第9章

Isaiah26:19；25:8，9。

AndHabakkuk，raptinholyvision，beheldHisappearing。"GodcamefromTeman，andtheHolyOnefromMountParan。Hisglorycoveredtheheavens，andtheearthwasfullofHispraise。AndHisbrightnesswasasthelight。""Hestood，andmeasuredtheearth:Hebeheld，anddroveasunderthenations；andtheeverlastingmountainswerescattered，theperpetualhilldidbow:Hiswaysareeverlasting。""ThoudidstrideuponThinehorsesandThychariotsofsalvation。""ThemountainssawThee，andtheytrembled:……thedeeputteredhisvoice，andlifteduphishandsonhigh。Thesunandmoonstoodstillintheir301

habitation:atthelightofThinearrowstheywent，andattheshiningofThyglitteringspear。""ThouwentestforthforthesalvationofThypeople，evenforsalvationwithThineanointed。"Habakkuk3:3，4，6，8，10，11，13。

WhentheSaviourwasabouttobeseparatedfromHisdisciples，HecomfortedthemintheirsorrowwiththeassurancethatHewouldcomeagain:"Letnotyourheartbetroubled……InMyFather’shousearemanymansions……

Igotoprepareaplaceforyou。AndifIgoandprepareaplaceforyou，I

willcomeagain，andreceiveyouuntoMyself。"John14:1-3。"TheSonofmanshallcomeinHisglory，andalltheholyangelswithHim。""ThenshallHesituponthethroneofHisglory:andbeforeHimshallbegatheredallnations。"Matthew25:31，32。

TheangelswholingereduponOlivetafterChrist’sascensionrepeatedtothedisciplesthepromiseofHisreturn:"ThissameJesus，whichistakenupfromyouintoheaven，shallsocomeinlikemannerasyehaveseenHimgointoheaven。"Acts1:11。AndtheapostlePaul，speakingbytheSpiritofInspiration，testified:"TheLordHimselfshalldescendfromheavenwithashout，withthevoiceoftheArchangel，andwiththetrumpofGod。"1

Thessalonians4:16。SaystheprophetofPatmos:"Behold，Hecomethwithclouds；andeveryeyeshallseeHim。"Revelation1:7。

AboutHiscomingclusterthegloriesofthat"restitutionofallthings，whichGodhathspokenbythemouthofallHisholyprophetssincetheworldbegan。"Acts3:21。Thenthelong-continuedruleofevilshallbebroken；

"thekingdomsofthisworld"willbecome"thekingdomsofourLord，andofHisChrist；andHeshallreignforeverandever。"Revelation11:15。"ThegloryoftheLordshallberevealed，andallfleshshallseeittogether。"

"TheLordGodwillcauserighteousnessandpraisetospringforthbeforeallthenations。"Heshallbe"foracrownofglory，andforadiademofbeauty，untotheresidueofHispeople。"Isaiah40:5；61:11；28:5。

302

Itisthenthatthepeacefulandlong-desiredkingdomoftheMessiahshallbeestablishedunderthewholeheaven。"TheLordshallcomfortZion:Hewillcomfortallherwasteplaces；andHewillmakeherwildernesslikeEden，andherdesertlikethegardenoftheLord。""ThegloryofLebanonshallbegivenuntoit，theexcellencyofCarmelandSharon。""ThoushaltnomorebetermedForsaken；neithershallthylandanymorebetermedDesolate:butthoushaltbecalledMyDelight，andthylandBeulah。""Asthebridegroomrejoicethoverthebride，soshallthyGodrejoiceoverthee。"Isaiah51:3；

35:2；62:4，5，margin。

ThecomingoftheLordhasbeeninallagesthehopeofHistruefollowers。

TheSaviour’spartingpromiseuponOlivet，thatHewouldcomeagain，lightedupthefutureforHisdisciples，fillingtheirheartswithjoyandhopethatsorrowcouldnotquenchnortrialsdim。Amidsufferingandpersecution，the"appearingofthegreatGodandourSaviourJesusChrist"wasthe"blessedhope。"WhentheThessalonianChristianswerefilledwithgriefastheyburiedtheirlovedones，whohadhopedtolivetowitnessthecomingoftheLord，Paul，theirteacher，pointedthemtotheresurrection，totakeplaceattheSaviour’sadvent。ThenthedeadinChristshouldrise，andtogetherwiththelivingbecaughtuptomeettheLordintheair。"Andso，"hesaid，"shallweeverbewiththeLord。Whereforecomfortoneanotherwiththesewords。"1Thessalonians4:16-18。

OnrockyPatmosthebeloveddisciplehearsthepromise，"SurelyIcomequickly，"andhislongingresponsevoicestheprayerofthechurchinallherpilgrimage，"Evenso，come，LordJesus。"Revelation22:20。

Fromthedungeon，thestake，thescaffold，wheresaintsandmartyrswitnessedforthetruth，comesdownthecenturiestheutteranceoftheirfaithandhope。Being"assuredofHispersonalresurrection，andconsequentlyoftheirownatHiscoming，forthiscause，"saysoneoftheseChristians，"theydespiseddeath，andwerefoundtobeaboveit。"——DanielT。

Taylor，TheReignofChristonEarth:or，TheVoice303

oftheChurchinAllAges，page33。Theywerewillingtogodowntothegrave，thattheymight"risefree。"——Ibid。，page54。Theylookedforthe"LordtocomefromheaveninthecloudswiththegloryofHisFather，""bringingtothejustthetimesofthekingdom。"TheWaldensescherishedthesamefaith——Ibid。，pages129-132。

WycliffelookedforwardtotheRedeemer’sappearingasthehopeofthechurch——Ibid。，pages132-134。

Lutherdeclared:"Ipersuademyselfverily，thatthedayofjudgmentwillnotbeabsentfullthreehundredyears。Godwillnot，cannot，sufferthiswickedworldmuchlonger。""Thegreatdayisdrawingnearinwhichthekingdomofabominationsshallbeoverthrown。"——Ibid。，pages158，134。

"Thisagedworldisnotfarfromitsend，"saidMelanchthon。CalvinbidsChristians"nottohesitate，ardentlydesiringthedayofChrist’scomingasofalleventsmostauspicious；"anddeclaresthat"thewholefamilyofthefaithfulwillkeepinviewthatday。""WemusthungerafterChrist，wemustseek，contemplate，"hesays，"tillthedawningofthatgreatday，whenourLordwillfullymanifestthegloryofHiskingdom。"——Ibid。，pages158，134。

"HasnottheLordJesuscarriedupourfleshintoheaven？"saidKnox，theScotchReformer，"andshallHenotreturn？WeknowthatHeshallreturn，andthatwithexpedition。"RidleyandLatimer，wholaiddowntheirlivesforthetruth，lookedinfaithfortheLord’scoming。Ridleywrote:"Theworldwithoutdoubt——thisIdobelieve，andthereforeIsayit——drawstoanend。

LetuswithJohn，theservantofGod，cryinourheartsuntoourSaviourChrist，Come，LordJesus，come。"——Ibid。，pages151，145。

"ThethoughtsofthecomingoftheLord，"saidBaxter，"aremostsweetandjoyfultome。"——RichardBaxter，Works，vol。17，p。555。"ItistheworkoffaithandthecharacterofHissaintstoloveHisappearingandtolookforthatblessedhope。""Ifdeathbethelastenemytobedestroyedattheresurrection，wemaylearnhowearnestlybelieversshouldlongandprayforthesecondcomingofChrist，whenthis304

fullandfinalconquestshallbemade。"——Ibid。，vol。17，p。500。"Thisisthedaythatallbelieversshouldlong，andhope，andwaitfor，asbeingtheaccomplishmentofalltheworkoftheirredemption，andallthedesiresandendeavorsoftheirsouls。""Hasten，OLord，thisblessedday！"——Ibid。，vol。

17，pp。

182，183。Suchwasthehopeoftheapostolicchurch，ofthe"churchinthewilderness，"andoftheReformers。

ProphecynotonlyforetellsthemannerandobjectofChrist’scoming，butpresentstokensbywhichmenaretoknowwhenitisnear。SaidJesus:"Thereshallbesignsinthesun，andinthemoon，andinthestars。"Luke21:25。

"Thesunshallbedarkened，andthemoonshallnotgiveherlight，andthestarsofheavenshallfall，andthepowersthatareinheavenshallbeshaken。AndthenshalltheyseetheSonofmancominginthecloudswithgreatpowerandglory。"Mark13:24-26。Therevelatorthusdescribesthefirstofthesignstoprecedethesecondadvent:"Therewasagreatearthquake；andthesunbecameblackassackclothofhair，andthemoonbecameasblood。"Revelation6:12。

Thesesignswerewitnessedbeforetheopeningofthenineteenthcentury。Infulfillmentofthisprophecythereoccurred，intheyear1755，themostterribleearthquakethathaseverbeenrecorded。ThoughcommonlyknownastheearthquakeofLisbon，itextendedtothegreaterpartofEurope，Africa，andAmerica。ItwasfeltinGreenland，intheWestIndies，intheislandofMadeira，inNorwayandSweden，GreatBritainandIreland。Itpervadedanextentofnotlessthanfourmillionsquaremiles。InAfricatheshockwasalmostassevereasinEurope。AgreatpartofAlgierswasdestroyed；andashortdistancefromMorocco，avillagecontainingeightortenthousandinhabitantswasswallowedup。AvastwavesweptoverthecoastofSpainandAfricaengulfingcitiesandcausinggreatdestruction。

