第10章

WilliamMillerpossessedstrongmentalpowers，disciplinedbythoughtandstudy；andheaddedtothesethewisdomofheavenbyconnectinghimselfwiththeSourceofwisdom。Hewasamanofsterlingworth，whocouldnotbutcommandrespectandesteemwhereverintegrityofcharacterandmoralexcellencewerevalued。UnitingtruekindnessofheartwithChristianhumilityandthepowerofself-control，hewasattentiveandaffabletoall，readytolistentotheopinionsofothersandtoweightheirarguments。

WithoutpassionorexcitementhetestedalltheoriesanddoctrinesbythewordofGod，andhissoundreasoningandthoroughknowledgeoftheScripturesenabledhimtorefuteerrorandexposefalsehood。

Yethedidnotprosecutehisworkwithoutbitteropposition。AswithearlierReformers，thetruthswhichhepresentedwerenotreceivedwithfavorbypopularreligiousteachers。AsthesecouldnotmaintaintheirpositionbytheScriptures，theyweredriventoresorttothesayingsanddoctrinesofmen，tothetraditionsoftheFathers。ButthewordofGodwastheonlytestimonyacceptedbythepreachersoftheadventtruth。"TheBible，andtheBibleonly，"wastheirwatchword。ThelackofScriptureargumentonthepartoftheiropponentswassuppliedbyridiculeandscoffing。Time，means，andtalentswereemployedinmaligningthosewhose336

onlyoffensewasthattheylookedwithjoyforthereturnoftheirLordandwerestrivingtoliveholylivesandtoexhortotherstoprepareforHisappearing。

Earnestweretheeffortsputforthtodrawawaythemindsofthepeoplefromthesubjectofthesecondadvent。Itwasmadetoappearasin，somethingofwhichmenshouldbeashamed，tostudytheprophecieswhichrelatetothecomingofChristandtheendoftheworld。ThusthepopularministryunderminedfaithinthewordofGod。Theirteachingmademeninfidels，andmanytooklicensetowalkaftertheirownungodlylusts。ThentheauthorsoftheevilchargeditalluponAdventists。

Whiledrawingcrowdedhousesofintelligentandattentivehearers，Miller’snamewasseldommentionedbythereligiouspressexceptbywayofridiculeordenunciation。Thecarelessandungodlyemboldenedbythepositionofreligiousteachers，resortedtoopprobriousepithets，tobaseandblasphemouswitticisms，intheireffortstoheapcontumelyuponhimandhiswork。Thegray-headedmanwhohadleftacomfortablehometotravelathisownexpensefromcitytocity，fromtowntotown，toilingunceasinglytobeartotheworldthesolemnwarningofthejudgmentnear，wassneeringlydenouncedasafanatic，aliar，aspeculatingknave。

Theridicule，falsehood，andabuseheapeduponhimcalledforthindignantremonstrance，evenfromthesecularpress。"Totreatasubjectofsuchoverwhelmingmajestyandfearfulconsequences，"withlightnessandribaldrywasdeclaredbyworldlymentobe"notmerelytosportwiththefeelingsofitspropagatorsandadvocates，"but"tomakeajestofthedayofjudgment，toscoffattheDeityHimself，andcontemntheterrorsofHisjudgmentbar。"——Bliss，page183。

Theinstigatorofallevilsoughtnotonlytocounteracttheeffectoftheadventmessage，buttodestroythemessengerhimself。MillermadeapracticalapplicationofScripturetruthtotheheartsofhishearers，reprovingtheirsinsand337

disturbingtheirself-satisfaction，andhisplainandcuttingwordsarousedtheirenmity。Theoppositionmanifestedbychurchmemberstowardhismessageemboldenedthebaserclassestogotogreaterlengths；andenemiesplottedtotakehislifeasheshouldleavetheplaceofmeeting。Butholyangelswereinthethrong，andoneofthese，intheformofaman，tookthearmofthisservantoftheLordandledhiminsafetyfromtheangrymob。Hisworkwasnotyetdone，andSatanandhisemissariesweredisappointedintheirpurpose。

Despiteallopposition，theinterestintheadventmovementhadcontinuedtoincrease。Fromscoresandhundreds，thecongregationshadgrowntoasmanythousands。Largeaccessionshadbeenmadetothevariouschurches，butafteratimethespiritofoppositionwasmanifestedevenagainsttheseconverts，andthechurchesbegantotakedisciplinarystepswiththosewhohadembracedMiller’sviews。Thisactioncalledfortharesponsefromhispen，inanaddresstoChristiansofalldenominations，urgingthatifhisdoctrineswerefalse，heshouldbeshownhiserrorfromtheScriptures。

"Whathavewebelieved，"hesaid，"thatwehavenotbeencommandedtobelievebythewordofGod，whichyouyourselvesallowistherule，andonlyrule，ofourfaithandpractice？Whathavewedonethatshouldcalldownsuchvirulentdenunciationsagainstusfrompulpitandpress，andgiveyoujustcausetoexcludeus[Adventists]fromyourchurchesandfellowship？"

"Ifwearewrong，prayshowuswhereinconsistsourwrong。ShowusfromthewordofGodthatweareinerror；wehavehadridiculeenough；thatcanneverconvinceusthatweareinthewrong；thewordofGodalonecanchangeourviews。Ourconclusionshavebeenformeddeliberatelyandprayerfully，aswehaveseentheevidenceintheScriptures。"——Ibid。，pages250，252。

FromagetoagethewarningswhichGodhassenttotheworldbyHisservantshavebeenreceivedwithlikeincredulityandunbelief。Whentheiniquityoftheantediluvians338

movedHimtobringafloodofwatersupontheearth，HefirstmadeknowntothemHispurpose，thattheymighthaveopportunitytoturnfromtheirevilways。Forahundredandtwentyyearswassoundedintheirearsthewarningtorepent，lestthewrathofGodbemanifestedintheirdestruction。Butthemessageseemedtothemanidletale，andtheybelieveditnot。EmboldenedintheirwickednesstheymockedthemessengerofGod，madelightofhisentreaties，andevenaccusedhimofpresumption。Howdareonemanstandupagainstallthegreatmenoftheearth？IfNoah’smessageweretrue，whydidnotalltheworldseeitandbelieveit？Oneman’sassertionagainstthewisdomofthousands！Theywouldnotcreditthewarning，norwouldtheyseekshelterintheark。

Scofferspointedtothethingsofnature，——totheunvaryingsuccessionoftheseasons，totheblueskiesthathadneverpouredoutrain，tothegreenfieldsrefreshedbythesoftdewsofnight，——andtheycriedout:"Dothhenotspeakparables？"Incontempttheydeclaredthepreacherofrighteousnesstobeawildenthusiast；andtheywenton，moreeagerintheirpursuitofpleasure，moreintentupontheirevilways，thanbefore。Buttheirunbeliefdidnothinderthepredictedevent。Godborelongwiththeirwickedness，givingthemampleopportunityforrepentance；butattheappointedtimeHisjudgmentswerevisitedupontherejectersofHismercy。

ChristdeclaresthattherewillexistsimilarunbeliefconcerningHissecondcoming。AsthepeopleofNoah’sday"knewnotuntiltheFloodcame，andtookthemallaway；so，"inthewordsofourSaviour，"shallalsothecomingoftheSonofmanbe。"Matthew24-39。WhentheprofessedpeopleofGodareunitingwiththeworld，livingastheylive，andjoiningwiththeminforbiddenpleasures；whentheluxuryoftheworldbecomestheluxuryofthechurch；whenthemarriagebellsarechiming，andallarelookingforwardtomanyyearsofworldlyprosperity——then，suddenlyasthe339

lightningflashesfromtheheavens，willcometheendoftheirbrightvisionsanddelusivehopes。

AsGodsentHisservanttowarntheworldofthecomingFlood，soHesentchosenmessengerstomakeknownthenearnessofthefinaljudgment。AndasNoah’scontemporarieslaughedtoscornthepredictionsofthepreacherofrighteousness，soinMiller’sdaymany，evenoftheprofessedpeopleofGod，scoffedatthewordsofwarning。

AndwhywerethedoctrineandpreachingofChrist’ssecondcomingsounwelcometothechurches？WhiletothewickedtheadventoftheLordbringswoeanddesolation，totherighteousitisfraughtwithjoyandhope。ThisgreattruthhadbeentheconsolationofGod’sfaithfulonesthroughalltheages；whyhaditbecome，likeitsAuthor，"astoneofstumbling"and"arockofoffense"toHisprofessedpeople？ItwasourLordHimselfwhopromisedHisdisciples:"IfIgoandprepareaplaceforyou，Iwillcomeagain，andreceiveyouuntoMyself。"John14:3。ItwasthecompassionateSaviour，who，anticipatingthelonelinessandsorrowofHisfollowers，commissionedangelstocomfortthemwiththeassurancethatHewouldcomeagaininperson，evenasHewentintoheaven。AsthedisciplesstoodgazingintentlyupwardtocatchthelastglimpseofHimwhomtheyloved，theirattentionwasarrestedbythewords:"YemenofGalilee，whystandyegazingupintoheaven？thissameJesus，whichistakenupfromyouintoheaven，shallsocomeinlikemannerasyehaveseenHimgointoheaven。"Acts1:11。Hopewaskindledafreshbytheangels’message。Thedisciples"returnedtoJerusalemwithgreatjoy:andwerecontinuallyinthetemple，praisingandblessingGod。"

Luke24:52，53。TheywerenotrejoicingbecauseJesushadbeenseparatedfromthemandtheywerelefttostrugglewiththetrialsandtemptationsoftheworld，butbecauseoftheangels’assurancethatHewouldcomeagain。

