第11章

Manywerepersecutedbytheirunbelievingbrethren。Inordertoretaintheirpositioninthechurch，someconsentedtobesilentinregardtotheirhope；

butothersfeltthatloyaltytoGodforbadethemthustohidethetruthswhichHehadcommittedtotheirtrust。NotafewwerecutofffromthefellowshipofthechurchfornootherreasonthanexpressingtheirbeliefinthecomingofChrist。Veryprecioustothosewhoborethistrialoftheirfaithwerethewordsoftheprophet:"Yourbrethrenthathatedyou，thatcastyououtforMyname’ssake，said，LettheLordbeglorified:butHeshallappeartoyourjoy，andtheyshallbeashamed。"Isaiah66:5。

AngelsofGodwerewatchingwiththedeepestinterest373

theresultofthewarning。Whentherewasageneralrejectionofthemessagebythechurches，angelsturnedawayinsadness。Butthereweremanywhohadnotyetbeentestedinregardtotheadventtruth。Manyweremisledbyhusbands，wives，parents，orchildren，andweremadetobelieveitasineventolistentosuchheresiesasweretaughtbytheAdventists。Angelswerebiddentokeepfaithfulwatchoverthesesouls，foranotherlightwasyettoshineuponthemfromthethroneofGod。

WithunspeakabledesirethosewhohadreceivedthemessagewatchedforthecomingoftheirSaviour。ThetimewhentheyexpectedtomeetHimwasathand。Theyapproachedthishourwithacalmsolemnity。TheyrestedinsweetcommunionwithGod，andearnestofthepeacethatwastobetheirsinthebrighthereafter。Nonewhoexperiencedthishopeandtrustcanforgetthoseprecioushoursofwaiting。Forsomeweeksprecedingthetime，worldlybusinesswasforthemostpartlaidaside。Thesincerebelieverscarefullyexaminedeverythoughtandemotionoftheirheartsasifupontheirdeathbedsandinafewhourstoclosetheireyesuponearthlyscenes。Therewasnomakingof"ascensionrobes"(seeAppendix)；butallfelttheneedofinternalevidencethattheywerepreparedtomeettheSaviour；theirwhiterobeswerepurityofsoul——characterscleansedfromsinbytheatoningbloodofChrist。WouldthattherewerestillwiththeprofessedpeopleofGodthesamespiritofheartsearching，thesameearnest，determinedfaith。HadtheycontinuedthustohumblethemselvesbeforetheLordandpresstheirpetitionsatthemercyseattheywouldbeinpossessionofafarricherexperiencethantheynowhave。Thereistoolittleprayer，toolittlerealconvictionofsin，andthelackoflivingfaithleavesmanydestituteofthegracesorichlyprovidedbyourRedeemer。

GoddesignedtoproveHispeople。Hishandcoveredamistakeinthereckoningofthepropheticperiods。Adventists374

didnotdiscovertheerror，norwasitdiscoveredbythemostlearnedoftheiropponents。Thelattersaid:"Yourreckoningofthepropheticperiodsiscorrect。Somegreateventisabouttotakeplace；butitisnotwhatMr。

Millerpredicts；itistheconversionoftheworld，andnotthesecondadventofChrist。"(SeeAppendix。)

Thetimeofexpectationpassed，andChristdidnotappearforthedeliveranceofHispeople。ThosewhowithsincerefaithandlovehadlookedfortheirSaviour，experiencedabitterdisappointment。YetthepurposesofGodwerebeingaccomplished；HewastestingtheheartsofthoseprofessedtobewaitingforHisappearing。Therewereamongthemmanywhohadbeenactuatedbynohighermotivethanfear。Theirprofessionoffaithhadnotaffectedtheirheartsortheirlives。Whentheexpectedeventfailedtotakeplace，thesepersonsdeclaredthattheywerenotdisappointed；theyhadneverbelievedthatChristwouldcome。Theywereamongthefirsttoridiculethesorrowofthetruebelievers。

ButJesusandalltheheavenlyhostlookedwithloveandsympathyuponthetriedandfaithfulyetdisappointedones。Couldtheevilseparatingthevisibleworldhavebeensweptback，angelswouldhavebeenseendrawingneartothesesteadfastsoulsandshieldingthemfromtheshaftsofSatan。

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Chapter21

AWarningRejectedInpreachingthedoctrineofthesecondadvent，WilliamMillerandhisassociateshadlaboredwiththesolepurposeofarousingmentoapreparationforthejudgment。TheyhadsoughttoawakenprofessorsofreligiontothetruehopeofthechurchandtotheirneedofadeeperChristianexperience，andtheylaboredalsotoawakentheunconvertedtothedutyofimmediaterepentanceandconversiontoGod。"Theymadenoattempttoconvertmentoasectorpartyinreligion。Hencetheylaboredamongallpartiesandsects，withoutinterferingwiththeirorganizationordiscipline。"

"Inallmylabors，"saidMiller，"Ineverhadthedesireorthoughttoestablishanyseparateinterestfromthatofexistingdenominations，ortobenefitoneattheexpenseofanother。Ithoughttobenefitall。SupposingthatallChristianswouldrejoiceintheprospectofChrist’scoming，andthatthosewhocouldnotseeasIdidwouldnotloveanythelessthosewhoshouldembracethisdoctrine，Ididnotconceivetherewouldeverbeanynecessityforseparatemeetings。MywholeobjectwasadesiretoconvertsoulstoGod，tonotifytheworldofacomingjudgment，andtoinducemyfellowmentomakethatpreparationofheartwhichwillenablethemtomeettheirGodinpeace。Thegreatmajorityofthosewhowereconvertedundermylaborsunitedwiththevariousexistingchurches。"——Bliss，page328。

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Ashisworktendedtobuildupthechurches，itwasforatimeregardedwithfavor。Butasministersandreligiousleadersdecidedagainsttheadventdoctrineanddesiredtosuppressallagitationofthesubject，theydonotonlyopposeditfromthepulpit，butdeniedtheirmemberstheprivilegeofattendingpreachinguponthesecondadvent，orevenofspeakingoftheirhopeinthesocialmeetingsofthechurch。Thusthebelieversfoundthemselvesinapositionofgreattrialandperplexity。Theylovedtheirchurchesandwereloathtoseparatefromthem；butastheysawthetestimonyofGod’swordsuppressedandtheirrighttoinvestigatethepropheciesdeniedtheyfeltthatloyaltytoGodforbadethemtosubmit。ThosewhosoughttoshutoutthetestimonyofGod’swordtheycouldnotregardasconstitutingthechurchofChrist，"thepillarandgroundofthetruth。"

Hencetheyfeltthemselvesjustifiedinseparatingfromtheirformerconnection。Inthesummerof1844aboutfiftythousandwithdrewfromthechurches。

AboutthistimeamarkedchangewasapparentinmostofthechurchesthroughouttheUnitedStates。Therehadbeenformanyyearsagradualbutsteadilyincreasingconformitytoworldlypracticesandcustoms，andacorrespondingdeclineinrealspirituallife；butinthatyeartherewereevidencesofasuddenandmarkeddeclensioninnearlyallthechurchesoftheland。Whilenoneseemedabletosuggestthecause，thefactitselfwaswidelynotedandcommenteduponbyboththepressandthepulpit。

AtameetingofthepresbyteryofPhiladelphia，Mr。Barnes，authorofacommentarywidelyusedandpastorofoneoftheleadingchurchesinthatcity，"statedthathehadbeenintheministryfortwentyyears，andnever，tillthelastCommunion，hadheadministeredtheordinancewithoutreceivingmoreorlessintothechurch。Butnowtherearenoawakenings，noconversions，notmuchapparentgrowthingraceinprofessors，andnonecometohisstudytoconverseaboutthesalvationoftheirsouls。Withtheincreaseof377

business，andthebrighteningprospectsofcommerceandmanufacture，thereisanincreaseofworldly-mindedness。Thusitiswithallthedenominations。"——CongregationalJournal，May23，1844。

InthemonthofFebruaryofthesameyear，ProfessorFinneyofOberlinCollegesaid:"Wehavehadthefactbeforeourminds，that，ingeneral，theProtestantchurchesofourcountry，assuch，wereeitherapatheticorhostiletonearlyallthemoralreformsoftheage。Therearepartialexceptions，yetnotenoughtorenderthefactotherwisethangeneral。Wehavealsoanothercorroboratedfact:thealmostuniversalabsenceofrevivalinfluenceinthechurches。Thespiritualapathyisalmostall-pervading，andisfearfullydeep；sothereligiouspressofthewholelandtestifies……

Veryextensively，churchmembersarebecomingdevoteesoffashion，——joinhandswiththeungodlyinpartiesofpleasure，indancing，infestivities，etc……Butweneednotexpandthispainfulsubject。Sufficeitthattheevidencethickensandrollsheavilyuponus，toshowthatthechurchesgenerallyarebecomingsadlydegenerate。TheyhavegoneveryfarfromtheLord，andHehaswithdrawnHimselffromthem。"

AndawriterintheReligiousTelescopetestified:"Wehaveneverwitnessedsuchageneraldeclensionofreligionasatthepresent。Truly，thechurchshouldawake，andsearchintothecauseofthisaffliction；forasanafflictioneveryonethatlovesZionmustviewit。Whenwecalltomindhow’fewandfarbetween’casesoftrueconversionare，andthealmostunparalleledimpertinenceandhardnessofsinners，wealmostinvoluntarilyexclaim，’HasGodforgottentobegracious？or，Isthedoorofmercyclosed？’"

Suchaconditionneverexistswithoutcauseinthechurchitself。Thespiritualdarknesswhichfallsuponnations，uponchurchesandindividuals，isdue，nottoanarbitrarywithdrawalofthesuccorsofdivinegraceonthepartofGod，buttoneglectorrejectionofdivinelightonthepartofmen。

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strikingillustrationofthistruthispresentedinthehistoryoftheJewishpeopleinthetimeofChrist。BytheirdevotiontotheworldandforgetfulnessofGodandHisword，theirunderstandinghadbecomedarkened，theirheartsearthlyandsensual。ThustheywereinignoranceconcerningMessiah’sadvent，andintheirprideandunbelieftheyrejectedtheRedeemer。GoddidnoteventhencutofftheJewishnationfromaknowledgeof，oraparticipationin，theblessingsofsalvation。ButthosewhorejectedthetruthlostalldesireforthegiftofHeaven。Theyhad"putdarknessforlight，andlightfordarkness，"untilthelightwhichwasinthembecamedarkness；andhowgreatwasthatdarkness！

