The Theology of the "Cries" in the Bible and in History are of great interest and the topic in this short account. It is easy to conclude that no one "cries" unless there is some kind of urgency. That is exactly the case on the subject we present. This article is linked to from near the top of the first page of here and about half down in here.

Not knowing our readers background information we shall try to present the anchor points on this topic so they are easy to understand.

We may start out with some assertions, which we shall not take time to try and proof in all details except to say that a prerequisite on this topic is a belief in the Almighty God.

Having said that we underscore that the true God is not a God with only human qualities or capabilities. The God who is almighty, is that, because he transcends all human capabilities and imaginations. Simply put, He literally can create life - speak it into existence - and he is not limited to clock time or past, present and future. While that is hard for us to understand it is so, because we are like an ant so to speak, which comes up to the leg of an elephant and thinks, wow, I have to run all around this thing, no way to just walk across it, only to arrive at the next leg, and having to walk around that one two and meanwhile never ever knowing what a mighty un-ant-like creature these `legs' belong to. That is about our human situation when we try to understand God. We have to rely on the assertions in the Bible when it comes to this subject.

The Midnight Cry

Let us first talk about the `Midnight Cry'. It is a cry uttered in a situation where people realize that something important is about to happen. They waited so to speak all day for it to occur, but it did not until just about midnight, that is, after they got weary and tired and almost lost their focus on what they were waiting for. - And that is where the effect of this message resides. While it is a "cry" it is also a message which is being `yelled', `cried' or `proclaimed' out loud. It centers on a story Jesus once told on the subject of a wedding. - When Jesus tells these stories He always teaches something important. So let us briefly provide the basic details of this particular story. The reader can look it up in Matthew 25:

25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

To make things worse for them, after they had run down to the store and came back, the bride groom had arrived meanwhile, gone inside the wedding chapel and locked the doors - for you see, this wedding represents the Second Coming of Christ to which we are all invited but must ready ourselves, so we won't get there late and find the door to heaven, to eternal life, locked because we had gotten careless and not occupied ourselves with what God says about those who can be saved into His Kingdom, by reading (studying) about it in the Bible.

There, the "midnight cry" is uttered by those who had plenty of oil, they were prepared for any and all circumstances which might develop, and stood by the door and, yes, they fell all asleep. But then, every once in a while, someone woke up and looked down the path to be the first who would see the bridegroom coming. Unfortunately this sleeping and waking, took longer than half of those who came for the wedding anticipated and their lamps ran out of oil. They set in the dark. They had lost their connection to the Word of God. It was impossible for them to see the bridegroom coming without those lamps burning and providing light - to read the Bible about the Coming of Jesus and thus be prepared. - So they ran off to town to buy more oil. They looked in this and that store. Perhaps they found a band playing some music and they stood and listened to it for a while. Then they met some people and they started talking, laughing and joking around with them . . . and all the while the bridegroom came nearer to the place of His wedding. - When these five virgins (Christians or once believing people) came back, they were too late. The door was closed. Christ had come and they lose out on eternal life because their mind was focused on the joys of this world, disregarding the high price we live for and which will turn out to be the only reality worth living for.

But the other five virgins had plenty of oil. They had gone to hear the messenger of the Lord bring the invitation for the wedding. So they had decided, that, instead of going down to some frivolous entertainment they would attend the wedding. They believed in the Bridegroom who had "married" the church, God's faithful people, who knew that someday He would come and make salvation out of this world of sin a reality. That the groom tarried, they knew, must have a valid reason. Knowing the groom, he probably had to look after a situation requiring to make saving decisions, for His office was that of the High Priest in the sanctuary. It was there that they all had obtained their lamps and oil to start with, plus a healthy dose of trusting and confident faith (Ps. 112:7; Phil. 1:6). They set together all night, they supported the gospel preaching of their church, while the careless wasted precious time and did not exercise faith in the Word of God despite having been told about it ... and so they ... turned away from those uninterested, and they set together, quietly encouraging each other, and trimming their lamps to make the flame last for a long time.

Finally, when they saw Him, they cried out, "The Bridegroom cometh." He is here.

So, the "midnight cry" is this last exclamation - `Look up!' `The Lord is here.'

The Loud Cry

Is the `Loud Cry' a different aspect to what we talked about above? Yes.

While the "Midnight Cry" was a joyous cry, the `Loud Cry" is rung out of the mouth of those who utter it after some anguishing experiences. It reminds me a little bit on the day I uttered an involuntary cry because of a great pain inflicted on me in a physicians office. I knew it was coming but when it happened it was so much worse, that I cried out despite me being quite a tolerant guy when it comes to pain. Perhaps this `loud cry' is something along this line of events.