ItwasinSpainandPortugalthattheshockmanifesteditsextremeviolence。

AtCadiztheinflowingwavewassaidtobesixtyfeethigh。Mountains，"someofthelargestinPortugal，wereimpetuouslyshaken，asitwere，fromtheirvery305

foundations，andsomeofthemopenedattheirsummits，whichweresplitandrentinawonderfulmanner，hugemassesofthembeingthrowndownintotheadjacentvalleys。Flamesarerelatedtohaveissuedfromthesemountains。"——

SirCharlesLyell，PrinciplesofGeology，page495。

AtLisbon"asoundofthunderwasheardunderground，andimmediatelyafterwardsaviolentshockthrewdownthegreaterpartofthatcity。Inthecourseofaboutsixminutessixtythousandpersonsperished。Theseafirstretired，andlaidthebardry；itthenrolledin，risingfiftyfeetormoreaboveitsordinarylevel。""AmongotherextraordinaryeventsrelatedtohaveoccurredatLisbonduringthecatastrophe，wasthesubsidenceofanewquay，builtentirelyofmarble，atanimmenseexpense。Agreatconcourseofpeoplehadcollectedthereforsafety，asaspotwheretheymightbebeyondthereachoffallingruins；butsuddenlythequaysankdownwithallthepeopleonit，andnotoneofthedeadbodieseverfloatedtothesurface。"——Ibid。，page495。

"Theshock"oftheearthquake"wasinstantlyfollowedbythefallofeverychurchandconvent，almostallthelargepublicbuildings，andmorethanonefourthofthehouses。Inabouttwohoursaftertheshock，firesbrokeoutindifferentquarters，andragedwithsuchviolenceforthespaceofnearlythreedays，thatthecitywascompletelydesolated。Theearthquakehappenedonaholyday，whenthechurchesandconventswerefullofpeople，veryfewofwhomescaped。"——EncyclopediaAmericana，art。"Lisbon，"note(ed。1831)。

"Theterrorofthepeoplewasbeyonddescription。Nobodywept；itwasbeyondtears。Theyranhitherandthither，deliriouswithhorrorandastonishment，beatingtheirfacesandbreasts，crying，’Misericordia！theworld’satanend！’Mothersforgottheirchildren，andranaboutloadedwithcrucifixedimages。Unfortunately，manyrantothechurchesforprotection；butinvainwasthesacramentexposed；invaindidthepoorcreaturesembracethealtars；images，priests，andpeoplewereburiedinonecommonruin。"Ithasbeenestimatedthatninetythousandpersonslosttheirlivesonthatfatalday。

306

Twenty-fiveyearslaterappearedthenextsignmentionedintheprophecy——thedarkeningofthesunandmoon。Whatrenderedthismorestrikingwasthefactthatthetimeofitsfulfillmenthadbeendefinitelypointedout。IntheSaviour’sconversationwithHisdisciplesuponOlivet，afterdescribingthelongperiodoftrialforthechurch，——the1260yearsofpapalpersecution，concerningwhichHehadpromisedthatthetribulationshouldbeshortened，——HethusmentionedcertaineventstoprecedeHiscoming，andfixedthetimewhenthefirstoftheseshouldbewitnessed:"Inthosedays，afterthattribulation，thesunshallbedarkened，andthemoonshallnotgiveherlight。"Mark13:24。The1260days，oryears，terminatedin1798。Aquarterofacenturyearlier，persecutionhadalmostwhollyceased。Followingthispersecution，accordingtothewordsofChrist，thesunwastobedarkened。Onthe19thofMay，1780，thisprophecywasfulfilled。

"Almost，ifnotaltogetheralone，asthemostmysteriousandasyetunexplainedphenomenonofitskind，……standsthedarkdayofMay19，1780，——amostunaccountabledarkeningofthewholevisibleheavensandatmosphereinNewEngland。"——R。M。Devens，OurFirstCentury，page89。

AneyewitnesslivinginMassachusettsdescribestheeventasfollows:"Inthemorningthesunroseclear，butwassoonovercast。Thecloudsbecamelowery，andfromthem，blackandominous，astheysoonappeared，lightningflashed，thunderrolled，andalittlerainfell。Towardnineo’clock，thecloudsbecamethinner，andassumedabrassyorcopperyappearance，andearth，rocks，trees，buildings，water，andpersonswerechangedbythisstrange，unearthlylight。Afewminuteslater，aheavyblackcloudspreadovertheentireskyexceptanarrowrimatthehorizon，anditwasasdarkasitusuallyisatnineo’clockonasummerevening……

"Fear，anxiety，andawegraduallyfilledthemindsofthepeople。Womenstoodatthedoor，lookingoutuponthedarklandscape；menreturnedfromtheirlaborinthefields；the307

carpenterlefthistools，theblacksmithhisforge，thetradesmanhiscounter。Schoolsweredismissed，andtremblinglythechildrenfledhomeward。

Travelersputupatthenearestfarmhouse。’Whatiscoming？’queriedeverylipandheart。Itseemedasifahurricanewasabouttodashacrosstheland，orasifitwasthedayoftheconsummationofallthings。

"Candleswereused；andhearthfiresshoneasbrightlyasonamoonlesseveninginautumn……Fowlsretiredtotheirroostsandwenttosleep，cattlegatheredatthepasturebarsandlowed，frogspeeped，birdssangtheireveningsongs，andbatsflewabout。Butthehumanknewthatnighthadnotcome……

"Dr。NathanaelWhittaker，pastoroftheTabernaclechurchinSalem，heldreligiousservicesinthemeeting-house，andpreachedasermoninwhichhemaintainedthatthedarknesswassupernatural。Congregationscametogetherinmanyotherplaces。ThetextsfortheextemporaneoussermonswereinvariablythosethatseemedtoindicatethatthedarknesswasconsonantwithScripturalprophecy……Thedarknesswasmostdenseshortlyaftereleveno’clock。"——TheEssexAntiquarian，April，1899，vol。3，No。4，pp。53，54。"Inmostpartsofthecountryitwassogreatinthedaytime，thatthepeoplecouldnottellthehourbyeitherwatchorclock，nordine，normanagetheirdomesticbusiness，withoutthelightofcandles……

"Theextentofthisdarknesswasextraordinary。ItwasobservedasfareastasFalmouth。TothewestwarditreachedtothefarthestpartofConnecticut，andtoAlbany。Tothesouthward，itwasobservedalongtheseacoasts；andtothenorthasfarastheAmericansettlementsextend。"——WilliamGordon，HistoryoftheRise，Progress，andEstablishmentoftheIndependenceoftheU。S。A。，vol。3，p。57。

Theintensedarknessofthedaywassucceeded，anhourortwobeforeevening，byapartiallyclearsky，andthesunappeared，thoughitwasstillobscuredbytheblack，heavymist。"Aftersundown，thecloudscameagainoverhead，and308

itgrewdarkveryfast。""Norwasthedarknessofthenightlessuncommonandterrifyingthanthatoftheday；notwithstandingtherewasalmostafullmoon，noobjectwasdiscerniblebutbythehelpofsomeartificiallight，which，whenseenfromtheneighboringhousesandotherplacesatadistance，appearedthroughakindofEgyptiandarknesswhichseemedalmostimpervioustotherays。"——IsaiahThomas，MassachusettsSpy；or，AmericanOracleofLiberty，vol。10，No。472(May25，1780)。Saidaneyewitnessofthescene:

"Icouldnothelpconceivingatthetime，thatifeveryluminousbodyintheuniversehadbeenshroudedinimpenetrableshades，orstruckoutofexistence，thedarknesscouldnothavebeenmorecomplete。"——LetterbyDr。

SamuelTenney，ofExeter，NewHampshire，December，1785(inMassachusettsHistoricalSocietyCollections，1792，1stseries，vol。1，p。97)。Thoughatnineo’clockthatnightthemoonrosetothefull，"ithadnottheleasteffecttodispelthedeathlikeshadows。"Aftermidnightthedarknessdisappeared，andthemoon，whenfirstvisible，hadtheappearanceofblood。

May19，1780，standsinhistoryas"TheDarkDay。"SincethetimeofMosesnoperiodofdarknessofequaldensity，extent，andduration，haseverbeenrecorded。Thedescriptionofthisevent，asgivenbyeyewitnesses，isbutanechoofthewordsoftheLord，recordedbytheprophetJoel，twenty-fivehundredyearsprevioustotheirfulfillment:"Thesunshallbeturnedintodarkness，andthemoonintoblood，beforethegreatandterribledayoftheLordcome。"Joel2:31。

ChristhadbiddenHispeoplewatchforthesignsofHisadventandrejoiceastheyshouldbeholdthetokensoftheircomingKing。"Whenthesethingsbegintocometopass，"Hesaid，"thenlookup，andliftupyourheads；foryourredemptiondrawethnigh。"HepointedHisfollowerstothebuddingtreesofspring，andsaid:"Whentheynowshootforth，yeseeandknowofyourownselvesthatsummerisnownighathand。Solikewiseye，whenyeseethesethings309

cometopass，knowyethatthekingdomofGodisnighathand。"Luke21:28，30，31。

Butasthespiritofhumilityanddevotioninthechurchhadgivenplacetoprideandformalism，loveforChristandfaithinHiscominghadgrowncold。