ItsuitsthepolicyofSatanthatmenshouldretaintheformsofreligionifbutthespiritofvitalgodlinessislacking。Aftertheirrejectionofthegospel，theJewscontinuedzealouslytomaintaintheirancientrites，theyrigorouslypreservedtheirnationalexclusiveness，whiletheythemselvescouldnotbutadmitthatthepresenceofGodwasnolongermanifestamongthem。TheprophecyofDanielpointedsounmistakablytothetimeofMessiah’scoming，andsodirectlyforetoldHisdeath，thattheydiscourageditsstudy，andfinallytherabbispronouncedacurseonallwhoshouldattemptacomputationofthetime。InblindnessandimpenitencethepeopleofIsraelduringsucceedingcenturieshavestood，indifferenttothegraciousoffersofsalvation，unmindfuloftheblessingsofthegospel，asolemnandfearfulwarningofthedangerofrejectinglightfromheaven。

Whereverthecauseexists，thesameresultswillfollow。Hewhodeliberatelystifleshisconvictionsofdutybecauseitinterfereswithhisinclinationswillfinallylosethepowertodistinguishbetweentruthanderror。Theunderstandingbecomesdarkened，theconsciencecallous，thehearthardened，andthesoulisseparatedfromGod。Wherethemessageofdivinetruthisspurnedorslighted，therethechurchwillbeenshroudedindarkness；faithandlovegrowcold，379

andestrangementanddissensionenter。Churchmemberscentertheirinterestsandenergiesinworldlypursuits，andsinnersbecomehardenedintheirimpenitence。

Thefirstangel’smessageofRevelation14，announcingthehourofGod’sjudgmentandcallinguponmentofearandworshipHim，wasdesignedtoseparatetheprofessedpeopleofGodfromthecorruptinginfluencesoftheworldandtoarousethemtoseetheirtrueconditionofworldlinessandbacksliding。Inthismessage，Godhassenttothechurchawarning，which，haditbeenaccepted，wouldhavecorrectedtheevilsthatwereshuttingthemawayfromHim。Hadtheyreceivedthemessagefromheaven，humblingtheirheartsbeforetheLordandseekinginsincerityapreparationtostandinHispresence，theSpiritandpowerofGodwouldhavebeenmanifestedamongthem。Thechurchwouldagainhavereachedthatblessedstateofunity，faith，andlovewhichexistedinapostolicdays，whenthebelievers"wereofoneheartandofonesoul，"and"spakethewordofGodwithboldness，"when"theLordaddedtothechurchdailysuchasshouldbesaved。"Acts4:32，31；

2:47。

IfGod’sprofessedpeoplewouldreceivethelightasitshinesuponthemfromHisword，theywouldreachthatunityforwhichChristprayed，thatwhichtheapostledescribes，"theunityoftheSpiritinthebondofpeace。"

"Thereis，"hesays，"onebody，andoneSpirit，evenasyearecalledinonehopeofyourcalling；oneLord，onefaith，onebaptism。"Ephesians4:3-5。

Suchweretheblessedresultsexperiencedbythosewhoacceptedtheadventmessage。Theycamefromdifferentdenominations，andtheirdenominationalbarrierswerehurledtotheground；conflictingcreedswereshiveredtoatoms；theunscripturalhopeofatemporalmillenniumwasabandoned，falseviewsofthesecondadventwerecorrected，prideandconformitytotheworldweresweptaway；wrongsweremaderight；heartswereunitedinthesweetestfellowship，andloveandjoyreignedsupreme。Ifthisdoctrinedidthis380

forthefewwhodidreceiveit，itwouldhavedonethesameforallifallhadreceivedit。

Butthechurchesgenerallydidnotacceptthewarning。Theirministers，who，aswatchmen"untothehouseofIsrael，"shouldhavebeenthefirsttodiscernthetokensofJesus’coming，hadfailedtolearnthetrutheitherfromthetestimonyoftheprophetsorfromthesignsofthetimes。Asworldlyhopesandambitionsfilledtheheart，loveforGodandfaithinHiswordhadgrowncold；andwhentheadventdoctrinewaspresented，itonlyarousedtheirprejudiceandunbelief。Thefactthatthemessagewas，toagreatextent，preachedbylaymen，wasurgedasaninstrumentagainstit。Asofold，theplaintestimonyofGod’swordwasmetwiththeinquiry:"HaveanyoftherulersorofthePhariseesbelieved？"Andfindinghowdifficultataskitwastorefutetheargumentsdrawnfromthepropheticperiods，manydiscouragedthestudyoftheprophecies，teachingthatthepropheticbooksweresealedandwerenottobeunderstood。Multitudes，trustingimplicitlytotheirpastors，refusedtolistentothewarning；andothers，thoughconvincedofthetruth，darednotconfessit，lesttheyshouldbe"putoutofthesynagogue。"ThemessagewhichGodhadsentforthetestingandpurificationofthechurchrevealedalltoosurelyhowgreatwasthenumberwhohadsettheiraffectionsonthisworldratherthanuponChrist。Thetieswhichboundthemtoearthwerestrongerthantheattractionsheavenward。

Theychosetolistentothevoiceofworldlywisdomandturnedawayfromtheheart-searchingmessageoftruth。

Inrefusingthewarningofthefirstangel，theyrejectedthemeanswhichHeavenhadprovidedfortheirrestoration。TheyspurnedthegraciousmessengerthatwouldhavecorrectedtheevilswhichseparatedthemfromGod，andwithgreatereagernesstheyturnedtoseekthefriendshipoftheworld。

Herewasthecauseofthatfearfulconditionofworldliness，backsliding，andspiritualdeathwhichexistedinthechurchesin1844。

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InRevelation14thefirstangelisfollowedbyasecondproclaiming:

"Babylonisfallen，isfallen，thatgreatcity，becauseshemadeallnationsdrinkofthewineofthewrathofherfornication。"Revelation14:8。Theterm"Babylon"isderivedfrom"Babel，"andsignifiesconfusion。ItisemployedinScripturetodesignatethevariousformsoffalseorapostatereligion。InRevelation17Babylonisrepresentedasawoman——afigurewhichisusedintheBibleasthesymbolofachurch，avirtuouswomanrepresentingapurechurch，avilewomananapostatechurch。

IntheBiblethesacredandenduringcharacteroftherelationthatexistsbetweenChristandHischurchisrepresentedbytheunionofmarriage。TheLordhasjoinedHispeopletoHimselfbyasolemncovenant，HepromisingtobetheirGod，andtheypledgingthemselvestobeHisandHisalone。Hedeclares:"IwillbetroththeeuntoMeforever；yea，IwillbetroththeeuntoMeinrighteousness，andinjudgment，andinloving-kindness，andinmercies。"Hosea2:19。And，again:"Iammarrieduntoyou。"Jeremiah3:14。

AndPaulemploysthesamefigureintheNewTestamentwhenhesays:"Ihaveespousedyoutoonehusband，thatImaypresentyouasachastevirgintoChrist。"2Corinthians11:2。

TheunfaithfulnessofthechurchtoChristinpermittingherconfidenceandaffectiontobeturnedfromHim，andallowingtheloveofworldlythingstooccupythesoul，islikenedtotheviolationofthemarriagevow。ThesinofIsraelindepartingfromtheLordispresentedunderthisfigure；andthewonderfulloveofGodwhichtheythusdespisedistouchinglyportrayed:"I

swareuntothee，andenteredintoacovenantwiththee，saiththeLordGod，andthoubecamestMine。""Andthouwastexceedingbeautifulandthoudidstprosperintoakingdom。Andthyrenownwentforthamongtheheathenforthybeauty:foritwasperfectthroughMycomeliness，whichIhadputuponthee……Butthoudidsttrustinthineownbeauty，andplayedsttheharlotbecauseofthyrenown。""Asawifetreacherouslydepartethfromher382

husband，sohaveyedealttreacherouslywithMe，OhouseofIsrael，saiththeLord；""asawifethatcommittethadultery，whichtakethstrangersinsteadofherhusband！"Ezekiel16:8，13-15，32；Jeremiah3:20。

IntheNewTestament，languageverysimilarisaddressedtoprofessedChristianswhoseekthefriendshipoftheworldabovethefavorofGod。SaystheapostleJames:"Yeadulterersandadulteresses，knowyenotthatthefriendshipoftheworldisenmitywithGod？whosoeverthereforewillbeafriendoftheworldistheenemyofGod。"

Thewoman(Babylon)ofRevelation17isdescribedas"arrayedinpurpleandscarletcolor，anddeckedwithgoldandpreciousstonesandpearls，havingagoldencupinherhandfullofabominationsandfilthiness:……anduponherforeheadwasanamewritten，Mystery，BabylontheGreat，themotherofharlots。"Saystheprophet:"Isawthewomandrunkwiththebloodofthesaints，andwiththebloodofthemartyrsofJesus。"Babylonisfurtherdeclaredtobe"thatgreatcity，whichreignethoverthekingsoftheearth。"Revelation17:4-6，18。ThepowerthatforsomanycenturiesmaintaineddespoticswayoverthemonarchsofChristendomisRome。Thepurpleandscarletcolor，thegoldandpreciousstonesandpearls，vividlypicturethemagnificenceandmorethankinglypompaffectedbythehaughtyseeofRome。Andnootherpowercouldbesotrulydeclared"drunkenwiththebloodofthesaints"asthatchurchwhichhassocruellypersecutedthefollowersofChrist。Babylonisalsochargedwiththesinofunlawfulconnectionwith"thekingsoftheearth。"ItwasbydeparturefromtheLord，andalliancewiththeheathen，thattheJewishchurchbecameaharlot；andRome，corruptingherselfinlikemannerbyseekingthesupportofworldlypowers，receivesalikecondemnation。