TheproclamationofChrist’scomingshouldnowbe，aswhenmadebytheangelstotheshepherdsofBethlehem，340

goodtidingsofgreatjoy。ThosewhoreallylovetheSaviourcannotbuthailwithgladnesstheannouncementfoundeduponthewordofGodthatHeinwhomtheirhopesofeternallifearecenterediscomingagain，nottobeinsulted，despised，andrejected，asatHisfirstadvent，butinpowerandglory，toredeemHispeople。ItisthosewhodonotlovetheSaviourthatdesireHimtoremainaway，andtherecanbenomoreconclusiveevidencethatthechurcheshavedepartedfromGodthantheirritationandanimosityexcitedbythisHeaven-sentmessage。

ThosewhoacceptedtheadventdoctrinewererousedtothenecessityofrepentanceandhumiliationbeforeGod。ManyhadlongbeenhaltingbetweenChristandtheworld；nowtheyfeltthatitwastimetotakeastand。"Thethingsofeternityassumedtothemanunwontedreality。Heavenwasbroughtnear，andtheyfeltthemselvesguiltybeforeGod。"——Bliss，page146。

Christianswerequickenedtonewspirituallife。Theyweremadetofeelthattimewasshort，thatwhattheyhadtodofortheirfellowmenmustbedonequickly。Earthreceded，eternityseemedtoopenbeforethem，andthesoul，withallthatpertainedtoitsimmortalwealorwoe，wasfelttoeclipseeverytemporalobject。TheSpiritofGodresteduponthemandgavepowertotheirearnestappealstotheirbrethren，aswellastosinners，toprepareforthedayofGod。Thesilenttestimonyoftheirdailylifewasaconstantrebuketoformalandunconsecratedchurchmembers。Thesedidnotwishtobedisturbedintheirpursuitofpleasure，theirdevotiontomoney-making，andtheirambitionforworldlyhonor。Hencetheenmityandoppositionexcitedagainsttheadventfaithandthosewhoproclaimedit。

Astheargumentsfromthepropheticperiodswerefoundtobeimpregnable，opposersendeavoredtodiscourageinvestigationofthesubjectbyteachingthatthepropheciesweresealed。ThusProtestantsfollowedinthestepsofRomanists。WhilethepapalchurchwithholdstheBible(seeAppendix)fromthepeople，Protestantchurchesclaimedthatan341

importantpartoftheSacredWord——andthatthepartwhichbringstoviewtruthsspeciallyapplicabletoourtime——couldnotbeunderstood。

MinistersandpeopledeclaredthatthepropheciesofDanielandtheRevelationwereincomprehensiblemysteries。ButChristdirectedHisdisciplestothewordsoftheprophetDanielconcerningeventstotakeplaceintheirtime，andsaid:"Whosoreadeth，lethimunderstand。"Matthew24:15。

AndtheassertionthattheRevelationisamystery，nottobeunderstood，iscontradictedbytheverytitleofthebook:"TheRevelationofJesusChrist，whichGodgaveuntoHim，toshowuntoHisservantsthingswhichmustshortlycometopass……Blessedishethatreadeth，andtheythathearthewordsofthisprophecy，andkeepthosethingswhicharewrittentherein:forthetimeisathand。"Revelation1:1-3。

Saystheprophet:"Blessedishethatreadeth"——therearethosewhowillnotread；theblessingisnotforthem。"Andtheythathear"——therearesome，also，whorefusetohearanythingconcerningtheprophecies；theblessingisnotforthisclass。"Andkeepthosethingswhicharewrittentherein"——manyrefusetoheedthewarningsandinstructionscontainedintheRevelation；

noneofthesecanclaimtheblessingpromised。Allwhoridiculethesubjectsoftheprophecyandmockatthesymbolsheresolemnlygiven，allwhorefusetoreformtheirlivesandtoprepareforthecomingoftheSonofman，willbeunblessed。

InviewofthetestimonyofInspiration，howdarementeachthattheRevelationisamysterybeyondthereachofhumanunderstanding？Itisamysteryrevealed，abookopened。ThestudyoftheRevelationdirectsthemindtothepropheciesofDaniel，andbothpresentmostimportantinstruction，givenofGodtomen，concerningeventstotakeplaceatthecloseofthisworld’shistory。

ToJohnwereopenedscenesofdeepandthrillinginterestintheexperienceofthechurch。Hesawtheposition，dangers，conflicts，andfinaldeliveranceofthepeopleofGod。He342

recordstheclosingmessageswhicharetoripentheharvestoftheearth，eitherassheavesfortheheavenlygarnerorasfagotsforthefiresofdestruction。Subjectsofvastimportancewererevealedtohim，especiallyforthelastchurch，thatthosewhoshouldturnfromerrortotruthmightbeinstructedconcerningtheperilsandconflictsbeforethem。Noneneedbeindarknessinregardtowhatiscomingupontheearth。

Why，then，thiswidespreadignoranceconcerninganimportantpartofHolyWrit？Whythisgeneralreluctancetoinvestigateitsteachings？Itistheresultofastudiedeffortoftheprinceofdarknesstoconcealfrommenthatwhichrevealshisdeceptions。Forthisreason，ChristtheRevelator，foreseeingthewarfarethatwouldbewagedagainstthestudyoftheRevelation，pronouncedablessinguponallwhoshouldread，hear，andobservethewordsoftheprophecy。

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Chapter19

LightThroughDarknessTheworkofGodintheearthpresents，fromagetoage，astrikingsimilarityineverygreatreformationorreligiousmovement。TheprinciplesofGod’sdealingwithmenareeverthesame。Theimportantmovementsofthepresenthavetheirparallelinthoseofthepast，andtheexperienceofthechurchinformerageshaslessonsofgreatvalueforourowntime。

NotruthismoreclearlytaughtintheBiblethanthatGodbyHisHolySpiritespeciallydirectsHisservantsonearthinthegreatmovementsforthecarryingforwardoftheworkofsalvation。MenareinstrumentsinthehandofGod，employedbyHimtoaccomplishHispurposesofgraceandmercy。

Eachhashisparttoact；toeachisgrantedameasureoflight，adaptedtothenecessitiesofhistime，andsufficienttoenablehimtoperformtheworkwhichGodhasgivenhimtodo。Butnoman，howeverhonoredofHeaven，haseverattainedtoafullunderstandingofthegreatplanofredemption，oreventoaperfectappreciationofthedivinepurposeintheworkforhisowntime。MendonotfullyunderstandwhatGodwouldaccomplishbytheworkwhichHegivesthemtodo；theydonotcomprehend，inallitsbearings，themessagewhichtheyutterinHisname。

"CanstthoubysearchingfindoutGod？canstthoufindouttheAlmightyuntoperfection？""Mythoughtsarenotyourthoughts，neitherareyourwaysMyways，saiththe344

Lord。Forastheheavensarehigherthantheearth，soareMywayshigherthanyourways，andMythoughtsthanyourthoughts。""IamGod，andthereisnonelikeMe，declaringtheendfromthebeginning，andfromancienttimesthethingsthatarenotyetdone。"Job11:7；Isaiah55:8，9；46:9，10。

EventheprophetswhowerefavoredwiththespecialilluminationoftheSpiritdidnotfullycomprehendtheimportoftherevelationscommittedtothem。Themeaningwastobeunfoldedfromagetoage，asthepeopleofGodshouldneedtheinstructionthereincontained。

Peter，writingofthesalvationbroughttolightthroughthegospel，says:

Ofthissalvation"theprophetshaveinquiredandsearcheddiligently，whoprophesiedofthegracethatshouldcomeuntoyou:searchingwhat，orwhatmanneroftimetheSpiritofChristwhichwasinthemdidsignify，whenittestifiedbeforehandthesufferingsofChrist，andtheglorythatshouldfollow。Untowhomitwasrevealed，thatnotuntothemselves，butuntoustheydidminister。"1Peter1:10-12。

Yetwhileitwasnotgiventotheprophetstounderstandfullythethingsrevealedtothem，theyearnestlysoughttoobtainallthelightwhichGodhadbeenpleasedtomakemanifest。They"inquiredandsearcheddiligently，"

"searchingwhat，orwhatmanneroftimetheSpiritofChristwhichwasinthemdidsignify。"WhatalessontothepeopleofGodintheChristianage，forwhosebenefitthesepropheciesweregiventoHisservants！"Untowhomitwasrevealed，thatnotuntothemselves，butuntoustheydidminister。"

WitnessthoseholymenofGodasthey"inquiredandsearcheddiligently"

concerningrevelationsgiventhemforgenerationsthatwereyetunborn。

ContrasttheirholyzealwiththelistlessunconcernwithwhichthefavoredonesoflateragestreatthisgiftofHeaven。Whatarebuketotheease-loving，world-lovingindifferencewhichiscontenttodeclarethatthepropheciescannotbeunderstood！

Thoughthefinitemindsofmenareinadequatetoenter345

intothecounselsoftheInfiniteOne，ortounderstandfullytheworkingoutofHispurposes，yetoftenitisbecauseofsomeerrororneglectontheirownpartthattheysodimlycomprehendthemessagesofHeaven。Notinfrequentlythemindsofthepeople，andevenofGod’sservants，aresoblindedbyhumanopinions，thetraditionsandfalseteachingofmen，thattheyareableonlypartiallytograspthegreatthingswhichHehasrevealedinHisword。ThusitwaswiththedisciplesofChrist，evenwhentheSaviourwaswiththeminperson。TheirmindshadbecomeimbuedwiththepopularconceptionoftheMessiahasatemporalprince，whowastoexaltIsraeltothethroneoftheuniversalempire，andtheycouldnotunderstandthemeaningofHiswordsforetellingHissufferingsanddeath。