Absorbedinworldlinessandpleasureseeking，theprofessedpeopleofGodwereblindedtotheSaviour’sinstructionsconcerningthesignsofHisappearing。Thedoctrineofthesecondadventhadbeenneglected；thescripturesrelatingtoitwereobscuredbymisinterpretation，untilitwas，toagreatextent，ignoredandforgotten。EspeciallywasthisthecaseinthechurchesofAmerica。Thefreedomandcomfortenjoyedbyallclassesofsociety，theambitiousdesireforwealthandluxury，begettinganabsorbingdevotiontomoney-making，theeagerrushforpopularityandpower，whichseemedtobewithinthereachofall，ledmentocentertheirinterestsandhopesonthethingsofthislife，andtoputfarinthefuturethatsolemndaywhenthepresentorderofthingsshouldpassaway。

WhentheSaviourpointedouttoHisfollowersthesignsofHisreturn，HeforetoldthestateofbackslidingthatwouldexistjustpriortoHissecondadvent。Therewouldbe，asinthedaysofNoah，theactivityandstirofworldlybusinessandpleasureseeking——buying，selling，planting，building，marrying，andgivinginmarriage——withforgetfulnessofGodandthefuturelife。Forthoselivingatthistime，Christ’sadmonitionis:"Takeheedtoyourselves，lestatanytimeyourheartsbeoverchargedwithsurfeiting，anddrunkenness，andcaresofthislife，andsothatdaycomeuponyouunawares。""Watchyetherefore，andprayalways，thatyemaybeaccountedworthytoescapeallthesethingsthatshallcometopass，andtostandbeforetheSonofman。"Luke21:34，36。

TheconditionofthechurchatthistimeispointedoutintheSaviour’swordsintheRevelation:"Thouhastaname310

thatthoulivest，andartdead。"Andtothosewhorefusetoarousefromtheircarelesssecurity，thesolemnwarningisaddressed:"Ifthereforethoushaltnotwatch，Iwillcomeontheeasathief，andthoushaltnotknowwhathourIwillcomeuponthee。"Revelation3:1，3。

Itwasneedfulthatmenshouldbeawakenedtotheirdanger；thattheyshouldberousedtoprepareforthesolemneventsconnectedwiththecloseofprobation。TheprophetofGoddeclares:"ThedayoftheLordisgreatandveryterrible；andwhocanabideit？"WhoshallstandwhenHeappearethwhois"ofpurereyesthantobeholdevil，"andcannot"lookoniniquity"？Joel2:11；Habakkuk1:13。Tothemthatcry，"MyGod，weknowThee，"yethavetransgressedHiscovenant，andhastenedafteranothergod，hidinginiquityintheirhearts，andlovingthepathsofunrighteousness——tothesethedayoftheLordis"darkness，andnotlight，evenverydark，andnobrightnessinit。"Hosea8:2，1；Psalm16；4；Amos5:20。"Itshallcometopassatthattime，"saiththeLord，"thatIwillsearchJerusalemwithcandles，andpunishthementhataresettledontheirlees:thatsayintheirheart，TheLordwillnotdogood，neitherwillHedoevil。"Zephaniah1:12。"Iwillpunishtheworldfortheirevil，andthewickedfortheiriniquity；andI

willcausethearrogancyoftheproudtocease，andwilllaylowthehaughtinessoftheterrible。"Isaiah13:11。"Neithertheirsilvernortheirgoldshallbeabletodeliverthem；""theirgoodsshallbecomeabooty，andtheirhousesadesolation。"Zephaniah1:18，13。

TheprophetJeremiah，lookingforwardtothisfearfultime，exclaimed:"Iampainedatmyveryheart……Icannotholdmypeace，becausethouhastheard，Omysoul，thesoundofthetrumpet，thealarmofwar。Destructionupondestructioniscried。"Jeremiah4:19，20。

"Thatdayisadayofwrath，adayoftroubleanddistress，adayofwastenessanddesolation，adayofdarknessandgloominess，adayofcloudsandthickdarkness，adayofthetrumpetandalarm。"Zephaniah1:15，16。

"Behold，theday311

oftheLordcometh，……tolaythelanddesolate:andHeshalldestroythesinnersthereofoutofit。"Isaiah13:9。

InviewofthatgreatdaythewordofGod，inthemostsolemnandimpressivelanguage，callsuponHispeopletoarousefromtheirspirituallethargyandtoseekHisfacewithrepentanceandhumiliation:"BlowyethetrumpetinZion，andsoundanalarminMyholymountain:letalltheinhabitantsofthelandtremble:forthedayoftheLordcometh，foritisnighathand。"

"Sanctifyafast，callasolemnassembly:gatherthepeople，sanctifythecongregation，assembletheelders，gatherthechildren:……letthebridegroomgoforthofhischamber，andthebrideoutofhercloset。Letthepriests，theministersoftheLord，weepbetweentheporchandthealtar。"

"TurnyeeventoMewithallyourheart，andwithfasting，andwithweeping，andwithmourning:andrendyourheart，andnotyourgarments，andturnuntotheLordyourGod:forHeisgraciousandmerciful，slowtoanger，andofgreatkindness。"Joel2:1，15-17，12，13。

ToprepareapeopletostandinthedayofGod，agreatworkofreformwastobeaccomplished。GodsawthatmanyofHisprofessedpeoplewerenotbuildingforeternity，andinHismercyHewasabouttosendamessageofwarningtoarousethemfromtheirstuporandleadthemtomakereadyforthecomingoftheLord。

ThiswarningisbroughttoviewinRevelation14。HereisathreefoldmessagerepresentedasproclaimedbyheavenlybeingsandimmediatelyfollowedbythecomingoftheSonofmantoreap"theharvestoftheearth。"

Thefirstofthesewarningsannouncestheapproachingjudgment。Theprophetbeheldanangelflying"inthemidstofheaven，havingtheeverlastinggospeltopreachuntothemthatdwellontheearth，andtoeverynation，andkindred，andtongue，andpeople，sayingwithaloudvoice，FearGod，andgiveglorytoHim；forthehourofHisjudgmentiscome:andworshipHimthatmadeheaven，andearth，andthesea，andthefountainsofwaters。"

Revelation14:6，7。

312

Thismessageisdeclaredtobeapartof"theeverlastinggospel。"Theworkofpreachingthegospelhasnotbeencommittedtoangels，buthasbeenentrustedtomen。Holyangelshavebeenemployedindirectingthiswork，theyhaveinchargethegreatmovementsforthesalvationofmen；buttheactualproclamationofthegospelisperformedbytheservantsofChristupontheearth。

Faithfulmen，whowereobedienttothepromptingsofGod’sSpiritandtheteachingsofHisword，weretoproclaimthiswarningtotheworld。Theywerethosewhohadtakenheedtothe"surewordofprophecy，"the"lightthatshinethinadarkplace，untilthedaydawn，andthedaystararise。"

2Peter1:19。TheyhadbeenseekingtheknowledgeofGodmorethanallhidtreasures，countingit"betterthanthemerchandiseofsilver，andthegainthereofthanfinegold。"Proverbs3:14。AndtheLordrevealedtothemthegreatthingsofthekingdom。"ThesecretoftheLordiswiththemthatfearHim；andHewillshowthemHiscovenant。"Psalm25:14。

Itwasnotthescholarlytheologianswhohadanunderstandingofthistruth，andengagedinitsproclamation。Hadthesebeenfaithfulwatchmen，diligentlyandprayerfullysearchingtheScriptures，theywouldhaveknownthetimeofnight；theprophecieswouldhaveopenedtothemtheeventsabouttotakeplace。Buttheydidnotoccupythisposition，andthemessagewasgivenbyhumblermen。SaidJesus:"Walkwhileyehavethelight，lestdarknesscomeuponyou。"John12:35。ThosewhoturnawayfromthelightwhichGodhasgiven，orwhoneglecttoseekitwhenitiswithintheirreach，areleftindarkness。ButtheSaviourdeclares:"HethatfollowethMeshallnotwalkindarkness，butshallhavethelightoflife。"John8:12。

WhoeveriswithsinglenessofpurposeseekingtodoGod’swill，earnestlyheedingthelightalreadygiven，willreceivegreaterlight；tothatsoulsomestarofheavenlyradiancewillbesenttoguidehimintoalltruth。

313

AtthetimeofChrist’sfirstadventthepriestsandscribesoftheHolyCity，towhomwereentrustedtheoraclesofGod，mighthavediscernedthesignsofthetimesandproclaimedthecomingofthePromisedOne。TheprophecyofMicahdesignatedHisbirthplace；DanielspecifiedthetimeofHisadvent。Micah5:2；Daniel9:25。GodcommittedthesepropheciestotheJewishleaders；theywerewithoutexcuseiftheydidnotknowanddeclaretothepeoplethattheMessiah’scomingwasathand。Theirignorancewastheresultofsinfulneglect。TheJewswerebuildingmonumentsfortheslainprophetsofGod，whilebytheirdeferencetothegreatmenofearththeywerepayinghomagetotheservantsofSatan。Absorbedintheirambitiousstrifeforplaceandpoweramongmen，theylostsightofthedivinehonorsprofferedthembytheKingofheaven。