Babylonissaidtobe"themotherofharlots。"Byherdaughtersmustbesymbolizedchurchesthatclingtoherdoctrinesandtraditions，andfollowherexampleofsacrificing383

thetruthandtheapprovalofGod，inordertoformanunlawfulalliancewiththeworld。ThemessageofRevelation14，announcingthefallofBabylonmustapplytoreligiousbodiesthatwereoncepureandhavebecomecorrupt。Sincethismessagefollowsthewarningofthejudgment，itmustbegiveninthelastdays；

thereforeitcannotrefertotheRomanChurchalone，forthatchurchhasbeeninafallenconditionformanycenturies。Furthermore，intheeighteenthchapteroftheRevelationthepeopleofGodarecalledupontocomeoutofBabylon。Accordingtothisscripture，manyofGod’speoplemuststillbeinBabylon。AndinwhatreligiousbodiesarethegreaterpartofthefollowersofChristnowtobefound？Withoutdoubt，inthevariouschurchesprofessingtheProtestantfaith。AtthetimeoftheirrisethesechurchestookanoblestandforGodandthetruth，andHisblessingwaswiththem。Eventheunbelievingworldwasconstrainedtoacknowledgethebeneficentresultsthatfollowedanacceptanceoftheprinciplesofthegospel。InthewordsoftheprophettoIsrael:"Thyrenownwentforthamongtheheathenforthybeauty:foritwasperfectthroughMycomeliness，whichIhadputuponthee，saiththeLordGod。"ButtheyfellbythesamedesirewhichwasthecurseandruinofIsrael——thedesireofimitatingthepracticesandcourtingthefriendshipoftheungodly。"Thoudidsttrustinthineownbeauty，andplayedsttheharlotbecauseofthyrenown。"Ezekiel16:14，15。

ManyoftheProtestantchurchesarefollowingRome’sexampleofiniquitousconnectionwith"thekingsoftheearth"——thestatechurches，bytheirrelationtoseculargovernments；andotherdenominations，byseekingthefavoroftheworld。Andtheterm"Babylon"——confusion——maybeappropriatelyappliedtothesebodies，allprofessingtoderivetheirdoctrinesfromtheBible，yetdividedintoalmostinnumerablesects，withwidelyconflictingcreedsandtheories。

Besidesasinfulunionwiththeworld，thechurchesthatseparatedfromRomepresentotherofhercharacteristics。

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ARomanCatholicworkarguesthat"iftheChurchofRomewereeverguiltyofidolatryinrelationtothesaints，herdaughter，theChurchofEngland，standsguiltyofthesame，whichhastenchurchesdedicatedtoMaryforonededicatedtoChrist。"——RichardChalloner，TheCatholicChristianInstructed，Preface，pages21，22。

AndDr。Hopkins，in"ATreatiseontheMillennium，"declares:"ThereisnoreasontoconsidertheantichristianspiritandpracticestobeconfinedtothatwhichisnowcalledtheChurchofRome。TheProtestantchurcheshavemuchofantichristinthem，andarefarfrombeingwhollyreformedfrom……corruptionsandwickedness。"——SamuelHopkins，Works，vol。2，p。328。

ConcerningtheseparationofthePresbyterianChurchfromRome，Dr。Guthriewrites:"Threehundredyearsago，ourchurch，withanopenBibleonherbanner，andthismotto，’SearchtheScriptures，’onherscroll，marchedoutfromthegatesofRome。"Thenheasksthesignificantquestion:"DidtheycomecleanoutofBabylon？"——ThomasGuthrie，TheGospelinEzekiel，page237。

"TheChurchofEngland，"saysSpurgeon，"seemstobeeatenthroughandthroughwithsacramentarianism；butnonconformityappearstobealmostasbadlyriddledwithphilosophicalinfidelity。Thoseofwhomwethoughtbetterthingsareturningasideonebyonefromthefundamentalsofthefaith。

Throughandthrough，Ibelieve，theveryheartofEnglandishoneycombedwithadamnableinfidelitywhichdaresstillgointothepulpitandcallitselfChristian。"

Whatwastheoriginofthegreatapostasy？Howdidthechurchfirstdepartfromthesimplicityofthegospel？Byconformingtothepracticesofpaganism，tofacilitatetheacceptanceofChristianitybytheheathen。TheapostlePauldeclared，eveninhisday，"Themysteryofiniquitydothalreadywork。"2Thessalonians2:7。Duringthelivesoftheapostlesthechurchremainedcomparativelypure。But"towardthelatterendofthesecondcenturymostofthechurchesassumedanewform；thefirstsimplicity385

disappeared，andinsensibly，astheolddisciplesretiredtotheirgraves，theirchildren，alongwithnewconverts，……cameforwardandnew-modeledthecause。"——RobertRobinson，EcclesiasticalResearches，ch。6，par。17，p。

51。Tosecureconverts，theexaltedstandardoftheChristianfaithwaslowered，andastheresult"apaganflood，flowingintothechurch，carriedwithititscustoms，practices，andidols。"——Gavazzi，Lectures，page278。

AstheChristianreligionsecuredthefavorandsupportofsecularrulers，itwasnominallyacceptedbymultitudes；butwhileinappearanceChristians，many"remainedinsubstancepagans，especiallyworshipinginsecrettheiridols。"——Ibid。，page278。

HasnotthesameprocessbeenrepeatedinnearlyeverychurchcallingitselfProtestant？Asthefounders，thosewhopossessedthetruespiritofreform，passaway，theirdescendantscomeforwardand"new-modelthecause。"Whileblindlyclingingtothecreedoftheirfathersandrefusingtoacceptanytruthinadvanceofwhattheysaw，thechildrenofthereformersdepartwidelyfromtheirexampleofhumility，self-denial，andrenunciationoftheworld。Thus"thefirstsimplicitydisappears。"Aworldlyflood，flowingintothechurch，carries"withititscustoms，practices，andidols。"

Alas，towhatafearfulextentisthatfriendshipoftheworldwhichis"enmitywithGod，"nowcherishedamongtheprofessedfollowersofChrist！

HowwidelyhavethepopularchurchesthroughoutChristendomdepartedfromtheBiblestandardofhumility，self-denial，simplicity，andgodliness！SaidJohnWesley，inspeakingoftherightuseofmoney:"Donotwasteanypartofsopreciousatalent，merelyingratifyingthedesireoftheeye，bysuperfluousorexpensiveapparel，orbyneedlessornaments。Wastenopartofitincuriouslyadorningyourhouses；insuperfluousorexpensivefurniture；

incostlypictures，painting，gilding……Layoutnothingtogratifytheprideoflife，togaintheadmirationorpraiseofmen……’Solongasthoudoestwelluntothyself，menwillspeakgoodofthee。’Solongasthouart’clothedinpurpleandfinelinen，’andfarest’sumptuously386

everyday，’nodoubtmanywillapplaudthyeleganceoftaste，thygenerosityandhospitality。Butdonotbuytheirapplausesodear。RatherbecontentwiththehonorthatcomethfromGod。"——Wesley，Works，Sermon50，"TheUseofMoney。"Butinmanychurchesofourtimesuchteachingisdisregarded。

Aprofessionofreligionhasbecomepopularwiththeworld。Rulers，politicians，lawyers，doctors，merchants，jointhechurchasameansofsecuringtherespectandconfidenceofsociety，andadvancingtheirownworldlyinterests。ThustheyseektocoveralltheirunrighteoustransactionsunderaprofessionofChristianity。Thevariousreligiousbodies，re-enforcedbythewealthandinfluenceofthesebaptizedworldlings，makeastillhigherbidforpopularityandpatronage。Splendidchurches，embellishedinthemostextravagantmanner，areerectedonpopularavenues。Theworshipersarraythemselvesincostlyandfashionableattire。A

highsalaryispaidforatalentedministertoentertainandattractthepeople。Hissermonsmustnottouchpopularsins，butbemadesmoothandpleasingforfashionableears。Thusfashionablesinnersareenrolledonthechurchrecords，andfashionablesinsareconcealedunderapretenseofgodliness。

CommentingonthepresentattitudeofprofessedChristianstowardtheworld，aleadingsecularjournalsays:"Insensiblythechurchhasyieldedtothespiritoftheage，andadapteditsformsofworshiptomodernwants。""Allthings，indeed，thathelptomakereligionattractive，thechurchnowemploysasitsinstruments。"AndawriterintheNewYorkIndependentspeaksthusconcerningMethodismasitis:"Thelineofseparationbetweenthegodlyandtheirreligiousfadesoutintoakindofpenumbra，andzealousmenonbothsidesaretoilingtoobliteratealldifferencebetweentheirmodesofactionandenjoyment。""Thepopularityofreligiontendsvastlytoincreasethenumberofthosewhowouldsecureitsbenefitswithoutsquarelymeetingitsduties。"

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SaysHowardCrosby:"ItisamatterofdeepconcernthatwefindChrist’schurchsolittlefulfillingthedesignsofitsLord。JustastheancientJewsletafamiliarintercoursewiththeidolatrousnationsstealawaytheirheartsfromGod，……sothechurchofJesusnowis，byitsfalsepartnershipswithanunbelievingworld，givingupthedivinemethodsofitstruelife，andyieldingitselftothepernicious，thoughoftenplausible，habitsofaChristlesssociety，usingtheargumentsandreachingtheconclusionswhichareforeigntotherevelationofGod，anddirectlyantagonistictoallgrowthingrace。"——TheHealthyChristian:AnAppealtotheChurch，pages141，142。

Inthistideofworldlinessandpleasureseeking，self-denialandself-sacrificeforChrist’ssakearealmostwhollylost。"Someofthemenandwomennowinactivelifeinourchurcheswereeducated，whenchildren，tomakesacrificesinordertobeabletogiveordosomethingforChrist。"

But"iffundsarewantednow，……nobodymustbecalledontogive。Oh，no！haveafair，tableau，mocktrial，antiquariansupper，orsomethingtoeat——anythingtoamusethepeople。"

GovernorWashburnofWisconsininhisannualmessage，January9，1873，declared:"Somelawseemstoberequiredtobreakuptheschoolswheregamblersaremade。Theseareeverywhere。Eventhechurch(unwittingly，nodoubt)issometimesfounddoingtheworkofthedevil。Giftconcerts，giftenterprisesandraffles，sometimesinaidofreligiousorcharitableobjects，butoftenforlessworthypurposes，lotteries，prizepackages，etc。，arealldevicestoobtainmoneywithoutvaluereceived。Nothingissodemoralizingorintoxicating，particularlytotheyoung，astheacquisitionofmoneyorpropertywithoutlabor。Respectablepeopleengaginginthesechangeenterprises，andeasingtheirconscienceswiththereflectionthatthemoneyistogotoagoodobject，itisnotstrangethattheyouthofthestateshouldsooftenfallintothehabitswhichtheexcitementofgamesofhazardisalmostcertaintoengender。"