The Biblical text presenting this "loud cry or voice" reads as follows:

14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

So, when Christians over the ages read this they always tried to figure out what the meaning of these verses were. Not until history revealed who this `beast' was and what the kind of `worship' is, which some offer this beast, did they begin to understand the meaning. Good thing we do not have to talk about these explanations in this short paper, because we present it already here starting with the first angel's message and then the second and third all conveniently presented in the same paper.

Ellen White declares, "The prophecies in the eighteenth of Revelation will soon be fulfilled. During the proclamation of the third angel's message, "another angel" is to "come down from heaven, having great power," and the earth is to be "lighted with his glory." The Spirit of the Lord will so graciously bless consecrated human instrumentalities that men, women, and children will open their lips in praise and thanksgiving, filling the earth with the knowledge of God, and with his unsurpassed glory, as the waters cover the sea." {RH, October 13, 1904 par. 3}

The message of the third angel will culminate in the loud cry of Revelation 18:1,2. Ellen White frequently identifies the loud cry as the loud cry of the third angel. Notice, for example, the following statement:

"At the time of the loud cry of the third angel those who have been in any measure blinded by the enemy, who have not fully recovered themselves from the snare of Satan, will be in peril, because it will be difficult for them to discern the light from heaven, and they will be inclined to accept falsehood. Their erroneous experience will color their thoughts, their decisions, their propositions, their counsels. The evidences that God has given will be no evidence to those who have blinded their eyes by choosing darkness rather than light. After rejecting light, they will originate theories which they will call "light," but which the Lord calls, "Sparks of their own kindling," (Isa. 50:11) by which they will direct their steps. The Lord declares, "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow." (Isa. 50:10,11) Jesus said: "For judgment I am come into the world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind." (John 9:39) "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." (John 12:46) "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." (John 12:48) {RH, December 13, 1892 par. 3}

The third angel's message and its loud cry are worldwide in extent. They give purpose to the existence of the SdA Church. The church is to sound the last warning message to the world.

A Call to Come Out of Babylon

In the loud cry, God calls His people out of the bedlam of religious confusion and false doctrine with which Babylon has beguiled the nations. The great theme of the loud cry of the third angel's message is a call for men and women to accept God as the Creator, Savious, and Redeemer. The final message to be given to the world in the end time is for people to keep the commandments of God (and the Sabbath is embodied in the heart of these commandments) and the faith of Jesus (Rev. 14:12). At the same time there is a counterfeit power at work. With signs and lying wonders he promotes a spurious apostate day of worship and "deceives the whole world" except God's faithful people. The acceptance of the true Sabbath or the counterfeit day of worship will divide Christendom.

"At every revival of God's work the prince of evil is aroused to more intense activity; he is now putting forth his utmost efforts for a final struggle against Christ and His followers. The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.
Those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided. They can stand only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict." {GC 593,594.}

"So it will be in the great final conflict of the controversy between righteousness and sin. While new life and light and power are descending from on high upon the disciples of Christ, a new life is springing up from beneath, and energizing the agencies of Satan. Intensity is taking possession of every earthly element. With a subtlety gained through centuries of conflict, the prince of evil works under a disguile. He appears clothed as an angel of light, and multitudes are "giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 1 Timothy 4:1. {DA 257.2}

During this time the people of God will make earnest, persevering efforts to come up to God's standard of preparation. They will confess their sins and overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit.

"God requires all who believe the truth to make special, persevering efforts to place themselves in the best possible condition of bodily health, for a solemn and important work is before us. Health of body and mind is required for this work; it is as essential to a healthy religious experience, to advancement in the Christian life and progress in holiness, as is the hand or foot to the human body. God requires His people to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. All those who are indifferent and excuse themselves from this work, waiting for the Lord to do for them that which He requires them to do for themselves, will be found wanting when the meek of the earth, who have wrought His judgments, are hid in the day of the Lord's anger.
I was shown that if God's people make no efforts on their part, but wait for the refreshing to come upon them and remove their wrongs and correct their errors; if they depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third angel, they will be found wanting. The refreshing or power of God comes only on those who have prepared themselves for it by doing the work which God bids them, namely, cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." {1T 619.1}

Reformation prepares way for latter rain

When repentance and reformation have done their work, when the people of God have been cleansed from their sins and filled with the latter rain power of the Holy Ghost, then they will go forth to proclaim with special power Heaven's last invitation to the world. They will preach the message everywhere.