WithprofoundandreverentinteresttheeldersofIsraelshouldhavebeenstudyingtheplace，thetime，thecircumstances，ofthegreatesteventintheworld’shistory——thecomingoftheSonofGodtoaccomplishtheredemptionofman。Allthepeopleshouldhavebeenwatchingandwaitingthattheymightbeamongthefirsttowelcometheworld’sRedeemer。But，lo，atBethlehemtwowearytravelersfromthehillsofNazarethtraversethewholelengthofthenarrowstreettotheeasternextremityofthetown，vainlyseekingaplaceofrestandshelterforthenight。Nodoorsareopentoreceivethem。Inawretchedhovelpreparedforcattle，theyatlastfindrefuge，andtheretheSaviouroftheworldisborn。

HeavenlyangelshadseentheglorywhichtheSonofGodsharedwiththeFatherbeforetheworldwas，andtheyhadlookedforwardwithintenseinteresttoHisappearingonearthasaneventfraughtwiththegreatestjoytoallpeople。Angelswereappointedtocarrythegladtidingstothosewhowerepreparedtoreceiveitandwhowouldjoyfullymakeitknowntotheinhabitantsoftheearth。ChristhadstoopedtotakeuponHimselfman’snature；Hewastobearaninfinite314

weightofwoeasHeshouldmakeHissoulanofferingforsin；yetangelsdesiredthateveninHishumiliationtheSonoftheHighestmightappearbeforemenwithadignityandglorybefittingHischaracter。WouldthegreatmenofearthassembleatIsrael’scapitaltogreetHiscoming？WouldlegionsofangelspresentHimtotheexpectantcompany？

AnangelvisitstheearthtoseewhoarepreparedtowelcomeJesus。Buthecandiscernnotokensofexpectancy。HehearsnovoiceofpraiseandtriumphthattheperiodofMessiah’scomingisathand。Theangelhoversforatimeoverthechosencityandthetemplewherethedivinepresencehasbeenmanifestedforages；butevenhereisthesameindifference。Thepriests，intheirpompandpride，areofferingpollutedsacrificesinthetemple。ThePhariseesarewithloudvoicesaddressingthepeopleormakingboastfulprayersatthecornersofthestreets。Inthepalacesofkings，intheassembliesofphilosophers，intheschoolsoftherabbis，allarealikeunmindfulofthewondrousfactwhichhasfilledallheavenwithjoyandpraise——thattheRedeemerofmenisabouttoappearupontheearth。

ThereisnoevidencethatChristisexpected，andnopreparationforthePrinceoflife。Inamazementthecelestialmessengerisabouttoreturntoheavenwiththeshamefultidings，whenhediscoversagroupofshepherdswhoarewatchingtheirflocksbynight，and，astheygazeintothestarryheavens，arecontemplatingtheprophecyofaMessiahtocometoearth，andlongingfortheadventoftheworld’sRedeemer。Hereisacompanythatispreparedtoreceivetheheavenlymessage。AndsuddenlytheangeloftheLordappears，declaringthegoodtidingsofgreatjoy。Celestialgloryfloodsalltheplain，aninnumerablecompanyofangelsisrevealed，andasifthejoyweretoogreatforonemessengertobringfromheaven，amultitudeofvoicesbreakforthintheanthemwhichallthenationsofthesavedshallonedaysing:"GlorytoGodinthehighest，andonearthpeace，goodwilltowardmen。"Luke2:14。

315

Oh，whatalessonisthiswonderfulstoryofBethlehem！Howitrebukesourunbelief，ourprideandself-sufficiency。Howitwarnsustobeware，lestbyourcriminalindifferencewealsofailtodiscernthesignsofthetimes，andthereforeknownotthedayofourvisitation。

ItwasnotaloneuponthehillsofJudea，notamongthelowlyshepherdsonly，thatangelsfoundthewatchersforMessiah’scoming。InthelandoftheheathenalsowerethosethatlookedforHim；theywerewisemen，richandnoble，thephilosophersoftheEast。Studentsofnature，theMagihadseenGodinHishandiwork。FromtheHebrewScripturestheyhadlearnedoftheStartoariseoutofJacob，andwitheagerdesiretheyawaitedHiscoming，whoshouldbenotonlythe"ConsolationofIsrael，"buta"LighttolightentheGentiles，"and"forsalvationuntotheendsoftheearth。"Luke2:25，32；Acts13:47。Theywereseekersforlight，andlightfromthethroneofGodilluminedthepathfortheirfeet。WhilethepriestsandrabbisofJerusalem，theappointedguardiansandexpoundersofthetruth，wereshroudedindarkness，theHeaven-sentstarguidedtheseGentilestrangerstothebirthplaceofthenewbornKing。

Itis"untothemthatlookforHim"thatChrististo"appearthesecondtimewithoutsinuntosalvation。"Hebrews9:28。LikethetidingsoftheSaviour’sbirth，themessageofthesecondadventwasnotcommittedtothereligiousleadersofthepeople。TheyhadfailedtopreservetheirconnectionwithGod，andhadrefusedlightfromheaven；thereforetheywerenotofthenumberdescribedbytheapostlePaul:"Butye，brethren，arenotindarkness，thatthatdayshouldovertakeyouasathief。Yeareallthechildrenoflight，andthechildrenoftheday:wearenotofthenight，norofdarkness。"1Thessalonians5:4，5。

ThewatchmenuponthewallsofZionshouldhavebeenthefirsttocatchthetidingsoftheSaviour’sadvent，thefirsttolifttheirvoicestoproclaimHimnear，thefirsttowarnthepeopletoprepareforHiscoming。Buttheywereatease，316

dreamingofpeaceandsafety，whilethepeoplewereasleepintheirsins。

JesussawHischurch，likethebarrenfigtree，coveredwithpretentiousleaves，yetdestituteofpreciousfruit。Therewasaboastfulobservanceoftheformsofreligion，whilethespiritoftruehumility，penitence，andfaith——whichalonecouldrendertheserviceacceptabletoGod——waslacking。

InsteadofthegracesoftheSpiritthereweremanifestedpride，formalism，vainglory，selfishness，oppression。Abackslidingchurchclosedtheireyestothesignsofthetimes。Goddidnotforsakethem，orsufferHisfaithfulnesstofail；buttheydepartedfromHim，andseparatedthemselvesfromHislove。Astheyrefusedtocomplywiththeconditions，Hispromiseswerenotfulfilledtothem。

SuchisthesureresultofneglecttoappreciateandimprovethelightandprivilegeswhichGodbestows。UnlessthechurchwillfollowoninHisopeningprovidence，acceptingeveryrayoflight，performingeverydutywhichmayberevealed，religionwillinevitablydegenerateintotheobservanceofforms，andthespiritofvitalgodlinesswilldisappear。Thistruthhasbeenrepeatedlyillustratedinthehistoryofthechurch。GodrequiresofHispeopleworksoffaithandobediencecorrespondingtotheblessingsandprivilegesbestowed。Obediencerequiresasacrificeandinvolvesacross；andthisiswhysomanyoftheprofessedfollowersofChristrefusedtoreceivethelightfromheaven，and，liketheJewsofold，knewnotthetimeoftheirvisitation。Luke19:44。BecauseoftheirprideandunbelieftheLordpassedthembyandrevealedHistruthtothosewho，liketheshepherdsofBethlehemandtheEasternMagi，hadgivenheedtoallthelighttheyhadreceived。

(317)

Chapter18

AnAmericanReformerAnUpright，honest-heartedfarmer，whohadbeenledtodoubtthedivineauthorityoftheScriptures，yetwhosincerelydesiredtoknowthetruth，wasthemanspeciallychosenofGodtoleadoutintheproclamationofChrist’ssecondcoming。Likemanyotherreformers，WilliamMillerhadinearlylifebattledwithpovertyandhadthuslearnedthegreatlessonsofenergyandself-denial。Themembersofthefamilyfromwhichhesprangwerecharacterizedbyanindependent，liberty-lovingspirit，bycapabilityofendurance，andardentpatriotism——traitswhichwerealsoprominentinhischaracter。HisfatherwasacaptaininthearmyoftheRevolution，andtothesacrificeswhichhemadeinthestrugglesandsufferingsofthatstormyperiodmaybetracedthestraitenedcircumstancesofMiller’searlylife。

Hehadasoundphysicalconstitution，andeveninchildhoodgaveevidenceofmorethanordinaryintellectualstrength。Ashegrewolder，thisbecamemoremarked。Hismindwasactiveandwelldeveloped，andhehadakeenthirstforknowledge。Thoughhedidnotenjoytheadvantagesofacollegiateeducation，hisloveofstudyandahabitofcarefulthoughtandclosecriticismrenderedhimamanofsoundjudgmentandcomprehensiveviews。Hepossessedanirreproachablemoralcharacterandanenviablereputation，beinggenerallyesteemedforintegrity，thrift，andbenevolence。Bydintofenergyandapplicationheearlyacquireda318

competence，thoughhishabitsofstudywerestillmaintained。Hefilledvariouscivilandmilitaryofficeswithcredit，andtheavenuestowealthandhonorseemedwideopentohim。