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ThespiritofworldlyconformityininvadingthechurchesthroughoutChristendom。RobertAtkins，inasermonpreachedinLondon，drawsadarkpictureofthespiritualdeclensionthatprevailsinEngland:"Thetrulyrighteousarediminishedfromtheearth，andnomanlayethittoheart。Theprofessorsofreligionofthepresentday，ineverychurch，areloversoftheworld，conformerstotheworld，loversofcreaturecomfort，andaspirersafterrespectability。TheyarecalledtosufferwithChrist，buttheyshrinkfromevenreproach……Apostasy，apostasy，apostasy，isengravenontheveryfrontofeverychurch；anddidtheyknowit，anddidtheyfeelit，theremightbehope；but，alas！theycry，’Wearerich，andincreasedingoods，andstandinneedofnothing。’"——SecondAdventLibrary，tractNo。39。

ThegreatsinchargedagainstBabylonisthatshe"madeallnationsdrinkofthewineofthewrathofherfornication。"Thiscupofintoxicationwhichshepresentstotheworldrepresentsthefalsedoctrinesthatshehasacceptedastheresultofherunlawfulconnectionwiththegreatonesoftheearth。Friendshipwiththeworldcorruptsherfaith，andinherturnsheexertsacorruptinginfluenceupontheworldbyteachingdoctrineswhichareopposedtotheplaineststatementsofHolyWrit。

RomewithheldtheBiblefromthepeopleandrequiredallmentoacceptherteachingsinitsplace。ItwastheworkoftheReformationtorestoretomenthewordofGod；butisitnottootruethatinthechurchesofourtimemenaretaughttoresttheirfaithupontheircreedandtheteachingsoftheirchurchratherthanontheScriptures？SaidCharlesBeecher，speakingoftheProtestantchurches:"Theyshrinkfromanyrudewordagainstcreedswiththesamesensitivenesswithwhichthoseholyfatherswouldhaveshrunkfromarudewordagainsttherisingvenerationofsaintsandmartyrswhichtheywerefostering……TheProtestantevangelicaldenominationshavesotieduponeanother’shands，andtheirown，that，betweenthemall，amancannotbecomeapreacheratall，anywhere，withoutacceptingsomebookbesidesthe389

Bible……ThereisnothingimaginaryinthestatementthatthecreedpowerisnowbeginningtoprohibittheBibleasreallyasRomedid，thoughinasubtlerway。"——Sermonon"TheBibleaSufficientCreed，"deliveredatFortWayne，Indiana，Feb。22，1846。

WhenfaithfulteachersexpoundthewordofGod，therearisemenoflearning，ministersprofessingtounderstandtheScriptures，whodenouncesounddoctrineasheresy，andthusturnawayinquirersaftertruth。WereitnotthattheworldishopelesslyintoxicatedwiththewineofBabylon，multitudeswouldbeconvictedandconvertedbytheplain，cuttingtruthsofthewordofGod。Butreligiousfaithappearssoconfusedanddiscordantthatthepeopleknownotwhattobelieveastruth。Thesinoftheworld’simpenitenceliesatthedoorofthechurch。

Thesecondangel’smessageofRevelation14wasfirstpreachedinthesummerof1844，anditthenhadamoredirectapplicationtothechurchesoftheUnitedStates，wherethewarningofthejudgmenthadbeenmostwidelyproclaimedandmostgenerallyrejected，andwherethedeclensioninthechurcheshadbeenmostrapid。Butthemessageofthesecondangeldidnotreachitscompletefulfillmentin1844。Thechurchesthenexperiencedamoralfall，inconsequenceoftheirrefusalofthelightoftheadventmessage；butthatfallwasnotcomplete。Astheyhavecontinuedtorejectthespecialtruthsforthistimetheyhavefallenlowerandlower。Notyet，however，canitbesaidthat"Babylonisfallen，……becauseshemadeallnationsdrinkofthewineofthewrathofherfornication。"Shehasnotyetmadeallnationsdothis。ThespiritofworldconformingandindifferencetothetestingtruthsforourtimeexistsandhasbeengaininggroundinchurchesoftheProtestantfaithinallthecountriesofChristendom；andthesechurchesareincludedinthesolemnandterribledenunciationofthesecondangel。Buttheworkofapostasyhasnotyetreacheditsculmination。

TheBibledeclaresthatbeforethecomingoftheLord，Satanwillwork"withallpowerandsignsandlyingwonders，390

andwithalldeceivablenessofunrighteousness；"andtheythat"receivednottheloveofthetruth，thattheymightbesaved，"willbelefttoreceive"strongdelusion，thattheyshouldbelievealie。"2Thessalonians2:9-11。

Notuntilthisconditionshallbereached，andtheunionofthechurchwiththeworldshallbefullyaccomplishedthroughoutChristendom，willthefallofBabylonbecomplete。Thechangeisaprogressiveone，andtheperfectfulfillmentofRevelation14:8isyetfuture。

NotwithstandingthespiritualdarknessandalienationfromGodthatexistinthechurcheswhichconstituteBabylon，thegreatbodyofChrist’struefollowersarestilltobefoundintheircommunion。Therearemanyofthesewhohaveneverseenthespecialtruthsforthistime。Notafewaredissatisfiedwiththeirpresentconditionandarelongingforclearerlight。

TheylookinvainfortheimageofChristinthechurcheswithwhichtheyareconnected。Asthesebodiesdepartfurtherandfurtherfromthetruth，andallythemselvesmorecloselywiththeworld，thedifferencebetweenthetwoclasseswillwiden，anditwillfinallyresultinseparation。ThetimewillcomewhenthosewholoveGodsupremelycannolongerremaininconnectionwithsuchasare"loversofpleasuresmorethanloversofGod；

havingaformofgodliness，butdenyingthepowerthereof。"

Revelation18pointstothetimewhen，astheresultofrejectingthethreefoldwarningofRevelation14:6-12，thechurchwillhavefullyreachedtheconditionforetoldbythesecondangel，andthepeopleofGodstillinBabylonwillbecalledupontoseparatefromhercommunion。Thismessageisthelastthatwilleverbegiventotheworld；anditwillaccomplishitswork。Whenthosethat"believednotthetruth，buthadpleasureinunrighteousness"(2Thessalonians2:12)，shallbelefttoreceivestrongdelusionandtobelievealie，thenthelightoftruthwillshineuponallwhoseheartsareopentoreceiveit，andallthechildrenoftheLordthatremaininBabylonwillheedthecall:"Comeoutofher，Mypeople"

(Revelation18:4)。

(391)

Chapter22

PropheciesFulfilledWhenthetimepassedatwhichtheLord’scomingwasfirstexpected，——inthespringof1844，——thosewhohadlookedinfaithforHisappearingwereforaseasoninvolvedindoubtanduncertainty。Whiletheworldregardedthemashavingbeenutterlydefeatedandprovedtohavebeencherishingadelusion，theirsourceofconsolationwasstillthewordofGod。ManycontinuedtosearchtheScriptures，examininganewtheevidencesoftheirfaithandcarefullystudyingthepropheciestoobtainfurtherlight。TheBibletestimonyinsupportoftheirpositionseemedclearandconclusive。SignswhichcouldnotbemistakenpointedtothecomingofChristasnear。ThespecialblessingoftheLord，bothintheconversionofsinnersandtherevivalofspirituallifeamongChristians，hadtestifiedthatthemessagewasofHeaven。Andthoughthebelieverscouldnotexplaintheirdisappointment，theyfeltassuredthatGodhadledthemintheirpastexperience。

Interwovenwithprophecieswhichtheyhadregardedasapplyingtothetimeofthesecondadventwasinstructionspeciallyadaptedtotheirstateofuncertaintyandsuspense，andencouragingthemtowaitpatientlyinthefaiththatwhatwasnowdarktotheirunderstandingwouldinduetimebemadeplain。

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AmongtheseprophecieswasthatofHabakkuk2:1-4:"Iwillstanduponmywatch，andsetmeuponthetower，andwillwatchtoseewhatHewillsayuntome，andwhatIshallanswerwhenIamreproved。AndtheLordansweredme，andsaid，Writethevision，andmakeitplainupontables，thathemayrunthatreadethit。Forthevisionisyetforanappointedtime，butattheenditshallspeak，andnotlie:thoughittarry，waitforit；becauseitwillsurelycome，itwillnottarry。Behold，hissoulwhichisliftedupisnotuprightinhim:butthejustshalllivebyhisfaith。"

Asearlyas1842thedirectiongiveninthisprophecyto"writethevision，andmakeitplainupontables，thathemayrunthatreadethit，"hadsuggestedtoCharlesFitchthepreparationofapropheticcharttoillustratethevisionsofDanielandtheRevelation。ThepublicationofthischartwasregardedasafulfillmentofthecommandgivenbyHabakkuk。Noone，however，thennoticedthananapparentdelayintheaccomplishmentofthevision——atarryingtime——ispresentedinthesameprophecy。Afterthedisappointment，thisscriptureappearedverysignificant:"Thevisionisyetforanappointedtime，butattheenditshallspeak，andnotlie:thoughittarry，waitforit；becauseitwillsurelycome，itwillnottarry……

Thejustshalllivebyhisfaith。"

AportionofEzekiel’sprophecyalsowasasourceofstrengthandcomforttobelievers:"ThewordoftheLordcameuntome，saying，Sonofman，whatisthatproverbthatyehaveinthelandofIsrael，saying，Thedaysareprolonged，andeveryvisionfaileth？Tellthemtherefore，ThussaiththeLordGod……Thedaysareathand，andtheeffectofeveryvision……