"Those who have held the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end will be wide-awake during the time that the third angel's message is proclaimed with great power. During the loud cry, the church, aided by the providential interpositions of her exalted Lord, will diffuse the knowledge of salvation so abundantly that light will be communicated to every city and town. The earth will be filled with the knowledge of salvation. So abundantly will the renewing Spirit of God have crowned with success the intensely active agencies, that the light of present truth will be seen flashing everywhere." {RH, October 13, 1904 par. 4}

"As foretold in the eighteenth of Revelation, the third angel's message is to be proclaimed with great power by those who give the final warning against the beast and his image . . .
This is the message given by God to be sounded forth in the loud cry of the third angel.
Those whose faith and zeal are proportionate to their knowledge of the truth will reveal their loyalty to God by communicating the truth, in all its saving, sanctifying power, to those with whom they associate. Their lives of holiness and unselfish service will be in conformity with the vital principles of the kingdom of heaven." {8T 118.1-3}

"The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and, in this work, papists and Protestants unite. As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be invoked against commandment keepers. They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith. But their steadfast answer is: "Show us from the word of God our error"--the same plea that was made by Luther under similar circumstances. Those who are arraigned before the courts make a strong vindication of the truth, and some who hear them are led to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God. Thus light will be brought before thousands who otherwise would know nothing of these truths.
. . . The words of Paul will be literally fulfilled: "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12. As the defenders of truth refuse to honor the Sunday-sabbath, some of them will be thrust into prison, some will be exiled, some will be treated as slaves. To human wisdom all this now seems impossible; but as the restraining Spirit of God shall be withdrawn from men, and they shall be under the control of Satan, who hates the divine precepts, there will be strange developments. The heart can be very cruel when God's fear and love are removed." {GC 608.1}

"Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers. Satan also works, with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Revelation 13:13. Thus the inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take their stand." {GC 612.1}

Universal Sunday law

Calamities, trouble, war, and all kinds of disasters - natural and man made - will afflict the earth. (Written in 1978) When a universal Sunday law is passed (still future), the wicked will declare that the little group of people who refuse to acknowledge the "Lord's day," who refuse to keep the sabbath appointed by the governments, who refuse to unite with them in prayer for God to relieve them from the awful miseries that afflict the earth, are responsible for all these calamities. If it were not for these Sabbathkeepers, they assert, God would hear their prayers and remove His judgments. Then laws will be passed to destroy those faithful ones who keep the Bible Sabbath of the Lord and acknowledge God as Creator.

Despite threats of persecution, "the great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close. Here are "the times of refreshing" to which the apostle Peter looked forward when he said: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus." Acts 3:19, 20. . . .
The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord's side. . . " {GC 612.2}

The church will be victorious. God's people will be vindicated because their hope rests in Jesus, who is made unto them "wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1.Cor. 1:30). Let us be earnest about this wonderful truth that God has revealed to us. Let us determine to be the angel crying with a loud voice. Let us by precept and by example take our stand on the truth of God's Word. Let us share this truth with those who know it not. To us God has given the message of the loud cry to do its work for His church and the world.

In this time of great trouble God will vindicate His people. "The decree will go forth that they must disregard the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and honor the first day, or lose their lives; but they will not yield, and trample under their feet the Sabbath of the Lord, and honor an institution of papacy. Satan's host and wicked men will surround them, and exult over them, because there will seem to be no way of escape for them. But in the midst of their revelry and triumph, there is heard peal upon peal of the loudest thunder. The heavens have gathered blackness, and are only illuminated by the blazing light and terrible glory from heaven, as God utters His voice from His holy habitation.
The foundations of the earth shake; buildings totter and fall with a terrible crash. The sea boils like a pot, and the whole earth is in terrible commotion. The captivity of the righteous is turned, and with sweet and solemn whisperings they say to each other, "We are delivered. It is the voice of God." (Jer. 7:10; Dt. 4:33) . . ." {Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 353, 354}. {YRP 342.4}

"The substitution of the false for the true is the last act in the drama. When this substitution becomes universal, God will reveal himself. When the laws of men are exalted above the laws of God, when the powers of this earth try to force men to keep the first day of the week, know that the time has come for God to work. He will arise in His majesty, and will shake terribly the earth. He will come out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the world for their iniquity." {RH, April 23, 1901 par. 7}

During this present time, while the Spirit of God is being poured out, I entreat you, take your stand with the Lord Jesus. Give glory to Him today and forever. [C.D. Henri, Preparation for the Loud Cry in `Review', August 10, 1978, p. 3-5.]