Hismotherwasawomanofsterlingpiety，andinchildhood，hehadbeensubjecttoreligiousimpressions。Inearlychildhood，however，hewasthrownintothesocietyofdeists，whoseinfluencewasthestrongerfromthefactthattheyweremostlygoodcitizensandmenofhumaneandbenevolentdisposition。Living，astheydid，inthemidstofChristianinstitutions，theircharactershadbeentosomeextentmoldedbytheirsurroundings。FortheexcellencieswhichwonthemrespectandconfidencetheywereindebtedtotheBible；andyetthesegoodgiftsweresopervertedastoexertaninfluenceagainstthewordofGod。Byassociationwiththesemen，Millerwasledtoadopttheirsentiments。ThecurrentinterpretationsofScripturepresenteddifficultieswhichseemedtohiminsurmountable；yethisnewbelief，whilesettingasidetheBible，offerednothingbettertotakeitsplace，andheremainedfarfromsatisfied。Hecontinuedtoholdtheseviews，however，forabouttwelveyears。Butattheageofthirty-fourtheHolySpiritimpressedhisheartwithasenseofhisconditionasasinner。Hefoundinhisformerbeliefnoassuranceofhappinessbeyondthegrave。Thefuturewasdarkandgloomy。Referringafterwardtohisfeelingsatthistime，hesaid:

"Annihilationwasacoldandchillingthought，andaccountabilitywassuredestructiontoall。Theheavenswereasbrassovermyhead，andtheearthasironundermyfeet。Eternity——whatwasit？Anddeath——whywasit？ThemoreI

reasoned，thefurtherIwasfromdemonstration。ThemoreIthought，themorescatteredweremyconclusions。Itriedtostopthinking，butmythoughtswouldnotbecontrolled。Iwastrulywretched，butdidnotunderstandthecause。Imurmuredandcomplained，butknewnotofwhom。Iknewthattherewasawrong，butknewnothoworwheretofindtheright。Imourned，butwithouthope。"

319

Inthisstatehecontinuedforsomemonths。"Suddenly，"hesays，"thecharacterofaSaviourwasvividlyimpresseduponmymind。Itseemedthattheremightbeabeingsogoodandcompassionateastohimselfatoneforourtransgressions，andtherebysaveusfromsufferingthepenaltyofsin。I

immediatelyfelthowlovelysuchabeingmustbe，andimaginedthatIcouldcastmyselfintothearmsof，andtrustinthemercyof，suchaone。Butthequestionarose，Howcanitbeprovedthatsuchabeingdoesexist？AsidefromtheBible，IfoundthatIcouldgetnoevidenceoftheexistenceofsuchaSaviour，orevenofafuturestate……

"IsawthattheBibledidbringtoviewjustsuchaSaviourasIneeded；andIwasperplexedtofindhowanuninspiredbookshoulddevelopprinciplessoperfectlyadaptedtothewantsofafallenworld。IwasconstrainedtoadmitthattheScripturesmustbearevelationfromGod。Theybecamemydelight；

andinJesusIfoundafriend。TheSaviourbecametomethechiefestamongtenthousand；andtheScriptures，whichbeforeweredarkandcontradictory，nowbecamethelamptomyfeetandlighttomypath。Mymindbecamesettledandsatisfied。IfoundtheLordGodtobeaRockinthemidstoftheoceanoflife。TheBiblenowbecamemychiefstudy，andIcantrulysay，I

searcheditwithgreatdelight。Ifoundthehalfwasnevertoldme。I

wonderedwhyIhadnotseenitsbeautyandglorybefore，andmarveledthatI

couldhaveeverrejectedit。Ifoundeverythingrevealedthatmyheartcoulddesire，andaremedyforeverydiseaseofthesoul。Ilostalltasteforotherreading，andappliedmyhearttogetwisdomfromGod。"——S。Bliss，MemoirsofWm。Miller，pages65-67。

Millerpubliclyprofessedhisfaithinthereligionwhichhehaddespised。

ButhisinfidelassociateswerenotslowtobringforwardallthoseargumentswhichhehimselfhadoftenurgedagainstthedivineauthorityoftheScriptures。Hewasnotthenpreparedtoanswerthem；buthereasonedthatiftheBibleisarevelationfromGod，itmustbeconsistentwithitself；andthatasitwasgivenforman’sinstruction，itmust320

beadaptedtohisunderstanding。HedeterminedtostudytheScripturesforhimself，andascertainifeveryapparentcontradictioncouldnotbeharmonized。

Endeavoringtolayasideallpreconceivedopinions，anddispensingwithcommentaries，hecomparedscripturewithscripturebytheaidofthemarginalreferencesandtheconcordance。Hepursuedhisstudyinaregularandmethodicalmanner；beginningwithGenesis，andreadingversebyverse，heproceedednofasterthanthemeaningoftheseveralpassagessounfoldedastoleavehimfreefromallembarrassment。Whenhefoundanythingobscure，itwashiscustomtocompareitwitheveryothertextwhichseemedtohaveanyreferencetothematterunderconsideration。Everywordwaspermittedtohaveitsproperbearinguponthesubjectofthetext，andifhisviewofitharmonizedwitheverycollateralpassage，itceasedtobeadifficulty。ThuswheneverhemetwithapassagehardtobeunderstoodhefoundanexplanationinsomeotherportionoftheScriptures。Ashestudiedwithearnestprayerfordivineenlightenment，thatwhichhadbeforeappeareddarktohisunderstandingwasmadeclear。Heexperiencedthetruthofthepsalmist’swords:"TheentranceofThywordsgivethlight；itgivethunderstandinguntothesimple。"Psalm119:130。

WithintenseinteresthestudiedthebooksofDanielandtheRevelation，employingthesameprinciplesofinterpretationasintheotherscriptures，andfound，tohisgreatjoy，thatthepropheticsymbolscouldbeunderstood。

Hesawthattheprophecies，sofarastheyhadbeenfulfilled，hadbeenfulfilledliterally；thatallthevariousfigures，metaphors，parables，similitudes，etc。，wereeitherexplainedintheirimmediateconnection，orthetermsinwhichtheywereexpressedweredefinedinotherscriptures，andwhenthusexplained，weretobeliterallyunderstood。"Iwasthussatisfied，"hesays，"thattheBibleisasystemofrevealedtruths，soclearlyandsimplygiventhatthewayfaringman，though321

afool，neednoterrtherein。"——Bliss，page70。Linkafterlinkofthechainoftruthrewardedhisefforts，asstepbystephetraceddownthegreatlinesofprophecy。AngelsofheavenwereguidinghismindandopeningtheScripturestohisunderstanding。

Takingthemannerinwhichtheprophecieshadbeenfulfilledinthepastasacriterionbywhichtojudgeofthefulfillmentofthosewhichwerestillfuture，hebecamesatisfiedthatthepopularviewofthespiritualreignofChrist——atemporalmillenniumbeforetheendoftheworld——wasnotsustainedbythewordofGod。Thisdoctrine，pointingtoathousandyearsofrighteousnessandpeacebeforethepersonalcomingoftheLord，putfarofftheterrorsofthedayofGod。But，pleasingthoughitmaybe，itiscontrarytotheteachingsofChristandHisapostles，whodeclaredthatthewheatandthetaresandtogrowtogetheruntiltheharvest，theendoftheworld；that"evilmenandseducersshallwaxworseandworse；"that"inthelastdaysperiloustimesshallcome；"andthatthekingdomofdarknessshallcontinueuntiltheadventoftheLordandshallbeconsumedwiththespiritofHismouthandbedestroyedwiththebrightnessofHiscoming。Matthew13:30，38-41；2Timothy3:13，1；2Thessalonians2:8。

Thedoctrineoftheworld’sconversionandthespiritualreignofChristwasnotheldbytheapostolicchurch。ItwasnotgenerallyacceptedbyChristiansuntilaboutthebeginningoftheeighteenthcentury。Likeeveryothererror，itsresultswereevil。IttaughtmentolookfarinthefutureforthecomingoftheLordandpreventedthemfromgivingheedtothesignsheraldingHisapproach。ItinducedafeelingofconfidenceandsecuritythatwasnotwellfoundedandledmanytoneglectthepreparationnecessaryinordertomeettheirLord。

Millerfoundtheliteral，personalcomingofChristtobeplainlytaughtintheScriptures。SaysPaul:"TheLordHimselfshalldescendfromheavenwithashout，withthevoice322

oftheArchangel，andwiththetrumpofGod。"1Thessalonians4:16。AndtheSaviourdeclares:"TheyshallseetheSonofmancominginthecloudsofheavenwithpowerandgreatglory。""Forasthelightningcomethoutoftheeast，andshinethevenuntothewest；soshallalsothecomingoftheSonofmanbe。"Matthew24:30，27。Heistobeaccompaniedbyallthehostsofheaven。"TheSonofmanshallcomeinHisglory，andalltheholyangelswithHim。"Matthew25:31。"AndHeshallsendHisangelswithagreatsoundofatrumpet，andtheyshallgathertogetherHiselect。"Matthew24:31。

AtHiscomingtherighteousdeadwillberaised，andtherighteouslivingwillbechanged。"Weshallnotallsleep，"saysPaul，"butweshallallbechanged，inamoment，inthetwinklingofaneye，atthelasttrump:forthetrumpetshallsound，andthedeadshallberaisedincorruptible，andweshallbechanged。Forthiscorruptiblemustputonincorruption，andthismortalmustputonimmortality。"1Corinthians15:51-53。AndinhislettertotheThessalonians，afterdescribingthecomingoftheLord，hesays:"ThedeadinChristshallrisefirst:thenwewhicharealiveandremainshallbecaughtuptogetherwiththemintheclouds，tomeettheLordintheair:andsoshallweeverbewiththeLord。"