Iwillspeak，andthewordthatIshallspeakshallcometopass；itshallbenomoreprolonged。""TheyofthehouseofIsraelsay，Thevisionthatheseethisformanydaystocome，andheprophesiethofthetimesthatarefaroff。Thereforesayuntothem，ThussaiththeLordGod；ThereshallnoneofMywordsbeprolongedanymore，buttheword393

whichIhavespokenshallbedone。"Ezekiel12:21-25，27，28。

Thewaitingonesrejoiced，believingthatHewhoknowstheendfromthebeginninghadlookeddownthroughtheagesand，foreseeingtheirdisappointment，hadgiventhemwordsofcourageandhope。HaditnotbeenforsuchportionsofScripture，admonishingthemtowaitwithpatienceandtoholdfasttheirconfidenceinGod’sword，theirfaithwouldhavefailedinthattryinghour。

TheparableofthetenvirginsofMatthew25alsoillustratestheexperienceoftheAdventistpeople。InMatthew24，inanswertothequestionofHisdisciplesconcerningthesignofHiscomingandoftheendoftheworld，ChristhadpointedoutsomeofthemostimportanteventsinthehistoryoftheworldandofthechurchfromHisfirsttoHissecondadvent；namely，thedestructionofJerusalem，thegreattribulationofthechurchunderthepaganandpapalpersecutions，thedarkeningofthesunandmoon，andthefallingofthestars。AfterthisHespokeofHiscominginHiskingdom，andrelatedtheparabledescribingthetwoclassesofservantswholookforHisappearing。Chapter25openswiththewords:"Thenshallthekingdomofheavenbelikeneduntotenvirgins。"Hereisbroughttoviewthechurchlivinginthelastdays，thesamethatispointedoutinthecloseofchapter24。InthisparabletheirexperienceisillustratedbytheincidentsofanEasternmarriage。

"Thenshallthekingdomofheavenbelikeneduntotenvirgins，whichtooktheirlamps，andwentforthtomeetthebridegroom。Andfiveofthemwerewise，andfivewerefoolish。Theythatwerefoolishtooktheirlamps，andtooknooilwiththem:butthewisetookoilintheirvesselswiththeirlamps。Whilethebridegroomtarried，theyallslumberedandslept。Andatmidnighttherewasacrymade，Behold，thebridegroomcometh；goyeouttomeethim。"

ThecomingofChrist，asannouncedbythefirstangel’smessage，wasunderstoodtoberepresentedbythecoming394

ofthebridegroom。ThewidespreadreformationundertheproclamationofHissooncoming，answeredtothegoingforthofthevirgins。Inthisparable，asinthatofMatthew24，twoclassesarerepresented。Allhadtakentheirlamps，theBible，andbyitslighthadgoneforthtomeettheBridegroom。

Butwhile"theythatwerefoolishtooktheirlamps，andtooknooilwiththem，""thewisetookoilintheirvesselswiththeirlamps。ThelatterclasshadreceivedthegraceofGod，theregenerating，enlighteningpoweroftheHolySpirit，whichrendersHiswordalamptothefeetandalighttothepath。InthefearofGodtheyhadstudiedtheScripturestolearnthetruth，andhadearnestlysoughtforpurityofheartandlife。Thesehadapersonalexperience，afaithinGodandinHisword，whichcouldnotbeoverthrownbydisappointmentanddelay。Others"tooktheirlamps，andtooknooilwiththem。"Theyhadmovedfromimpulse。Theirfearshadbeenexcitedbythesolemnmessage，buttheyhaddependeduponthefaithoftheirbrethren，satisfiedwiththeflickeringlightofgoodemotions，withoutathoroughunderstandingofthetruthoragenuineworkofgraceintheheart。

ThesehadgoneforthtomeettheLord，fullofhopeintheprospectofimmediatereward；buttheywerenotpreparedfordelayanddisappointment。

Whentrialscame，theirfaithfailed，andtheirlightsburneddim。

"Whilethebridegroomtarried，theyallslumberedandslept。"BythetarryingofthebridegroomisrepresentedthepassingofthetimewhentheLordwasexpected，thedisappointment，andtheseemingdelay。Inthistimeofuncertainty，theinterestofthesuperficialandhalfheartedsoonbegantowaver，andtheireffortstorelax；butthosewhosefaithwasbasedonapersonalknowledgeoftheBiblehadarockbeneaththeirfeet，whichthewavesofdisappointmentcouldnotwashaway。"Theyallslumberedandslept；"

oneclassinunconcernandabandonmentoftheirfaith，theotherclasspatientlywaitingtillclearerlightshouldbegiven。Yet395

inthenightoftrialthelatterseemedtolose，tosomeextent，theirzealanddevotion。Thehalfheartedandsuperficialcouldnolongerleanuponthefaithoftheirbrethren。Eachmuststandorfallforhimself。

Aboutthistime，fanaticismbegantoappear。SomewhohadprofessedtobezealousbelieversinthemessagerejectedthewordofGodastheoneinfallibleguideand，claimingtobeledbytheSpirit，gavethemselvesuptothecontroloftheirownfeelings，impressions，andimaginations。Thereweresomewhomanifestedablindandbigotedzeal，denouncingallwhowouldnotsanctiontheircourse。TheirfanaticalideasandexercisesmetwithnosympathyfromthegreatbodyofAdventists；yettheyservedtobringreproachuponthecauseoftruth。

SatanwasseekingbythismeanstoopposeanddestroytheworkofGod。Thepeoplehadbeengreatlystirredbytheadventmovement，thousandsofsinnershadbeenconverted，andfaithfulmenweregivingthemselvestotheworkofproclaimingthetruth，eveninthetarryingtime。Theprinceofevilwaslosinghissubjects；andinordertobringreproachuponthecauseofGod，hesoughttodeceivesomewhoprofessedthefaithandtodrivethemtoextremes。Thenhisagentsstoodreadytoseizeuponeveryerror，everyfailure，everyunbecomingact，andholditupbeforethepeopleinthemostexaggeratedlight，torenderAdventistsandtheirfaithodious。Thusthegreaterthenumberwhomhecouldcrowdintomakeaprofessionoffaithinthesecondadventwhilehispowercontrolledtheirhearts，thegreateradvantagewouldhegainbycallingattentiontothemasrepresentativesofthewholebodyofbelievers。

Satanis"theaccuserofthebrethren，"anditishisspiritthatinspiresmentowatchfortheerrorsanddefectsoftheLord’speople，andtoholdthemuptonotice，whiletheirgooddeedsarepassedbywithoutamention。

HeisalwaysactivewhenGodisatworkforthesalvationofsouls。WhenthesonsofGodcometopresentthemselvesbeforetheLord，396

Satancomesalsoamongthem。Ineveryrevivalheisreadytobringinthosewhoareunsanctifiedinheartandunbalancedinmind。Whenthesehaveacceptedsomepointsoftruth，andgainedaplacewithbelievers，heworksthroughthemtointroducetheoriesthatwilldeceivetheunwary。NomanisprovedtobeatrueChristianbecauseheisfoundincompanywiththechildrenofGod，eveninthehouseofworshipandaroundthetableoftheLord。Satanisfrequentlythereuponthemostsolemnoccasionsintheformofthosewhomhecanuseashisagents。

TheprinceofevilcontestseveryinchofgroundoverwhichGod’speopleadvanceintheirjourneytowardtheheavenlycity。Inallthehistoryofthechurchnoreformationhasbeencarriedforwardwithoutencounteringseriousobstacles。ThusitwasinPaul’sday。Wherevertheapostleraisedupachurch，thereweresomewhoprofessedtoreceivethefaith，butwhobroughtinheresies，that，ifreceived，wouldeventuallycrowdouttheloveofthetruth。LutheralsosufferedgreatperplexityanddistressfromthecourseoffanaticalpersonswhoclaimedthatGodhadspokendirectlythroughthem，andwhothereforesettheirownideasandopinionsabovethetestimonyoftheScriptures。Manywhowerelackinginfaithandexperience，butwhohadconsiderableself-sufficiency，andwholovedtohearandtellsomenewthing，werebeguiledbythepretensionsofthenewteachers，andtheyjoinedtheagentsofSatanintheirworkoftearingdownwhatGodhadmovedLuthertobuildup。AndtheWesleys，andotherswhoblessedtheworldbytheirinfluenceandtheirfaith，encounteredateverystepthewilesofSataninpushingoverzealous，unbalanced，andunsanctifiedonesintofanaticismofeverygrade。

WilliamMillerhadnosympathywiththoseinfluencesthatledtofanaticism。

Hedeclared，withLuther，thateveryspiritshouldbetestedbythewordofGod。"Thedevil，"saidMiller，"hasgreatpoweroverthemindsofsomeatthe397

presentday。Andhowshallweknowwhatmannerofspirittheyareof？TheBibleanswers:’Bytheirfruitsyeshallknowthem。’……Therearemanyspiritsgoneoutintotheworld；andwearecommandedtotrythespirits。

Thespiritthatdoesnotcauseustolivesoberly，righteously，andgodly，inthispresentworld，isnottheSpiritofChrist。IammoreandmoreconvincedthatSatanhasmuchtodointhesewildmovements……Manyamonguswhopretendtobewhollysanctified，arefollowingthetraditionsofmen，andapparentlyareasignorantoftruthasotherswhomakenosuchpretensions。"——Bliss，pages236，237。"Thespiritoferrorwillleadusfromthetruth；andtheSpiritofGodwillleadusintotruth。But，sayyou，amanmaybeinanerror，andthinkhehasthetruth。Whatthen？Weanswer，TheSpiritandwordagree。IfamanjudgeshimselfbythewordofGod，andfindsaperfectharmonythroughthewholeword，thenhemustbelievehehasthetruth；butifhefindsthespiritbywhichheisleddoesnotharmonizewiththewholetenorofGod’slaworBook，thenlethimwalkcarefully，lesthebecaughtinthesnareofthedevil。"——TheAdventHeraldandSignsoftheTimesReporter，vol。8，No。23(Jan。15，1845)。"Ihaveoftenobtainedmoreevidenceofinwardpietyfromakindlingeye，awetcheek，andachokedutterance，thanfromallthenoiseofChristendom。"——Bliss，page282。

InthedaysoftheReformationitsenemieschargedalltheevilsoffanaticismupontheveryoneswhowerelaboringmostearnestlyagainstit。A

similarcoursewaspursuedbytheopposersoftheadventmovement。Andnotcontentwithmisrepresentingandexaggeratingtheerrorsofextremistsandfanatics，theycirculatedunfavorablereportsthathadnottheslightestsemblanceoftruth。Thesepersonswereactuatedbyprejudiceandhatred。

