The book of Revelation reveals the rise of a great, worldwide religious
movement before the Second Advent. In John's vision, an angel heralding
Christ's return symbolized this movement: "I saw an angel flying in the midst
of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the
earth and to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people -- saying with a loud
voice, 'Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement has come;
and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.'"
[ REV 14:6,7 ]
The message itself indicates when it is to be proclaimed. The everlasting
gospel has been preached throughout all ages. But this message, emphasizing
the judgement aspect of the gospel, could only be proclaimed in the time of
the end, for it warns that the "hour of His judgement has come."
The book of Daniel informs us that in the time of the end its prophecies
would be unsealed. [ DAN 12:4 ] At that time people would understand its
mysteries. The unsealing took place as the 1260-year period of papl dominance
came to its end with the captivity of the pope in 1798. The combination of the
exile of the pope and the signs in the natural world led many Christians to
study the prophecies about the events leading to the Second Advent, which
resulted in a new depth of understanding of these prophecies.
This focus on the Second Advent also brought about a worldwide revival
of the Advent hope. As the Reformation sprang up independently in various
countries throughout the Christian world, so did the Advent movement. The
worldwide nature of this movement is one of the clearest signs that Christ's
return is drawing near. As John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ's
first advent, so the Advent movement is preparing the way for His second
advent -- proclaiming the message of Revelation 14:6-12, God's final call to
get ready for the glorious return of the Savior.