1Thessalonians4:16，17。

NotuntilthepersonaladventofChristcanHispeoplereceivethekingdom。

TheSavioursaid:"WhentheSonofmanshallcomeinHisglory，andalltheholyangelswithHim，thenshallHesituponthethroneofHisglory:andbeforeHimshallbegatheredallnations:andHeshallseparatethemonefromanother，asashepherddividethhissheepfromthegoats:andHeshallsetthesheeponHisrighthand，butthegoatsontheleft。ThenshalltheKingsayuntothemonHisrighthand，Come，yeblessedofMyFather，inheritthekingdompreparedforyoufromthefoundationoftheworld。"Matthew25:31-34。WehaveseenbythescripturesjustgiventhatwhentheSonofmancomes，thedeadareraisedincorruptibleandthelivingarechanged。Bythisgreat323

changetheyarepreparedtoreceivethekingdom；forPaulsays:"FleshandbloodcannotinheritthekingdomofGod；neitherdothcorruptioninheritincorruption。"1Corinthians15:50。Maninhispresentstateismortal，corruptible；butthekingdomofGodwillbeincorruptible，enduringforever。

ThereforemaninhispresentstatecannotenterintothekingdomofGod。ButwhenJesuscomes，HeconfersimmortalityuponHispeople；andthenHecallsthemtoinheritthekingdomofwhichtheyhavehithertobeenonlyheirs。

TheseandotherscripturesclearlyprovedtoMiller’smindthattheeventswhichweregenerallyexpectedtotakeplacebeforethecomingofChrist，suchastheuniversalreignofpeaceandthesettingupofthekingdomofGodupontheearth，weretobesubsequenttothesecondadvent。Furthermore，allthesignsofthetimesandtheconditionoftheworldcorrespondedtothepropheticdescriptionofthelastdays。Hewasforcedtotheconclusion，fromthestudyofScripturealone，thattheperiodallottedforthecontinuanceoftheearthinitspresentstatewasabouttoclose。

"Anotherkindofevidencethatvitallyaffectedmymind，"hesays，"wasthechronologyoftheScriptures……Ifoundthatpredictedevents，whichhadbeenfulfilledinthepast，oftenoccurredwithinagiventime。Theonehundredandtwentyyearstotheflood(Genesis6:3)；thesevendaysthatweretoprecedeit，withfortydaysofpredictedrain(Genesis7:4)；thefourhundredyearsofthesojournofAbraham’sseed(Genesis15:13)；thethreedaysofthebutler’sandbaker’sdreams(Genesis40:12-20)；thesevenyearsofPharaoh’s(Genesis41:28-54)；thefortyyearsinthewilderness(Numbers14:34)；thethreeandahalfyearsoffamine(1Kings17:1)[seeLuke4:25；]……theseventyyears’captivity(Jeremiah25:11)；

Nebuchadnezzar’sseventimes(Daniel4:13-16)；andthesevenweeks，threescoreandtwoweeks，andtheoneweek，makingseventyweeks，determinedupontheJews(Daniel9:24-27)，——theeventslimitedbythesetimeswereallonceonlyamatterofprophecy，andwerefulfilledinaccordancewiththepredictions。"——Bliss，pages74，75。

324

When，therefore，hefound，inhisstudyoftheBible，variouschronologicalperiodsthat，accordingtohisunderstandingofthem，extendedtothesecondcomingofChrist，hecouldnotbutregardthemasthe"timesbeforeappointed，"whichGodhadrevealeduntoHisservants。"Thesecretthings，"

saysMoses，"belonguntotheLordourGod:butthosethingswhicharerevealedbelonguntousandtoourchildrenforever；"andtheLorddeclaresbytheprophetAmos，thatHe"willdonothing，butHerevealethHissecretuntoHisservantstheprophets。"Deuteronomy29:29；Amos3:7。ThestudentsofGod’swordmay，then，confidentlyexpecttofindthemoststupendouseventtotakeplaceinhumanhistoryclearlypointedoutintheScripturesoftruth。

"AsIwasfullyconvinced，"saysMiller，"thatallScripturegivenbyinspirationofGodisprofitable(2Timothy3:16)；thatitcamenotatanytimebythewillofman，butwaswrittenasholymenweremovedbytheHolyGhost(2Peter1:21)，andwaswritten’forourlearning，thatwethroughpatienceandcomfortoftheScripturesmighthavehope’(Romans15:4)，I

couldbutregardthechronologicalportionsoftheBibleasbeingasmuchaportionofthewordofGod，andasmuchentitledtoourseriousconsideration，asanyotherportionoftheScriptures。IthereforefeltthatinendeavoringtocomprehendwhatGodhadinHismercyseenfittorevealtous，Ihadnorighttopassoverthepropheticperiods。"——Bliss，page75。

TheprophecywhichseemedmostclearlytorevealthetimeofthesecondadventwasthatofDaniel8:14:"Untotwothousandandthreehundreddays；

thenshallthesanctuarybecleansed。"FollowinghisruleofmakingScriptureitsowninterpreter，Millerlearnedthatadayinsymbolicprophecyrepresentsayear(Numbers14:34；Ezekiel4:6)；hesawthattheperiodof2300propheticdays，orliteralyears，wouldextendfarbeyondthecloseoftheJewishdispensation，henceitcouldnotrefertothesanctuaryofthatdispensation。MilleracceptedthegenerallyreceivedviewthatintheChristianage325

theearthisthesanctuary，andhethereforeunderstoodthatthecleansingofthesanctuaryforetoldinDaniel8:14representedthepurificationoftheearthbyfireatthesecondcomingofChrist。If，then，thecorrectstartingpointcouldbefoundforthe2300days，heconcludedthatthetimeofthesecondadventcouldbereadilyascertained。Thuswouldberevealedthetimeofthatgreatconsummation，thetimewhenthepresentstate，with"allitsprideandpower，pompandvanity，wickednessandoppression，wouldcometoanend；"whenthecursewouldbe"removedfromofftheearth，deathbedestroyed，rewardbegiventotheservantsofGod，theprophetsandsaints，andthemwhofearHisname，andthosebedestroyedthatdestroytheearth。"——Bliss，page76。

Withanewanddeeperearnestness，Millercontinuedtheexaminationoftheprophecies，wholenightsaswellasdaysbeingdevotedtothestudyofwhatnowappearedofsuchstupendousimportanceandall-absorbinginterest。IntheeighthchapterofDanielhecouldfindnocluetothestartingpointofthe2300days；theangelGabriel，thoughcommandedtomakeDanielunderstandthevision，gavehimonlyapartialexplanation。Astheterriblepersecutiontobefallthechurchwasunfoldedtotheprophet’svision，physicalstrengthgaveway。Hecouldendurenomore，andtheangellefthimforatime。Daniel"fainted，andwassickcertaindays。""AndIwasastonishedatthevision，"

hesays，"butnoneunderstoodit。"

YetGodhadbiddenHismessenger:"Makethismantounderstandthevision。"

Thatcommissionmustbefulfilled。Inobediencetoit，theangel，sometimeafterward，returnedtoDaniel，saying:"Iamnowcomeforthtogivetheeskillandunderstanding；""thereforeunderstandthematter，andconsiderthevision。"Daniel8:27，16；9:22，23，25-27。Therewasoneimportantpointinthevisionofchapter8whichhadbeenleftunexplained，namely，thatrelatingtotime——theperiodofthe2300days；thereforetheangel，inresuminghisexplanation，dwellschieflyuponthesubjectoftime:

326

"SeventyweeksaredetermineduponthypeopleanduponthyHolyCity……

Knowthereforeandunderstand，thatfromthegoingforthofthecommandmenttorestoreandtobuildJerusalemuntotheMessiahthePrinceshallbesevenweeks，andthreescoreandtwoweeks:thestreetshallbebuiltagain，andthewall，evenintroubloustimes。AndafterthreescoreandtwoweeksshallMessiahbecutoff，butnotforHimself……AndHeshallconfirmthecovenantwithmanyforoneweek:andinthemidstoftheweekHeshallcausethesacrificeandtheoblationtocease。"

TheangelhadbeensenttoDanielfortheexpresspurposeofexplainingtohimthepointwhichhehadfailedtounderstandinthevisionoftheeighthchapter，thestatementrelativetotime——"untotwothousandandthreehundreddays；thenshallthesanctuarybecleansed。"AfterbiddingDaniel"understandthematter，andconsiderthevision，"theveryfirstwordsoftheangelare:"SeventyweeksaredetermineduponthypeopleanduponthyHolyCity。"Thewordheretranslated"determined"literallysignifies"cutoff。"Seventyweeks，representing490years，aredeclaredbytheangeltobecutoff，asspeciallypertainingtotheJews。Butfromwhatweretheycutoff？Asthe2300dayswastheonlyperiodoftimementionedinchapter8，itmustbetheperiodfromwhichtheseventyweekswerecutoff；theseventyweeksmustthereforebeapartofthe2300days，andthetwoperiodsmustbegintogether。TheseventyweeksweredeclaredbytheangeltodatefromthegoingforthofthecommandmenttorestoreandbuildJerusalem。Ifthedateofthiscommandmentcouldbefound，thenthestartingpointforthegreatperiodofthe2300dayswouldbeascertained。