TheirpeacewasdisturbedbytheproclamationofChristatthedoor。Theyfeareditmightbetrue，yethopeditwasnot，andthiswasthesecretoftheirwarfareagainstAdventistsandtheirfaith。

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ThefactthatafewfanaticsworkedtheirwayintotheranksofAdventistsisnomorereasontodecidethatthemovementwasnotofGodthanwasthepresenceoffanaticsanddeceiversinthechurchinPaul’sorLuther’sdayasufficientexcuseforcondemningtheirwork。LetthepeopleofGodarouseoutofsleepandbegininearnesttheworkofrepentanceandreformation；

letthemsearchtheScripturestolearnthetruthasitisinJesus；letthemmakeanentireconsecrationtoGod，andevidencewillnotbewantingthatSatanisstillactiveandvigilant。Withallpossibledeceptionhewillmanifesthispower，callingtohisaidallthefallenangelsofhisrealm。

Itwasnottheproclamationofthesecondadventthatcausedfanaticismanddivision。Theseappearedinthesummerof1844，whenAdventistswereinastateofdoubtandperplexityconcerningtheirrealposition。Thepreachingofthefirstangel’smessageandofthe"midnightcry"tendeddirectlytorepressfanaticismanddissension。Thosewhoparticipatedinthesesolemnmovementswereinharmony；theirheartswerefilledwithloveforoneanotherandforJesus，whomtheyexpectedsoontosee。Theonefaith，theoneblessedhope，liftedthemabovethecontrolofanyhumaninfluence，andprovedashieldagainsttheassaultsofSatan。

"Whilethebridegroomtarried，theyallslumberedandslept。Andatmidnighttherewasacrymade，Behold，thebridegroomcometh；goyeouttomeethim。

Thenallthosevirginsarose，andtrimmedtheirlamps。"Matthew25:5-7。Inthesummerof1844，midwaybetweenthetimewhenithadbeenfirstthoughtthatthe2300dayswouldend，andtheautumnofthesameyear，towhichitwasafterwardfoundthattheyextended，themessagewasproclaimedintheverywordsofScripture:"Behold，theBridegroomcometh！"

ThatwhichledtothismovementwasthediscoverythatthedecreeofArtaxerxesfortherestorationofJerusalem，whichformedthestartingpointfortheperiodofthe2300days，wentintoeffectintheautumnoftheyear457B。C。，and399

notatthebeginningoftheyear，ashadbeenformerlybelieved。Reckoningfromtheautumnof457，the2300yearsterminateintheautumnof1844。(SeeAppendixnoteforpage329。)

ArgumentsdrawnfromtheOldTestamenttypesalsopointedtotheautumnasthetimewhentheeventrepresentedbythe"cleansingofthesanctuary"musttakeplace。ThiswasmadeveryclearasattentionwasgiventothemannerinwhichthetypesrelatingtothefirstadventofChristhadbeenfulfilled。

TheslayingofthePassoverlambwasashadowofthedeathofChrist。SaysPaul:"ChristourPassoverissacrificedforus。"1Corinthians5:7。Thesheafoffirstfruits，whichatthetimeofthePassoverwaswavedbeforetheLord，wastypicaloftheresurrectionofChrist。Paulsays，inspeakingoftheresurrectionoftheLordandofallHispeople:"Christthefirstfruits；afterwardtheythatareChrist’satHiscoming。"

1Corinthians15:23。Likethewavesheaf，whichwasthefirstripegraingatheredbeforetheharvest，ChrististhefirstfruitsofthatimmortalharvestofredeemedonesthatatthefutureresurrectionshallbegatheredintothegarnerofGod。

Thesetypeswerefulfilled，notonlyastotheevent，butastothetime。

OneofthefourteenthdayofthefirstJewishmonth，theverydayandmonthonwhichforfifteenlongcenturiesthePassoverlambhadbeenslain，Christ，havingeatenthePassoverwithHisdisciples，institutedthatfeastwhichwastocommemorateHisowndeathas"theLambofGod，whichtakethawaythesinoftheworld。"ThatsamenightHewastakenbywickedhandstobecrucifiedandslain。AndastheantitypeofthewavesheafourLordwasraisedfromthedeadonthethirdday，"thefirstfruitsofthemthatslept，"asampleofalltheresurrectedjust，whose"vilebody"shallbechanged，and"fashionedlikeuntoHisgloriousbody。"Verse20；Philippians3:21。

Inlikemannerthetypeswhichrelatetothesecondadventmustbefulfilledatthetimepointedoutinthesymbolic400

service。UndertheMosaicsystemthecleansingofthesanctuary，orthegreatDayofAtonement，occurredonthetenthdayoftheseventhJewishmonth(Leviticus16:29-34)，whenthehighpriest，havingmadeanatonementforallIsrael，andthusremovedtheirsinsfromthesanctuary，cameforthandblessedthepeople。SoitwasbelievedthatChrist，ourgreatHighPriest，wouldappeartopurifytheearthbythedestructionofsinandsinners，andtoblessHiswaitingpeoplewithimmortality。Thetenthdayoftheseventhmonth，thegreatDayofAtonement，thetimeofthecleansingofthesanctuary，whichintheyear1844felluponthetwenty-secondofOctober，wasregardedasthetimeoftheLord’scoming。Thiswasinharmonywiththeproofsalreadypresentedthatthe2300dayswouldterminateintheautumn，andtheconclusionseemedirresistible。

IntheparableofMatthew25thetimeofwaitingandslumberisfollowedbythecomingofthebridegroom。Thiswasinaccordancewiththeargumentsjustpresented，bothfromprophecyandfromthetypes。Theycarriedstrongconvictionoftheirtruthfulness；andthe"midnightcry"washeraldedbythousandsofbelievers。

Likeatidalwavethemovementsweptovertheland。Fromcitytocity，fromvillagetovillage，andintoremotecountryplacesitwent，untilthewaitingpeopleofGodwerefullyaroused。Fanaticismdisappearedbeforethisproclamationlikeearlyfrostbeforetherisingsun。Believerssawtheirdoubtandperplexityremoved，andhopeandcourageanimatedtheirhearts。

TheworkwasfreefromthoseextremeswhichareevermanifestedwhenthereishumanexcitementwithoutthecontrollinginfluenceofthewordandSpiritofGod。ItwassimilarincharactertothoseseasonsofhumiliationandreturninguntotheLordwhichamongancientIsraelfollowedmessagesofreprooffromHisservants。ItborethecharacteristicsthatmarktheworkofGodineveryage。Therewaslittleecstaticjoy，butratherdeepsearchingofheart，confessionofsin，andforsakingoftheworld。A

401

preparationtomeettheLordwastheburdenofagonizingspirits。TherewasperseveringprayerandunreservedconsecrationtoGod。

SaidMillerindescribingthatwork:"Thereisnogreatexpressionofjoy:

thatis，asitwere，suppressedforafutureoccasion，whenallheavenandearthwillrejoicetogetherwithjoyunspeakableandfullofglory。Thereisnoshouting:that，too，isreservedfortheshoutfromheaven。Thesingersaresilent:theyarewaitingtojointheangelichosts，thechoirfromheaven……Thereisnoclashingofsentiments:allareofoneheartandofonemind。"——Bliss，pages270，271。

Anotherwhoparticipatedinthemovementtestified:"ItproducedeverywherethemostdeepsearchingofheartandhumiliationofsoulbeforetheGodofhighheaven。Itcausedaweaningofaffectionsfromthethingsofthisworld，ahealingofcontroversiesandanimosities，aconfessionofwrongs，abreakingdownbeforeGod，andpenitent，brokenheartedsupplicationstoHimforpardonandacceptance。Itcausedself-abasementandprostrationofsoul，suchasweneverbeforewitnessed。AsGodbyJoelcommanded，whenthegreatdayofGodshouldbeathand，itproducedarendingofheartsandnotofgarments，andaturninguntotheLordwithfasting，andweeping，andmourning。AsGodsaidbyZechariah，aspiritofgraceandsupplicationwaspouredoutuponHischildren；theylookedtoHimwhomtheyhadpierced，therewasagreatmourningintheland，……andthosewhowerelookingfortheLordafflictedtheirsoulsbeforeHim。"——Bliss，inAdventShieldandReview，vol。I，p。271(January，1845)。

Ofallthegreatreligiousmovementssincethedaysoftheapostles，nonehavebeenmorefreefromhumanimperfectionandthewilesofSatanthanwasthatoftheautumnof1844。Evennow，afterthelapseofmanyyears，allwhosharedinthatmovementandwhohavestoodfirmupontheplatformoftruthstillfeeltheholyinfluenceofthatblessedworkandbearwitnessthatitwasofGod。

402

Atthecall，"TheBridegroomcometh；goyeouttomeetHim，"thewaitingones"aroseandtrimmedtheirlamps；"theystudiedthewordofGodwithanintensityofinterestbeforeunknown。Angelsweresentfromheaventoarousethosewhohadbecomediscouragedandpreparethemtoreceivethemessage。

Theworkdidnotstandinthewisdomandlearningofmen，butinthepowerofGod。Itwasnotthemosttalented，butthemosthumbleanddevoted，whowerethefirsttohearandobeythecall。Farmerslefttheircropsstandinginthefields，mechanicslaiddowntheirtools，andwithtearsandrejoicingwentouttogivethewarning。Thosewhohadformerlyledinthecausewereamongthelasttojoininthismovement。Thechurchesingeneralclosedtheirdoorsagainstthismessage，andalargecompanyofthosewhoreceiveditwithdrewfromtheirconnection。IntheprovidenceofGodthisproclamationunitedwiththesecondangel’smessageandgavepowertothatwork。

Themessage，"Behold，theBridegroomcometh！"wasnotsomuchamatterofargument，thoughtheScriptureproofwasclearandconclusive。Therewentwithitanimpellingpowerthatmovedthesoul。Therewasnodoubt，noquestioning。UpontheoccasionofChrist’striumphalentryintoJerusalemthepeoplewhowereassembledfromallpartsofthelandtokeepthefeastflockedtotheMountofOlives，andastheyjoinedthethrongthatwereescortingJesustheycaughttheinspirationofthehourandhelpedtoswelltheshout:"BlessedisHethatcomethinthenameoftheLord！"Matthew21:9。InlikemannerdidunbelieverswhoflockedtotheAdventistmeetings——somefromcuriosity，somemerelytoridicule——feeltheconvincingpowerattendingthemessage:"Behold，theBridegroomcometh！"

