Biblical explanation
In Exodus 3, "the angel of the LORD" appears to Moses in the burning bush. Yet the passage then says: "God called unto him out of the midst of the bush." Exodus 3:4 The Angel speaks as God: "I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Exodus 3:6 Other passages show the Angel of the LORD acting as God's messenger and protector. Judges 13 provides another striking example. Manoah asks the Angel's name, and the Angel responds: "Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?" Judges 13:18 Manoah then says: "We have seen God." Judges 13:22 Some Christians understand these appearances as pre-incarnate appearances of Christ. Scripture provides strong reasons for that interpretation in certain passages, but it does not explicitly say in every occurrence that the Angel of the LORD is Jesus.
Key takeaway
The great controversy reveals God's character as Christ ministers as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. The dead await the resurrection, Christ's return will be visible and personal, and prophecy calls believers to faithful mission rather than date-setting or fear.