IntheseventhchapterofEzrathedecreeisfound。Verses12-26。InitscompletestformitwasissuedbyArtaxerxes，kingofPersia，457B。C。ButinEzra6:14thehouseoftheLordatJerusalemissaidtohavebeenbuilt"accordingtothecommandment["decree，"margin]

ofCyrus，andDarius，andArtaxerxeskingofPersia。"Thesethreekings，in327

originating，reaffirming，andcompletingthedecree，broughtittotheperfectionrequiredbytheprophecytomarkthebeginningofthe2300years。

Taking457B。C。，thetimewhenthedecreewascompleted，asthedateofthecommandment，everyspecificationoftheprophecyconcerningtheseventyweekswasseentohavebeenfulfilled。

"FromthegoingforthofthecommandmenttorestoreandtobuildJerusalemuntotheMessiahthePrinceshallbesevenweeks，andthreescoreandtwoweeks"——namely，sixty-nineweeks，or483years。ThedecreeofArtaxerxeswentintoeffectintheautumnof457B。C。Fromthisdate，483yearsextendtotheautumnofA。D。27。(SeeAppendix。)Atthattimethisprophecywasfulfilled。Theword"Messiah"signifies"theAnointedOne。"IntheautumnofA。D。27ChristwasbaptizedbyJohnandreceivedtheanointingoftheSpirit。TheapostlePetertestifiesthat"GodanointedJesusofNazarethwiththeHolyGhostandwithpower。"Acts10:38。AndtheSaviourHimselfdeclared:"TheSpiritoftheLordisuponMe，becauseHehathanointedMetopreachthegospeltothepoor。"Luke4:18。AfterHisbaptismHewentintoGalilee，"preachingthegospelofthekingdomofGod，andsaying，Thetimeisfulfilled。"Mark1:14，15。

"AndHeshallconfirmthecovenantwithmanyforoneweek。"The"week"herebroughttoviewisthelastoneoftheseventy；itisthelastsevenyearsoftheperiodallottedespeciallytotheJews。Duringthistime，extendingfromA。D。27toA。D。34，Christ，atfirstinpersonandafterwardbyHisdisciples，extendedthegospelinvitationespeciallytotheJews。Astheapostleswentforthwiththegoodtidingsofthekingdom，theSaviour’sdirectionwas:"GonotintothewayoftheGentiles，andintoanycityoftheSamaritansenteryenot:butgorathertothelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael。"Matthew10:5，6。

"InthemidstoftheweekHeshallcausethesacrificeandtheoblationtocease。"InA。D。31，threeandahalfyearsafterHisbaptism，ourLordwascrucified。Withthegreatsacrifice328

offereduponCalvary，endedthatsystemofofferingswhichforfourthousandyearshadpointedforwardtotheLambofGod。Typehadmetantitype，andallthesacrificesandoblationsoftheceremonialsystemweretheretocease。

Theseventyweeks，or490years，especiallyallottedtotheJews，ended，aswehaveseen，inA。D。34。Atthattime，throughtheactionoftheJewishSanhedrin，thenationsealeditsrejectionofthegospelbythemartyrdomofStephenandthepersecutionofthefollowersofChrist。Thenthemessageofsalvation，nolongerrestrictedtothechosenpeople，wasgiventotheworld。Thedisciples，forcedbypersecutiontofleefromJerusalem，"wenteverywherepreachingtheword。""PhilipwentdowntothecityofSamaria，andpreachedChristuntothem。"Peter，divinelyguided，openedthegospeltothecenturionofCaesarea，theGod-fearingCornelius；andtheardentPaul，wontothefaithofChrist，wascommissionedtocarrythegladtidings"farhenceuntotheGentiles。"Acts8:4，5；22:21。

Thusfareveryspecificationofthepropheciesisstrikinglyfulfilled，andthebeginningoftheseventyweeksisfixedbeyondquestionat457B。C。，andtheirexpirationinA。D。34。Fromthisdatathereisnodifficultyinfindingtheterminationofthe2300days。Theseventyweeks——490

days——havingbeencutofffromthe2300，therewere1810daysremaining。

Aftertheendof490days，the1810dayswerestilltobefulfilled。FromA。D。34，1810yearsextendto1844。Consequentlythe2300daysofDaniel8:14terminatein1844。Attheexpirationofthisgreatpropheticperiod，uponthetestimonyoftheangelofGod，"thesanctuaryshallbecleansed。"

Thusthetimeofthecleansingofthesanctuary——whichwasalmostuniversallybelievedtotakeplaceatthesecondadvent——wasdefinitelypointedout。

Millerandhisassociatesatfirstbelievedthatthe2300dayswouldterminateinthespringof1844，whereastheprophecy329

pointstotheautumnofthatyear。(SeeAppendix。)ThemisapprehensionofthispointbroughtdisappointmentandperplexitytothosewhohadfixedupontheearlierdateasthetimeoftheLord’scoming。Butthisdidnotintheleastaffectthestrengthoftheargumentshowingthatthe2300daysterminatedintheyear1844，andthatthegreateventrepresentedbythecleansingofthesanctuarymustthentakeplace。

EnteringuponthestudyoftheScripturesashehaddone，inordertoprovethattheywerearevelationfromGod，Millerhadnot，attheoutset，theslightestexpectationofreachingtheconclusionatwhichhehadnowarrived。Hehimselfcouldhardlycredittheresultsofhisinvestigation。

ButtheScriptureevidencewastooclearandforcibletobesetaside。

HehaddevotedtwoyearstothestudyoftheBible，when，in1818，hereachedthesolemnconvictionthatinabouttwenty-fiveyearsChristwouldappearfortheredemptionofHispeople。"Ineednotspeak，"saysMiller，"ofthejoythatfilledmyheartinviewofthedelightfulprospect，noroftheardentlongingsofmysoulforaparticipationinthejoysoftheredeemed。TheBiblewasnowtomeanewbook。Itwasindeedafeastofreason；allthatwasdark，mystical，orobscuretomeinitsteachings，hadbeendissipatedfrommymindbeforetheclearlightthatnowdawnedfromitssacredpages；and，oh，howbrightandgloriousthetruthappeared！AllthecontradictionsandinconsistenciesIhadbeforefoundinthewordweregone；

andalthoughthereweremanyportionsofwhichIwasnotsatisfiedIhadafullunderstanding，yetsomuchlighthademanatedfromittotheilluminationofmybeforedarkenedmind，thatIfeltadelightinstudyingtheScripturewhichIhadnotbeforesupposedcouldbederivedfromitsteachings。"——Bliss，pages76，77。

"WiththesolemnconvictionthatsuchmomentouseventswerepredictedintheScripturestobefulfilledinsoshortaspaceoftime，thequestioncamehometomewithmighty330

powerregardingmydutytotheworld，inviewoftheevidencethathadaffectedmyownmind。"——Ibid。，page81。Hecouldnotbutfeelthatitwashisdutytoimparttoothersthelightwhichhehadreceived。Heexpectedtoencounteroppositionfromtheungodly，butwasconfidentthatallChristianswouldrejoiceinthehopeofmeetingtheSaviourwhomtheyprofessedtolove。Hisonlyfearwasthatintheirgreatjoyattheprospectofgloriousdeliverance，sosoontobeconsummated，manywouldreceivethedoctrinewithoutsufficientlyexaminingtheScripturesindemonstrationofitstruth。

Hethereforehesitatedtopresentit，lestheshouldbeinerrorandbethemeansofmisleadingothers。Hewasthusledtoreviewtheevidencesinsupportoftheconclusionsatwhichhehadarrived，andtoconsidercarefullyeverydifficultywhichpresenteditselftohismind。HefoundthatobjectionsvanishedbeforethelightofGod’sword，asmistbeforetheraysofthesun。Fiveyearsspentthuslefthimfullyconvincedofthecorrectnessofhisposition。

AndnowthedutyofmakingknowntootherswhathebelievedtobesoclearlytaughtintheScriptures，urgeditselfwithnewforceuponhim。"WhenIwasaboutmybusiness，"hesaid，"itwascontinuallyringinginmyears，’Goandtelltheworldoftheirdanger。’Thistextwasconstantlyoccurringtome:

’WhenIsayuntothewicked，Owickedman，thoushaltsurelydie；ifthoudostnotspeaktowarnthewickedfromhisway，thatwickedmanshalldieinhisiniquity；buthisbloodwillIrequireatthinehand。Nevertheless，ifthouwarnthewickedofhiswaytoturnfromit；ifhedonotturnfromhisway，heshalldieinhisiniquity；butthouhastdeliveredthysoul。"

Ezekiel33:8，9。Ifeltthatifthewickedcouldbeeffectuallywarned，multitudesofthemwouldrepent；andthatiftheywerenotwarned，theirbloodmightberequiredatmyhand。"——Bliss，page92。

Hebegantopresenthisviewsinprivateashehadopportunity，prayingthatsomeministermightfeeltheirforceanddevotehimselftotheirpromulgation。Buthecouldnot331

banishtheconvictionthathehadapersonaldutytoperformingivingthewarning。Thewordswereeverrecurringtohismind:"Goandtellittotheworld；theirbloodwillIrequireatthyhand。"Fornineyearshewaited，theburdenstillpressinguponhissoul，untilin1813heforthefirsttimepubliclygavethereasonsofhisfaith。