ChristHimselfhadsentthemforthwiththemessage:"Thetimeisfulfilled，andthekingdomofGodisathand:repentye，andbelievethegospel。"Mark1:15。ThatmessagewasbasedontheprophecyofDaniel9。Thesixty-nineweeksweredeclaredbytheangeltoextendto"theMessiahthePrince，"andwithhighhopesandjoyfulanticipationsthediscipleslookedforwardtotheestablishmentofMessiah’skingdomatJerusalemtoruleoverthewholeearth。

TheypreachedthemessagewhichChristhadcommittedtothem，thoughtheythemselvesmisapprehendeditsmeaning。WhiletheirannouncementwasfoundedonDaniel9:25，theydidnotsee，inthenextverseofthesamechapter，thatMessiahwastobecutoff。Fromtheirverybirththeirheartshadbeensetupontheanticipatedgloryofanearthlyempire，andthisblindedtheirunderstandingaliketothespecificationsoftheprophecyandtothewordsofChrist。

TheyperformedtheirdutyinpresentingtotheJewishnationtheinvitationofmercy，andthen，attheverytimewhentheyexpectedtoseetheirLordascendthethroneofDavid，theybeheldHimseizedasamalefactor，scourged，derided，andcondemned，andlifteduponthecrossof346

Calvary。WhatdespairandanguishwrungtheheartsofthosedisciplesduringthedayswhiletheirLordwassleepinginthetomb！

Christhadcomeattheexacttimeandinthemannerforetoldbyprophecy。

ThetestimonyofScripturehadbeenfulfilledineverydetailofHisministry。Hehadpreachedthemessageofsalvation，and"Hiswordwaswithpower。"TheheartsofHishearershadwitnessedthatitwasofHeaven。ThewordandtheSpiritofGodattestedthedivinecommissionofHisSon。

ThedisciplesstillclungwithundyingaffectiontotheirbelovedMaster。

Andyettheirmindswereshroudedinuncertaintyanddoubt。IntheiranguishtheydidnotthenrecallthewordsofChristpointingforwardtoHissufferinganddeath。IfJesusofNazarethhadbeenthetrueMessiah，wouldtheyhavebeenthusplungedingriefanddisappointment？ThiswasthequestionthattorturedtheirsoulswhiletheSaviourlayinHissepulcherduringthehopelesshoursofthatSabbathwhichintervenedbetweenHisdeathandHisresurrection。

ThoughthenightofsorrowgathereddarkaboutthesefollowersofJesus，yetweretheynotforsaken。Saiththeprophet:"WhenIsitindarkness，theLordshallbealightuntome……Hewillbringmeforthtothelight，andI

shallbeholdHisrighteousness。""Yea，thedarknesshidethnotfromThee；

butthenightshinethastheday:thedarknessandthelightarebothaliketoThee。"Godhathspoken:"Untotheuprighttherearisethlightinthedarkness。""Iwillbringtheblindbyawaythattheyknewnot；Iwillleadtheminpathsthattheyhavenotknown:Iwillmakedarknesslightbeforethem，andcrookedthingsstraight。ThesethingswillIdountothem，andnotforsakethem。"Micah7:8，9；Psalms139:12；112:4；Isaiah42:16。

TheannouncementwhichhadbeenmadebythedisciplesinthenameoftheLordwasineveryparticularcorrect，andtheeventstowhichitpointedwereeventhentakingplace。"Thetimeisfulfilled，thekingdomofGodisathand，"had347

beentheirmessage。Attheexpirationof"thetime"——thesixty-nineweeksofDaniel9，whichweretoextendtotheMessiah，"theAnointedOne"——ChristhadreceivedtheanointingoftheSpiritafterHisbaptismbyJohninJordan。Andthe"kingdomofGod"whichtheyhaddeclaredtobeathandwasestablishedbythedeathofChrist。Thiskingdomwasnot，astheyhadbeentaughttobelieve，anearthlyempire。Norwasitthatfuture，immortalkingdomwhichshallbesetupwhen"thekingdomanddominion，andthegreatnessofthekingdomunderthewholeheaven，shallbegiventothepeopleofthesaintsoftheMostHigh；"thateverlastingkingdom，inwhich"alldominionsshallserveandobeyHim。"Daniel7:27。AsusedintheBible，theexpression"kingdomofGod"isemployedtodesignateboththekingdomofgraceandthekingdomofglory。ThekingdomofgraceisbroughttoviewbyPaulintheEpistletotheHebrews。AfterpointingtoChrist，thecompassionateintercessorwhois"touchedwiththefeelingofourinfirmities，"theapostlesays:"Letusthereforecomeboldlyuntothethroneofgrace，thatwemayobtainmercy，andfindgrace。"Hebrews4:15，16。Thethroneofgracerepresentsthekingdomofgrace；fortheexistenceofathroneimpliestheexistenceofakingdom。InmanyofHisparablesChristusestheexpression"thekingdomofheaven"todesignatetheworkofdivinegraceupontheheartsofmen。

Sothethroneofgloryrepresentsthekingdomofglory；andthiskingdomisreferredtointheSaviour’swords:"WhentheSonofmanshallcomeinHisglory，andalltheholyangelswithHim，thenshallHesituponthethroneofHisglory:andbeforeHimshallbegatheredallnations。"Matthew25:31，32。Thiskingdomisyetfuture。ItisnottobesetupuntilthesecondadventofChrist。

Thekingdomofgracewasinstitutedimmediatelyafterthefallofman，whenaplanwasdevisedfortheredemptionoftheguiltyrace。ItthenexistedinthepurposeandbythepromiseofGod；andthroughfaith，mencouldbecomeitssubjects。Yetitwasnotactuallyestablisheduntilthedeathof348

Christ。EvenafterenteringuponHisearthlymission，theSaviour，weariedwiththestubbornnessandingratitudeofmen，mighthavedrawnbackfromthesacrificeofCalvary。InGethsemanethecupofwoetrembledinHishand。Hemighteventhenhavewipedtheblood-sweatfromHisbrowandhavelefttheguiltyracetoperishintheiriniquity。HadHedonethis，therecouldhavebeennoredemptionforfallenmen。ButwhentheSaviouryieldedupHislife，andwithHisexpiringbreathcriedout，"Itisfinished，"thenthefulfillmentoftheplanofredemptionwasassured。ThepromiseofsalvationmadetothesinfulpairinEdenwasratified。Thekingdomofgrace，whichhadbeforeexistedbythepromiseofGod，wasthenestablished。

ThusthedeathofChrist——theveryeventwhichthediscipleshadlookeduponasthefinaldestructionoftheirhope——wasthatwhichmadeitforeversure。Whileithadbroughtthemacrueldisappointment，itwastheclimaxofproofthattheirbeliefhadbeencorrect。TheeventthathadfilledthemwithmourninganddespairwasthatwhichopenedthedoorofhopetoeverychildofAdam，andinwhichcenteredthefuturelifeandeternalhappinessofallGod’sfaithfulonesinalltheages。

Purposesofinfinitemercywerereachingtheirfulfillment，eventhoughthedisappointmentofthedisciples。WhiletheirheartshadbeenwonbythedivinegraceandpowerofHisteaching，who"spakeasnevermanspake，"yetintermingledwiththepuregoldoftheirloveforJesus，wasthebasealloyofworldlyprideandselfishambitions。EveninthePassoverchamber，atthatsolemnhourwhentheirMasterwasalreadyenteringtheshadowofGethsemane，therewas"astrifeamongthem，whichofthemshouldbeaccountedthegreatest。"Luke22:24。Theirvisionwasfilledwiththethrone，thecrown，andtheglory，whilejustbeforethemlaytheshameandagonyofthegarden，thejudgmenthall，thecrossofCalvary。Itwastheirprideofheart，theirthirstforworldly349

glory，thathadledthemtoclingsotenaciouslytothefalseteachingoftheirtime，andtopassunheededtheSaviour’swordsshowingthetruenatureofHiskingdom，andpointingforwardtoHisagonyanddeath。Andtheseerrorresultedinthetrial——sharpbutneedful——whichwaspermittedfortheircorrection。Thoughthediscipleshadmistakenthemeaningoftheirmessage，andhadfailedtorealizetheirexpectations，yettheyhadpreachedthewarninggiventhemofGod，andtheLordwouldrewardtheirfaithandhonortheirobedience。TothemwastobeentrustedtheworkofheraldingtoallnationsthegloriousgospeloftheirrisenLord。Itwastopreparethemforthisworkthattheexperiencewhichseemedtothemsobitterhadbeenpermitted。

AfterHisresurrectionJesusappearedtoHisdisciplesonthewaytoEmmaus，and，"beginningatMosesandalltheprophets，HeexpoundeduntotheminalltheScripturesthethingsconcerningHimself。"Luke24:27。Theheartsofthediscipleswerestirred。Faithwaskindled。Theywere"begottenagainintoalivelyhope"evenbeforeJesusrevealedHimselftothem。ItwasHispurposetoenlightentheirunderstandingandtofastentheirfaithuponthe"surewordofprophecy。"Hewishedthetruthtotakefirmrootintheirminds，notmerelybecauseitwassupportedbyHispersonaltestimony，butbecauseoftheunquestionableevidencepresentedbythesymbolsandshadowsofthetypicallaw，andbythepropheciesoftheOldTestament。ItwasneedfulforthefollowersofChristtohaveanintelligentfaith，notonlyintheirownbehalf，butthattheymightcarrytheknowledgeofChristtotheworld。Andastheveryfirststepinimpartingthisknowledge，Jesusdirectedthedisciplesto"Mosesandalltheprophets。"SuchwasthetestimonygivenbytherisenSaviourtothevalueandimportanceoftheOldTestamentScriptures。

