p. 728
“We need never expect that when the Lord has light for His people, Satan will stand calmly by and make no effort to prevent them from receiving it. He will work upon minds to excite distrust and jealousy and unbelief. Let us beware that we do not refuse the light God sends, because it does not come in a way to please us. Let not God’s blessing be turned away from us because we know not the time of our visitation. If there are any who do not see and accept the light themselves, let them not stand in the way of others. Let it not be said of this highly favored people, as of the Jews when the good news of the kingdom was preached to them: “Ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” {5T 728.1}
Summary
The parable reveals the different groups of laborers called and the messages they proclaimed. It shows that the eleventh hour laborers will be the 144,000 with their message of the Judgment of the living – the Loud Cry of Revelation 18, the other Angel that joins the Third Angel’s message and gives it “power and force.” It is not the outpouring of the Spirit but another message that joins the third and prepares the church to finish the gospel.