Atthattimetherewasfaiththatbroughtanswerstoprayer——faiththathadrespecttotherecompenseofreward。Likeshowersofrainuponthethirstyearth，theSpiritofgracedescendedupontheearnestseekers。Thosewho403

expectedsoontostandfacetofacewiththeirRedeemerfeltasolemnjoythatwasunutterable。Thesoftening，subduingpoweroftheHolySpiritmeltedtheheartasHisblessingwasbestowedinrichmeasureuponthefaithful，believingones。

CarefullyandsolemnlythosewhoreceivedthemessagecameuptothetimewhentheyhopedtomeettheirLord。EverymorningtheyfeltthatitwastheirfirstdutytosecuretheevidenceoftheiracceptancewithGod。Theirheartswerecloselyunited，andtheyprayedmuchwithandforoneanother。

TheyoftenmettogetherinsecludedplacestocommunewithGod，andthevoiceofintercessionascendedtoheavenfromthefieldsandgroves。TheassuranceoftheSaviour’sapprovalwasmorenecessarytothemthantheirdailyfood；andifaclouddarkenedtheirminds，theydidnotrestuntilitwassweptaway。Astheyfeltthewitnessofpardoninggrace，theylongedtobeholdHimwhomtheirsoulsloved。

Butagaintheyweredestinedtodisappointment。Thetimeofexpectationpassed，andtheirSaviourdidnotappear。WithunwaveringconfidencetheyhadlookedforwardtoHiscoming，andnowtheyfeltasdidMarywhen，comingtotheSaviour’stombandfindingitempty，sheexclaimedwithweeping:

"TheyhavetakenawaymyLord，andIknownotwheretheyhavelaidHim。"

John20:13。

Afeelingofawe，afearthatthemessagemightbetrue，hadforatimeservedasarestraintupontheunbelievingworld。Afterthepassingofthetimethisdidnotatoncedisappear；atfirsttheydarednottriumphoverthedisappointedones；butasnotokensofGod’swrathwereseen，theyrecoveredfromtheirfearsandresumedtheirreproachandridicule。AlargeclasswhohadprofessedtobelieveintheLord’ssooncoming，renouncedtheirfaith。Somewhohadbeenveryconfidentweresodeeplywoundedintheirpridethattheyfeltlikefleeingfromtheworld。LikeJonah，theycomplainedofGod，andchosedeathratherthanlife。

404

Thosewhohadbasedtheirfaithupontheopinionsofothers，andnotuponthewordofGod，werenowasreadyagaintochangetheirviews。Thescofferswontheweakandcowardlytotheirranks，andalltheseunitedindeclaringthattherecouldbenomorefearsorexpectationsnow。Thetimehadpassed，theLordhadnotcome，andtheworldmightremainthesameforthousandsofyears。

Theearnest，sincerebelievershadgivenupallforChristandhadsharedHispresenceasneverbefore。Theyhad，astheybelieved，giventheirlastwarningtotheworld；and，expectingsoontobereceivedintothesocietyoftheirdivineMasterandtheheavenlyangels，theyhad，toagreatextent，withdrawnfromthesocietyofthosewhodidnotreceivethemessage。Withintensedesiretheyhadprayed:"Come，LordJesus，andcomequickly。"ButHehadnotcome。Andnowtotakeupagaintheheavyburdenoflife’scaresandperplexities，andtoendurethetauntsandsneersofascoffingworld，wasaterribletrialoffaithandpatience。

YetthisdisappointmentwasnotsogreataswasthatexperiencedbythedisciplesatthetimeofChrist’sfirstadvent。WhenJesusrodetriumphantlyintoJerusalem，HisfollowersbelievedthatHewasabouttoascendthethroneofDavidanddeliverIsraelfromheroppressors。WithhighhopesandjoyfulanticipationstheyviedwithoneanotherinshowinghonortotheirKing。ManyspreadtheiroutergarmentsasacarpetinHispath，orstrewedbeforeHimtheleafybranchesofthepalm。Intheirenthusiasticjoytheyunitedinthegladacclaim:"HosannatotheSonofDavid！"WhenthePharisees，disturbedandangeredbythisoutburstofrejoicing，wishedJesustorebukeHisdisciples，Hereplied:"Iftheseshouldholdtheirpeace，thestoneswouldimmediatelycryout。"Luke19:40。Prophecymustbefulfilled。

ThediscipleswereaccomplishingthepurposeofGod；yettheyweredoomedtoabitterdisappointment。ButafewdayshadpassederetheywitnessedtheSaviour’sagonizingdeath，andlaidHiminthetomb。Theirexpectationshadnotbeen405

realizedinasingleparticular，andtheirhopesdiedwithJesus。NottilltheirLordhadcomeforthtriumphantfromthegravecouldtheyperceivethatallhadbeenforetoldbyprophecy，and"thatChristmustneedshavesuffered，andrisenagainfromthedead。"Acts17:3。

Fivehundredyearsbefore，theLordhaddeclaredbytheprophetZechariah:

"Rejoicegreatly，OdaughterofZion；shout，OdaughterofJerusalem:

behold，thyKingcomethuntothee:Heisjust，andhavingsalvation；lowly，andridinguponanass，anduponacoltthefoalofanass。"Zechariah9:9。

HadthedisciplesrealizedthatChristwasgoingtojudgmentandtodeath，theycouldnothavefulfilledthisprophecy。

InlikemannerMillerandhisassociatesfulfilledprophecyandgaveamessagewhichInspirationhadforetoldshouldbegiventotheworld，butwhichtheycouldnothavegivenhadtheyfullyunderstoodthepropheciespointingouttheirdisappointment，andpresentinganothermessagetobepreachedtoallnationsbeforetheLordshouldcome。Thefirstandsecondangel’smessagesweregivenattherighttimeandaccomplishedtheworkwhichGoddesignedtoaccomplishbythem。

Theworldhadbeenlookingon，expectingthatifthetimepassedandChristdidnotappear，thewholesystemofAdventismwouldbegivenup。Butwhilemany，understrongtemptation，yieldedtheirfaith，thereweresomewhostoodfirm。Thefruitsoftheadventmovement，thespiritofhumilityandheartsearching，ofrenouncingoftheworldandreformationoflife，whichhadattendedthework，testifiedthatitwasofGod。TheydarednotdenythatthepoweroftheHolySpirithadwitnessedtothepreachingofthesecondadvent，andtheycoulddetectnoerrorintheirreckoningofthepropheticperiods。Theablestoftheiropponentshadnotsucceededinoverthrowingtheirsystemofpropheticinterpretation。Theycouldnotconsent，withoutBibleevidence，torenouncepositionswhichhadbeenreachedthroughearnest，prayerfulstudyoftheScriptures，bymindsenlightened406

bytheSpiritofGodandheartsburningwithitslivingpower；positionswhichhadwithstoodthemostsearchingcriticismsandthemostbitteroppositionofpopularreligiousteachersandworldly-wisemen，andwhichhadstoodfirmagainstthecombinedforcesoflearningandeloquence，andthetauntsandrevilingsalikeofthehonorableandthebase。

True，therehadbeenafailureastotheexpectedevent，buteventhiscouldnotshaketheirfaithinthewordofGod。WhenJonahproclaimedinthestreetsofNinevehthatwithinfortydaysthecitywouldbeoverthrown，theLordacceptedthehumiliationoftheNinevitesandextendedtheirperiodofprobation；yetthemessageofJonahwassentofGod，andNinevehwastestedaccordingtoHiswill。AdventistsbelievedthatinlikemannerGodhadledthemtogivethewarningofthejudgment。"Ithas，"theydeclared，"testedtheheartsofallwhoheardit，andawakenedalovefortheLord’sappearing；orithascalledforthahatred，moreorlessperceivable，butknowntoGod，ofHiscoming。Ithasdrawnaline，……sothatthosewhowillexaminetheirownhearts，mayknowonwhichsideofittheywouldhavebeenfound，hadtheLordthencome——whethertheywouldhaveexclaimed，’Lo！

thisisourGod，wehavewaitedforHim，andHewillsaveus；’orwhethertheywouldhavecalledtotherocksandmountainstofallonthemtohidethemfromthefaceofHimthatsittethonthethrone，andfromthewrathoftheLamb。Godthus，aswebelieve，hastestedHispeople，hastriedtheirfaith，hasprovedthem，andseenwhethertheywouldshrink，inthehouroftrial，fromthepositioninwhichHemightseefittoplacethem；andwhethertheywouldrelinquishthisworldandrelywithimplicitconfidenceinthewordofGod。"——TheAdventHeraldandSignsoftheTimesReporter，vol。8，No。14(Nov13，1844)。

ThefeelingsofthosewhostillbelievedthatGodhadledthemintheirpastexperienceareexpressedinthewordsofWilliamMiller:"WereItolivemylifeoveragain，withthe407

sameevidencethatIthenhad，tobehonestwithGodandmanIshouldhavetodoasIhavedone。""IhopethatIhavecleansedmygarmentsfromthebloodofsouls。Ifeelthat，asfarasitwasinmypower，Ihavefreedmyselffromallguiltintheircondemnation。""AlthoughIhavebeentwicedisappointed，"wrotethismanofGod，"Iamnotyetcastdownordiscouraged……MyhopeinthecomingofChristisasstrongasever。I

havedoneonlywhat，afteryearsofsolemnconsideration，Ifeltitmysolemndutytodo。IfIhaveerred，ithasbeenonthesideofcharity，lovetomyfellowmen，andconvictionofdutytoGod。""OnethingIdoknow，I

havepreachednothingbutwhatIbelieved；andGodhasbeenwithme；Hispowerhasbeenmanifestedinthework，andmuchgoodhasbeeneffected。"

"Manythousands，toallhumanappearance，havebeenmadetostudytheScripturesbythepreachingofthetime；andbythatmeans，throughfaithandthesprinklingofthebloodofChrist，havebeenreconciledtoGod。"——