Whatachangewaswroughtintheheartsofthedisciplesastheylookedoncemoreonthelovedcountenanceoftheir350

Master！Luke24:32。Inamorecompleteandperfectsensethaneverbeforetheyhad"foundHim，ofwhomMosesinthelaw，andtheprophets，didwrite。"

Theuncertainty，theanguish，thedespair，gaveplacetoperfectassurance，touncloudedfaith。WhatmarvelthatafterHisascensionthey"werecontinuallyinthetemple，praisingandblessingGod。"Thepeople，knowingonlyoftheSaviour’signominiousdeath，lookedtoseeintheirfacestheexpressionofsorrow，confusion，anddefeat；buttheysawtheregladnessandtriumph。Whatapreparationthesediscipleshadreceivedfortheworkbeforethem！Theyhadpassedthroughthedeepesttrialwhichitwaspossibleforthemtoexperience，andhadseenhow，whentohumanvisionallwaslost，thewordofGodhadbeentriumphantlyaccomplished。Henceforwardwhatcoulddaunttheirfaithorchilltheardoroftheirlove？Inthekeenestsorrowtheyhad"strongconsolation，"ahopewhichwasas"ananchorofthesoul，bothsureandsteadfast。"Hebrews6:18，19。TheyhadbeenwitnesstothewisdomandpowerofGod，andtheywere"persuaded，thatneitherdeath，norlife，norangels，norprincipalities，norpowers，northingspresent，northingstocome，norheight，nordepth，noranyothercreature，"wouldbeabletoseparatethemfrom"theloveofGod，whichisinChristJesusourLord。""Inallthesethings，"theysaid，"wearemorethanconquerorsthroughHimthatlovedus。"Romans8:38，39，37。"ThewordoftheLordendurethforever。"1Peter1:25。And"whoishethatcondemneth？ItisChristthatdied，yearather，thatisrisenagain，whoisevenattherighthandofGod，whoalsomakethintercessionforus。"Romans8:34。

SaiththeLord:"Mypeopleshallneverbeashamed。"Joel2:26。"Weepingmayendureforanight，butjoycomethinthemorning。"Psalm30:5。WhenonHisresurrectiondaythesedisciplesmettheSaviour，andtheirheartsburnedwithinthemastheylistenedtoHiswords；whentheylookedupontheheadandhandsandfeetthathadbeenbruisedforthem；when，beforeHisascension，Jesusledthemoutas351

farasBethany，andliftingupHishandsinblessing，badethem，"Goyeintoalltheworld，andpreachthegospel，"adding，"Lo，Iamwithyoualway"

(Mark16:15；Matthew28:20)；whenontheDayofPentecostthepromisedComforterdescendedandthepowerfromonhighwasgivenandthesoulsofthebelieversthrilledwiththeconsciouspresenceoftheirascendedLord——then，eventhough，likeHis，theirpathwayledthroughsacrificeandmartyrdom，wouldtheyhaveexchangedtheministryofthegospelofHisgrace，withthe"crownofrighteousness"tobereceivedatHiscoming，forthegloryofanearthlythrone，whichhadbeenthehopeoftheirearlierdiscipleship？Hewhois"abletodoexceedingabundantlyaboveallthatweaskorthink，"hadgrantedthem，withthefellowshipofHissufferings，thecommunionofHisjoy——thejoyof"bringingmanysonsuntoglory，"joyunspeakable，an"eternalweightofglory，"towhich，saysPaul，"ourlightaffliction，whichisbutforamoment，"is"notworthytobecompared。"

Theexperienceofthediscipleswhopreachedthe"gospelofthekingdom"atthefirstadventofChrist，haditscounterpartintheexperienceofthosewhoproclaimedthemessageofHissecondadvent。Asthediscipleswentoutpreaching，"Thetimeisfulfilled，thekingdomofGodisathand，"soMillerandhisassociatesproclaimedthatthelongestandlastpropheticperiodbroughttoviewintheBiblewasabouttoexpire，thatthejudgmentwasathand，andtheeverlastingkingdomwastobeusheredin。ThepreachingofthedisciplesinregardtotimewasbasedontheseventyweeksofDaniel9。ThemessagegivenbyMillerandhisassociatesannouncedtheterminationofthe2300daysofDaniel8:14，ofwhichtheseventyweeksformapart。Thepreachingofeachwasbaseduponthefulfillmentofadifferentportionofthesamegreatpropheticperiod。

Likethefirstdisciples，WilliamMillerandhisassociatesdidnot，themselves，fullycomprehendtheimportofthemessagewhichtheybore。

Errorsthathadbeenlongestablished352

inthechurchpreventedthemfromarrivingatacorrectinterpretationofanimportantpointintheprophecy。Therefore，thoughtheyproclaimedthemessagewhichGodhadcommittedtothemtobegiventotheworld，yetthroughamisapprehensionofitsmeaningtheysuffereddisappointment。

InexplainingDaniel8:14，"Untotwothousandandthreehundreddays；thenshallthesanctuarybecleansed，"Miller，ashasbeenstated，adoptedthegenerallyreceivedviewthattheearthisthesanctuary，andhebelievedthatthecleansingofthesanctuaryrepresentedthepurificationoftheearthbyfireatthecomingoftheLord。When，therefore，hefoundthatthecloseofthe2300dayswasdefinitelyforetold，heconcludedthatthisrevealedthetimeofthesecondadvent。Hiserrorresultedfromacceptingthepopularviewastowhatconstitutesthesanctuary。

Inthetypicalsystem，whichwasashadowofthesacrificeandpriesthoodofChrist，thecleansingofthesanctuarywasthelastserviceperformedbythehighpriestintheyearlyroundofministration。Itwastheclosingworkoftheatonement——aremovalorputtingawayofsinfromIsrael。ItprefiguredtheclosingworkintheministrationofourHighPriestinheaven，intheremovalorblottingoutofthesinsofHispeople，whichareregisteredintheheavenlyrecords。Thisserviceinvolvesaworkofinvestigation，aworkofjudgment；anditimmediatelyprecedesthecomingofChristinthecloudsofheavenwithpowerandgreatglory；forwhenHecomes，everycasehasbeendecided。SaysJesus:"MyrewardiswithMe，togiveeverymanaccordingashisworkshallbe。"Revelation22:12。Itisthisworkofjudgment，immediatelyprecedingthesecondadvent，thatisannouncedinthefirstangel’smessageofRevelation14:7:"FearGod，andgiveglorytoHim；forthehourofHisjudgmentiscome。"

Thosewhoproclaimedthiswarninggavetherightmessageattherighttime。

Butastheearlydisciplesdeclared，"Thetimeisfulfilled，andthekingdomofGodisathand，"

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basedontheprophecyofDaniel9，whiletheyfailedtoperceivethatthedeathoftheMessiahwasforetoldinthesamescripture，soMillerandhisassociatespreachedthemessagebasedonDaniel8:14andRevelation14:7，andfailedtoseethattherewerestillothermessagesbroughttoviewinRevelation14，whichwerealsotobegivenbeforetheadventoftheLord。Asthedisciplesweremistakeninregardtothekingdomtobesetupattheendoftheseventyweeks，soAdventistsweremistakeninregardtotheeventtotakeplaceattheexpirationofthe2300days。Inbothcasestherewasanacceptanceof，orratheranadherenceto，popularerrorsthatblindedthemindtothetruth。BothclassesfulfilledthewillofGodindeliveringthemessagewhichHedesiredtobegiven，andboth，throughtheirownmisapprehensionoftheirmessage，suffereddisappointment。

YetGodaccomplishedHisownbeneficentpurposeinpermittingthewarningofthejudgmenttobegivenjustasitwas。Thegreatdaywasathand，andinHisprovidencethepeoplewerebroughttothetestofadefinitetime，inordertorevealtothemwhatwasintheirhearts。Themessagewasdesignedforthetestingandpurificationofthechurch。TheyweretobeledtoseewhethertheiraffectionsweresetuponthisworldoruponChristandheaven。

TheyprofessedtolovetheSaviour；nowtheyweretoprovetheirlove。Weretheyreadytorenouncetheirworldlyhopesandambitions，andwelcomewithjoytheadventoftheirLord？Themessagewasdesignedtoenablethemtodiscerntheirtruespiritualstate；itwassentinmercytoarousethemtoseektheLordwithrepentanceandhumiliation。

Thedisappointmentalso，thoughtheresultoftheirownmisapprehensionofthemessagewhichtheygave，wastobeoverruledforgood。Itwouldtesttheheartsofthosewhohadprofessedtoreceivethewarning。InthefaceoftheirdisappointmentwouldtheyrashlygiveuptheirexperienceandcastawaytheirconfidenceinGod’sword？orwouldthey，in354

prayerandhumility，seektodiscernwheretheyhadfailedtocomprehendthesignificanceoftheprophecy？Howmanyhadmovedfromfear，orfromimpulseandexcitement？Howmanywerehalfheartedandunbelieving？MultitudesprofessedtolovetheappearingoftheLord。Whencalledtoendurethescoffsandreproachoftheworld，andthetestofdelayanddisappointment，wouldtheyrenouncethefaith？BecausetheydidnotimmediatelyunderstandthedealingsofGodwiththem，wouldtheycastasidetruthssustainedbytheclearesttestimonyofHisword？