AsElishawascalledfromfollowinghisoxeninthefield，toreceivethemantleofconsecrationtothepropheticoffice，sowasWilliamMillercalledtoleavehisplowandopentothepeoplethemysteriesofthekingdomofGod。Withtremblingheentereduponhiswork，leadinghishearersdown，stepbystep，throughthepropheticperiodstothesecondappearingofChrist。

Witheveryefforthegainedstrengthandcourageashesawthewidespreadinterestexcitedbyhiswords。

Itwasonlyatthesolicitationofhisbrethren，inwhosewordsheheardthecallofGod，thatMillerconsentedtopresenthisviewsinpublic。Hewasnowfiftyyearsofage，unaccustomedtopublicspeaking，andburdenedwithasenseofunfitnessfortheworkbeforehim。Butfromthefirsthislaborswereblessedinaremarkablemannertothesalvationofsouls。Hisfirstlecturewasfollowedbyareligiousawakeninginwhichthirteenentirefamilies，withtheexceptionoftwopersons，wereconverted。Hewasimmediatelyurgedtospeakinotherplaces，andinnearlyeveryplacehislaborresultedinarevivaloftheworkofGod。Sinnerswereconverted，Christianswererousedtogreaterconsecration，anddeistsandinfidelswereledtoacknowledgethetruthoftheBibleandtheChristianreligion。Thetestimonyofthoseamongwhomhelaboredwas:"Aclassofmindsarereachedbyhimnotwithintheinfluenceofothermen。"——Ibid。，page138。Hispreachingwascalculatedtoarousethepublicmindtothegreatthingsofreligionandtocheckthegrowingworldlinessandsensualityoftheage。

Innearlyeverytowntherewerescores，insome，hundreds，convertedasaresultofhispreaching。InmanyplacesProtestant332

churchesofnearlyalldenominationswerethrownopentohim，andtheinvitationstolaborusuallycamefromtheministersoftheseveralcongregations。Itwashisinvariablerulenottolaborinanyplacetowhichhehadnotbeeninvited，yethesoonfoundhimselfunabletocomplywithhalftherequeststhatpouredinuponhim。ManywhodidnotaccepthisviewsastotheexacttimeofthesecondadventwereconvincedofthecertaintyandnearnessofChrist’scomingandtheirneedofpreparation。Insomeofthelargecitieshisworkproducedamarkedimpression。Liquordealersabandonedthetrafficandturnedtheirshopsintomeetingrooms；gamblingdenswerebrokenup；infidels，deists，Universalists，andeventhemostabandonedprofligateswerereformed，someofwhomhadnotenteredahouseofworshipforyears。Prayermeetingswereestablishedbythevariousdenominations，indifferentquarters，atalmosteveryhour，businessmenassemblingatmiddayforprayerandpraise。Therewasnoextravagantexcitement，butanalmostuniversalsolemnityonthemindsofthepeople。

Hiswork，likethatoftheearlyReformers，tendedrathertoconvincetheunderstandingandarousetheconsciencethanmerelytoexcitetheemotions。

In1833Millerreceivedalicensetopreach，fromtheBaptistChurch，ofwhichhewasamember。Alargenumberoftheministersofhisdenominationalsoapprovedhiswork，anditwaswiththeirformalsanctionthathecontinuedhislabors。Hetraveledandpreachedunceasingly，thoughhispersonallaborswereconfinedprincipallytotheNewEnglandandMiddleStates。Forseveralyearshisexpensesweremetwhollyfromhisownprivatepurse，andheneverafterwardreceivedenoughtomeettheexpenseoftraveltotheplaceswherehewasinvited。Thushispubliclabors，sofarfrombeingapecuniarybenefit，wereaheavytaxuponhisproperty，whichgraduallydiminishedduringthisperiodofhislife。Hewasthefatherofalargefamily，butastheywereallfrugalandindustrious，hisfarmsufficedfortheirmaintenanceaswellashisown。

333

In1833，twoyearsafterMillerbegantopresentinpublictheevidencesofChrist’ssooncoming，thelastofthesignsappearedwhichwerepromisedbytheSaviourastokensofHissecondadvent。SaidJesus:"Thestarsshallfallfromheaven。"Matthew24:29。AndJohnintheRevelationdeclared，ashebeheldinvisionthescenesthatshouldheraldthedayofGod:"Thestarsofheavenfelluntotheearth，evenasafigtreecastethheruntimelyfigs，whensheisshakenofamightywind。"Revelation6:13。ThisprophecyreceivedastrikingandimpressivefulfillmentinthegreatmeteoricshowerofNovember13，1833。Thatwasthemostextensiveandwonderfuldisplayoffallingstarswhichhaseverbeenrecorded；"thewholefirmament，overalltheUnitedStates，beingthen，forhours，infierycommotion！Nocelestialphenomenonhaseveroccurredinthiscountry，sinceitsfirstsettlement，whichwasviewedwithsuchintenseadmirationbyoneclassinthecommunity，orwithsomuchdreadandalarmbyanother。""Itssublimityandawfulbeautystilllingerinmanyminds……Neverdidrainfallmuchthickerthanthemeteorsfelltowardtheearth；east，west，north，andsouth，itwasthesame。Inaword，thewholeheavensseemedinmotion……Thedisplay，asdescribedinProfessorSilliman’sJournal，wasseenalloverNorthAmerica……Fromtwoo’clockuntilbroaddaylight，theskybeingperfectlysereneandcloudless，anincessantplayofdazzlinglybrilliantluminositieswaskeptupinthewholeheavens。"——R。M。Devens，AmericanProgress；or，TheGreatEventsoftheGreatestCentury，ch。28，pars。1-5。

"Nolanguage，indeed，cancomeuptothesplendorofthatmagnificentdisplay；……noonewhodidnotwitnessitcanformanadequateconceptionofitsglory。Itseemedasifthewholestarryheavenshadcongregatedatonepointnearthezenith，andweresimultaneouslyshootingforth，withthevelocityoflightning，toeverypartofthehorizon；andyettheywerenotexhausted——thousandsswiftlyfollowedinthetracksofthousands，asifcreatedfortheoccasion。"——F。Reed，intheChristianAdvocateandJournal，Dec。13，1833。"A

334

morecorrectpictureofafigtreecastingitsfigswhenblownbyamightywind，itwasnotpossibletobehold。"——"TheOldCountryman，"inPortlandEveningAdvertiser，Nov。26，1833。

IntheNewYorkJournalofCommerceofNovember14，1833，appearedalongarticleregardingthiswonderfulphenomenon，containingthisstatement:"Nophilosopherorscholarhastoldorrecordedanevent，Isuppose，likethatofyesterdaymorning。Apropheteighteenhundredyearsagoforetolditexactly，ifwewillbeatthetroubleofunderstandingstarsfallingtomeanfallingstars，……intheonlysenseinwhichitispossibletobeliterallytrue。"

ThuswasdisplayedthelastofthosesignsofHiscoming，concerningwhichJesusbadeHisdisciples:"Whenyeshallseeallthesethings，knowthatitisnear，evenatthedoors。"Matthew24:33。Afterthesesigns，Johnbeheld，asthegreateventnextimpending，theheavensdepartingasascroll，whiletheearthquaked，mountainsandislandsremovedoutoftheirplaces，andthewickedinterrorsoughttofleefromthepresenceoftheSonofman。

Revelation6:12-17。

Manywhowitnessedthefallingofthestars，lookeduponitasaheraldofthecomingjudgment，"anawfultype，asureforerunner，amercifulsign，ofthatgreatanddreadfulday。"——"TheOldCountryman，"inPortlandEveningAdvertiser，Nov。26，1833。Thustheattentionofthepeoplewasdirectedtothefulfillmentofprophecy，andmanywereledtogiveheedtothewarningofthesecondadvent。

Intheyear1840anotherremarkablefulfillmentofprophecyexcitedwidespreadinterest。Twoyearsbefore，JosiahLitch，oneoftheleadingministerspreachingthesecondadvent，publishedanexpositionofRevelation9，predictingthefalloftheOttomanEmpire。Accordingtohiscalculations，thispowerwastobeoverthrown"inA。D。1840，sometimeinthemonthofAugust；"andonlyafewdaysprevioustoitsaccomplishmenthewrote:

"Allowingthefirstperiod，150years，tohavebeenexactlyfulfilledbeforeDeacozesascendedthethronebypermissionoftheTurks，andthatthe391

years，fifteendays，commencedatthecloseofthefirstperiod，itwillendonthe11thofAugust，1840，whentheOttomanpower335

inConstantinoplemaybeexpectedtobebroken。Andthis，Ibelieve，willbefoundtobethecase。"——JosiahLitch，inSignsoftheTimes，andExpositorofProphecy，Aug。1，1840。

Attheverytimespecified，Turkey，throughherambassadors，acceptedtheprotectionofthealliedpowersofEurope，andthusplacedherselfunderthecontrolofChristiannations。Theeventexactlyfulfilledtheprediction。

(SeeAppendix。)Whenitbecameknown，multitudeswereconvincedofthecorrectnessoftheprinciplesofpropheticinterpretationadoptedbyMillerandhisassociates，andawonderfulimpetuswasgiventotheadventmovement。MenoflearningandpositionunitedwithMiller，bothinpreachingandinpublishinghisviews，andfrom1840to1844theworkrapidlyextended。