Bliss，pages256，255，277，280，281。"Ihavenevercourtedthesmilesoftheproud，norquailedwhentheworldfrowned。Ishallnotnowpurchasetheirfavor，norshallIgobeyonddutytotempttheirhate。Ishallneverseekmylifeattheirhands，norshrink，Ihope，fromlosingit，ifGodinHisgoodprovidencesoorders。"——J。White，LifeofWm。Miller，page315。

GoddidnotforsakeHispeople；HisSpiritstillabodewiththosewhodidnotrashlydenythelightwhichtheyhadreceived，anddenouncetheadventmovement。IntheEpistletotheHebrewsarewordsofencouragementandwarningforthetried，waitingonesatthiscrisis:"Castnotawaythereforeyourconfidence，whichhathgreatrecompenseofreward。Foryehaveneedofpatience，that，afteryehavedonethewillofGod，yemightreceivethepromise。Foryetalittlewhile，andHethatshallcomewillcome，andwillnottarry。Nowthejustshalllivebyfaith:butifanymandrawback，Mysoulshallhavenopleasureinhim。Butwearenotofthem408

whodrawbackuntoperdition；butofthemthatbelievetothesavingofthesoul。"Hebrews10:35-39。

ThatthisadmonitionisaddressedtothechurchinthelastdaysisevidentfromthewordspointingtothenearnessoftheLord’scoming:"Foryetalittlewhile，andHethatshallcomewillcomeandwillnottarry。"AnditisplainlyimpliedthattherewouldbeaseemingdelayandthattheLordwouldappeartotarry。TheinstructionheregivenisespeciallyadaptedtotheexperienceofAdventistsatthistime。Thepeoplehereaddressedwereindangerofmakingshipwreckoffaith。TheyhaddonethewillofGodinfollowingtheguidanceofHisSpiritandHisword；yettheycouldnotunderstandHispurposeintheirpastexperience，norcouldtheydiscernthepathwaybeforethem，andtheyweretemptedtodoubtwhetherGodhadindeedbeenleadingthem。Atthistimethewordswereapplicable:"Nowthejustshalllivebyfaith。"Asthebrightlightofthe"midnightcry"hadshoneupontheirpathway，andtheyhadseenthepropheciesunsealedandtherapidlyfulfillingsignstellingthatthecomingofChristwasnear，theyhadwalked，asitwere，bysight。Butnow，boweddownbydisappointedhopes，theycouldstandonlybyfaithinGodandinHisword。Thescoffingworldweresaying:"Youhavebeendeceived。Giveupyourfaith，andsaythattheadventmovementwasofSatan。"ButGod’sworddeclared:"Ifanymandrawback，Mysoulshallhavenopleasureinhim。"Torenouncetheirfaithnow，anddenythepoweroftheHolySpiritwhichhadattendedthemessage，wouldbedrawingbacktowardperdition。TheywereencouragedtosteadfastnessbythewordsofPaul:"Castnotawaythereforeyourconfidence；""yehaveneedofpatience，""foryetalittlewhile，andHethatshallcomewillcome，andwillnottarry。"TheironlysafecoursewastocherishthelightwhichtheyhadalreadyreceivedofGod，holdfasttoHispromises，andcontinuetosearchtheScriptures，andpatientlywaitandwatchtoreceivefurtherlight。

(409)

Chapter23

WhatistheSanctuary？

Thescripturewhichaboveallothershadbeenboththefoundationandthecentralpillaroftheadventfaithwasthedeclaration:"Untotwothousandandthreehundreddays；thenshallthesanctuarybecleansed。"Daniel8:14。

ThesehadbeenfamiliarwordstoallbelieversintheLord’ssooncoming。Bythelipsofthousandswasthisprophecyrepeatedasthewatchwordoftheirfaith。Allfeltthatupontheeventsthereinforetolddependedtheirbrightestexpectationsandmostcherishedhopes。Thesepropheticdayshadbeenshowntoterminateintheautumnof1844。IncommonwiththerestoftheChristianworld，Adventiststhenheldthattheearth，orsomeportionofit，wasthesanctuary。Theyunderstoodthatthecleansingofthesanctuarywasthepurificationoftheearthbythefiresofthelastgreatday，andthatthiswouldtakeplaceatthesecondadvent。HencetheconclusionthatChristwouldreturntotheearthin1844。

Buttheappointedtimehadpassed，andtheLordhadnotappeared。ThebelieversknewthatGod’swordcouldnotfail；theirinterpretationoftheprophecymustbeatfault；butwherewasthemistake？Manyrashlycuttheknotofdifficultybydenyingthatthe2300daysendedin1844。NoreasoncouldbegivenforthisexceptthatChristhadnotcomeatthetimetheyexpectedHim。Theyarguedthatifthepropheticdayshadendedin1844，Christwouldthenhavereturnedto410

cleansethesanctuarybythepurificationoftheearthbyfire；andthatsinceHehadnotcome，thedayscouldnothaveended。

Toacceptthisconclusionwastorenouncetheformerreckoningofthepropheticperiods。The2300dayshadbeenfoundtobeginwhenthecommandmentofArtaxerxesfortherestorationandbuildingofJerusalemwentintoeffect，intheautumnof457B。C。Takingthisasthestartingpoint，therewasperfectharmonyintheapplicationofalltheeventsforetoldintheexplanationofthatperiodinDaniel9:25-27。Sixty-nineweeks，thefirst483ofthe2300years，weretoreachtotheMessiah，theAnointedOne；

andChrist’sbaptismandanointingbytheHolySpirit，A。D。27，exactlyfulfilledthespecification。Inthemidstoftheseventiethweek，Messiahwastobecutoff。ThreeandahalfyearsafterHisbaptism，Christwascrucified，inthespringofA。D。31。Theseventyweeks，or490years，weretopertainespeciallytotheJews。AttheexpirationofthisperiodthenationsealeditsrejectionofChristbythepersecutionofHisdisciples，andtheapostlesturnedtotheGentiles，A。D。34。Thefirst490yearsofthe2300havingthenended，1810yearswouldremain。FromA。D。34，1810yearsextendto1844。"Then，"saidtheangel，"shallthesanctuarybecleansed。"Alltheprecedingspecificationsoftheprophecyhadbeenunquestionablyfulfilledatthetimeappointed。

Withthisreckoning，allwasclearandharmonious，exceptthatitwasnotseenthatanyeventansweringtothecleansingofthesanctuaryhadtakenplacein1844。Todenythatthedaysendedatthattimewastoinvolvethewholequestioninconfusion，andtorenouncepositionswhichhadbeenestablishedbyunmistakablefulfillmentsofprophecy。

ButGodhadledHispeopleinthegreatadventmovement；Hispowerandgloryhadattendedthework，andHewouldnotpermitittoendindarknessanddisappointment，tobereproachedasafalseandfanaticalexcitement。HewouldnotleaveHiswordinvolvedindoubtanduncertainty。

411

Thoughmanyabandonedtheirformerreckoningofthepropheticperiodsanddeniedthecorrectnessofthemovementbasedthereon，otherswereunwillingtorenouncepointsoffaithandexperiencethatweresustainedbytheScripturesandbythewitnessoftheSpiritofGod。Theybelievedthattheyhadadoptedsoundprinciplesofinterpretationintheirstudyoftheprophecies，andthatitwastheirdutytoholdfastthetruthsalreadygained，andtocontinuethesamecourseofBiblicalresearch。WithearnestprayertheyreviewedtheirpositionandstudiedtheScripturestodiscovertheirmistake。Astheycouldseenoerrorintheirreckoningofthepropheticperiods，theywereledtoexaminemorecloselythesubjectofthesanctuary。

IntheirinvestigationtheylearnedthatthereisnoScriptureevidencesustainingthepopularviewthattheearthisthesanctuary；buttheyfoundintheBibleafullexplanationofthesubjectofthesanctuary，itsnature，location，andservices；thetestimonyofthesacredwritersbeingsoclearandampleastoplacethematterbeyondallquestion。TheapostlePaul，intheEpistletotheHebrews，says:"Thenverilythefirstcovenanthadalsoordinancesofdivineservice，andaworldlysanctuary。Fortherewasatabernaclemade；thefirst，whereinwasthecandlestick，andthetable，andtheshewbread；whichiscalledthesanctuary。Andafterthesecondveil，thetabernaclewhichiscalledtheholiestofall；whichhadthegoldencenser，andthearkofthecovenantoverlaidroundaboutwithgold，whereinwasthegoldenpotthathadmanna，andAaron’srodthatbudded，andthetablesofthecovenant；andoveritthecherubimsofgloryshadowingthemercyseat。"

Hebrews9:1-5。

ThesanctuarytowhichPaulherereferswasthetabernaclebuiltbyMosesatthecommandofGodastheearthlydwellingplaceoftheMostHigh。"LetthemmakeMeasanctuary；thatImaydwellamongthem"(Exodus25:8)，wasthedirectiongiventoMoseswhileinthemountwithGod。TheIsraeliteswerejourneyingthroughthewilderness，412

andthetabernaclewassoconstructedthatitcouldberemovedfromplacetoplace；yetitwasastructureofgreatmagnificence。Itswallsconsistedofuprightboardsheavilyplatedwithgoldandsetinsocketsofsilver，whiletheroofwasformedofaseriesofcurtains，orcoverings，theouterofskins，theinnermostoffinelinenbeautifullywroughtwithfiguresofcherubim。Besidestheoutercourt，whichcontainedthealtarofburntoffering，thetabernacleitselfconsistedoftwoapartmentscalledtheholyandthemostholyplace，separatedbyarichandbeautifulcurtain，orveil；

asimilarveilclosedtheentrancetothefirstapartment。

Intheholyplacewasthecandlestick，onthesouth，withitssevenlampsgivinglighttothesanctuarybothbydayandbynight；onthenorthstoodthetableofshewbread；andbeforetheveilseparatingtheholyfromthemostholywasthegoldenaltarofincense，fromwhichthecloudoffragrance，withtheprayersofIsrael，wasdailyascendingbeforeGod。

Inthemostholyplacestoodtheark，achestofpreciouswoodoverlaidwithgold，thedepositoryofthetwotablesofstoneuponwhichGodhadinscribedthelawofTenCommandments。Abovetheark，andformingthecovertothesacredchest，wasthemercyseat，amagnificentpieceofworkmanship，surmountedbytwocherubim，oneateachend，andallwroughtofsolidgold。