ThistestwouldrevealthestrengthofthosewhowithrealfaithhadobeyedwhattheybelievedtobetheteachingofthewordandtheSpiritofGod。Itwouldteachthem，asonlysuchanexperiencecould，thedangerofacceptingthetheoriesandinterpretationsofmen，insteadofmakingtheBibleitsowninterpreter。Tothechildrenoffaiththeperplexityandsorrowresultingfromtheirerrorwouldworktheneededcorrection。Theywouldbeledtoacloserstudyofthepropheticword。Theywouldbetaughttoexaminemorecarefullythefoundationoftheirfaith，andtorejecteverything，howeverwidelyacceptedbytheChristianworld，thatwasnotfoundedupontheScripturesoftruth。

Withthesebelievers，aswiththefirstdisciples，thatwhichinthehouroftrialseemeddarktotheirunderstandingwouldafterwardbemadeplain。Whentheyshouldseethe"endoftheLord"theywouldknowthat，notwithstandingthetrialresultingfromtheirerrors，Hispurposesoflovetowardthemhadbeensteadilyfulfilling。TheywouldlearnbyablessedexperiencethatHeis"verypitiful，andoftendermercy；"thatallHispaths"aremercyandtruthuntosuchaskeepHiscovenantandHistestimonies。"

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Chapter20

AGreatReligiousAwakeningAGreatreligiousawakeningundertheproclamationofChrist’ssooncomingisforetoldintheprophecyofthefirstangel’smessageofRevelation14。

Anangelisseenflying"inthemidstofheaven，havingtheeverlastinggospeltopreachuntothemthatdwellontheearth，andtoeverynation，andkindred，andtongue，andpeople。""Withaloudvoice"heproclaimsthemessage:"FearGod，andgiveglorytoHim；forthehourofHisjudgmentiscome:andworshipHimthatmadeheaven，andearth，andthesea，andthefountainsofwaters。"Verses6，7。

Thefactthatanangelissaidtobetheheraldofthiswarningissignificant。Bythepurity，theglory，andthepoweroftheheavenlymessenger，divinewisdomhasbeenpleasedtorepresenttheexaltedcharacteroftheworktobeaccomplishedbythemessageandthepowerandglorythatweretoattendit。Andtheangel’sflight"inthemidstofheaven，"the"loudvoice"withwhichthewarningisuttered，anditspromulgationtoall"thatdwellontheearth，"——"toeverynation，andkindred，andtongue，andpeople，"——giveevidenceoftherapidityandworld-wideextentofthemovement。

Themessageitselfshedslightastothetimewhenthismovementistotakeplace。Itisdeclaredtobeapartofthe"everlastinggospel；"anditannouncestheopeningofthe356

judgment。Themessageofsalvationhasbeenpreachedinallages；butthismessageisapartofthegospelwhichcouldbeproclaimedonlyinthelastdays，foronlythenwoulditbetruethatthehourofjudgmenthadcome。Thepropheciespresentasuccessionofeventsleadingdowntotheopeningofthejudgment。ThisisespeciallytrueofthebookofDaniel。Butthatpartofhisprophecywhichrelatedtothelastdays，Danielwasbiddentocloseupandseal"tothetimeoftheend。"Nottillwereachthistimecouldamessageconcerningthejudgmentbeproclaimed，basedonthefulfillmentoftheseprophecies。Butatthetimeoftheend，saystheprophet，"manyshallruntoandfro，andknowledgeshallbeincreased。"Daniel12:4。

TheapostlePaulwarnedthechurchnottolookforthecomingofChristinhisday。"Thatdayshallnotcome，"hesays，"excepttherecomeafallingawayfirst，andthatmanofsinberevealed。"2Thessalonians2:3。Nottillafterthegreatapostasy，andthelongperiodofthereignofthe"manofsin，"canwelookfortheadventofourLord。The"manofsin，"whichisalsostyled"themysteryofiniquity，""thesonofperdition，"and"thatwicked，"representsthepapacy，which，asforetoldinprophecy，wastomaintainitssupremacyfor1260years。Thisperiodendedin1798。ThecomingofChristcouldnottakeplacebeforethattime。PaulcoverswithhiscautionthewholeoftheChristiandispensationdowntotheyear1798。ItisthissideofthattimethatthemessageofChrist’ssecondcomingistobeproclaimed。

Nosuchmessagehaseverbeengiveninpastages。Paul，aswehaveseen，didnotpreachit；hepointedhisbrethrenintothethenfar-distantfutureforthecomingoftheLord。TheReformersdidnotproclaimit。MartinLutherplacedthejudgmentaboutthreehundredyearsinthefuturefromhisday。

Butsince1798thebookofDanielhasbeenunsealed，knowledgeoftheprophecieshasincreased，andmanyhaveproclaimedthesolemnmessageofthejudgmentnear。

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LikethegreatReformationofthesixteenthcentury，theadventmovementappearedindifferentcountriesofChristendomatthesametime。InbothEuropeandAmericamenoffaithandprayerwereledtothestudyoftheprophecies，and，tracingdowntheinspiredrecord，theysawconvincingevidencethattheendofallthingswasathand。IndifferentlandstherewereisolatedbodiesofChristianswho，solelybythestudyoftheScriptures，arrivedatthebeliefthattheSaviour’sadventwasnear。

In1821，threeyearsafterMillerhadarrivedathisexpositionofthepropheciespointingtothetimeofthejudgment，Dr。JosephWolff，"themissionarytotheworld，"begantoproclaimtheLord’ssooncoming。WolffwasborninGermany，ofHebrewparentage，hisfatherbeingaJewishrabbi。

WhileveryyounghewasconvincedofthetruthoftheChristianreligion。Ofanactive，inquiringmind，hehadbeenaneagerlistenertotheconversationsthattookplaceinhisfather’shouseasdevoutHebrewsdailyassembledtorecountthehopesandanticipationsoftheirpeople，thegloryofthecomingMessiah，andtherestorationofIsrael。OnedayhearingJesusofNazarethmentioned，theboyinquiredwhoHewas。"AJewofthegreatesttalent，"wastheanswer；"butasHepretendedtobetheMessiah，theJewishtribunalsentencedHimtodeath。""Why，"rejoinedthequestioner，"isJerusalemdestroyed，andwhyareweincaptivity？""Alas，alas！"answeredhisfather，"becausetheJewsmurderedtheprophets。"Thethoughtwasatoncesuggestedtothechild:"PerhapsJesuswasalsoaprophet，andtheJewskilledHimwhenHewasinnocent。"——TravelsandAdventuresoftheRev。JosephWolff，vol。1，p。6。Sostrongwasthisfeelingthat，thoughforbiddentoenteraChristianchurch，hewouldoftenlingeroutsidetolistentothepreaching。

WhenonlysevenyearsoldhewasboastingtoanagedChristianneighborofthefuturetriumphofIsraelattheadventoftheMessiah，whentheoldmansaidkindly:"Dearboy，IwilltellyouwhotherealMessiahwas:HewasJesus358

ofNazareth，……whomyourancestorshavecrucified，astheydidtheprophetsofold。Gohomeandreadthefifty-thirdchapterofIsaiah，andyouwillbeconvincedthatJesusChrististheSonofGod。"——Ibid。，vol。1，p。

7。Convictionatoncefasteneduponhim。Hewenthomeandreadthescripture，wonderingtoseehowperfectlyithadbeenfulfilledinJesusofNazareth。WerethewordsoftheChristiantrue？Theboyaskedofhisfatheranexplanationoftheprophecy，butwasmetwithasilencesosternthatheneveragaindaredtorefertothesubject。This，however，onlyincreasedhisdesiretoknowmoreoftheChristianreligion。

TheknowledgehesoughtwasstudiouslykeptfromhiminhisJewishhome；

but，whenonlyelevenyearsold，helefthisfather’shouseandwentoutintotheworldtogainforhimselfaneducation，tochoosehisreligionandhislifework。Hefoundahomeforatimewithkinsmen，butwassoondrivenfromthemasanapostate，andaloneandpennilesshehadtomakehisownwayamongstrangers。Hewentfromplacetoplace，studyingdiligentlyandmaintaininghimselfbyteachingHebrew。ThroughtheinfluenceofaCatholicinstructorhewasledtoaccepttheRomishfaithandformedthepurposeofbecomingamissionarytohisownpeople。Withthisobjecthewent，afewyearslater，topursuehisstudiesintheCollegeofthePropagandaatRome。

Herehishabitofindependentthoughtandcandidspeechbroughtuponhimtheimputationofheresy。Heopenlyattackedtheabusesofthechurchandurgedthenecessityofreform。Thoughatfirsttreatedwithspecialfavorbythepapaldignitaries，hewasafteratimeremovedfromRome。Underthesurveillanceofthechurchhewentfromplacetoplace，untilitbecameevidentthathecouldneverbebroughttosubmittothebondageofRomanism。

Hewasdeclaredtobeincorrigibleandwasleftatlibertytogowherehepleased。HenowmadehiswaytoEnglandand，professingtheProtestantfaith，unitedwiththeEnglishChurch。Aftertwoyears’studyhesetout，in1821，uponhismission。

WhileWolffacceptedthegreattruthofChrist’sfirst359

adventas"aManofSorrows，andacquaintedwithgrief，"hesawthatthepropheciesbringtoviewwithequalclearnessHissecondadventwithpowerandglory。AndwhilehesoughttoleadhispeopletoJesusofNazarethasthePromisedOne，andtopointthemtoHisfirstcominginhumiliationasasacrificeforthesinsofmen，hetaughtthemalsoofHissecondcomingasakinganddeliverer。

"JesusofNazareth，thetrueMessiah，"hesaid，"whosehandsandfeetwerepierced，whowasbroughtlikealambtotheslaughter，whowastheManofSorrowsandacquaintedwithgrief，whoafterthescepterwastakenfromJudah，andthelegislativepowerfrombetweenhisfeet，camethefirsttime；

shallcomethesecondtimeinthecloudsofheaven，andwiththetrumpoftheArchangel"(JosephWolff，ResearchesandMissionaryLabors，page62)

"andshallstandupontheMountofOlives；andthatdominion，onceconsignedtoAdamoverthecreation，andforfeitedbyhim(Genesis1:26；3:17)，shallbegiventoJesus。Heshallbekingoveralltheearth。Thegroaningsandlamentationsofthecreationshallcease，butsongsofpraisesandthanksgivingsshallbeheard……WhenJesuscomesinthegloryofHisFather，withtheholyangels，……thedeadbelieversshallrisefirst。1

Thessalonians4:16；1Corinthians15:32。ThisiswhatweChristianscallthefirstresurrection。Thentheanimalkingdomshallchangeitsnature(Isaiah11:6-9)，andbesubdueduntoJesus。Psalm8。Universalpeaceshallprevail。"——JournaloftheRev。JosephWolff，pages378，379。"TheLordagainshalllookdownupontheearth，andsay，’Behold，itisverygood。’"——

Ibid。，page294。

WolffbelievedthecomingoftheLordtobeathand，hisinterpretationofthepropheticperiodsplacingthegreatconsummationwithinaveryfewyearsofthetimepointedoutbyMiller。Tothosewhourgedfromthescripture，"Ofthatdayandhourknowethnoman，"thatmenaretoknownothingconcerningthenearnessoftheadvent，Wolffreplied:"DidourLordsaythatthatdayandhourshouldneverbeknown？DidHenotgiveussignsofthetimes，inorder360

thatwemayknowatleasttheapproachofHiscoming，asoneknowstheapproachofthesummerbythefigtreeputtingforthitsleaves？Matthew24:32。Arewenevertoknowthatperiod，whilstHeHimselfexhortethusnotonlytoreadDanieltheprophet，buttounderstandit？andinthatveryDaniel，whereitissaidthatthewordswereshutuptothetimeoftheend(whichwasthecaseinhistime)，andthat’manyshallruntoandfro’(aHebrewexpressionforobservingandthinkinguponthetime)，’andknowledge’

(regardingthattime)’shallbeincreased。’Daniel12:4。Besidesthis，ourLorddoesnotintendtosaybythis，thattheapproachofthetimeshallnotbeknown，butthattheexact’dayandhourknowethnoman。’Enough，Hedoessay，shallbeknownbythesignsofthetimes，toinduceustoprepareforHiscoming，asNoahpreparedtheark。"——Wolff，ResearchesandMissionaryLabors，pages404，405。

Concerningthepopularsystemofinterpreting，ormisinterpreting，theScriptures，Wolffwrote:"ThegreaterpartoftheChristianchurchhaveswervedfromtheplainsenseofScripture，andhaveturnedtothephantomizingsystemoftheBuddhists，whobelievethatthefuturehappinessofmankindwillconsistinmovingaboutintheair，andsupposethatwhentheyarereadingJewstheymustunderstandGentiles；andwhentheyreadJerusalem，theymustunderstandthechurch；andifitissaidearth，itmeanssky；andforcomingoftheLordtheymustunderstandtheprogressofthemissionarysocieties；andgoinguptothemountainoftheLord’shouse，signifiesagrandclassmeetingofMethodists。"——JournaloftheRev。JosephWolff，page96。

Duringthetwenty-fouryearsfrom1821to1845，Wolfftraveledextensively:

inAfrica，visitingEgyptandAbyssinia；inAsia，traversingPalestine，Syria，Persia，Bokhara，andIndia。HealsovisitedtheUnitedStates，onthejourneythitherpreachingontheislandofSaintHelena。HearrivedinNewYorkinAugust，1837；and，afterspeakinginthatcity，hepreachedinPhiladelphiaandBaltimore，andfinallyproceededtoWashington。Here，hesays，"onamotionbrought361

forwardbytheex-President，JohnQuincyAdams，inoneofthehousesofCongress，theHouseunanimouslygrantedtometheuseoftheCongressHallforalecture，whichIdeliveredonaSaturday，honoredwiththepresenceofallthemembersofCongress，andalsoofthebishopofVirginia，andoftheclergyandcitizensofWashington。ThesamehonorwasgrantedtomebythemembersofthegovernmentofNewJerseyandPennsylvania，inwhosepresenceIdeliveredlecturesonmyresearchesinAsia，andalsoonthepersonalreignofJesusChrist。"——Ibid。，pages398，399。

Dr。WolfftraveledinthemostbarbarouscountrieswithouttheprotectionofanyEuropeanauthority，enduringmanyhardshipsandsurroundedwithcountlessperils。Hewasbastinadoedandstarved，soldasaslave，andthreetimescondemnedtodeath。Hewasbesetbyrobbers，andsometimesnearlyperishedfromthirst。Oncehewasstrippedofallthathepossessedandlefttotravelhundredsofmilesonfootthroughthemountains，thesnowbeatinginhisfaceandhisnakedfeetbenumbedbycontactwiththefrozenground。

Whenwarnedagainstgoingunarmedamongsavageandhostiletribes，hedeclaredhimself"providedwitharms"——"prayer，zealforChrist，andconfidenceinHishelp。""Iamalso，"hesaid，"providedwiththeloveofGodandmyneighborinmyheart，andtheBibleisinmyhand。"——W。H。D。

Adams，InPerilsOft，page192。TheBibleinHebrewandEnglishhecarriedwithhimwhereverhewent。Ofoneofhislaterjourneyshesays:"I……

kepttheBibleopeninmyhand。IfeltmypowerwasintheBook，andthatitsmightwouldsustainme。"——Ibid。，page201。

Thusheperseveredinhislaborsuntilthemessageofthejudgmenthadbeencarriedtoalargepartofthehabitableglobe。AmongJews，Turks，Parsees，Hindus，andmanyothernationalitiesandraceshedistributedthewordofGodinthesevarioustonguesandeverywhereheraldedtheapproachingreignoftheMessiah。

InhistravelsinBokharahefoundthedoctrineoftheLord’ssooncomingheldbyaremoteandisolatedpeople。

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TheArabsofYemen，hesays，"areinpossessionofabookcalledSeera，whichgivesnoticeofthesecondcomingofChristandHisreigninglory；

andtheyexpectgreateventstotakeplaceintheyear1840。"——JournaloftheRev。JosephWolff，page377。"InYemen……IspentsixdayswiththechildrenofRechab。Theydrinknowine，plantnovineyard，sownoseed，andliveintents，andremembergoodoldJonadab，thesonofRechab；andIfoundintheircompanychildrenofIsrael，ofthetribeofDan，……whoexpect，withthechildrenofRechab，thespeedyarrivaloftheMessiahinthecloudsofheaven。"——Ibid。，page389。

AsimilarbeliefwasfoundbyanothermissionarytoexistinTatary。ATatarpriestputthequestiontothemissionaryastowhenChristwouldcomethesecondtime。Whenthemissionaryansweredthatheknewnothingaboutit，thepriestseemedgreatlysurprisedatsuchignoranceinonewhoprofessedtobeaBibleteacher，andstatedhisownbelief，foundedonprophecy，thatChristwouldcomeabout1844。

Asearlyas1826theadventmessagebegantobepreachedinEngland。ThemovementheredidnottakesodefiniteaformasinAmerica；theexacttimeoftheadventwasnotsogenerallytaught，butthegreattruthofChrist’ssooncominginpowerandglorywasextensivelyproclaimed。Andthisnotamongthedissentersandnonconformistsonly。MourantBrock，anEnglishwriter，statesthataboutsevenhundredministersoftheChurchofEnglandwereengagedinpreaching"thisgospelofthekingdom。"Themessagepointingto1844asthetimeoftheLord’scomingwasalsogiveninGreatBritain。AdventpublicationsfromtheUnitedStateswerewidelycirculated。

BooksandjournalswererepublishedinEngland。Andin1842RobertWinter，anEnglishmanbybirth，whohadreceivedtheadventfaithinAmerica，returnedtohisnativecountrytoheraldthecomingoftheLord。Manyunitedwithhiminthework，andthemessageofthejudgmentwasproclaimedinvariouspartsofEngland。

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InSouthAmerica，inthemidstofbarbarismandpriest-craft，Lacunza，aSpaniardandaJesuit，foundhiswaytotheScripturesandthusreceivedthetruthofChrist’sspeedyreturn。Impelledtogivethewarning，yetdesiringtoescapethecensuresofRome，hepublishedhisviewsundertheassumednameof"RabbiBen-Ezra，"representinghimselfasaconvertedJew。Lacunzalivedintheeighteenthcentury，butitwasabout1825thathisbook，havingfounditswaytoLondon，wastranslatedintotheEnglishlanguage。ItspublicationservedtodeepentheinterestalreadyawakeninginEnglandinthesubjectofthesecondadvent。

InGermanythedoctrinehadbeentaughtintheeighteenthcenturybyBengel，aministerintheLutheranChurchandacelebratedBiblicalscholarandcritic。Uponcompletinghiseducation，Bengelhad"devotedhimselftothestudyoftheology，towhichthegraveandreligioustoneofhismind，deepenedbyhisearlytraininganddiscipline，naturallyinclinedhim。Likeotheryoungmenofthoughtfulcharacter，beforeandsince，hehadtostrugglewithdoubtsanddifficultiesofareligiousnature，andhealludes，withmuchfeeling，tothe’manyarrowswhichpiercedhispoorheart，andmadehisyouthhardtobear。’"BecomingamemberoftheconsistoryofWurttemberg，headvocatedthecauseofreligiousliberty。"Whilemaintainingtherightsandprivilegesofthechurch，hewasanadvocateforallreasonablefreedombeingaccordedtothosewhofeltthemselvesbound，ongroundsofconscience，towithdrawfromhercommunion。"——EncyclopaediaBritannica，9thed。，art。"Bengel。"Thegoodeffectsofthispolicyarestillfeltinhisnativeprovince。

ItwaswhilepreparingasermonfromRevelation21foradventSundaythatthelightofChrist’ssecondcomingbrokeinuponBengel’smind。ThepropheciesoftheRevelationunfoldedtohisunderstandingasneverbefore。

Overwhelmedwithasenseofthestupendousimportanceandsurpassinggloryofthescenespresentedbytheprophet，hewasforcedtoturnforatimefromthecontemplationofthesubject。Inthe364

pulpititagainpresenteditselftohimwithallitsvividnessandpower。

Fromthattimehedevotedhimselftothestudyoftheprophecies，especiallythoseoftheApocalypse，andsoonarrivedatthebeliefthattheypointedtothecomingofChristasnear。ThedatewhichhefixeduponasthetimeofthesecondadventwaswithinaveryfewyearsofthatafterwardheldbyMiller。

Bengel’swritingshavebeenspreadthroughoutChristendom。HisviewsofprophecywerequitegenerallyreceivedinhisownstateofWurttemberg，andtosomeextentinotherpartsofGermany。Themovementcontinuedafterhisdeath，andtheadventmessagewasheardinGermanyatthesametimethatitwasattractingattentioninotherlands。AtanearlydatesomeofthebelieverswenttoRussiaandthereformedcolonies，andthefaithofChrist’ssooncomingisstillheldbytheGermanchurchesofthatcountry。

ThelightshonealsoinFranceandSwitzerland。AtGenevawhereFarelandCalvinhadspreadthetruthoftheReformation，Gaussenpreachedthemessageofthesecondadvent。Whileastudentatschool，GaussenhadencounteredthatspiritofrationalismwhichpervadedallEuropeduringthelatterpartoftheeighteenthandtheopeningofthenineteenthcentury；andwhenheenteredtheministryhewasnotonlyignorantoftruefaith，butinclinedtoskepticism。Inhisyouthhehadbecomeinterestedinthestudyofprophecy。

AfterreadingRollin’sAncientHistory，hisattentionwascalledtothesecondchapterofDaniel，andhewasstruckwiththewonderfulexactnesswithwhichtheprophecyhadbeenfulfilled，asseeninthehistorian’srecord。HerewasatestimonytotheinspirationoftheScriptures，whichservedasananchortohimamidtheperilsoflateryears。Hecouldnotrestsatisfiedwiththeteachingsofrationalism，andinstudyingtheBibleandsearchingforclearerlighthewas，afteratime，ledtoapositivefaith。

AshepursuedhisinvestigationoftheprophecieshearrivedatthebeliefthatthecomingoftheLordwasathand。Impressedwiththesolemnityandimportanceofthisgreat365

truth，hedesiredtobringitbeforethepeople；butthepopularbeliefthatthepropheciesofDanielaremysteriesandcannotbeunderstoodwasaseriousobstacleinhisway。Hefinallydetermined——asFarelhaddonebeforehiminevangelizingGeneva——tobeginwiththechildren，throughwhomhehopedtointeresttheparents。

"Idesirethistobeunderstood，"heafterwardsaid，speakingofhisobjectinthisundertaking，"itisnotbecauseofitssmallimportance，butonthecontrarybecauseofitsgreatvalue，thatIwishedtopresentitinthisfamiliarform，andthatIaddressedittothechildren。Idesiredtobeheard，andIfearedthatIwouldnotbeifIaddressedmyselftothegrownpeoplefirst。""Ideterminedthereforetogototheyoungest。Igatheranaudienceofchildren；ifthegroupenlarges，ifitisseenthattheylisten，arepleased，interested，thattheyunderstandandexplainthesubject，Iamsuretohaveasecondcirclesoon，andintheirturn，grownpeoplewillseethatitisworththeirwhiletositdownandstudy。Whenthisisdone，thecauseisgained。"——L。Gaussen，DanieltheProphet，vol。2，Preface。

Theeffortwassuccessful。Asheaddressedthechildren，olderpersonscametolisten。Thegalleriesofhischurchwerefilledwithattentivehearers。

Amongthemweremenofrankandlearning，andstrangersandforeignersvisitingGeneva；andthusthemessagewascarriedtootherparts。

Encouragedbythissuccess，Gaussenpublishedhislessons，withthehopeofpromotingthestudyofthepropheticbooksinthechurchesoftheFrench-speakingpeople。"Topublishinstructiongiventothechildren，"saysGaussen，"istosaytoadults，whotoooftenneglectsuchbooksunderthefalsepretensethattheyareobscure，’Howcantheybeobscure，sinceyourchildrenunderstandthem？’""Ihadagreatdesire，"headds，"torenderaknowledgeofthepropheciespopularinourflocks，ifpossible。""Thereisnostudy，indeed，whichitseemstomeanswerstheneedsofthetimebetter。""Itisbythisthatwearetoprepareforthetribulationnearathand，andwatchandwaitforJesusChrist。"

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ThoughoneofthemostdistinguishedandbelovedofpreachersintheFrenchlanguage，Gaussenwasafteratimesuspendedfromtheministry，hisprincipaloffensebeingthatinsteadofthechurch’scatechism，atameandrationalisticmanual，almostdestituteofpositivefaith，hehadusedtheBibleingivinginstructiontotheyouth。Heafterwardbecameteacherinatheologicalschool，whileonSundayhecontinuedhisworkascatechist，addressingthechildrenandinstructingthemintheScriptures。Hisworksonprophecyalsoexcitedmuchinterest。Fromtheprofessor’schair，throughthepress，andinhisfavoriteoccupationasteacherofchildrenhecontinuedformanyyearstoexertanextensiveinfluenceandwasinstrumentalincallingtheattentionofmanytothestudyoftheprophecieswhichshowedthatthecomingoftheLordwasnear。

InScandinaviaalsotheadventmessagewasproclaimed，andawidespreadinterestwaskindled。Manywererousedfromtheircarelesssecuritytoconfessandforsaketheirsins，andseekpardoninthenameofChrist。Buttheclergyofthestatechurchopposedthemovement，andthroughtheirinfluencesomewhopreachedthemessagewerethrownintoprison。InmanyplaceswherethepreachersoftheLord’ssooncomingwerethussilenced，Godwaspleasedtosendthemessage，inamiraculousmanner，throughlittlechildren。Astheywereunderage，thelawofthestatecouldnotrestrainthem，andtheywerepermittedtospeakunmolested。

Themovementwaschieflyamongthelowerclass，anditwasinthehumbledwellingsofthelaborersthatthepeopleassembledtohearthewarning。Thechild-preachersthemselvesweremostlypoorcottagers。Someofthemwerenotmorethansixoreightyearsofage；andwhiletheirlivestestifiedthattheylovedtheSaviour，andweretryingtoliveinobediencetoGod’sholyrequirements，theyordinarilymanifestedonlytheintelligenceandabilityusuallyseeninchildrenofthatage。Whenstandingbeforethepeople，367

however，itwasevidentthattheyweremovedbyaninfluencebeyondtheirownnaturalgifts。Toneandmannerchanged，andwithsolemnpowertheygavethewarningofthejudgment，employingtheverywordsofScripture:"FearGod，andgiveglorytoHim；forthehourofHisjudgmentiscome。"Theyreprovedthesinsofthepeople，notonlycondemningimmoralityandvice，butrebukingworldlinessandbacksliding，andwarningtheirhearerstomakehastetofleefromthewrathtocome。

Thepeopleheardwithtrembling。TheconvictingSpiritofGodspoketotheirhearts。ManywereledtosearchtheScriptureswithnewanddeeperinterest，theintemperateandimmoralwerereformed，othersabandonedtheirdishonestpractices，andaworkwasdonesomarkedthatevenministersofthestatechurchwereforcedtoacknowledgethatthehandofGodwasinthemovement。

ItwasGod’swillthatthetidingsoftheSaviour’scomingshouldbegivenintheScandinaviancountries；andwhenthevoicesofHisservantsweresilenced，HeputHisSpirituponthechildren，thattheworkmightbeaccomplished。WhenJesusdrewneartoJerusalemattendedbytherejoicingmultitudesthat，withshoutsoftriumphandthewavingofpalmbranches，heraldedHimastheSonofDavid，thejealousPhariseescalleduponHimtosilencethem；butJesusansweredthatallthiswasinfulfillmentofprophecy，andiftheseshouldholdtheirpeace，theverystoneswouldcryout。Thepeople，intimidatedbythethreatsofthepriestsandrulers，ceasedtheirjoyfulproclamationastheyenteredthegatesofJerusalem；butthechildreninthetemplecourtsafterwardtookuptherefrain，and，wavingtheirbranchesofpalm，theycried:"HosannatotheSonofDavid！"Matthew21:8-16。WhenthePharisees，sorelydispleased，saiduntoHim，"HearestThouwhatthesesay？"Jesusanswered，"Yea；haveyeneverread，OutofthemouthofbabesandsucklingsThouhastperfectedpraise？"AsGodwroughtthroughchildren368

atthetimeofChrist’sfirstadvent，soHewroughtthroughthemingivingthemessageofHissecondadvent。God’swordmustbefulfilled，thattheproclamationoftheSaviour’scomingshouldbegiventoallpeoples，tongues，andnations。

ToWilliamMillerandhiscolaborersitwasgiventopreachthewarninginAmerica。Thiscountrybecamethecenterofthegreatadventmovement。Itwasherethattheprophecyofthefirstangel’smessagehaditsmostdirectfulfillment。ThewritingsofMillerandhisassociateswerecarriedtodistantlands。Wherevermissionarieshadpenetratedinalltheworld，weresentthegladtidingsofChrist’sspeedyreturn。Farandwidespreadthemessageoftheeverlastinggospel:"FearGod，andgiveglorytoHim；forthehourofHisjudgmentiscome。"

ThetestimonyoftheprophecieswhichseemedtopointtothecomingofChristinthespringof1844tookdeepholdofthemindsofthepeople。Asthemessagewentfromstatetostate，therewaseverywhereawakenedwidespreadinterest。Manywereconvincedthattheargumentsfromthepropheticperiodswerecorrect，and，sacrificingtheirprideofopinion，theyjoyfullyreceivedthetruth。Someministerslaidasidetheirsectarianviewsandfeelings，lefttheirsalariesandtheirchurches，andunitedinproclaimingthecomingofJesus。Therewerecomparativelyfewministers，however，whowouldacceptthismessage；thereforeitwaslargelycommittedtohumblelaymen。Farmerslefttheirfields，mechanicstheirtools，traderstheirmerchandise，professionalmentheirpositions；andyetthenumberofworkerswassmallincomparisonwiththeworktobeaccomplished。Theconditionofanungodlychurchandaworldlyinginwickedness，burdenedthesoulsofthetruewatchmen，andtheywillinglyenduredtoil，privation，andsuffering，thattheymightcallmentorepentanceuntosalvation。ThoughopposedbySatan，theworkwentsteadilyforward，andtheadventtruthwasacceptedbymanythousands。

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Everywherethesearchingtestimonywasheard，warningsinners，bothworldlingsandchurchmembers，tofleefromthewrathtocome。LikeJohntheBaptist，theforerunnerofChrist，thepreacherslaidtheaxattherootofthetreeandurgedalltobringforthfruitmeetforrepentance。Theirstirringappealswereinmarkedcontrasttotheassurancesofpeaceandsafetythatwereheardfrompopularpulpits；andwhereverthemessagewasgiven，itmovedthepeople。Thesimple，directtestimonyoftheScriptures，sethomebythepoweroftheHolySpirit，broughtaweightofconvictionwhichfewwereablewhollytoresist。Professorsofreligionwererousedfromtheirfalsesecurity。Theysawtheirbackslidings，theirworldlinessandunbelief，theirprideandselfishness。ManysoughttheLordwithrepentanceandhumiliation。Theaffectionsthathadsolongclungtoearthlythingstheynowfixeduponheaven。TheSpiritofGodresteduponthem，andwithheartssoftenedandsubduedtheyjoinedtosoundthecry:"FearGod，andgiveglorytoHim；forthehourofHisjudgmentiscome。"

Sinnersinquiredwithweeping:"WhatmustIdotobesaved？"Thosewhoseliveshadbeenmarkedwithdishonestywereanxioustomakerestitution。AllwhofoundpeaceinChristlongedtoseeotherssharetheblessing。Theheartsofparentswereturnedtotheirchildren，andtheheartsofchildrentotheirparents。Thebarriersofprideandreserveweresweptaway。

Heartfeltconfessionsweremade，andthemembersofthehouseholdlaboredforthesalvationofthosewhowerenearestanddearest。Oftenwasheardthesoundofearnestintercession。EverywhereweresoulsindeepanguishpleadingwithGod。Manywrestledallnightinprayerfortheassurancethattheirownsinswerepardoned，orfortheconversionoftheirrelativesorneighbors。

AllclassesflockedtotheAdventistmeetings。Richandpoor，highandlow，were，fromvariouscauses，anxioustohearforthemselvesthedoctrineofthesecondadvent。TheLordheldthespiritofoppositionincheckwhileHisservants370

explainedthereasonsoftheirfaith。Sometimestheinstrumentwasfeeble；

buttheSpiritofGodgavepowertoHistruth。Thepresenceofholyangelswasfeltintheseassemblies，andmanyweredailyaddedtothebelievers。AstheevidencesofChrist’ssooncomingwererepeated，vastcrowdslistenedinbreathlesssilencetothesolemnwords。Heavenandearthseemedtoapproacheachother。ThepowerofGodwasfeltuponoldandyoungandmiddle-aged。

Mensoughttheirhomeswithpraisesupontheirlips，andthegladsoundrangoutuponthestillnightair。Nonewhoattendedthosemeetingscaneverforgetthosescenesofdeepestinterest。

TheproclamationofadefinitetimeforChrist’scomingcalledforthgreatoppositionfrommanyofallclasses，fromtheministerinthepulpitdowntothemostreckless，Heaven-daringsinner。Thewordsofprophecywerefulfilled:"Thereshallcomeinthelastdaysscoffers，walkingaftertheirownlusts，andsaying，WhereisthepromiseofHiscoming？forsincethefathersfellasleep，allthingscontinueastheywerefromthebeginningofthecreation。"2Peter3:3，4。ManywhoprofessedtolovetheSaviour，declaredthattheyhadnooppositiontothedoctrineofthesecondadvent；

theymerelyobjectedtothedefinitetime。ButGod’sall-seeingeyereadtheirhearts。TheydidnotwishtohearofChrist’scomingtojudgetheworldinrighteousness。Theyhadbeenunfaithfulservants，theirworkswouldnotbeartheinspectionoftheheart-searchingGod，andtheyfearedtomeettheirLord。LiketheJewsatthetimeofChrist’sfirstadventtheywerenotpreparedtowelcomeJesus。TheynotonlyrefusedtolistentotheplainargumentsfromtheBible，butridiculedthosewhowerelookingfortheLord。

Satanandhisangelsexulted，andflungthetauntinthefaceofChristandholyangelsthatHisprofessedpeoplehadsolittleloveforHimthattheydidnotdesireHisappearing。

"Nomanknoweththedaynorthehour"wastheargumentmostoftenbroughtforwardbyrejectersoftheadventfaith。Thescriptureis:"Ofthatdayandhourknowethno371

man，nonottheangelsofheaven，butMyFatheronly。"Matthew24:36。A

clearandharmoniousexplanationofthistextwasgivenbythosewhowerelookingfortheLord，andthewrongusemadeofitbytheiropponentswasclearlyshown。ThewordswerespokenbyChristinthatmemorableconversationwithHisdisciplesuponOlivetafterHehadforthelasttimedepartedfromthetemple。Thediscipleshadaskedthequestion:"WhatshallbethesignofThycoming，andoftheendoftheworld？"Jesusgavethemsigns，andsaid:"Whenyeshallseeallthesethings，knowthatitisnear，evenatthedoors。"Verses3，33。OnesayingoftheSaviourmustnotbemadetodestroyanother。ThoughnomanknoweththedaynorthehourofHiscoming，weareinstructedandrequiredtoknowwhenitisnear。WearefurthertaughtthattodisregardHiswarning，andrefuseorneglecttoknowwhenHisadventisnear，willbeasfatalforusasitwasforthosewholivedinthedaysofNoahnottoknowwhenthefloodwascoming。Andtheparableinthesamechapter，contrastingthefaithfulandtheunfaithfulservant，andgivingthedoomofhimwhosaidinhisheart，"MyLorddelayethHiscoming，"showsinwhatlightChristwillregardandrewardthosewhomHefindswatching，andteachingHiscoming，andthosedenyingit。"Watchtherefore，"Hesays。"Blessedisthatservant，whomhisLordwhenHecomethshallfindsodoing。"Verses42，46。"Ifthereforethoushaltnotwatch，I

willcomeontheeasathief，andthoushaltnotknowwhathourIwillcomeuponthee。"Revelation3:3。

PaulspeaksofaclasstowhomtheLord’sappearingwillcomeunawares。"ThedayoftheLordsocomethasathiefinthenight。Forwhentheyshallsay，Peaceandsafety；thensuddendestructioncomethuponthem，……andtheyshallnotescape。"Butheadds，tothosewhohavegivenheedtotheSaviour’swarning:"Ye，brethren，arenotindarkness，thatthatdayshouldovertakeyouasathief。Yeareallthechildrenoflight，andthechildrenoftheday:wearenotofthenight，norofdarkness。"1Thessalonians5:2-5。

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ThusitwasshownthatScripturegivesnowarrantformentoremaininignoranceconcerningthenearnessofChrist’scoming。Butthosewhodesiredonlyanexcusetorejectthetruthclosedtheirearstothisexplanation，andthewords"Nomanknoweththedaynorthehour"continuedtobeechoedbytheboldscofferandevenbytheprofessedministerofChrist。Asthepeoplewereroused，andbegantoinquirethewayofsalvation，religiousteacherssteppedinbetweenthemandthetruth，seekingtoquiettheirfearsbyfalselyinterpretingthewordofGod。Unfaithfulwatchmenunitedintheworkofthegreatdeceiver，crying，Peace，peace，whenGodhadnotspokenpeace。LikethePhariseesinChrist’sday，manyrefusedtoenterthekingdomofheaventhemselves，andthosewhowereenteringintheyhindered。Thebloodofthesesoulswillberequiredattheirhand。

Themosthumbleanddevotedinthechurcheswereusuallythefirsttoreceivethemessage。ThosewhostudiedtheBibleforthemselvescouldnotbutseetheunscripturalcharacterofthepopularviewsofprophecy；andwhereverthepeoplewerenotcontrolledbytheinfluenceoftheclergy，wherevertheywouldsearchthewordofGodforthemselves，theadventdoctrineneededonlytobecomparedwiththeScripturestoestablishitsdivineauthority。